Avoid using these Words on your Resume

Crafting your resume isn't easy; it takes time, effort, and vulnerability. While the thought of having someone look over your resume can be intimidating, the more eyes that scrutinize over it, the better. Your resume, no matter how many times you work on and revise it, will never be perfect. There is always room for improvement. On the bright side, there are a few easy things you can do to make sure your resume stands out and isn't just another one tossed to the side by employers. Strong word choice is critical. According to U.S. News & World Report , hiring managers have less than 20 seconds to make a decision about you based on your resume. Certain words are simply empty cliches and overused buzzwords that do not give employers any real insight into who you are, what you are capable of, and why they should hire you. With only 20 seconds, you better make your words count. Make some changes immediately if your resume has any of these words.

1. Team Player - Most jobs require you to work with others, so employers will already expect you to be a team player. Rather than simply claiming you are one, prove it by giving examples of times you collaborated with others. Be specific and write about certain teams you worked on and how you all worked together to succeed.

2. Hardworking - Just like being a team player, employers will expect you to be hardworking. Use your resume to prove to them that you are with specific examples. He/she won't know unless you list circumstances that demonstrate how hard you have worked in the past and how it benefited your employer. Make sure to utilize strong action verbs when giving details about what you did.

3. Detail-oriented - Similar to team player and hardworking, detail-oriented is a general phrase of self-promotion that is vague and does not effectively demonstrate how you will bring value to the company. This phrase is also VERY overused. Don't use it. Rather, focus on crafting a beautiful resume that proves your attention to detail.

4. Synergy - Synergy may sound fancy and professional, however, it is ultimately vague and doesn't tell employers much about you. It is better for you to give examples of how you collaborated and interacted well with others.

5. Go-getter - This is another self-promotional word that is vague and cliche. Don't use it. Show you have initiative by providing real life examples.

6. Bottom line - Employers want you to use numbers in your resume to show how you specifically helped improve your previous companies. Avoid vague terms like "bottom line" that do not provide any insight into what you actually accomplished. Give real examples with hard numbers. 

7. Wheelhouse - This is an example of overused business jargon that ultimately just weakens your resume. Ditch these fancy or professional words and stick to simply just explaining how you provide value to the company.

8. Proactive - Like detail-oriented, this is a useless buzzword that is self promotional, but vague and doesn't prove anything. Remember that buzzwords are not everything. Stick to providing examples of who you are and what you have done.

9. Problem-Solving Skills - Anyone will try to solve a problem if they have to. Having problem-solving skills doesn't make you that special or unique. Show off other skills on your resume.

10. Self-motivated - It is a given that you are self-motivated if you have made the time to create a resume and apply for the job. Don't take up space on your resume writing something employers already know. Tell them things about yourself that make you desirable for the job.

Hopefully, this list helps you better know what not to include in your resume. Check out our next blog to learn what words and phrases are great to use!