Comments on: Use “Elegant Variation” in Your Resumé

By: Daisy

Daisy — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 01:32:21 +0000

To startler:

I think the author’s point is using more specific collocations instead of cliches throughout resumes. Have a look at the ‘developed’ example, I would definitely say ‘enriched the culture’ rather than ‘developed the culture’, or ‘amplified the sound’ instead of ‘developed the sound’.

By: Justin

Justin — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 21:11:50 +0000

On the topic of obfuscation versus clarity I think the point is slightly more complicated than that. Much like the Force, elegant variation can be used for ill, here being obfuscation and or deception, but it also does serve the purpose advertised in the article. In my eyes the issue is clearly one of scope.
When writing a newspaper article the rules are different than one would employ when writing elsewhere. A news article should communicate clearly the actual news, not distract the reader with ornamental text, and ideally conserve space. For a resumé, while you should also be concise and informative, being too boring is also a concern.
Because of the already repetitive nature a resumé is likely to have, it is useful to avoid using the same word or term too often or too closely.

That having been said, I would imagine that the type of job that the resumé is being prepared for would also factor in. A highly technical job might call for itemized lists or other representations that obviate the need for this variation, whereas more creative or free form positions might well benefit more from the wordier and less boring method.

By: AmaT

AmaT — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 14:17:26 +0000

I agree! I have always been a fan of adjectives and synonyms. Thanks, Debra ~

By: mailav

mailav — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 01:32:37 +0000

Very nice and helpful information has been given in this article. I like the way you explain the things. Keep posting. Thanks.

By: Statler

Statler — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 22:38:05 +0000

Strikes me that this is a call for obfuscation rather than clarity.

I’m sure a well written CV is something any reader would applaud but I’m with Mr Fowler when it comes to “elegant variation”. I wonder if the irony was intended when he labelled this behaviour as “elegant variation”?