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50 Keywords That Can Ruin Your Resume

By Khristina – November 19th, 2010

If you are looking for a job change and are aiming to write an eye-catching resume, this may surprise
buzzwords you use in your CV could actually ruin your chances of getting that dream job.

Why?

According to Karen Burns, the author of the illustrated career advice book The Amazing Adventures o
Career Advice You Can Actually Use, these words are simply “vague”. It makes your resume look like

She advises:

You want your resume to stand out. The best way to sell yourself is to show, don’t tell. Explain you
rather than spouting them off in trite ways. So check your resume for these boilerplate words and p
them, replace them–or at the very least, elaborate upon them — with real-life, specific examples.

So when making your resume, keep the following words out of the scene.

1. Team player

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2. Detailed-oriented

3. Proven track record of success

4. Experienced

5. Excellent communication skills

6. Leadership skills

7. Go-to person

8. Managed cross-functional teams

9. Exceptional organizational skills

10. Self-starter

11. Results-oriented professional

12. Bottom-line orientated

13. Works well with customers

14. Strong negotiation skills

15. Goal-oriented

16. People-person

17. Dynamic

18. Innovative

19. Proven ability

20. Top-flight

21. Motivated

22. Bottom-line focused

23. Responsible for

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24. Assisted with

25. Skilled problem solver

26. Accustomed to fast-paced environments

27. Strong work ethic

28. Works well with all levels of staff

29. Met (or exceeded) expectations

30. Savvy business professional

31. Strong presentation skills

32. Looking for a challenging opportunity

33. Cutting-edge

34. Multi-tasker

35. Proactive

36. Seasoned professional

37. Perfectionist

38. Highly skilled

39. Functioned as

40. Duties included

41. Actions encompassed

42. Best-in-class

43. Strategic thinker

44. Trustworthy

45. Flexible

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46. Works well under pressure

47. Quick learner

48. Partnered with others

49. Results-focused

50. Out-of-the-box thinker

Follow me @KhrisBlogs for the latest in careers and lifestyle.

To read my posts, click here.

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Tags : CV, job change, jobs, Karen Burns, resume

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Dhaval 2 days ago

if not these words than how can one express himself. i thinks these words are the short ones for his qualities and in resume we need to

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kinni 2 days ago in reply to Dhaval

i agree with you........

(Edited by author 2 days ago)

shelinder 2 days ago in reply to kinni

hey all i dont know abt u but i saw lots of so if u got the job or wtever u doing just do ... i m taking abt those who are not gud
understand? if u not... god blesss u

Rohit 1 day ago in reply to kinni

i too agree...Khristina,u shud also suggest words to use rather than telling only not to use...

Paresh 1 day ago in reply to Rohit

i too agree with rohit, please suggest us right words.

arnavkanu 12 hours ago in reply to Rohit

a also agree with rohit

Pradeep 2 days ago in reply to Dhaval

Hr persons actually hate these things if u write in the resume, u have 2 show these things at the interview time by interaction. any
comes 2 proove those values they actually fail.

Sayantika 2 days ago in reply to Pradeep

very true i agree wid u

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rahul11 2 days ago in reply to Sayantika

Karen Burns writes on "Real life career advice you can actually use"..but she listed things what we actually should not
Miss Karen..First correct urself..n either add a "NOT" to ur book n name it as "Real life career advice you "canNOT" us
resume.

vinu 2 days ago in reply to Sayantika

Hi Sayantika, Really this is a matter ,where we get agree. However, how the question is,,, what to write? I hope this ca
1. Your Objective for joining any company should be more transparent. So, elaborate your choice/interest. Like in Sale
etc…..
2. Also, elaborate your Work Experience (Nature of duties performed in past) in details.
3. Industrial training is never been a part of work experience. So, Industrial training must be a part of LIVE PROJECTS
Industrial training (in 3-4 Lines).
4. Achievement are of two types. One is Professional and another is Academic. So do separate in your CV.
5. Put 2-3 strong references (preferably from Industry / College ) to build up your candidature.

maskar 1 day ago in reply to Sayantika

yes offcourse,but if its resume, these are the usual words used, with out these words, i dont think HR wont give priority
chances.

itsme100 15 hours ago in reply to Sayantika

its cool

itsme100 15 hours ago in reply to Sayantika

its true

Joe 2 days ago in reply to Pradeep

Just write what you can prove ... thats it... this is not fantasy a game to please the HR. HR... lol the most biggest dumps see

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shailendra 2 days ago in reply to Joe

yes you'r right...........only can write what you can do

Pradeep 1 day ago in reply to Joe

tell me about your qualities then i will forward u what to write in ur resume, these things varies person to person, so it i
generalization. but if u want to please hr persons then your performance will matter not these matarelistic words. if u h
write me again.

jignesh 1 day ago in reply to Pradeep

i agree 2 both rohit and pradeep

pls Khristi suggest sum wods which shud b used

Digvijay 2 days ago in reply to Dhaval

I share the same opinion with you. If everything is to be elaborated in CV then what's the point of interview...These days everybod
catch attention...

Sachin 2 days ago in reply to Dhaval

well said Dhaval..... its always easy to give lecture but to give solution is always difficult.

sandeep 2 days ago in reply to Sachin

Its true Mr. Sachin.. See the author. Instead of telling what can be added, the author has only listed what not to be added.. T

pratik36 1 day ago in reply to Dhaval

I think he is pointing out - do not write too many adjectives about yourself, just focus on your skills, qualification and experience in
great team player or a born leader will be reflected in your personality when you are interviewed.

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Anmol anz Varshney 16 hours ago in reply to Dhaval

yes very truly said dhaval...............

=)

Saundaryabikash 2 days ago

Without all these words a resume cannot formed shortly...Because one word phrase describe a person in a resume...When you are fac
you may avoid these word and describe yourself elaboratly.....

Ricky 2 days ago in reply to Saundaryabikash

Do u know something? In ur Resume one word phrase may cause u some probs coz HR r always stupids to question u and they
ans........they will always look at ur attitude...................

Joe 2 days ago in reply to Saundaryabikash

Very true... without these words who can write a CV? afterall the CV will be out in the first screening itself...

Albert 2 days ago

I am very curious to look at Karen Burns resume that does not have any of the above terms :)

VINY 2 days ago in reply to Albert

Karen Burns resume has been burnt bcoz it didn't have these words.... ha ha ha...lol

Paul 2 days ago in reply to VINY

@VINY: bahahahaha!!! good one mate!! :D

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nani 1 day ago in reply to Albert

even I'm waiting to see karen burns resume... :)

Varun 2 days ago

Bottom Line is - Do Not Lie about any thing. But if you really good at something, don't forget to mention that. If we do not include these
nothing to talk about. The Interviewer is taking the interview because he need to hire. He might follow the rejection principal but who kn
qualities very badly what are listed above. Your resume should be "To Prove" and you should provide the "Proofs" of what ever you ha

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