11.04.09
BNET: The 10 worst phrases to have in your resume

Eliminate Boilerplate Phrases and Hackneyed Expressions from Your Resume

by Dave Johnson

Think you have a resume that’s strong enough to land you an interview? If you’re still floating the same basic resume you used last time around, then think again. If you’re “results oriented,” a “team player,” or have experience with “cross-functional teams,” then your resume is as hackneyed as a Schwarzenegger movie and will get about as much play with the HR rep. Don’t worry, though: I’ve got the scoop on 10 phrases that should not appear in any modern resume.

Liz Ryan, over at Yahoo’s Savvy Networker, says that there are the 10 worst phrases to have in your resume:

* Results-oriented professional
* Cross-functional teams
* More than [x] years of progressively responsible experience
* Superior (or excellent) communication skills
* Strong work ethic
* Met or exceeded expectations
* Proven track record of success
* Works well with all levels of staff
* Team player
* Bottom-line orientation

Instead of using those trite phrases, Liz recommends adding your own voice and personality to your resume, which will, in the process, infuse the document with information about what you actually did and the results you actually effected.

But whatever you do, get “team player” out of there right away! [via Lifehacker]

Looking for more resume advice? We’ve got a truckload: (click title below to get to these links on BNET)

* How to Spell Yourself Out of a Job
* Free Templates for Your Next Resume
* 5 Resume Mistakes You Should Fix Today
* Write the Perfect Resume

Read this article and subsequent reader comments on the BNET: The place to go for management web site: Eliminate Boilerplate Phrases and Hackneyed Expressions from Your Resume

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