Resume’ Buzz Words: Words that Win!

Importance of Buzz Words for Your Resume’

Comprehensive list of resume buzzwords to use, and how to use them.

This is one of two articles dealing with buzz words. You may want to also read, Buzz Words on a Resume: Why They’re Important

Apparently we are all still searching for the magic buzzwords to use on our résumés, thus today’s blog post is all about the magic buzz words most people are using, buzz words not to use, and why the choice of buzzwords is so critical.

Notice that I said “buzz words” or “buzzwords” 4 times in one sentence?  While I typically wouldn’t write with such redundancy, it seems that search engines like us to break a basic rule of writing — thus, I do so.  And, I’ve allowed for the both spellings: buzz words, or buzzwords, both of which are correct.  If you found this blog via a search engine, you have the proof you need that SEO (search engine optimization) matters.  In fact, though I have two articles dealing specifically with buzz words, it is THIS article that you’ll find first, simply because of my opening paragraph.

Which leads to our first point:

In many instances, computers search your résumé.  It’s known as “ATS” and you can learn more, here.  Résumés need to be loaded with the right buzz words.

I’ve written about the specifics of ATS, and won’t repeat it now.  But if you’re not familiar with how computers read your résumé, I suggest that you might also want to read an earlier article on the topic.

GRAMMAR SCHOOL LESSON

Remember back in grammar school when you first learned about nouns, adjectives, verbs, and adverbs?  Here is a reminder: Nouns, we learned, are used to describe a “person, place, or thing.”  Adjectives describe a noun.  Verbs are “action words.”  Adverbs describe verbs.

The nouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs you use in your résumé make up those all- important buzz words that are intended to describe your skill set and achievements, and capture the attention of a computer or human.

NOUNS — Person, Place, Thing

Here is a list of common nouns found in a résumé.  Notice that many of them will differ, depending on your industry:

Common Resume Buzz Words – Nouns

ADJECTIVES — descriptive words that tell us more about the noun

It is the adjectives that “fluff up” a résumé.  Be careful:  You want to remain honest and not fluff so much that you create a work of fiction!

Resume’ Buzz Words – Adjectives

As I said, use adjectives carefully, honestly, and sparingly. If your résumé is overly peppered with these descriptive buzz words, you lose credibility.  If you are not genuinely “meticulous,” for example, choose another word.

VERBS — the ‘action’ words

An action word is one that does something.  For example, sang is the verb in “The girl sang.”  It tells what the noun (the girl) did or is doing. In my opinion, the verbs in a résumé are the most important descriptors.

It is the use of the verb that hopefully provides an accurate description of your achievements.  More than anything, employers are looking for your achievements.  They want to know what you have done, what actions you have taken.  That falls squarely into the world of verbs.

What follows is an exhaustive list of these important verbs, words considered by many as “résumé buzz words.”  Notice that nearly every word has the “ed” suffix.  I’ve listed the verb in its proper tense for use in most résumés:

Verbs — Resume Buzz Words (A-O)

ADVERBS: The verb, described:

Like adjectives, use adverbs sparingly.  Be honest, accurate, and selective.  I personally have only two adverbs in my résumé.  Here is a list of the most frequently used adverbs:

Adverbs — Resume Buzz Words

COMBINING BUZZ WORDS ON YOUR RESUME

Which words you choose and how you combine those words is uniquely up to you. And if I’ve not yet gotten it through to you, let me repeat: Be honest.  Don’t over fluff your stuff!

Let’s first combine a few adjectives and nouns:

• experienced executive
• skillful litigator
• proficient orator
• successful author
• proven leader
• talented negotiator
• effective communicator
• detailed researcher

Now, let’s combine a few verbs and adverbs:

• succinctly demonstrated
• quickly revealed
• creatively reconfigured
• dramatically improved
• significantly increased
• reliably calculated
• progressively strengthened

WORDS NOT TO USE IN YOUR RESUME:

Google reports that many of you search for the phrase, “Buzz words not to use on resume’.”  In my opinion, the use of “buzz words” applies only to words that we should use, not words that are best left in a bar or in a piece of fiction writing.

In general, it is how a word is used that matters most, as opposed to a succinct list of words not to use.  For example, while there is nothing wrong with any of the following words, per se, the way they are used could be problematic:

experience, environment, team, leadership, professional, proven

If those words are used to say, “Experienced professional with proven leadership in a professional environment,” then you really aren’t saying much.  Instead, provide a concrete example:

Provided 10+ years successful team leadership with 20 subordinates, a zero attrition rate, and 80% customer satisfaction at a Fortune 100 company.

Yet you still seek a concrete list of words you should not use.  I know… I know.  So here is the best I can do for you:

A résumé is about accomplishments, not duties.  Thus, only use the following when you don’t yet have work achievements (as in the case of students who are just starting out in their careers):

• responsibilities included
• duties included
• responsible for

Here are a few more no-no’s:

• use of first person – “I” — as in, “I was the employee of the month.”
• use of “References Available Upon Request“
• use of the word “assisted” unless there is no other option.  Focus on your achievement(s) as they relate to your assistance to someone else, and specify it on your résumé.
• use of the word “seasoned“, as in “seasoned professional.”  This ages you.  Use “experienced” instead.
• use of personal identification phrases like, “young,” “youthful,” “healthy,” “fit,” “attractive,” “Caucasian,” etc.
• use of any word that is not accurate and honest

IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS

Aside from my over-stating the issue of integrity, the following are important considerations when choosing the best buzz words to use in your résumé:

Don’t use a complex word when something simple will do.  Example: If you “directed” a project, say so.  Don’t say “orchestrated the management of…” or something too fancy.

Use common headings:

“Professional Experience” instead of “Employment Affiliations”; “Achievements” instead of “Notable Accomplishments”

Write in third-person, not first, using phrases, not full sentences:  “Founded successful program for disadvantaged youth,” rather than “I am the founder of a program for disadvantaged youth that was highly successful.”

DO use the buzz words you find in the job description.

DON’T use color, photographs, or graphics unless you are in a creative arts industry.

DO balance the white space in your document, and use 12pt font if possible.  (I use an 11pt for substantive text, and a 12pt for headings, with a “left justified” margin, not “full justification” which reads oddly in many cases.)

Order your résumé in the most commonly accepted format, or a close variation:

1. Heading
   1. name
   2. address or city and state
   3. phone numbers
   4. email address
2. Career Objective
   1. You do not need to place a heading above your career objective. Just state the objective
   2. Use either paragraph or bullet format.
3. Education
   1. Reverse chronological order
   2. Degree obtained
   3. Name of institution
   4. Relevant or notable activities
   5. Dates of attendance (or years only, for “mature’ applicant)
4. Skills / Achievements
   1. bullet list format
   2. include your most notable achievements, including percentages & dollar amounts when possible
   3. include only your most relevant skills (after achievements)
   4. dates and information like company name are not needed here; it’s just a summary of your most notable achievements
5. Professional / Relevant Experience
   1. Your work history, in reverse chronological order (most recent employer listed first)
   2. Your job title
   3. Name and location of employer
   4. Dates of employment (last 10 years, generally)
   5. bullet list of significant / relevant achievements
   6. DO include volunteer and pro bono work, if relevant
6. Additional Relevant Memberships / Skills / Activities / Awards
   1. bullet list format
   2. brief description of relevant awards
   3. brief description of relevant memberships
   4. brief description of relevant activities
7. Key Competencies / Skills
   1. Some jobs benefit from this added section. Only include what is relevant to the position you seek, like …
      1. the type of software you can use, and your proficiency level
      2. the types of equipment you can operate, and your proficiency level
      3. languages you speak, and your proficiency level
      4. personal attributes that are directly relevant (i.e., “confident public speaker”)

Notice that there is not a heading for “References” or for “Hobbies”. Do not include them in your résumé, nor should you include a statement that “References will be provided upon request.”  That’s old school and will date you, showing that you’ve not taken the time to research current standards for résumés.

A CAVEAT

Having said all of this, I will remind my regular readers — and point out to my new or visiting readers — that there are exceptions to every rule.  For a good example of how someone “got the job” breaking nearly every rule, you might want to read this article.

If you would like an evaluation of your résumé, I will provide you with a free critique!  But, make sure you’ve first followed the rules of résumé writing and prepared the best document you can prepare. And, PLEASE CLICK HERE TO READ SUBMISSION GUIDELINES FIRST.

~Lynda C. Watts

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Did you find this article useful?  Would you like to learn more about how to find employment?  Check out some of these fan-favorites:

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• The Job Search: Word Choices to Avoid Poor Communication & Misunderstandings
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• Resume Rules

More? This is only a partial list of all of the “Work” related articles Lynda has written for you. Check out the “Work” category in the sidebar to the right for a complete listing of all articles designed to help you.  And don’t forget to check out the other categories!  Keeping it all in balance is necessary for a comfortable, content life — and Lynda knows just how to do it!