The Importance of Choosing Your Resume Words Wisely

Your resume is the first opportunity you get to showcase your skills and work experience to potential employers. Choosing the right words to describe your achievements can make or break your chances of landing an interview. CareerBuilder suggests that there are 25 words that you should avoid using on your resume, and instead opt for more specific and measurable achievements.

The Problem with Generic Resume Words

Terms such as “hardworking”, “team player”, and “motivated” are all too common on resumes. While these words may seem like buzzwords that hiring managers want to hear, they are generic and offer no real insight into your accomplishments. Employers want to see specific examples of how you have added value to previous companies, not just vague claims about your work ethic.

When you use these types of generic terms, your resume blends in with the rest, and it becomes difficult for hiring managers to distinguish your qualifications from those of other candidates. Your resume should showcase your unique achievements and provide a clear picture of what you can bring to the table.

The Benefits of Measurable Achievements

When you replace generic terms with measurable achievements on your resume, you give employers a clearer view of your capabilities. Using concrete numbers and specific examples of your work experience can differentiate your resume from others and show that you understand the value of your contributions to previous employers.

For example, instead of simply stating that you have “excellent communication skills”, you can provide a specific example of how you used those skills. If you wrote a jargon-free user guide for 11,000 users, that shows that you have excellent communication skills in a technical environment.

How to Choose the Right Words for Your Resume

Choosing the right words for your resume can be challenging, but it’s important to take the time to tailor your resume to the job you’re applying for. When reviewing the job listing, look for specific skills or requirements that the employer is looking for, and tailor your resume to reflect those skills.

Using action verbs in your resume can also help to emphasize your accomplishments. For example, “Managed a team of ten employees” is a stronger statement than “Responsible for managing a team of employees”. The first statement uses an action verb to describe your accomplishment, while the second statement is more passive.

Conclusion

Your resume is your chance to make a great first impression on potential employers. Avoid using generic terms and instead focus on measurable achievements and specific examples of your work. By tailoring your resume to the job you’re applying for and choosing the right words to describe your accomplishments, you increase your chances of landing an interview and ultimately, your dream job.