When applying for jobs, the words and phrases you use in your CV are critical. Being selective and choosing resilient buzzwords and impressive language is a great way to elevate your CV. But, it can be easy to fall into the trap of picking popular, and potentially overused, terms that can relegate your CV to generic and run-of-the-mill.
Hiring managers scan a CV in a mere six to seven seconds. If everyone is a creative strategist, hard worker, passionate, and a team player, they can quickly lose interest. Clearly, any CV that stands out from this crowd is a winner.
Ditching overused and vague terms in favour of having direct, succinct, and punchy buzzwords on your CV can increase your chances of an interview. In this blog, we will explore:
- What are CV buzzwords?
- CV buzzwords to avoid in 2024
- List of 100 CV buzzwords for different scenarios
- How to include buzzwords on your CV
What are CV buzzwords?
CV buzzwords are relevant keywords or terms that are sprinkled in a CV to catch the eye of a hiring manager. This can include industry-specific terms to bring to life professional situations as well as buzzwords to describe soft skills, such as communication and leadership.
Typically buzzwords for a CV are action verbs, such as “steered,” or “inspired,” which are used to describe your skills and qualifications in a more compelling way. They can also be words or phrases that describe a specific requirement for a job, such as “process improvement,” or “risk mitigation,” when used in a project management CV.
Inevitably, buzzwords on a CV change as industry trends shift and some terms become overused and cliched. Actively monitoring new and emerging trends in your industry, as well as reviewing each job description for terms that are repeated or emphasised as important, will allow you to identify the best buzzwords to use in your CV.
According to UKrecruiter, the top three CV phrases that raise the hackles of recruiters and can make the difference between a successful and unsuccessful job application are:
- Overused terms. Using terms such as “born leader,” “hard worker,” and “highly motivated,” is regarded as unoriginal.
- Over-exaggeration. Including words like “extremely,” or “highly,” in your CV is viewed as CV fluff due to the lack of clarity and specificity.
- I believe I’m perfect for this job. Commonly used in job applications, this phrase is deemed as pointless as your application itself sends the same message.
Why are CV buzzwords important?
Choosing the right buzzwords can pave the way toward a job interview, and potentially even a job offer. Rather than blend into the background, buzzwords can be used to impress the hiring manager and allow some of your personality to shine through in your CV.
For example, if you work in account management you might describe your client-based skills as, “Effectively managed client relationships and increased the client base.” However, using more powerful CV buzzwords could look like, “Cultivated over 30 new client relationships and boosted retention by 45% via active networking and quick resolution of client pain points.” The second statement sounds much more dynamic, due to action-based buzzwords and quantifiable data.
Another reason to harness the power of CV buzzwords is that they can help you to be more successful on Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) that many companies use to screen candidates. These electronic gatekeepers parse content from CVs, and then search for specific keywords from the job description. Having the right buzzwords can help your CV rank highly with the robots and earn a human review.
CV buzzwords to avoid in 2024
While buzzwords for a CV will be unique to your personal and professional situation, there are some common culprits that deserve a mention. Using these predictable terms less or replacing them with more impressive buzzwords can help you create a stand-out CV.
Here are our top 10 CV buzzwords that are best used more sparingly in your CV:
- Creative
- Enthusiastic
- Experienced
- Facilitated
- Hard worker
- Motivated
- Passionate
- Responsible
- Strategic
- Team player
When common buzzwords are overused they become less impactful, as it’s just like stating the obvious. You may well be creative, experienced, and a team player, but this statement is vague and pretty unoriginal. Combining more unique and relevant buzzwords, with concrete examples of skills in action or workplace achievements, will lead to a more memorable and meaningful CV.
Be honest. Choose buzzwords that accurately describe you, rather than throwing terms in your CV that sound impressive, but aren’t accurate.
Stuff too many buzzwords in your CV. This can make you sound less authentic and also annoy the human who eventually reads your CV!
List of 100 CV buzzwords
Knowing which CV buzzwords to avoid is one thing, but which buzzwords will impress the hiring manager? Here are our top 100 CV buzzwords that will help you represent your skills, experience, and qualifications in the best possible light.
Leadership buzzwords
Having the ability to lead and motivate a team toward shared goals will send a message to a prospective employer that you have the potential to add value to their organisation. Terms such as “managed,” or “responsible,” are valid, but often overused and not very dynamic.
Here are some alternatives you can use to show your leadership prowess:
- Aligned
- Controlled
- Cultivated
- Delegated
- Directed
- Executed
- Ignited
- Inspired
- Mentored
- Piloted
- Spearheaded
- Steered
Customer-focused buzzwords
Many jobs involve interactions with clients, so hiring managers will often be on the lookout for candidates with strong people skills. Apply some of these CV buzzwords to sell your customer-centric approach to recruiters:
- Advised
- Advocated
- Consulted
- Customer-centric
- Educated
- Handled
- Informed
- Negotiated
- Patiently
- Persuaded
- Resolved
Achievement-based buzzwords
Outlining your achievements is what will set you apart from other job applicants. The right buzzwords allow you to describe your accomplishments in a more interesting and impactful way. Here are our top achievement-focused buzzwords:
- Accelerated
- Awarded
- Demonstrated
- Exceeded
- Generated
- Outpaced
- Perfected
- Reached
- Surpassed
- Showcased
- Won
Teamwork buzzwords
Employers need team players to establish productive and positive work environments. If you review most job adverts, the keyword “team player” pops up frequently, so it’s important to demonstrate your team-focused approach via your CV. Here are some suggested buzzwords:
- Collaborated
- Encouraged
- Energised
- Influenced
- Interacted
- Inspired
- Merged
- Participated
- Shared
- Volunteered
Research the vision and values of your target employer so you can include relevant buzzwords on your CV. For example, if the company describes their core value as “customer-obsessed,” then include customer-centric buzzwords and examples of how you exceed client expectations.
Creative buzzwords
Creativity is a valued talent. The ability to solve complex problems, stay open-minded, and bring new perspectives are a true asset in the workplace. It’s easy to say that you are creative but trickier to prove it. Use these different buzzwords to dodge the creative cliché and provide specific examples of your innovative approach.
- Applied
- Built
- Crafted
- Designed
- Cutting-edge
- Expressed
- Initiated
- Inventive
- Pioneered
- Resourceful
- Unique
Project management buzzwords
Project management skills are important to showcase on a CV as they demonstrate your ability to plan, organise, budget, coordinate, and deliver assigned tasks or projects. If an employer can see that you're capable of multitasking, sticking to deadlines, and focusing on the details, they are much more likely to offer you an interview.
Here’s how to attract a recruiter's attention with the right project management buzzwords:
- Controlled
- Delivered
- Engineered
- Executed
- Operated
- Orchestrated
- Organised
- Outperformed
- Produced
- Steered
- Transformed
Financial control buzzwords
Whether your role is finance-specific or not, using buzzwords to describe your cost-efficient approach can be compelling. After all, who doesn’t want to employ someone who can deliver cost savings to the business? Here are some keywords to use on your CV:
- Conserved
- Consolidated
- Decreased
- Diagnosed
- Eliminated
- Exercised
- Leveraged
- Negotiated
- Reduced
- Yielded
Communication buzzwords
Every word you write or speak can have a huge impact on your audience. Applying strong communication skills is critical to ensuring a successful job search as well as thriving in your personal and professional life. When describing your stellar communication skills, try these compelling buzzwords:
- Affirmed
- Conveyed
- Critiqued
- Defined
- Documented
- Edited
- Emphasised
- Negotiated
- Persuaded
- Promoted
- Responded
- Translated
Additional CV buzzwords
Some buzzwords don’t fit neatly into a specific category, but they can be used to describe your unique skills and abilities. Here are some additional CV buzzwords you can use across your CV:
- Adept
- Determined
- Effective
- Logical
- Observant
- Proactive
- Productive
- Resourceful
- Savvy
- Sophisticated
- Transformative
- Versatile
How to include buzzwords on your application documents
Buzzwords should be placed strategically in your CV for maximum impact. The trick when writing your CV is to get the balance just right by including enough buzzwords to send a strong message of your suitability for the role while avoiding overstuffing your CV with keywords.
Here are the key areas on your CV and accompanying application documents where buzzwords will be effective:
CV summary
Your professional profile, or summary, is your elevator pitch, so including some buzzwords here can make this opening statement more impactful. Using the job description as your guide, choose buzzwords that sell your relevant skills, experience, and any stand-out achievements.
Work history
Perhaps the most advantageous place to harness the power of buzzwords is in your work experience section. Sprinkle powerful buzzwords when outlining your core responsibilities as well as any notable achievements via concise bullet points.
Cover letter
The right buzzwords are impressive when included in your cover letter too. Consult the job description, then pepper some powerful buzzwords across your cover letter, which will serve as a smooth introduction to your CV.
Key takeaways
Using the right buzzwords is a key part of creating a CV that will jump out to prospective employers and ensure you successfully navigate applicant tracking systems. Avoid generic buzzwords, such as skilled, a go-getter, or hardworking. Instead, use our smart buzzwords to make your CV more engaging and effective.
Always tailor your CV and cover letter to each job opportunity. Review the job description, then include relevant keywords to position yourself as the ideal hire.
