An excellent article on using the right words on your resume -
Stop Using These Overused Resume Words
Career coach and former HR professional Martin Yate, writing for SHRM, recently shared an important reminder: the words you choose on your résumé matter more than you think.
“Choosing just the right word is paramount. Your résumé plays such an important role in determining the quality of your future employer that you need to use words to their maximum effect,” Yate explains.
The Problem with Overused Words
Yate points out that many candidates lean on the same tired buzzwords—terms that feel good but don’t actually say much about performance. A few of the most common include:
Creative
Experienced
Detail-oriented
Dynamic
Self-motivated
These words have been used so often that they’ve lost impact. For example:
Instead of saying you’re creative, describe the project where you pitched the idea that saved time or generated new revenue.
Instead of calling yourself experienced, highlight the exact systems, industries, or strategies you’ve mastered.
Instead of claiming to be dynamic, share a specific story where you went beyond expectations and delivered measurable results.
What to Use Instead
Hiring managers are looking for action verbs that bring your achievements to life and help them picture you succeeding in the role. Yate suggests using words like:
Mentored
Managed
Increased
Created
Launched
These words set you up to tell a story about your contributions—what you did, how you did it, and the results you achieved.
A Longer List of Words to Avoid
Here are more examples of résumé terms Yate recommends steering clear of:
Outstanding · Organized · Team Player · Dependable · Value-add · Proactive · Strategic Thinker · Exceptional · Top-Notch · Hardworking · Go-getter · Results-driven · Think outside the box · Highly skilled · Synergy · Track-record · Bottom-line · Innovative · Loyal · Go-to person · Thought leadership · Expert · Excellent · Communication skills
Final Takeaway
Your résumé should show—not just tell—what you can do. Review each word carefully, use verbs that reflect real accomplishments, and back them up with concrete examples. That way, your language isn’t just filler—it’s proof of the value you bring.