Effective Resume Words: What To Include And Avoid

When it comes to writing a winning resume, the words you use can make all the difference. Your resume is often the first impression a potential employer has of you, so it’s important to choose your words carefully. In this post, we’ll discuss what to include and avoid in your resume to make it stand out from the crowd.

Include Power Words

Using power words in your resume can help you stand out from other candidates and grab the attention of hiring managers. Here are some power words to consider:

• Achieved
• Improved
• Managed
• Created
• Influenced
• Trained
• Implemented
• Increased
• Organized
• Resolved

Using these words shows that you are action-oriented and results-driven, which are qualities that employers look for in candidates.

Avoid Overused Words and Phrases

While it’s important to use powerful words in your resume, it’s equally important to avoid overused words and phrases that can make your resume sound generic and dull. Here are some examples of overused words and phrases to avoid:

• Team player
• Detail-oriented
• Hard worker
• Self-starter
• Excellent communication skills
• Results-oriented
• Dynamic
• Proven track record
• Fast-paced environment
• Multitasker

Instead, try to use more specific and descriptive words that highlight your unique skills and achievements.

Quantify Your Achievements

When describing your achievements in your resume, it’s important to quantify them whenever possible. This means using specific numbers and statistics to illustrate your accomplishments. For example:

• Increased sales by 20% in the first quarter
• Managed a team of 10 employees
• Reduced expenses by $50,000 per year
• Trained 50 new employees in company policies and procedures

Using specific numbers and statistics helps to make your achievements more tangible and impressive to potential employers.

Use Industry-Specific Keywords

When writing your resume, it’s important to use industry-specific keywords that are relevant to the job you’re applying for. This helps to show that you have a good understanding of the industry and that you are a good fit for the position. For example, if you’re applying for a job in marketing, you might include keywords like:

• SEO
• Social media
• Content marketing
• Analytics
• Branding

Using industry-specific keywords can also help your resume get picked up by automated applicant tracking systems (ATS) that many employers use to screen resumes.

Tailor Your Resume to the Job

One of the most important things you can do when writing your resume is to tailor it to the job you’re applying for. This means analyzing the job description and highlighting your relevant skills and experience. For example, if the job requires strong leadership skills, you might highlight your experience managing a team. If the job requires experience with a specific software program, you might highlight your proficiency with that program.

Proofread Carefully

Before submitting your resume, it’s important to proofread it carefully to avoid any spelling or grammatical errors. Even small mistakes can make a bad impression on potential employers. You might even consider asking a friend or colleague to review your resume for you.

Conclusion

By including power words, avoiding overused words and phrases, quantifying your achievements, using industry-specific keywords, tailoring your resume to the job, and proofreading carefully, you can create a winning resume that stands out from the crowd.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are power words?

Power words are strong, action-oriented words that help to make your resume stand out from the crowd. Examples include achieved, improved, managed, and created.

What are some overused words and phrases to avoid in a resume?

Some overused words and phrases to avoid in a resume include team player, detail-oriented, hard worker, self-starter, excellent communication skills, and results-oriented.

Why is it important to quantify your achievements in a resume?

Quantifying your achievements with specific numbers and statistics helps to make them more tangible and impressive to potential employers.

What are industry-specific keywords?

Industry-specific keywords are words and phrases that are relevant to a particular industry or job. Using these keywords helps to show that you have a good understanding of the industry and are a good fit for the position.

Why is it important to tailor your resume to the job?

Tailoring your resume to the job helps to highlight your relevant skills and experience and shows potential employers that you are a good fit for the position.