Did you know that an average employer only spends six to seven seconds per resume? You read that right! Within 6-7 seconds, your resume must grab the attention of the HR/employer and impress them enough to select you. Your resume shoulders an unfair burden of the first impression on your behalf, within such a short span of time. However, using certain words and phrases can actually have a negative impact on your resume, making it less effective and hindering your chances of getting hired. But worry not, we are here to help you make a strong impression on a potential employer.

In this blog, we will discuss some of the words and phrases you should avoid to create a powerful and effective resume.

Avoid generic phrases

Despite the temptation to use cliches and general terms in your resume, doing so can make it harder for you to stand out from the competition. Terms like "hard worker," "team player," and "detail-oriented" are overdone to the point where they no longer convey your special skills or meaning - they are given. Instead, concentrate on highlighting your skills and abilities with particular examples and tangible accomplishments. For example, rather than just saying that you are a "team player," give an instance of how you successfully collaborated with a team and the favorable result that came about. You can improve your chances of getting an interview and leave a better impression on hiring managers by steering clear of cliches and general expressions like those listed below:

• Team player
• Detail-oriented
• Self-starter
• Results-driven
• Dynamic
• Excellent communication skills
• Innovative
• Hardworking
• Problem solver
• Motivated

Instead of depending solely on these stale platitudes, give specific instances of your talents and accomplishments. Through your professional experiences, demonstrate—don't tell—how you possess these attributes.

Focus on measurable achievements

It can be counterproductive to your chances of being noticed by hiring managers if your resume contains subjective language. Phrases like "good," "excellent," or "skilled" are imprecise and don't offer any hard proof of your credentials. Rather, concentrate on showcasing your abilities through quantifiable accomplishments. For instance, rather than saying that you are a "good communicator," say that you used effective communication techniques to successfully manage a team of ten people and boost productivity by 20%. You are giving concrete proof of your abilities and achievements by citing precise figures and outcomes. This will increase the impact of your resume and demonstrate to prospective employers that you are a results-driven individual who can produce measurable outcomes.

Eliminate buzzwords and jargon

Hiring managers and recruiters are busy people who want to know about your skills and experience as soon as possible. In fact, using jargon and buzzwords on your resume may make it more difficult for them to understand your accomplishments and skills.

Steer clear of overused and insubstantial words and phrases. Though they may sound impressive, terms like "synergy," "game-changer," and "outside-the-box thinker" have become overused and offer no real insight. Rather, concentrate on expressing your accomplishments in language that is clear and succinct.

Rather than simply declaring that you have "excellent leadership skills," for instance, give specific instances of how you have led a team and accomplished objectives. This saves recruiters from having to interpret ambiguous buzzwords in order to understand your capabilities.

Recall that the objective is to make your resumesimple and consumablewithin the 6-7 seconds scan that it gets from the potential employer.

Stringent use of valuable space

Think of your resume as a valuable, albeit limited, real estate. Utilize the limited space to concentrate on the most important details. For instance: Since employers expect you to supply references upon request, you don't need to include them on your resume. Saying "References available upon request" on your resume is unnecessary and a waste of space when you could be highlighting your qualifications instead.

Avoid overly describing your qualifications with adjectives. Using too many adjectives in your resume can make it seem too flowery and less impactful. Use your words carefully, and concentrate on demonstrating your skills. For example, you could say "dedicated" instead of "highly motivated and exceptionally dedicated."

While it's a good practice to include personal interests and hobbies to showcase your personality and interests, be selective. Avoid listing hobbies or interests that are unrelated to the job you're applying for. Instead, highlight those that demonstrate skills or characteristics relevant to the position.

Conclusion

In today's job market, creating a resume that is unique from the competition and appropriately highlights your qualifications is essential. You can make your resume seem more credible and professional by avoiding unnecessary details, or the number of adjectives and adverbs you use. Remember,less is more.

Steer clear of cliches, ambiguous terminology, and repetitious language if you want to differentiate yourself from the competition. Rather, concentrate on measurable accomplishments, particular instances, and a clear, unambiguous summary of your abilities and qualifications. You'll be able to obtain the job you want by doing this and creating a resume that draws in recruiters.