An excellent resume will surely give you an edge in a competitive job market. As a recruiter, analyzing your resume will depend on your choice of words. This piece aims to highlight ten words that are important to note in order to emphasize one’s strengths and accomplishments. In addition, ten phrases that could weaken one’s credibility will be discussed as well.
Recommended terms to feature on your CV
There are a few phrases that have the capacity to market your skills, achievements, and prospective opportunities. It is highly recommended that you only use the following phrases that will help increase your chances of getting employed:
Realized
This is a phrase that indicates your potential to meet and exceed targets. Use it to highlight your specific achievements that demonstrate your effectiveness.
Enhancements of previously existing systems
This term encapsulates development and the ability to change things positively within a corporation. This term epitomizes one’s ability to develop and positively impact an organization.
Had the overall responsibility of
If you have held senior positions in key projects or have led teams, this word depicts your leadership and accountability.
Developed
In regards to new ideas, projects, or systems built you should use “developed” to demonstrate your ingenuity.
Accomplished, devised and executed
These phrases describe your skill of being able to plan, initiate, and follow through on tasks. They also prove that you are dependable and meticulous in your work.
Objectives achieved
You are able to boast an objective which people measure in sales or other processes improved.
Donated
This shows your connection to the community, as well as active participation in worthwhile causes.
Income/Net income
If you are in sales, your role may be specified by indicating the income or net income. This will demonstrate your contribution towards enhancing finances.
The Achieved
If you have received a certain level of recognition award, or participated in a competition, “achieved” enables you to demonstrate your credentials.
Established
“Established” is a word that embodies the risk-taking ability of entrepreneurs to convert concepts into reality.
Do not include any of these 10 words on your CV
Certain words and phrases can lessen a CV’s effectiveness and are best left unaddressed. Self-serving or overly repetitious is how some may perceive these terms. Below are ten phrases you may want to consider circumventing.
Best of Breed
Abandon metaphors involving animals. It is better to emphasize feats as well as praises relating to human attributes.
Go-Getter
Never a fan of letting your work speak for itself. You should never use the phrase “go-getter.”
Think Outside the Box
This phrase is simply not original and has gone stale over the years. Put forth your creative and innovative essence through exemplary of work.
I am the go-to person for everything.
Statements like these can come off as overly self-promoting. You should back up these claims with your actions and rather than say you are this, you should showcase your work.
Thought leader
When it comes to the term “expert” it has a lot of wear and tear on it. It’s a title that can only be bestowed on people with wide-ranging and deep backgrounds. Concentrate on having effective actionable output instead.
Team player
Rather than propping yourself up as a team player for the job, put forth how you have successfully collaborated for a task.
Strategic thinker
Instead of reflecting on yourself as a strategist, focus on clearly demonstrating the outcome that stemmed from your strategic thinking.
Dynamic
Instead of claiming to be dynamic, let your words and actions work for you.
Detail-oriented
Put your words into actions instead of simply stating that you are detail oriented. For instance, by being accurate and precise with the tasks assigned.
Future-ready
Shy away from broad adjectives such as “future ready.” You will get more recognition from other people so long as you put in effort and progress.
The Key Capstone Points to Improve Your Resume
Focus On Action words:
Use in your resume action words such as “achieved”, “created”, “managed” to showcase your skills, achievements, and accomplishments. These action-oriented words will always increase the impact of your resume.
No Buzzwords:
Phrases ” team player” and “go-getter” prefer not to be used. These phrases do not have any substance. Rather rely on precise and tangible situations to validate your skills.
Show Impact:
Phrases like “results achieved” and “revenue/profits” significantly increase understanding on the side of the recruiter and employer, so use them freely.
Show Productivity and Initiative:
Terms “founded” “created” “managed” demonstrate proactivity and initiative so make sure you use them.
Final Words
In concluding a resume that has a positive impact comes from incorporating the right words that showcase your qualities. Never use vague statements as they are likely to dilute your message. Instead, incorporate phrases like “increased brand awareness”, “boosted marketing engagement” and “improved company reputation” while avoiding vague phrases to catch a recruiter’s attention. To optimally position yourself as the best candidate your resume must inform the reader about your skills, achievements and professional development.
