50 Buzzwords to Avoid in a Resume

You just finished pouring days worth of effort into summation of yourself in a neat page and you can't wait to attack the world of jobs out there.

Hold on a second. Did you do a check for buzzwords like "goal-oriented" and "people-person"?

Why shouldn't you use these words? It's because they are ambiguous, overused and above all, they fail to differentiate your resume from everyone else's. These words are usually not what employers are looking for. They take up valuable real estate on your resume which could be used to showcase your accomplishments. These serve better as bold examples of your skills and worth - they convey your value to the employer directly.

Buzzwords are passe and they take away credible opportunities to stamp your mark. Instead, explain how you harness those skills to deliver concrete achievements in the past and how you would do the same and more for the company you seek employment in.

So do look out for these buzzwords and avoid them as far as possible.

1. Team player
2. Detailed-oriented
3. Proven track record of success
4. Experienced
5. Excellent communication skills
6. Leadership skills
7. Go-to person
8. Managed cross-functional teams
9. Exceptional organizational skills
10. Self-starter
11. Results-oriented professional
12. Bottom-line orientated
13. Works well with customers
14. Strong negotiation skills
15. Goal-oriented
16. People-person
17. Dynamic
18. Innovative
19. Proven ability
20. Top-flight
21. Motivated
22. Bottom-line focused
23. Responsible for
24. Assisted with
25. Skilled problem solver
26. Accustomed to fast-paced environments
27. Strong work ethic
28. Works well with all levels of staff
29. Met (or exceeded) expectations
30. Savvy business professional
31. Strong presentation skills
32. Looking for a challenging opportunity
33. Cutting-edge
34. Multi-tasker
35. Proactive
36. Seasoned professional
37. Perfectionist
38. Highly skilled
39. Functioned as
40. Duties included
41. Actions encompassed
42. Best-in-class
43. Strategic thinker
44. Trustworthy
45. Flexible
46. Works well under pressure
47. Quick learner
48. Partnered with others
49. Results-focused
50. Out-of-the-box thinker

Lastly, never use this phrase - "References will be furnished upon request". The reason is simple; You are expected to furnish them when your prospective employer requests for them. Hence, it is grossly unnecessary so just avoid it altogether.