Words to Avoid and Include in Your Resume |
by Alesia Benedict, CPRW, JCTC Using action words in your resume is an effective strategy for highlighting accomplishments as well as for making you a stronger candidate. However, many job seekers tend to overuse certain words so that they become meaningless. Take a moment to review your own resume for any of these words: 1) Innovative Now compare the above list with the following “action” words and phrases. You may even be able to sense the difference as you review the list. 1) Created new employee orientation program The second list of phrases is much more compelling because the descriptions use action words while telling a story of your accomplishments. Unique talents and skills are described in a meaningful way that also makes the reader want to learn more about you. Building that interest is a key factor in obtaining an interview. Both the resume and cover letter should be like a good book: hard for the hiring manager to put down! Don’t consider the words in the first list as off limits, but be strategic if you choose to include them in your resume. To be strategic, you have to back the words up with specific examples. With this approach, you can think of the two lists an à la carte menu, taking an item from list one and supporting it with an explanation from list two. But only use them in tandem. Using the first list alone leaves the reader thinking the words sound too good to be true. Without an explanation of the specific accomplishments associated with each of those list-one superlatives, the phrases will be seen as less than accurate and the reader is unlikely to want to know more about you. Another factor to consider is whether the words you are using to describe yourself are assumed in most candidates at your level. Consider examples such as “highly motivated” or “dependable.” Not only can these general descriptors take up valuable resume space, but they can also sabotage your first impression because they are considered so basic. Finally, use industry specific keywords whenever possible, but avoid using jargon. Keywords not only emphasize your familiarity with the field, but can also help bring your resume to the top of a search conducted by electronic scanning. For example, did you expand marketing efforts to include “social media?” What about “continuous improvement” measures? Be certain to include relevant keywords throughout your resume. Choose your words wisely when writing your resume. The words on the page are the most critical factor in getting called for an interview. Use the language in your resume to demonstrate your expertise as well as your experience and you will soon be hearing the phrase, “You’re hired!” |