If you are about to update your resume/CV, now is the ideal time to remove and replace all the banal, cliched and mind-numbing expressions from this important document.

Yes, with so much formality in a CV it can be hard to avoid all the dumb and meaningless phrases and expressions, but spare a thought for the reader who may otherwise just nod off mid-paragraph…

Here are several phrases that should be outlawed from every résumé…

“I’m motivated!” What?… and so what! As Jim Rohn once said “if you have an idiot and you motivate him, now you have a motivated idiot”.

“I’m a team player” – one of the most overused resume clichés. So what if you are a team player, the term doesn’t say anything useful – avoid!

“I have a strong work ethic” – it sounds great, but again, so what! – employers assume that this is the case and if not then you’re wasting your time anyway.

“I’m self-motivated” – we all have to be in our own way otherwise we probably wouldn’t get out of bed in the morning!

“I’m bottom line focused” – another term that means nothing unless you have some real facts of vital importance to back up the statement.

“I have a proven track record” – what is a proven track record? What did you do that makes you say so?

“I have excellent communication skills” – that can mean so much and nothing. Are you a good talker or email writer; do you communicate the essential information or just like to talk endlessly without saying anything! (If so then maybe going into politics would be a better alternative!)

“I’m very enthusiastic” – many people believe that lack of experience can be compensated for with enthusiasm – really??

“I’m young at heart” – This means I am old and I really should be on the golf course working on my game! The term doesn’t work and won’t get you in the door…

“I am creative” or “I am innovative” Says who? This is your opinion and so overused it is completely meaningless…

“Distinguished”, “Rockstar”, “Renown” Using adjectives like ‘distinguished’ or ‘Rockstar’ to describe yourself is just dumb and largely makes the reader think you are a complete idiot – which you probably are if using such words!

“I am dependable (or loyal or trustworthy)” Of course you are…and if you weren’t, I guess you would put that in your resume as well…

Take some time to prepare your CV – Since a recruiter or employer on average takes about 7 seconds for an initial view, you need to ensure that they give your resume a second look…

About the Author

Tim Johns is a former Hotelier and Managing Partner with Elite Search – a leading hospitality recruitment firm. For more information about Tim and Elite Search visit http://www.elitesearch.com.au and The Elite Hotelier http://www.elitehotelier.net