Using the right words and phrases will make it easier for not only recruiters to view your resume, but also for the ATS software.

However, there are certain buzzwords that recruiters are tired of seeing on their resume because they say little about your experience and talk a lot about your lack of imagination. Since everyone else is likely to use them, they also won’t help you stand out from the crowd.

Buzzwords to Avoid

To give people an idea of ​​the buzzwords to avoid when writing a resume, LinkedIn has released a list of the most commonly used words from 2010 to 2018.

Here is a list for 2018 and the meaning of each word:

Specialize: Claiming that you “specialize” in something doesn’t really say anything. If you are not an all-rounder, everyone is a specialist in something. Experienced: Like specializing, experience says little. If you’ve worked for the same company for 10 years, you might be considered “ experienced, ” but that might not matter much if you don’t understand the intricacies of your job. role, recruiters will expect the necessary skills from you. Saying that you are “qualified” is not as effective as showing recruiters how you have effectively applied your skills to projects. Leadership: While the word itself has nothing in common, there are other ways to demonstrate your “leadership”. You will be more impressive to employers if you focus on the specific actions you have taken and the results you have achieved. Passionate: You may be “passionate” about your chosen career; however, like everyone else. Sometimes people say that they “seek” to hide their lack of experience, which is not the impression you want to make. Expert: Simply by stating that you are an “expert”. In fact, it might sound overconfident. You will be more persuasive by focusing on measurable results and achievements. Motivated: Employers would have a right to worry if you weren’t “motivated”. Thus, claiming that this is the case does not really say anything about your work ethic or dedication. Creativity: You can tell employers that you can come up with original and non-standard solutions, or that you have a creative approach. side. However, if everyone uses the word “creative,” it loses its originality, and employers are also likely to view you as unoriginal. Strategy: Strategy is important in business. Without the ability to plan ahead, no business can survive. However, if you call yourself “strategic,” you are not telling employers about your ability to plan for contingencies and solve problems. Focused: “Focused” means you can focus on a task with attention. However, most employers expect this. Instead of saying that you are “focused,” you can talk about how you prioritize certain projects.

Other words and phrases that have lost their meaning

Here are some more commonly used words and phrases that recruiters have seen hundreds of times before:

FlexibleMotivatedStrong work ethicMulti-taskingIndependentDetailedSelf-motivatedTeam playerDifficult worker

While you don’t need to completely exclude these words and phrases, it’s a good idea to think about how you would describe yourself in real life. It is unlikely that you would describe yourself as “hardworking,” “motivated,” or “passionate.” Therefore, if you do not use these terms in real life, do not use them in your resume.

Use the STAR technique

To avoid using empty words and phrases on your resume, the STAR technique can help you tell your story more convincingly. Usually used in interviews, STAR means:

Situation: What situation or problem are you facing? Task: What task did you need to complete? Action: What specific actions did you take to deal with the situation or problem? Result: What result have you achieved or what result have you achieved?

Here’s how to put it all together, for example when describing your support manager role:

Situation: Lead a customer support team of 5 agents. Objective: Coordinated efforts to improve responses to e-mails to customers. Action: Analyzed email responses and provided training on the following problem areas: account management and complaints. Result: Reducing the number of complaints by 15% within 2 months.

Power words and action verbs to include on your resume

If you don’t want to sound like everyone else, what words could you use instead to make your resume stand out? The answer is power words and action verbs.

Instead of passively describing your responsibilities, strong words and action verbs focus on the specific actions you have taken and the results you have achieved. Here are some of them to use on your resume:

You have achieved something Goals exceeded by … Goals exceeded by … x goals achieved …

You researched, researched … tested … rated … rated …

You supported clients / colleagues, advised … taught … mentored … received education …

You led or led a team. Was appointed … supervised … trained … supervised …

You led the project Developed … Developed … Implemented … Leads …

You have changed or improved something.