When writing a resume you’re probably looking for attention grabbing catch phrases and words. Most people think including their ability to think in a “creative” manner or having an “effective” work ethic will get them the job, but the use of these words in a resume will have just the opposite affect nowadays.
According to LinkedIn, a professional online network, the top five words/phrases that will get your resume laughed at or worse, thrown out without a second glance, are:
- Creative
- Organizational
- Effective
- Extensive Experience
- Track Record
These words replaced 2010’s list of ‘results-oriented,’ ‘entrepreneurial’ and ‘fast-paced’ as the most overused words employers heard and found irritating after the umpteenth time of hearing them.
LinkedIn, with its more than 135 million members, is the largest online professional network with access to jobs, people, and other resources. The company’s research breeds results that make job seekers rethink their strategy to get that dream job they’ve always wanted.
One of the company’s managers, Danielle Restivo, suggests a better way to get the job would be to add specifics to the resume. Instead of using vague phrases like “creative” or “extensive experience” show the prospective employer creativity through the description of past projects or how much experience you have by telling him/her your accomplishments in the field.
Around the world there are senseless words used to fluff up one’s resume. In Brazil ‘multinational’ is thrown around aimlessly while in Spain employers “grew weary of hearing the word ‘managerial’” as a worker’s attempt at getting the job. No matter where in the world you’re looking for a job, it’s best to avoid fluff words like these and get down to the real meat of your resume.
