When I first started crafting my resume, I thought the key to standing out was using fancy words and buzzwords that made me sound impressive. Turns out, I was wrong. Over the years, after reading countless resumes and hearing from hiring managers, I’ve learned that many of the words we think make us sound competent actually do the opposite.
Some words are so overused that they’ve lost all meaning, while others are vague and don’t communicate anything specific about your skills or experience. If you want to catch an employer’s eye, you need to stand out—and unfortunately, these words won’t help.
Here are 20 words you should leave off your resume if you want to get ahead.
1. Seasoned
This one drives me crazy. What does “seasoned” even mean? When I read that someone is “seasoned,” it tells me nothing specific. If you have experience, say how many years. Don’t just slap on a vague word like “seasoned” and expect it to carry weight. Instead of “seasoned manager,” try something like, “Managed a team of 20 for five years, increasing productivity by 30%.” That’s more concrete and impressive than being “seasoned” any day of the week.
2. Hardworking
Every employer expects you to be hardworking. No one puts on their resume, “I’m lazy and avoid work at all costs.” If you’re trying to highlight your work ethic, prove it with accomplishments. For example, say something like, “Consistently exceeded sales targets by 20%.” That shows hard work without having to say it outright.
3. Motivated
Motivation should be evident from your actions, not something you declare in a resume. Instead of using the word “motivated,” show it through your results. For instance, “Initiated a new customer feedback system that improved satisfaction by 15%” proves you’re motivated to make improvements without ever needing to use the word.
4. Results-Oriented
Again, we’re in “Captain Obvious” territory. If you’re applying for a job, it’s assumed you care about results. Rather than just saying you’re results-oriented, show examples of those results. “Reduced customer complaints by 25% by implementing a new training program” tells a recruiter that you focus on outcomes without the fluff.
5. Dynamic
I used to think this word made me sound energetic and adaptable. But now, when I see it on resumes, it feels more like someone is grasping at straws. Employers don’t need to know you’re “dynamic,” they need to know exactly what you bring to the table. Swap it for action verbs and specifics about your accomplishments.
6. Innovative
Everyone loves to claim they’re innovative, but how many of us are actually the next Elon Musk? Rather than saying you’re innovative, describe an instance where you came up with a creative solution to a problem. For example, “Developed a new onboarding system that reduced training time by 40%.” That’s innovation in action.
7. Synergy
Let’s be honest: no one actually uses the word “synergy” outside of the boardroom, and even then it’s often just jargon. If you’re trying to emphasize teamwork, say so plainly. “Collaborated with cross-functional teams to launch a product two weeks ahead of schedule.” That shows synergy without using a word that’s become a corporate punchline.
8. Go-Getter
This one makes me cringe. Saying you’re a go-getter is like trying to convince someone you’re cool—it doesn’t work. Instead of using this term, demonstrate your initiative with a real example. “Proactively identified a $50,000 cost-saving opportunity by analyzing vendor contracts” says much more than calling yourself a go-getter.
9. Outside-the-Box Thinker
I’ve seen so many resumes with this phrase, and every time, I wonder, “But what did they actually do outside the box?” Skip the vague buzzwords and instead focus on the specific problem-solving techniques or creative strategies you used. If you truly think outside the box, show me with an example.
10. Team Player
This is one of the most overused phrases in resume history. If you’re applying for any job that involves working with others, being a team player is a given. Instead of listing “team player” as one of your skills, talk about how you helped a team succeed. For instance, “Led a cross-departmental team in launching a new marketing campaign that boosted sales by 15%.”
11. Detail-Oriented
I get it, you’re precise and careful with your work. But here’s the thing: if your resume has typos, formatting errors, or inconsistencies, no one is going to believe you’re detail-oriented, no matter how often you say it. If attention to detail is truly one of your strengths, let it shine through in the quality of your resume itself. And, better yet, give examples: “Reduced data entry errors by 30% by implementing a new system.”
12. Expert
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen “expert” on a resume, only to later find out the person is not quite the authority they claim to be. If you’re truly an expert, you don’t need to announce it. Your work should speak for itself. Instead of using this word, provide specific examples of your skills. “Led training sessions for 200 employees on new software system” is more convincing than just calling yourself an expert.
13. Rockstar
Believe it or not, I’ve seen people describe themselves as “rockstars” on their resumes. Unless you’re actually in a band, don’t use this. It comes across as trying too hard. If you’re excelling in your role, prove it with data, not hyperbole. Instead of “rockstar salesperson,” try “Achieved 150% of quarterly sales goals for five consecutive quarters.”
14. Ninja
Similarly, “ninja” is one of those trendy terms that sounds cool in theory but does nothing to show your real skills. Save the clever titles for your Twitter bio. On your resume, stick to job titles that reflect actual experience and abilities. If you’re great at what you do, show it through measurable achievements.
15. Passionate
You might feel passionate about your work, and that’s fantastic, but stating it on your resume doesn’t add value. If you’re truly passionate, it will come across in your actions and achievements. Instead of saying you’re passionate about social media marketing, say, “Increased social media engagement by 40% through targeted campaigns.”
16. Self-Starter
Being able to work independently is great, but “self-starter” is another one of those words that have lost their impact due to overuse. If you’re a self-starter, give an example. For instance, “Initiated a mentorship program for new hires, resulting in a 20% increase in retention rates” shows you’re capable of taking initiative without needing to use the buzzword.
17. Strategic Thinker
If I had a dollar for every time I’ve seen “strategic thinker” on a resume, I’d be retired by now. Employers want to see how you’ve applied your strategic thinking, not just that you have it. Show your critical thinking abilities by giving examples of how you’ve solved problems or streamlined processes. “Developed a strategy to reduce production costs by 10% while maintaining quality” is far more compelling.
18. Responsible
You’re applying for a job—of course you’re responsible. That’s kind of the minimum requirement. Instead of saying you’re responsible, highlight the results of your responsibility. For instance, “Oversaw a $2 million budget and managed a team of 10” demonstrates responsibility without needing to spell it out.
19. People Person
This is another one of those phrases that tells me nothing specific. If you’re good with people, show it through your actions. Did you resolve customer complaints? Did you lead a team? Did you collaborate across departments? Give specific examples like, “Led a client relations initiative that improved customer retention by 25%.”
20. Punctual
I can’t believe this is still on people’s resumes. Being punctual is a basic expectation. If you feel the need to point it out, it may imply that you’re trying to compensate for something. Instead, focus on skills and achievements that are above the baseline. Save “punctual” for your personal life; on your resume, let your accomplishments do the talking.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, your resume is supposed to showcase your skills, experience, and achievements, not fill space with overused buzzwords. The words I’ve listed above aren’t bad in and of themselves, but they’ve become so overused that they’ve lost their impact. Instead of relying on these tired terms, focus on specific examples, quantifiable achievements, and the value you bring to a company.
In other words, show, don’t tell.
Your resume is your first chance to impress a potential employer—don’t waste that opportunity by cluttering it with meaningless jargon. Get rid of these words, and you’ll be well on your way to creating a resume that stands out for all the right reasons.
