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Do you leverage your big-picture, outside-the-box ideas and facilitate powerful synergistic relationships?

While being fluent in "business-speak" may prove beneficial during lingo-laden meetings, minimize the use of corporate buzzwords in your resume. Write in a straightforward manner. This candidate, for example, misfired by overusing (and misusing) the savvy-sounding term "vis-à-vis" in his resume:

"JOB DUTIES: Ensuring that the vis-a-vis quality superiority of our products vis-a-vis the nearest competitive products."

This next applicant should have simply said that she possesses strong communication and interpersonal abilities:

"SKILLS: Able to communicate effectively and professionally when using such means as but not limited to e-mail, telephone, documents, presentations, talks, conversations and discussions."

What about chitchats and powwows?

If you include an objective statement, customize it for the job you are pursuing. Also, make sure it's concise.

"OBJECTIVE: Looking forward to a career which allows integrating the knowledge that has been gathered during professional stints and academic pursuits with the work to enrich both the organization and myself with the valuable experience."

Now, that's a mouthful.

"OBJECTIVE: A can-do type of person with a positive attitude wants to become successful in management."

Great! Who's the person?

"OBJECTIVE: To run the path where success never ends and each milestone has its own name and fame."

A job candidate with a poetic flair.

Finally, instead of conducting research and showcasing his knowledge of the prospective employer, this job seeker closed his cover letter with a bold request:

COVER LETTER: "I am interested in gaining information about your company. Please furnish me."

A sofa and love seat are on the way.

Max Messmer is chairman and CEO of Robert Half International, a specialized staffing firm, and author of 'Managing Your Career For Dummies' and 'Job Hun'ting For Dummies,' 2nd Edition. His most recent book is Human Resources Kit For Dummies,' 2nd Edition.