The most overused words on resumes

Think that describing yourself as a “highly qualified” “self-starter” who is a “creative” “problem solver” will help you stand out on the job hunt? Think again. According to a new OfficeTeam survey, these are among the most overused terms on resumes.

The survey was developed by OfficeTeam, a leading staffing service specializing in the placement of highly skilled administrative professionals. It was conducted by an independent research firm and is based on telephone interviews with more than 1,300 senior managers at companies with 20 or more employees in the United States and Canada.

Executives were asked, “What is the most overused or meaningless phrase you see on resumes?” Below are some of their top responses, along with advice on how to give employers what they’re really looking for in your application materials and during the interview process:

Phrases to leave out

How to stand out

Highly qualified