Stop Using These 10 Overused Resumé Phrases (And What to Write Instead)

Your resumé is often the very first impression you make with an employer. But if it’s packed with vague phrases like “hard worker” or “team player,” it risks blending into the stack. Recruiters and hiring managers read hundreds of resumés every week, and they’re looking for specifics, not clichés.

To help your resumé stand out, here are 10 phrases to avoid — and what to write instead.

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1. “Hard worker”

Why change it: Nearly everyone describes themselves this way but just saying you’re hardworking doesn’t prove it. Employers want evidence.

Try instead: Show what “hard work” looked like in your role by giving a clear example.

• Balanced five concurrent projects while meeting every deadline

• Took on additional client accounts during peak season to support the team

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2. “Team player”

Why change it: This phrase is so common that it’s lost its meaning. Collaboration is expected, but you need to show how you’ve contributed.

Try instead: Highlight moments where teamwork led to results.

• Partnered with cross-functional teams to implement new CRM system

• Co-led a joint project with operations that cut delivery times by 15%

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3. “Results-driven”

Why change it: This phrase is empty unless you back it up with actual results.

Try instead: Share the result directly.

• Increased customer satisfaction scores from 82% to 94% in six months

• Generated $1M in new business through targeted outreach campaign

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4. “Strong communication skills”

Why change it: Every job involves communication. The trick is to show where your skills made a difference.

Try instead: Give context.

• Presented weekly performance updates to executive leadership

• Drafted policy documents adopted across three departments

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5. “Detail-oriented”

Why change it: Attention to detail is important, but the phrase alone won’t convince anyone. Proof will.

Try instead: Share examples where accuracy mattered.

• Audited payroll records for 400 employees with zero discrepancies

• Tracked milestones across 15 projects, ensuring 100% on-time delivery

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6. “Responsible for”

Why change it: This makes your resumé read like a job description instead of an achievements list.

Try instead: Use action verbs and outcomes.

• Instead of “Responsible for managing budgets,” try “Managed $500K annual budget, reducing costs by 10%”

• Instead of “Responsible for onboarding staff,” try “Onboarded and trained 20+ new hires annually”

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7. “Works well under pressure”

Why change it: It’s generic and unproven. Employers want examples of how you handled challenges.

Try instead: Describe the pressure and the outcome.

• Delivered a 200-page proposal within 48 hours, securing a $2M contract

• Handled 50+ customer inquiries daily during system outage with 95% satisfaction rating

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8. “Self-starter”

Why change it: Employers want initiative, but this phrase feels tired and overused.

Try instead: Show how you took initiative.

• Launched new client feedback system that improved retention rates by 12%

• Created training resources adopted company-wide, saving 40 hours per onboarding cycle

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9. “Go-getter”

Why change it: This sounds informal and doesn’t prove your impact.

Try instead: Show how you went above expectations.

• Consistently exceeded quarterly sales targets by 20%

• Secured partnerships with three new vendors, expanding service offerings

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10. “Proven track record”

Why change it: Hiring managers don’t want to hear you say you have a track record — they want to see it.

Try instead: Share the track record itself.

• Promoted twice in four years due to consistent performance

• Recognized with company award for outstanding client service

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Bonus: Watch out for robotic AI phrases

With AI tools like ChatGPT, more resumés are starting to sound the same. If you’ve used AI to draft yours, scan for phrases that sound too polished, too vague or like they could be copy-pasted onto anyone’s resumé. Employers are quick to spot them.

Here are a few AI-style phrases to avoid — and how to make them sound more human:

• Passionate about leveraging synergies → Excited to bring people together to achieve shared goals

• Demonstrated ability to execute deliverables → Completed 15+ client projects on time and within budget

• Proven expertise in driving impactful solutions → Designed new reporting tool that reduced errors by half

• Highly motivated professional with a results-oriented mindset → Recognized for consistently exceeding sales targets

• Seeking to utilize my skills in a dynamic environment → Looking to apply my project management background to support growth in a fast-paced organization

Tip: If a sentence looks like it could be dropped into any resumé without changing a word, it’s probably too generic. Make it personal by tying it to your work, results or career goals.

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Final Thought

The strongest resumés don’t rely on broad claims, they show proof. Use action verbs, measurable results and real examples to help employers picture the value you’ll bring to their team.

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