Common Resume Buzzwords and How to Replace Them

Every word on every page of your resume matters. For this reason, you should analyze the document with scrutiny. Buzzwords are crucial to your success, but you also need to be wary of overusing buzzwords. Learn about the most common resume buzzwords and what words you can replace them with for a larger impact.

Why Do the Right Words Matter?

When a hiring manager looks at a resume, they rarely know the person behind the document. Therefore, your resume is a first impression. It’s your first chance to show the hiring manager that you’re a good fit for the position, and it could be your only chance at an interview.

Unfortunately, you only have so much space to write an effective resume. If you go on for five pages about every past work experience you had, you won’t make an impact. The hiring manager will stop reading early on in the document. You need to know how to concisely show that you’re perfect for the role.

Buzzwords are a great way to get an employer’s attention. But overusing buzzwords draws negative attention. You need to find the perfect balance of using the right words just frequently enough. For a more effective resume, you may need to change out some buzzwords with synonyms.

Buzzwords are Controversial But Effective

Buzzwords on a resume have been a controversial topic in the job application process. Some people argue that buzzwords are overused and lack substance. Meanwhile, others recognize their importance in catching the attention of hiring managers and showcasing relevant skills. When used strategically and sparingly, buzzwords can play an important role in conveying an applicant's qualifications.

Overall, buzzwords can act as powerful triggers. They can capture the interest of recruiters who are often bombarded with resumes. These words, when aligned with the job description and industry-specific terms, can help demonstrate a candidate's familiarity with the field. By using buzzwords, job applicants can quickly establish a connection and demonstrate their relevance. Doing so increases their chances of moving forward in the hiring process.

However, it's essential to strike a balance and avoid excessive reliance on buzzwords. A resume overloaded with generic buzzwords without substantiating evidence can come across as hollow. It is crucial to provide specific examples, achievements, and results to back up the claims made using buzzwords.

Showcasing Your Knowledge

Furthermore, buzzwords can convey a candidate's knowledge of industry trends. In fast-paced and ever-evolving fields, employers seek individuals who stay updated with the latest developments. By incorporating buzzwords related to specific technologies or concepts into your resume, you can show that you adapt to the times.

This can be particularly useful for industries such as technology, marketing, or finance. In those industries, staying ahead of the curve is crucial.

Keeping It Concise

Moreover, buzzwords can act as shorthand for conveying a wide range of skills and experiences in a concise manner. A well-placed buzzword can showcase multiple skills and accomplishments. This saves precious space on the resume. Consider the term, "strategic planning." It implies skills like data analysis, forecasting, and decision-making.

While buzzwords should not be the sole focus of a resume, their strategic use can enhance its impact. Carefully chosen buzzwords can capture the attention of recruiters, demonstrate industry knowledge, and effectively highlight a candidate's relevant skills. The key lies in finding the right balance between buzzwords and substance to create a compelling resume that stands out from the competition.

How to Replace Common Buzzwords

After you write your resume, look it over and highlight buzzwords. First, see if you use any buzzwords that lack impact. Are any of them too general? If so, replace them with a more descriptive word. Also, keep in mind that there’s a very fine line between being creative and lying. If any of your buzzwords exaggerate the facts, remove them.

If you use a good buzzword more than one or two times, you should replace it with a similarly impactful buzzword. Here are some scenarios and words you can use to replace the common terms. The words you replace the original buzzword with have a greater impact and are less common. As a result, they tend to have a greater impact.

Describing Accomplishments and Responsibilities

When you’re trying to showcase your accomplishments or duties, you should avoid overusing the following words:

Lead

Manage

Create

Improve

Increase or Decrease

Research

Write

Achieve

Communicate

Instead of using those words, here are some synonyms you can use for maximum impact:

Execute, initiate, oversee

Direct, coordinate, guide

Devise, envision, pioneer

Influence, optimize, transform

Advance, boost, conserve, condense

Analyze, inquire, study

Brief, define, verbalize

Reach, attain, demonstrate

Mediate, interact, convey

Describing Personality or Attributes

As you try to describe yourself or your attributes, you should avoid using these all-too-common buzzwords:

Self-starter

Go-getter

Detail-oriented

Team player

Proficient

Results-driven

Go-to

Dynamic

Innovative

Strategic thinker

Because those words are too common and not descriptive enough, consider replacing them with the following words:

Motivated, zealous, inspired

Aspiring, ambitious, passionate

Analytic, systematic, precise

Cooperative, helpful, collegial

Adept, experienced, apt

Committed, intent, purposeful

Entrusted, expert, enlisted

Committed, intent, efficient

Expert, relied upon, enlisted

Diligent, energetic, versatile

Creative, imaginative, inventive

Perceptive, flexible, critical

Using Buzzwords Effectively

Your resume is an extremely important document. If you aren’t concise and clear, you risk your resume going into the trash. As you write your resume, use words that effectively prove your point. Don’t be ambiguous, don’t lie, and don’t overuse terms. Furthermore, you should avoid using words that aren’t in your vocabulary. If you do make it to an interview, you should be ready to explain your word choice.

After you’ve worked on your resume buzzwords, read over the document. Did you use the proper spelling? If not, a hiring manager will notice. Check the context of the words as well, and edit the document as needed. If you know someone who is skilled with grammar or resume writing, ask them to look over your document. In the end, your word choice could make or break the hiring process.