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Words To Avoid When Writing Your CV

By Ruoro Kairu 

The words and phrases you use while writing your CV could end up costing you that job.

Yes, the employer is indeed more interested in the skills you possess, your qualifications, and experience. However, some of the words you use could end up doing more harm than good when the employer goes through your CV.

Do you know someone who will always understate how far they are? Whether they are an hour away, or twenty minutes away, they will always say “I’m just ten minutes away.”

After a while, you stop believing them, you know even though they say they’re a few minutes away, they might actually be hours away.

This too could be said of your CV. There are certain words and phrases that employers have become so accustomed to seeing on a CV, that the next time they see it, they brush it off as cliché.

What are some of these words that you should never use on your CV?

1. Business jargon

Choosing overused jargon can weaken your CV.

When drafting your CV, stick to the simple and clear words that explain your value as a professional.

Some of the jargons to leave out of your CV include;

  • Value add
  • Synergy
  • Core competency
  • Value add

2. Self-promotion phrases

As we’ve previously mentioned, your CV is a marketing tool. When you send in your application, you’re marketing yourself as the best candidate for the position.

However, some of the words you use to market yourself are weak and ineffective.

For instance, employers have seen ‘results-oriented’ so many times, that when they see it on your CV, it has little to no appeal. Furthermore, this does not show why you’re best suited for the job you’re applying to.

Instead of using these generic phrases, opt to show the employer an instance where you were focused on achieving results, and the success gained.

Other self-promotion phrases include;

  • Go-getter
  • Detail-orientated
  • Proactive
  • Strategic thinker

3. General words and phrases

In a previous piece, we saw the employer has less than a minute to look at your CV. As a result, you don’t want to give the employer a bulky CV filled with irrelevant words. This will lead to your CV being rejected.

Utilize your space wisely by removing the general phrases that add no value to the CV.

Instead of these phases, use action statements that clearly outline your value.

Some of these general phrases that should not be on your CV include;

  • Hard worker
  • People-person
  • Team player
  • Self-motivated

Are these words and phrases in your CV?

If yes, what can you do about it?

Speaking to a CV writing expert, the advice gathered is to showcase evidence of these values, and not merely state them.

“The employer is interested in a situation where you proved to be a creative thinker.” comments the CV Writing expert.

When you think about it, it makes sense. If a stranger walked up to you claiming to be the winner of a major race, you may not believe them immediately. You might ask this person to provide evidence of to back their claim.

To back your claim, include action-oriented phrases.

Think along the lines of;

  • Achieved…
  • Created…
  • Developed…
  • Established…
  • Improved…
  • Influenced…
  • Managed…
  • Resolved…
  • Trained…

At the end of the day, when an employer goes through your CV, they want to understand the specific value you’ve driven. This will help them see what you’ll bring on board.

Do you need a specialized CV that will get you the dream job? Let the expert CV writers help. Have a look at the Professional CV Writing Service we offer.