Executive Resume Words and Phrases You Should (and Shouldnt) Avoid

Executive Resume Words and Phrases You Should (and Shouldnt) AvoidIf youve been searching for executive positions for some time, its possible that youve gotten into the habit of utilizing catchphrases to describe yourself. While theres nothing wrong with choosing great brand attributes to define who you are, you want to avoid those that sound generic to decision makers who read your resume.Sometimes, a word or phrase sounds impressive, but when broken down into simple language actually means that you are organized, or work well with otherssomething all executive candidates should be great at by now. To avoid sounding too clichd or ordinary on your resume, lets take a look at some phrases that you should and should not include.Phrases to AvoidOnce youve spent hours finding amazing skills and accomplishments to share on your executive resume, you assume your work is complete. But the real challenge comes with finding unique ways to describe those qualities.Many job candidates causa int o a pattern of using certain words and catchphrases they know sum up skills into a neat little package. However, those very words have been seen time and time again by key decision makers and are just too redundant and inauthentic to offer real meaning.What are some of those phrases you want to avoid? Superior communication skills Team player Strong work ethic Exceeded expectations Proven track record of successWhile these phrases may describe you to a T, they also (should) describe every candidate who applies for any job in any organization. These are base-level skills that companies assume all candidates bring to the table. They dont make you stand out as a top candidate.So if you do list them on your resume, you run the risk of leaving the impression that youve either carbon-copied your resumeor you dont have any more specific qualifications to offer.Words You Shouldnt AvoidWhen it comes to choosing phrases to include in your resume, it gets a bit tricky. You dont want to choose clichd phrases that make your resume sound redundant, as it would by using the phrases listed above. Instead, you want to come up with descriptions based on specific experiences that show youre an authentic candidate.A great way to come up with great descriptions is by combining action verbs with colorful adjectives. Here are a few action verbs to consider Accelerate Orchestrate Incentivize Capitalize Revolutionize Fortify CatapultAnd some adjectives that you might add include Encouraging Unbiased Courageous Upbeat Harmonious Confident ImpartialThere are many other strong words out there that can help you to create a more powerful presence on your resume. So dont be shy about looking for others that genuinely describe the impact youve had in every position youve assumed, as well as in your field as a whole.Its important to remember to brand your resume before applying to each new position for more information on branding check out my recent article 5 Key Areas to Target When Brandin g Your Resume. You can also get additional job search and career related advice by checking out our blog or following us on Twitter GreatResume.