Do you think it's a weird phenomenon that job ads state they want team players and great problem solvers yet HR considers these to be among the WORST terms to have on your resume? It's because of how generic they are!
Related: Top 15 Words Hiring Managers Want To See On Your Resume
As humans, we're all problem solvers… and ideally, team players—but those terms rarely show how unique we are compared to another candidate. Here's a list that more than 2,200 hiring managers just compiled of 15 words they NEVER want to see on your resume:
- Best of breed
- Go-getter
- Think outside of the box
- Synergy
- Go-to person
- Thought leadership
- Value add
- Results-driven
- Team player
- Bottom-line
- Hard worker
- Strategic thinker
- Dynamic
- Self-motivated
- Detail-oriented
Chock full of vague soft skills that could apply to most candidates in the job market. I'm sure now you can see how hard it becomes to stand out in a crowd. You can still give the employer the soft skills they're looking for; just wait until the interview to discuss them. Instead, invest time showing how your experience and skills are a great match! Focus on keywords, quantifiable achievements, and unique successes.
And in case you were wondering, here's a list of the BEST alternative words to use on your resume as preferred by HR themselves!
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Jessica Holbrook Hernandez, CEO of Great Resumes Fast is an expert resume writer, career and personal branding strategist, author, and presenter.
Want to work with the best resume writer? If you would like us to personally work on your resume, cover letter, or LinkedIn profile—and dramatically improve their response rates—then check out our professional and executive resume writing services at
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Disclosure: This post is sponsored by a CAREEREALISM-approved expert.
