Last updated: January 2026
In this article: Words to Avoid | Power Words to Use | Other Words Employers Love | Space-Killers to Cut | FAQ
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Your resume is one of the most powerful tools in your job search, but it might be full of words that drain it of its strength.
“Buzzwords once had meaning, but they have been repeated so often that hiring managers gloss over them,” says Mitchell Langbert, associate professor of business management at Brooklyn College.
To help you make sure you’re not filling your prime resume real estate with meaningless jargon, we’re breaking down which resume words to avoid and which power words to add instead.
Resume Buzzwords to Delete
While these words and phrases were once effective and meaningful, they are now “dying from overuse,” says Langbert. Remove these from your resume immediately:
| Overused Buzzwords | Why They Don’t Work |
|---|---|
| Detail-oriented | Everyone claims this; show it instead |
| Team player | Vague; describe actual collaboration |
| Results-driven / Results-oriented | Empty without specific metrics |
| Hard worker / Hardworking | Expected of all candidates |
| Dynamic / Energetic | Subjective and unverifiable |
| Strategic thinker | Show strategy through achievements |
| Excellent communicator | Let your resume demonstrate this |
| Go-getter / Go-to person | Informal and overused |
| Outside the box | Cliché that suggests the opposite |
| Synergy / Value add | Corporate jargon that means nothing |
| Thought leadership | Pretentious without proof |
| Proactive | Show initiative through examples |
| People person | Too casual for professional resumes |
| Seasoned | Use years of experience instead |
| Bottom-line | Show actual financial impact |
| Customer-focused | Demonstrate with metrics |
| Dependable / Loyal | Expected baseline qualities |
| Enthusiastic | Show passion through achievements |
| Familiar with | Weak; use “proficient in” or “experienced with” |
| Highly organized | Prove it with accomplishments |
| Optimize | Vague without specifics |
| Track record | Replace with actual results |
| Well-versed | Specify your actual expertise |
Power Words to Use Instead
Replace buzzwords with “action verbs that describe what you’ve done and how those experiences have contributed to your success or the success of the company,” says Eleesha Martin, senior recruiting specialist at G&A Partners.
| Action Verb | Best Used For |
|---|---|
| Achieved | Goals, targets, certifications |
| Conceptualized | New ideas, campaigns, products |
| Created | Content, processes, solutions |
| Decreased | Costs, time, errors |
| Improved | Processes, metrics, relationships |
| Increased | Revenue, efficiency, engagement |
| Influenced | Decisions, stakeholders, outcomes |
| Launched | Products, campaigns, initiatives |
| Managed | Teams, budgets, projects |
| Mentored | Junior staff, interns, teams |
| Negotiated | Contracts, rates, partnerships |
| Organized | Events, systems, workflows |
| Resolved | Conflicts, issues, complaints |
| Trained | Staff, clients, users |
| Won | Awards, accounts, competitions |
Other Words Employers Love
Beyond action verbs, these terms signal that you’re focused on measurable impact:
- Goal-setting — Shows you think strategically
- Revenue — Demonstrates business awareness
- Under budget — Proves financial responsibility
- Self-motivating — Indicates independence
- Ideas — Suggests creativity and initiative
Space-Killers to Cut
Keep your resume to one page with these pro tips from Martin:
Ditch phrase redundancies. Remove “responsible for” and “duties included.” These are largely unnecessary and take up valuable space without adding any value.
Remove “References Available Upon Request.” Most recruiters know you have references and will ask about them later.
Kill extraneous information. “If it isn’t pertinent to demonstrating or explaining your skills, qualifications, knowledge, abilities, and accomplishments, leave it off,” says Martin.
Ready to put your improved resume to work? Browse open positions on the Mediabistro job board.
Frequently Asked Questions
What words should I avoid on my resume?
Avoid overused buzzwords like “detail-oriented,” “team player,” “results-driven,” “hard worker,” and “dynamic.” These phrases have lost their impact because every candidate uses them. Instead, use specific action verbs and quantifiable achievements to demonstrate these qualities.
What are the best words to put on a resume?
Use strong action verbs like “achieved,” “increased,” “launched,” “managed,” and “created.” Pair these with specific metrics whenever possible—for example, “Increased social media engagement by 45%” is more powerful than “results-driven social media manager.”
What does “results-oriented” mean on a resume, and should I use it?
Results-oriented means you focus on achieving measurable outcomes. However, this phrase is so overused that recruiters skip right past it. Instead of saying you’re results-oriented, prove it by listing specific results: “Reduced customer churn by 20%” or “Generated $50K in new revenue.”
How do I replace “detail-oriented” on my resume?
Rather than claiming you’re detail-oriented, demonstrate it through your accomplishments. For example: “Identified and corrected 15 billing errors, recovering $12,000” or “Maintained 99.8% accuracy rate across 500+ monthly transactions.”
Should I include “References Available Upon Request” on my resume?
No. This phrase wastes valuable space. Employers assume you’ll provide references when asked, so there’s no need to state the obvious. Use that space for another accomplishment instead.
