By Courtney Bousquet
Career Services Contributor
Has it been awhile since you’ve updated your resume or even considered searching for jobs? Perhaps you should take another look at how you’ve worded your experience sections. NBC News shares those turns of phrase job seekers should immediately jettison from their resume in the article “Top 10 Phrases to Ban from Your Resume.” Learn about the common phrases to delete from your resume, to show your best in this two part-series.
- “I’m a team player.” This is one of the most common to find on a resume and a great skill to have, but try to find another way to say it. Use an action verb like collaborated, to convey the same skill, but add more details to prove you’re a team player.
- “I have great communication skills.” Communication skills can reference many different types of skills, depending on the field. Instead of using this broad statement and losing the employer’s interest, be specific. Did you present to a large group of people, write an article or lead a large meeting? Add details and show the employer exactly what communication skills you have.
- “I have a proven track record.” Instead of stating it, prove it. Showcase your accomplishments instead of being general. Add numbers and details when possible. Did you raise $50,000 dollars, bring in 50 new clients or did you save the organization $5,000? Add quantifying information whenever you can.
- “I’m a problem solver.” Yes, problem solving is a critical skill for all organizations, but actually tell the employer what problem you solved! Provide details about a specific problem and how you solved it. For example, did you resolve a customer complaint or resolve a troubling schedule? Show that you are a problem solver, bringing solutions with you to this new opportunity.
- “I assisted in X task.” While you may not have led the task, using assisted doesn’t do you any favors. Instead, list what you did do, such as wrote a proposal, kept inventory or analyzed research.
Your resume should showcase your achievements and career progression in a positive light, look over your resume and be sure you don’t have any of the these commonly found clichés listed. APU and AMU students and alumni can receive a complementary resume review from a team of career coaches by submitting their resume to resumehelp@apus.edu.
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