Did you know there are words to avoid using in your resume?

Studies have found that the average recruiter scans a resume for less than 10 seconds before deciding if the candidate is a good fit for an open position. When you have so little time to impress a recruiter, every word on your resume counts. That's why it's important to carefully choose which terms belong on your resume and which words to avoid.

Below are some tips to help you get your application noticed by including the right words on your resume and removing the ones that are proven to bore and repel recruiters.

Words to avoid: Cliches 

Every resume that has ever been sent to a hiring manager has, at some point, used the words 

  • Managed

  • Responsible for

  • Supervised

  • Creative

  • Passionate

  • Think outside the box

  • Track record

These phrases fall into what's referred to as cliches. They're so overused and lack imagination. Your resume is supposed to prove that you're the best person for the job; you can't do that by saying the same thing everyone else says.

Words to avoid: Fluff

If you want to impress an employer, get rid of the filler words that crowd your resume and focus on demonstrating your qualifications. For instance, instead of describing yourself as 

  • A specialist or 

  • An Expert

list the results you've achieved in your field that qualify your expertise. In other words, aim to show, rather than tell, employers about your skills by illustrating them with relevant accomplishments and major contributions.

While it can be difficult to keep your resume's professional summary completely fluff-free, do your best to avoid using these overused buzzwords wherever possible.

Words to avoid: Weak action verbs

If there's one thing that hiring managers are completely over, it's seeing what you were “responsible for” doing in your last job. When you write that you were “accountable for” overseeing a thing, all you're saying is what you were supposed to do. You're not actually talking about what you did. 

It's time to get a little creative. Swap out these terms for strong action verbs that paint a more colorful picture of your career story.

Use strong action verbs

What is a strong action verb, you ask?

Well, action verbs are just what they sound like — words that express action. When chosen carefully, they can be a powerful way to describe your capabilities and accomplishments. However, not all action verbs are created equal, and frankly, some resume action verbs have been overused to the point of exhaustion. 

There are only so many times you can say that you “led” a team, “handled” a situation, or “supported” an initiative before your job descriptions become repetitive and boring. This can be especially challenging if you've held several roles in the past with similar job responsibilities.

If you find yourself describing your work experience with the same boring words over and over again, try switching them out for strong, compelling action verbs that will catch employers' eyes.

Here are a few examples to help you bring your accomplishments to life on your resume:

  • Instead of “Managed,” try “Directed,” “Guided,” “Facilitated,” “Recruited,” “Mentored,” or “Cultivated.”

  • Instead of “Helped,” try “Coached,” “Represented,” “Clarified,” “Referred,” “Facilitated,” or “Assessed.”

  • Instead of “Created,” try “Designed,” “Originated,” “Developed,” “Shaped,” “Conceptualized,” or “Fashioned.”

Related reading: 100 + Keywords, Verbs and Action Words for Your Resume

Words to avoid: Vague terms or generic phrases

You never want to put the hiring manager in a position to assume something about your career history. Rather, your resume should shine a spotlight on things you've accomplished, as that's what will help you stand out from the crowd. The best way to wow their socks off is by being specific. 

In other words, you wouldn't want to say that you are “results-oriented” without actually showing off some results. Writing that you're a “team player” also says nothing unless you can demonstrate how you've interacted with teams in the past. You can say that you're a “hard worker,” but without some quantifiable achievements, the phrase will fall flat on your reader. 

Related reading: 47 Accomplishment Examples for Your Resume: Expert Picks

Words to avoid: Passive language

The use of passive language in any writing instrument, including your resume, makes achievements less impactful. A passive voice can make your contributions seem distant or less significant. Instead, use an active voice to ensure your resume clearly highlights your achievements and positions you as a proactive candidate who delivers results. 

So, what is the difference between passive and active language for a resume? Consider the following:

Passive Language Example:

  • "The project was completed by my team ahead of schedule."

Active Language Revision:

  • "Led my team to complete the project ahead of schedule."

It's all about the subject of the sentence you write. If you think back to elementary English class, you learned that a sentence has a subject and a predicate. Whatever is in the subject is the focus of what's being written. 

Therefore, in the passive language example, the project is the subject – the focus is on its completion. Conversely, in the active language example, the focus shifts to you as the leader who drove the project to completion. 

Create it, update it, use the right words

It doesn't matter if you're writing your resume or updating an existing resume; keep in mind that your goal is to have the hiring manager chomping at the bit to interview you. That can't be accomplished by writing something filled with fluffy filler words and cliched buzzwords they see in every other resume that comes across their desk. Write using impactful words that demonstrate the value you'll add to the new team! 

Need help finding the right words to use on your resume? Submit your resume for a free review.

This article was originally written by Amanda Augustine. It's been updated by Marsha Hebert.

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