How Buzzwords Could Hurt Your Resume

When writing sales documents, it's pretty common to want to add buzzwords to spice them up. This is why it's also pretty common for job seekers to want to add the same types of words to their resumes. Instead of selling a product, you're selling your talents, right?

The only problem is that hiring managers are used seeing these buzzwords and have grown tired of seeing the what they represent: overt attempts to impress with empty rhetoric. So if you have been thinking of spicing up your resume, first learn how buzzwords could hurt your resume.

Buzzwords Can Look Pretentious

At this stage in your career, hiring managers probably assume that you have a certain level of skill or you probably wouldn't be applying for the job. So there's no need to add buzzwords that describe traits unnecessarily. Whether you're using nouns or adjectives as your buzzwords, adding too many could look rather pretentious. And if you annoy the hiring manager, you're pretty much moving yourself out of the running for the job.

Buzzwords to Avoid

So now that you know why using certain buzzwords could hurt your resume and chances at employment, let's take a look at specific buzzwords that are good to avoid. A few include top-flight, innovative, energetic, dynamic, motivated, team player, organized, hard-working and people person.

Employers assume that you have these characteristics or you wouldn't be applying. Therefore, there's no need to mention them in your resume. But if you are determined to get the message across that is found in these buzzwords, you could make sure to list examples of what makes you all of these things. This way, you're showing and proving, rather than just talking.

Veering away from buzzwords is just another one of those technicalities that could make our break your resume. So instead of fighting the current, go ahead and make adjustments to see if it makes a different in your job seeking experience.