Warning! Avoid These 10 Words In Your Resume Or Risk Unemployment Forever...
ILENE REIN | Executive Recruiter & Job Search Strategist | Pounding Pavement 101
The words on your resume matter more than you think.
They can be the difference between landing an interview and getting passed over completely.
Just like any good marketing content, certain phrases should never appear in your resume because they actively work against you.
Recruiters spend about 7.4 seconds scanning your resume on average.
Every single word needs to count.
Powerful words make your accomplishments stand out.
Weak words diminish everything you've achieved.
Words like "try," "helped," or "basic" make you sound unqualified and inexperienced.
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Here are 10 words that kill your chances.
1. "Seasoned"
This word suggests you've been around forever. If you're a recent graduate or early in your career, it makes zero sense. The average graduate enters the workforce around age 23. They're not seasoned anything yet. Skip this word entirely and focus on what you've actually accomplished.
2. "Leader"
93% of hiring managers want candidates with leadership experience. But calling yourself a leader without proof is meaningless. Anyone can type that word. Show your leadership instead. Talk about the team project you led or the initiative you launched. Concrete examples beat empty labels every time.
3. "Hard worker"
Everyone claims to work hard. Employers don't care about vague claims. They want measurable results and specific skills. Saying you're a hard worker tells them nothing about what you can actually do. Show them your work ethic through achievements, not adjectives.
4. "Team player"
77% of employers value collaboration. But only 54% consider teamwork skills a top priority when reviewing candidates. Just calling yourself a team player doesn't prove anything. Describe a time you collaborated on something meaningful instead. Show them how you work with others through real examples.
5. "Organized"
Only 2% of employers list "organized" as a top skill they're looking for. It's too vague and impossible to measure. Instead of saying you're organized, describe what you organized. Talk about the system you created or the chaos you turned into order. Prove it through your accomplishments.
6. "Multitasker"
Stanford research shows multitasking can decrease productivity by up to 40%. It's not the selling point you think it is. Employers want someone who can prioritize and focus. Skip the multitasker label and highlight specific projects you completed on time. Show them you can handle your workload without the buzzword.
7. "Self-starter"
Only 6% of employers view this phrase positively. The definition varies so much from person to person that it's basically useless. Everyone thinks they're a self-starter. Focus on your unique qualifications and what you've initiated on your own. Let your achievements do the talking.
8. "Go-getter"
Using this phrase can reduce your chances of getting hired by up to 22%. It comes across as desperate. Employers want confidence, not overeager buzzwords. Present yourself as competent through your skills and accomplishments. Drop the go-getter label completely.
9. "Problem solver"
Hiring managers are tired of seeing this phrase without any proof. Everyone claims to solve problems. Show them how you solved a specific problem instead. Give them a real example from your work history. Proof beats claims every single time.
10. "Detail-oriented"
Recruiters skim resumes in seconds. Telling them you're detail-oriented doesn't grab their attention. Show your attention to detail through how you present your work. Describe a time when catching a small mistake prevented a bigger issue. Demonstrate the skill instead of announcing it.
Words matter in your job search.
The wrong ones make you sound weak, unimpressive, or inexperienced.
The right ones showcase your actual skills and qualifications.
Avoid these 10 words and you'll make your resume far more appealing to employers.
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About Ilene Rein
Ilene Rein is on a mission to get people hired... and in record time! As an Executive Recruiter and Managing Partner at Marketing & Sales Resources, and Founder and Job Search Strategist at Pounding Pavement 101, Ilene has spent years on the inside of the hiring process, watching what actually gets candidates noticed and job offers.
After hearing countless stories of job seekers struggling for 9-12 months with endless applications and radio silence, Ilene created Pounding Pavement 101 – her Foolproof, Job-Getting, Career-Building System that teaches job seekers exactly how to market themselves with laser precision using insider recruiting secrets.
The Pounding Pavement 101 program results are incredible: Ilene's clients are getting hired 6x FASTER than job searching alone – landing dream jobs in just 3-8 weeks instead of months of frustration and saving thousands of dollars of lost income! Check out the detailed statistics.
Ilene is a sought-after speaker partnering with companies, educational institutions and organizations worldwide to provide this premium job searching expert guidance.
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