Buzzwords To Include And Avoid On Your Resume

Buzzwords To Include And Avoid On Your Resume Buzzwords to include and avoid on your resumeSure, youre a hard-working innovator with excellent communication skillsunfortunately, so is nearly every job applicant youre competing with, at least according to their resumes. Its time to break from hackneyed buzzwords that carry zero weight in the eyes of a recruiter or hiring manager.Any clich seems shallow in a resume, says Lori Scherwin, executive coach and founder of New York Citybased Strategize That.Check out this list of buzzwords and schlagworts you should avoid on your resume, along with some tips on how to better use that precious real estate on your job application materials.Hard workerWhat you think it says Im dedicated to doing my job well.Of course youre a hard worker Even if you arent, its not like youre going to admit otherwise on your resume.Instead of stating the obvious, prove it. Give real-life examples of how you go the extra mile, says Cheryl Palmer, an executive caree r coach and owner of Call to Career in Fayetteville, Georgia.Better buzzword Include the word achieved, and back it up with examples of what youve accomplished. For example, you could say, Achieved sales goal for three consecutive years with a reduced staff. This shows that you, and your staff, are hard-working while you avoid saying so directly, suggests Palmer.Creative, outside the box, innovativeWhat you think it says I come up with good, new ideas.If you could actually think outside the box, youd be able to phrase it less blandly, Scherwin says. These trite descriptors can actually undermine your case if you dont back them up with specifics.To really show off your creativity, shareexamples of how you developed and implemented new ideas or processes. If you work in a creative field, such as advertising or web design, pursue industry awards, which can serve as outside validation for the uniqueness of your work.Better buzzword Include the word created. It shows that youve produced something new and original.Excellent communicatorWhat you think it says I know how to talk and listen to people to get stuff done.Rule of thumb If you have to tell people you are something, you likely arent that something. You must embody a trait for people to take notice.Instead of dropping in this meaningless phrase, provide examples of how your communication skills led to specific positive outcomes.Better buzzwords Use the words listen and improve to indicate how your actions made the company better. I listened to my customers feedback and used that information to create a streamlined process that improved efficiency by two hours.ResponsibleWhat you think it says Im in charge of this.Your resume is no place for vagueness, and writing responsible on your resumeas in, I was responsible for xyzleaves it unclear exactly what role you played.Get specific about the level of authority you had. If you managed the project, say that. If you launched it, say that.Better buzzwords Hiring man agers prefer mora specific words, like managed or directed, with details about your contribution, according to Palmer. And use numbers to make your accomplishments stand out. Metrics, data, or any kind of stats help recruiters and hiring managers see the impact you made.ExpertWhat you think it says Im the best at this.There may be portions of your job that you know so well, you can do them with your eyes closedbut that doesnt mean you get to claim expert on your resume. True experts dont need to proclaim their elite status instead, they let their well-earned reputations on the job speak for themselves.Better buzzwords Use action words, such as published or delivered, to demonstrate your professional clout. Focus on your yearsof experienceand training, and give examples that show off your authority. For example, Published 10 articles in industry magazines, or, Delivered keynote address at three industry conferences.Check your languageYou want your resume to appear fresh and contempor ary, but you also want it to say something that hiring managers would consider valuable. Want to make sure your writing efforts are paying off?Get a free resume evaluation today from the experts atMonsters Resume Writing Service. Youll get detailed feedback in two business days, including a review ofyour resumes appearance and content, and a prediction of a recruiters first impression.Generate buzz without fizzing out.