There are certain resume words and phrases that have become so
ubiquitous they do little more than induce yawns and eye rolls from
hiring managers. Employers are so accustomed to hearing from "team
players" and "problem solvers," for example, that those descriptions are
now essentially meaningless. To distinguish yourself from your
competitors, you'll need to cut the clichés - or at least expand upon
them with concrete details that back up your claims.
Robert Half recently asked more than 1,300 managers at companies across
the United States and Canada to name the most overused resume phrases.
Based on our survey findings, here are 10 terms to retire:
1. Hard worker.
1. Hard worker.
Nothing causes a hiring manager's eyes
to glaze over faster than seeing this hollow descriptor. Why? Because
virtually all applicants - even the least-motivated clock-watchers -
claim to work hard.
To impress a prospective employer, you'll need to explain exactly how
you've gone the extra mile. Do you regularly meet aggressive deadlines,
handle a high volume of projects, exceed ambitious targets or volunteer
to tackle tasks outside your role?
2. Self-starter.
2. Self-starter.
Companies seek astute candidates who
can get off to a strong start without excessive managerial direction and
handholding. (In another Robert Half survey, managers cited mastering
new processes and procedures as the greatest challenge when starting a
new job.)
Unfortunately, simply saying you're a "self-starter" won't convince
anyone of your initiative, resourcefulness or ability to quickly make
meaningful contributions. Instead, illustrate how you've thrived when
managing important projects with little or no supervision.
3. Team player.
This term is the cliche of cliches.
Working well with others is imperative, but get specific. Spell out the
ways you've collaborated with colleagues. Did you dive in to help an
overwhelmed co-worker deliver a high-priority project or lead a key
cross-departmental initiative?
4. Highly qualified.
4. Highly qualified.
When it comes to your
qualifications, show, don't tell. Skip this empty expression and
describe what you'll bring to the position. Whenever possible, quantify
your biggest achievements (think about money you've generated or saved
your employers, for instance).
In addition, emphasize your most pertinent skills and certifications.
Researching the firm and doing a careful reading of the job posting can
help you determine which aspects of your background to focus on.
5. Dynamic.
5. Dynamic.
What does this well-worn term really mean?
That you're bursting with innovative ideas and positive energy? If true,
just say that. Characterizing yourself as "dynamic" is boastful and
sounds unnatural. Unless you regularly don a cape as part of a
crime-fighting duo, you can safely banish blasé buzzwords such as this.
6. Problem solver.
While being a "problem solver" beats
being a "problem creator," employers want tangible evidence of your
effectiveness. What specific solutions have you devised? How have you
overcome hurdles? Have you helped your boss or colleagues out of jams or
streamlined workflow inefficiencies?
7. Reliable.
7. Reliable.
Don't waste space touting "strengths" that
are basic requirements of any job, such as reliability. It's expected
that you -- and every other potential hire -- will be dependable.
Showing up on time and doing your work isn't worth bragging about. After
all, anything short of reliable would be unacceptable. Delete it.
8. Familiar with.
Many job seekers rely on this
ambiguous phrase to obscure a lack of in-depth knowledge in a particular
area. For instance, a person can technically claim to be familiar with a
software program they've used just once.
This type of wishy-washy wording raises red flags. It won't give
employers any sense of your level of expertise, but it will dilute the
impact of your more relevant core competencies.
9. Flexible.
9. Flexible.
Change is the only constant today. As
such, companies seek versatile professionals who'll adjust easily to new
situations. But go a step beyond merely referring to yourself as
flexible. Underscore your adaptability by explaining how you
successfully responded to a major change at work or deftly dealt with
unpredictable aspects of your job.
10. People person.
10. People person.
Interpersonal skills are critical
for most positions. Employers value professionals who can communicate
effectively and build camaraderie with a diverse array of internal and
external contacts. Cite examples of how you won over a challenging
coworker, client or customer, or helped a group of stakeholders reach a
consensus.
The bottom line is that clichés aren't memorable, powerful or persuasive. While there's nothing inherently wrong with the skills and traits listed above, they alone won't deepen an employer's understanding of who you are and what you offer. Stop using generic content as a crutch and embrace clear and specific information instead. As a job seeker, it just might be the most "dynamic" thing you can do.
The bottom line is that clichés aren't memorable, powerful or persuasive. While there's nothing inherently wrong with the skills and traits listed above, they alone won't deepen an employer's understanding of who you are and what you offer. Stop using generic content as a crutch and embrace clear and specific information instead. As a job seeker, it just might be the most "dynamic" thing you can do.
By Robert Half International
http://jobs.aol.com
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