So you're highly experienced? Before you state this in your CV, be sure you back it up with some evidence.
Often, when job seekers try to sell themselves to employers, they load their CVs with vague claims that are transparent to recruiting managers, according to Scott Bennett, author of "The Elements of Resume Style" (published by AMACOM).
By contrast, the most successful job seekers avoid these vague phrases in favour of accomplishments. Instead of making empty claims, they use brief, specific examples to demonstrate their skills. In other words: show, don't tell.
Bennett offers these examples:
Instead of "Experience of working in fast-paced environment",
Try "Registered 120+ third-shift accident & emergency patients per night."
Instead of "Excellent written communication skills",
Try "Wrote jargon-free user guide for our 11,000 users."
Instead of "Team player with cross-functional awareness",
Try "Collaborated with clients, the Accounts Receivable department and Sales to increase speed of receivables and prevent interruption of service to clients."
Instead of "Demonstrated success in analysing client needs",
Try "Created and implemented comprehensive needs assessment mechanism to help forecast demand for services and staffing."
The worst offenders:
It's good to be hard-working and ambitious, right? The recruiting manager won't be convinced unless you provide solid examples to back up your claims. Bennett suggests being extremely careful before using these nice-sounding but empty words in your CV:
- Aggressive
- Ambitious
- Competent
- Creative
- Detail-oriented
- Determined
- Efficient
- Experienced
- Flexible
- Goal-oriented
- Hard-working
- Independent
- Innovative
- Knowledgeable
- Logical
- Motivated
- Meticulous
- People person
- Professional
- Reliable
- Resourceful
- Self-motivated
- Successful
- Team player
- Well-organised
And if you do use them on your CV, just make sure you back them up with some evidence.
