The Golden Rule: Show, Don't Tell
Imagine a movie where the narrator just says, "The hero was brave." Boring, right? You'd much rather see the hero charge into a burning building to save a kitten. The same principle applies to your résumé.
Telling a recruiter you're a "hard worker" is meaningless without proof. Showing them you exceeded your sales targets every quarter for a year is unforgettable. Every time you write a bullet point, ask yourself: does this tell them what I am, or does it show them what I've done?
5 Clichés to Cut (and What to Use Instead)
Ready for a résumé refresh? Here are five of the most common culprits that are taking up valuable space and what you can replace them with.
1. "Hard-Working"
This is the ultimate résumé cliché. Of course you're hard-working—so is every other applicant who wants the job! It's an expected trait, not a unique skill.
2. "Team Player"
Collaboration is critical in almost every role, but simply calling yourself a "team player" doesn't explain how you work with others. Do you lead? Do you support? Do you mediate? Get specific.
3. "Detail-Oriented"
This phrase has two major problems. First, it's another unproven claim. Second, it's incredibly ironic if your résumé contains even a single typo. The best way to prove you're detail-oriented is with a flawless, well-formatted résumé and a description of your precise work.
4. "Results-Driven"
The entire purpose of a résumé is to showcase your results. Stating that you are "results-driven" is like a restaurant menu saying the food is "edible." It's redundant and tells the reader nothing new. Let your results speak for themselves.
5. "Passionate"
Passion is fantastic, but it's a feeling, not a skill. It's difficult to prove on paper and often comes across as fluff. Your passion should be evident in the extra steps you've taken in your career. Save the emotional language for your cover letter and use your résumé to list the facts.
Putting It All Together
Swapping out these vague phrases for concrete achievements takes a little more effort, but the payoff is huge. You transform your résumé from a passive list of duties into an active showcase of your value.
If you're looking to build a strong foundation and ensure your formatting is as professional as your content, a dedicated tool can be a game-changer. A great résumé builder like resumost.com helps you organize your accomplishments and create a polished document that avoids these common traps from the start.
Your Résumé, Recharged
Your résumé isn't just a piece of paper; it's your personal marketing document. Every word counts.
Go on, open up your résumé right now. Can you find one of these empty words? Swap it out for a number, a specific achievement, or a concrete outcome, and watch it instantly become more powerful.