20 words you should never put on your résumé
While many large companies use automated résumé screener software to cut down the initial pool of job applicants, loading your résumé with meaningless buzzwords is not the smartest way to get noticed.
"Nearly everyone is guilty of using buzzwords from time to time, but professionals are evaluated increasingly on their ability to communicate," says Paul McDonald, senior executive director for professional placement firm Robert Half.
One of the major problems with using buzzwords and terms, according to Mary Lorenz, a corporate communications manager at CareerBuilder, is they have become so overused that they've lost all meaning.
Another issue, she explains, is that many of these words don't differentiate the job seeker from other candidates because they're so generic.
Instead, Lorenz says job seekers should speak in terms of accomplishments and show rather than tell.
"Avoiding overused terms can help job seekers convey their message and stand out from the crowd," McDonald says. Here's what you should avoid:
1. 'Best of breed'
When CareerBuilder surveyed more than 2,200 hiring managers last year, it found "best of breed" to be the most irritating term to be seen on a résumé.
"Anyone can say they are 'best of breed,' a 'go-getter,' a 'hard worker,' or a 'strategic thinker,'" Lorenz says. "Employers want to know what makes the job seekers unique, and how they will add value to the specific organization for which they're applying."
2. 'Phone'
Career coach Eli Amdur says there is no reason to put the word "phone" in front of the actual number.
"It's pretty silly. They know it's your phone number." The same rule applies to email.
3. 'Results-driven'
"Instead of simply saying that you're results-driven, write about what you did to actually drive results — and what those results were," Lorenz suggests.
See the rest of the story at Business Insider
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