What not to say in your CV, avoid these cliches and buzzwords

As we start a new year, and many people are looking for a new job, what are the dos and not-to-dos when it comes to updating your CV?

CREDIT: This is an edited version of an article that originally appeared on Robert Half

Over half of people change or update their CV during their time off over the holiday period.

It’s always a stressful task to remember what you’ve done, balance sounding good without boasting and avoiding the cliché phrases. Author Conor McCabe shares his top tips to remember when it’s time to sit down and rewrite your CV.

It seems that the world of work is as competitive as ever. In order to stand out, it’s important build a genuine connection and be as human as possible – rather than just giving a list of strengths, display authenticity and honesty to the employer.

Another common error is over-complicating your CV. It might be tempting to get your thesaurus out and include the longest words you know, but this is counter-productive – remember, you want to sound genuine! Here’s a list of top 10 overused words you should avoid:

1. Hard-working.
2. Career-oriented.
3. Ambitious.
4. Aspirational.
5. Driven.
6. Commercial.
7. Business-minded.
8. Problem-solver.
9. Unique.
10. ‘Not your typical…’

Don’t be too hard on yourself; everyone finds it difficult to describe themselves, let alone to a potential boss. However, in their haste to stand out, many of us instead end up looking the same as everyone else. Here are the top three things to do and include:

• Re-read, re- read, re-read. Not only for typos but also to check that your words sound true to yourself. I find it good to read what I’ve written (or typed) out aloud. Be honest with yourself as to whether or not you’d say that in real life.
• Don’t just say it, show it. As we’ve said, everyone will describe themselves as hard-working and driven – instead, think about how you can demonstrate this. A good way is with an achievements section. Provide evidence of your skills rather than just a list of claims.  
• What makes you, you? Everyone is unique but, really, who are you? We all have our own story and path, so explain it! This will tell the reader what has brought you to this point in your life, as well as what makes you a good fit for the role. It comes back to the need to be authentic by giving an insight into your personality and journey.

These may seem like small, or even obvious, points, but you’d be amazed how few people implement all or even one of these tips.

Good luck with the changes you choose to make and the next step in your career!