When you’re looking for a job, the first thing you have to do is update your resume and LinkedIn profile. And while it’s important to use words that accurately illustrate your unique combination of skills and abilities, some buzzwords have been used so much they’ve lost all their power. By including these overused words on your resume or LinkedIn profile, potential employers or hiring managers will skim over your application because it sounds just like everyone else’s.
Overused Buzzwords
Here are the top ten buzzwords to avoid on your resume or LinkedIn profile:
- Expert
- Organizational
- Strategic
- Track Record
- Responsible
- Driven
- Extensive Experience
- Creative
- Motivated
- Passionate
If you have one, or maybe two, of these words on your resume or profile, there’s no need to panic. But if you’ve included all ten words, it’s time for to rewrite and update things!
How to Replace These Words
It’s always better to use active language on your resume or profile. So rather than saying you are ‘motivated,’ try this instead:
During a project launch, I worked around the clock to ensure client deliverables were met on time.
Sometimes you need to use words like ‘motivated,’ and when that happens try some of these instead:
- Pro, authority, professional (Expert)
- Managerial, administrative, authoritative (Organizational)
- Consequential, significant, high priority (Strategic)
- Background, history, credentials (Track Record)
- Accountable, conscientious, reliable (Responsible)
- Persistent, intent, tenacious (Driven)
- Accomplished, seasoned, proven (Extensive Experience)
- Original, inventive, cunning (Creative)
- Determined, ambitious, compelled (Motivated)
- Impassioned, ardent, zealous (Passionate)
Now that you have stronger words in your arsenal, it’s time to update your resume and LinkedIn profile. By creating a unique and fresh-looking profile, it will be easier for recruiters and hiring managers to understand your skills. And that’s half the battle when it comes to landing your dream job.
Have you recently updated your resume and profile? Then check out the latest job opportunities. If you’re looking for a new job and could benefit from a resume overhaul, contact the staffing experts at Morris Bixby and stand out from the competition.