Drafting the perfect CV takes time and careful planning. There are a few dos and don’ts as to what you should and shouldn’t do to your CV which you can read here.
You’ll want to consider the most effective words to use to brighten up your CV and catch on-looking eyes, while also avoiding words and phrases that could be detrimental to your applications.
Here are some words we know will put your CV at the top of the pile!
Include
You should always be truthful and give evidence to support your personal qualities and skills. Accompanying this with and prioritising positive language is a sure way to make your CV stand out in the crowd.
It’s important to use buzz words that honestly and appropriately describe you.
Consider including words like:
While these words may describe your character well, we strongly recommend providing evidence to support these qualities. The simplest way to do this is by reframing your attributes in instances where you displayed them. For example, rather than stating, “I am a pro-active individual,” try saying, “I achieved XYZ by being pro-active in…”
By doing this, you eloquently convey your skills and clearly give evidence to support them.
This approach can be taken with many different skills and qualities to display when and how you developed them. Try making a note of your skills and think about experiences where you were given the opportunity to exercise these.
Other action words you might choose to use are:
These words can be a useful prompt for thinking about the different examples you can apply to your CV.
Avoid
Just like there are words you should strive to include in your CV, there are also words that will do your CV more harm than good.
Examples of words you should avoid are:
Though these words may honestly describe you as an individual and a professional, they are often considered overused clichés that have lost their impact and true meaning.
There are exceptions for these words, however. For example, if the job description calls for an individual using any number of these words, then it’s best to try and include the relevant words in your CV in a similar way as we mentioned before.
The best way to grab employer attention is by using the words that were on the job description. Offer examples of how you possess certain skills and the experience in which you developed or gained them and why you’re the perfect fit for their vacancy.
Before you go…
Make sure to include words that describe you and your experiences. Consider the job advert and reflect on whether you possess the qualities the employer is looking for and avoid using words that are too overused or cliché and will put the reader off. Don’t be afraid to really sell yourself and your skills on your CV.
Disclaimer: All our articles and guides express the views of FINTEC recruit and do not constitute legal advice. Our articles provide general information and any third-party website links used are for the convenience of the reader, user or browser and we do not endorse content of third-party sites.