Many people make the mistake of filling their resume with too many
unnecessary words and phrases to create a more colorful and elaborate
resume. This can cause more harm than good.
Use keywords that are highlighted in the job description, but do not use
overly common keywords. These are considered “fillers” words, since they
do not add much substance to the resume. Hiring managers will most likely
overlook resumes that contain too many “filler” words.
Below are common words you should avoid in your resume.
Buzzwords
Dynamic
Going forward
Hardworking
Excellent
Proactive
Fillers
Responsible for
Salary negotiable
References upon request
Experience working in
Strong work ethics
Clichés
Think outside the box
Go-to person
Track record
Detail-oriented
Team player
At times, some of these common words and phrases can help emphasize specific details and shed great light on a particular skill or experience.
However, keep in mind not to overuse them too much. As mentioned earlier in the chapter, you want to make sure your resume is concise and to the point. Having too many “filler” words will lead to an overly long resume that hiring managers will not fully read.
Additionally, having an overstuffed resume with irrelevant “fillers” can reveal your personality, speech patterns, communication style, presentation skills, and even work habits to the hiring managers.
Example of Good Resume
Example of Bad Resume
