In an increasingly competitive job market, a resume has just seconds to make an impression. According to a CareerBuilder report , nearly one in four hiring managers spend less than 30 seconds reviewing a resume, meaning every word counts.
That's why Harvard career counselor Gorick Ng says that some common phrases are not only unhelpful, but can also make a resume look less professional. He says that, just like a good essay, you should avoid excessive verbiage and self-praise in a resume.
1. Adverbs like “very”, “extremely” or “excessively”
Such words are often used to highlight skills or achievements, but experts say they rarely have the impact the candidate thinks they do.
Instead of writing that you are “very capable” or “extremely organized,” focus on concrete results. Actions and achievements speak louder than general descriptions.
2. Self-descriptions as “detail-oriented”
Many candidates include personal qualities like “hardworking,” “responsible,” or “detail-oriented” on their resumes. However, according to Ng, these statements are worthless if they are not backed up with evidence.
If your CV is well-organized, free of spelling errors, and clearly presents your experience, the recruiter will know that you are careful. After all, it is not the candidate who should be evaluating themselves.
3. “References are available upon request”
This is one of the oldest and most unnecessary phrases on a modern CV. Employers already know that they can ask for references if they are interested in the candidate.
Instead of taking up space with this phrase, it's better to add an additional skill, a certification, or a professional achievement that can set you apart from other candidates.
What should you remember?
The expert advises that before sending your CV, carefully check every word, line and punctuation mark. A simple question can help: “Would someone who doesn't know me understand this?”
In a document that is read in less than half a minute, clarity, concreteness, and results carry much more weight than big words.
