Overused Words on Resumes and How to Avoid Resume Clichés

When it comes to resume writing, it’s easy to fall into the trap of using overused buzzwords or relying on tired clichés. These can make your resume sound generic, lose impact, and fail to set you apart from other candidates. In this blog, we’ll dive into some common resume clichés, explain why they should be avoided, and offer alternative ways to express your skills and achievements effectively.

1. "Hardworking"

One of the most overused words on resumes is "hardworking." While it’s important to convey a strong work ethic, this word is vague and doesn’t provide any concrete proof of your abilities.

Why Avoid It: "Hardworking" doesn’t give recruiters any specific details about how you work, what you’ve accomplished, or how you add value.

Alternative: Show your hard work through your achievements. Use metrics and specific examples to demonstrate your dedication, like "Increased sales by 20% through consistent outreach and follow-up."

2. "Results-Driven"

“Results-driven” is another buzzword that can sound generic if not backed by actual accomplishments. Employers want to know what results you’ve achieved and how you can contribute to their goals.

Why Avoid It: Without tangible examples, “results-driven” doesn’t mean much. It can appear as an empty phrase that doesn’t convey true value.

Alternative: Replace “results-driven” with specific examples of how you’ve driven results. For example, "Drove a 30% increase in website traffic by optimizing content and implementing SEO strategies."

3. "Team Player"

While collaboration is essential, “team player” is a broad and often unnecessary term that doesn’t highlight any specific contributions you made to a team.

Why Avoid It: Everyone claims to be a team player, so it doesn’t set you apart. It also doesn’t illustrate how you interact with others or what your role in the team was.

Alternative: Highlight how you worked within a team and your specific contributions. For example, "Collaborated with cross-functional teams to streamline processes, resulting in a 15% reduction in project timelines."

4. "Go-Getter"

This phrase might sound positive, but it’s cliché and doesn’t offer any real insight into your skills or work habits. It’s also subjective and can come across as self-promotional without backing up the claim.

Why Avoid It: It's vague and can be interpreted in many ways, leaving the reader wondering what exactly makes you a "go-getter."

Alternative: Showcase your proactive attitude through concrete examples. For instance, "Proactively identified inefficiencies in workflow and implemented a new system that saved 10 hours per week."

5. "Self-Motivated"

Being self-motivated is a great trait, but it’s another one of those terms that’s often overused and lacks specificity. Employers want to see how you channel that motivation into actionable outcomes.

Why Avoid It: It’s a general statement that doesn’t speak to your actual work or results.

Alternative: Prove your self-motivation by citing instances where you independently took the initiative or solved problems without being asked. For example, "Spearheaded a new project that led to a 25% improvement in client retention."

6. "Detail-Oriented"

Attention to detail is an important skill, but simply writing “detail-oriented” doesn’t prove you possess that trait. It’s another vague phrase that needs more context to be meaningful.

Why Avoid It: It’s often redundant and doesn’t illustrate how you demonstrate attention to detail.

Alternative: Provide examples of how your attention to detail made a difference. For example, "Reviewed and proofed all marketing materials, reducing errors by 30% and ensuring brand consistency."

7. "Dynamic"

Describing yourself as "dynamic" doesn’t tell employers anything specific about your skills or abilities. It’s another adjective that can feel like filler when not backed up with concrete examples.

Why Avoid It: "Dynamic" is often used without clarification, leaving the reader uncertain about what makes you dynamic.

Alternative: Show how you’ve exhibited versatility and adaptability in your career. For instance, "Adapted to changing priorities and managed multiple projects simultaneously, meeting deadlines 95% of the time."

8. "Experienced"

While experience is essential, simply stating that you’re "experienced" is not enough. It doesn't explain what you’ve done with that experience or how it benefited your previous employers.

Why Avoid It: It’s a redundant way to state something that is usually assumed when applying for jobs.

Alternative: Instead of saying "experienced," describe your experience and what it resulted in. For example, "Managed a team of 10 to deliver successful product launches on time, increasing customer satisfaction by 20%."

9. "Expert"

Everyone claims to be an expert, but without proof, this term can backfire. Employers want to see evidence that you have deep knowledge in a particular area.

Why Avoid It: Without demonstrating your expertise, the term "expert" can come off as inflated or unsupported.

Alternative: Highlight your achievements and qualifications that showcase your expertise, such as certifications, successful projects, or key responsibilities. For example, "Certified Project Management Professional (PMP) with 5+ years of experience managing multimillion-dollar projects."

10. "Excellent Communication Skills"

Communication is key in many jobs, but this phrase doesn’t give any real information about your communication style or how you use this skill to achieve goals.

Why Avoid It: It’s a vague, subjective claim that doesn’t explain how you communicate effectively.

Alternative: Demonstrate your communication skills through examples. For instance, "Successfully led team meetings, presenting project updates to senior leadership, and providing clear directions to cross-functional teams."

How to Avoid Clichés:

• Be Specific: Instead of relying on generic phrases, quantify your achievements with numbers or details.

• Use Action Verbs: Start each bullet point with an action verb like "led," "managed," "developed," or "improved."

• Tailor Your Resume: Customize your resume for each job, focusing on the skills and experiences most relevant to the position.

• Show, Don’t Tell: Instead of stating qualities, demonstrate them through real-life examples.

By avoiding overused words and clichés and focusing on specific accomplishments and experiences, you’ll create a more impactful resume that stands out from the crowd and effectively communicates your value to potential employers.