12 Words Not to Use in Job Applications
Posted November 7, 2013 & filed under Job Search, Resume
Not every word is created equal. Some words plink like a spoon across a broken bell while others explode with a force that levels trees and resonates with the reader far beyond the first glance. With a resume or cover letter, you don’t need to write the next great American novel but you can’t afford to leave hiring managers with a wishy washy first impression. If you use the following words, you risk missing the mark or giving the wrong vibe with your message.
1.) Feel – Example: “I feel I’m the right person for the job.”
There’s no assurance in the word feel. Most companies don’t want an arrogant employee but they certainly don’t want someone without convictions. Expressing your opinions without it conveys the same message.
2.) Try – Example: “In every task, I always try to achieve the highest quality possible.”
Try casts doubt. Even though your ultimate aim in the above example is to create quality work, you give the impression that there’s potential for you to fall woefully short. Cut out try and replace it with concrete examples of your success.
3.) Love – Example: “I’d love to work for your company.”
The “L word” in this instance is too powerful. For family and friends, the word love is fine. For a company that you’re only just becoming familiar with, it’s a bit creepy.
4.) Any Passive Verb – Example: “I was given control of a high profile process management project.”
Using was given or was handed just takes the control right out of your hands. It doesn’t make you sound proactive or authoritative. At best, it makes you sounds like a competent lackey but not someone on the fast track to greater responsibility.
5.) Motivated – Example: “I am always motivated to take projects from start to finish.”
Motivated isn’t a particularly terrible word but it doesn’t add a whole lot to a resume or cover letter. A better approach is to highlight how you overcame obstacles throughout your career.
6.) Innovative – Example: “I always look for innovative new ways to revolutionize the work of my team.”
Innovative is one of those words that is almost disintegrating at the seams it has been so overused. It sounds disingenuous at this point, so you are really better off just providing examples and quantitative responses in your resume.
7.) Dynamic – Example: “Contributed to a dynamic team that made widespread corporate changes.”
This word is equally overused. It’ll elicit sighs from experienced hiring managers and won’t gain you any ground. Provide examples of how your team was dexterous enough to change with the times. You’ll do yourself far more of a favor.
8.) Cutting-Edge – Example: “I easily adjust to cutting-edge technology in the work place.”
Cutting-edge has been coopted by lackluster folks to inflate the importance of their projects and capabilities. The boundaries of what is cutting-edge is no longer clear, so you’re better off giving the mic to the technologies and techniques you employ on the job. They will speak for themselves.
9.) Commandeer – Example: “I commandeered a project on a downward slope and turned it around.”
This one contains a great deal of force but can ultimately take you right over the cliff. Buccaneers commandeer enemy vessels. Soldiers commandeer enemy weapons. If you commandeer something, you’re implying you’re removing something from the hands of your enemies. Your plausibility as a team player goes out the window when you go about commandeering things.
10.) Self-starter – “I’m an energized self-starter just waiting for the next challenge.”
Self-starter is getting to be a bit tired. Nothing wrong with the word itself but it needs to fade away a bit before it can regain any power.
11.) Responsible – “I was responsible for ensuring all quarterly financial reports were completed on time.”
Responsible gives the impression that you’re not very passionate about what you’re doing. When people think of responsibilities, they think of the types of chores that are forced upon them not about the challenges they take up willingly. If you want your passion to shine through, get rid of this word.
12.) Experienced – “I’m vastly experienced with Kaizen and Six Sigma procedures.”
Quantitative information is better. Show your experience instead of relying on a weak word to do the trick.
For a list of good words to use, check out our other list.
by James Walsh
