The JobSync Blog
Avoiding Clichés on Your Resume and in Interviews
September 26, 2011
Are you a cliché on your resume? Even worse, do you come across as a cliché in an interview?
We all know you are truly a “proactive” “self-starter” who is a “detail-oriented” “creative problem solver.” Unfortunately, a lot of pretenders out there have also read that these are buzzwords that resonate with prospective employers, so they also include them on their cover letters and resumes. The collective effect is that with so many applicants filling their applications with the same buzzwords, these applicants all lose their buzz and individuality.
And if you should make it to the interview stage, delivering these words in person won’t lend them any more weight either. Recruiters and hiring managers have read and heard these terms so often that it doesn’t matter in what venue you pitch yourself with such buzzwords. Worse yet, for example, telling an interviewer that one is a “people person” if one is not will be immediately apparent to the interviewer and torpedo your overall credibility.
So, is it time to pull out a thesaurus and create a new dictionary of buzz-worthy attributes to promote yourself? Not at all. What will immediately create buzz is discussing your past accomplishments. These achievements will highlight who you are and what you are likely to bring to a company that’s considering hiring you. Best of all, they will brand your uniqueness and make you a memorable candidate.
Buzzwords are buzzkill. Avoid them, and the next time you apply for a job, you will hopefully be able to turn “cliché” into “touché”!
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