Words and Phrases to Avoid on Your Resume in 2026

You’ve crafted a resume that showcases your professional achievements and qualifications, and now it’s time to refine it to ensure hiring managers can easily recognize your potential.

While you may want to enhance your resume with elaborate bullet points and trendy jargon, removing unnecessary phrases can be even more impactful.

Though it can be painful to let go of well-crafted phrases, it’s a worthwhile effort if it means your application stands out in a competitive job market.

Key Takeaways:

Avoid vague terms; instead, illustrate your contributions with action verbs.
Do not write your resume in the third person.
Be honest on your resume; exaggerations can come back to harm you.

Words And Phrases To Avoid Putting On Your Resume

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Words and Phrases to Avoid on Your Resume
What You Shouldn’t Include in Your Resume
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Words and Phrases to Avoid on Your Resume

Hard Worker. While you may genuinely believe you’re a hard worker, this phrase fails to differentiate you from other candidates. Instead, share a specific instance where you went above and beyond to achieve a goal or took on additional responsibilities without being prompted. This gives recruiters a clearer picture of your work ethic.
Outside-the-Box. Once a catchy phrase for creative thinking, this term has become cliché and lacks substance. Even if you possess unique ideas, employers want to see concrete examples of how these ideas positively impacted your current organization. For instance, you could say, “Implemented a color-coded organization system that empowered students to manage their supplies independently,” rather than just claiming to have “outside-the-box ideas.”
Experienced. This term is vague and prompts more questions than it answers. Specify your experience level clearly. Did you merely assist with one project, or did you manage significant events consistently? Provide context that allows hiring managers to gauge your true experience level.
Team Player. Claims of being a team player need to be substantiated with real examples. For instance, describe how you “Volunteered to train new team members to ensure coverage during peak periods,” which demonstrates your commitment to teamwork.
Dynamic, Enthusiastic, or Energetic. These subjective adjectives can come off as boastful and add little value to your resume. Instead of describing your personality traits, let your qualifications shine through in your cover letter and interview, saving personal descriptors for when an interviewer asks how you would characterize yourself.
Expert. Use this term sparingly and only if you can genuinely back it up. Be prepared to answer detailed questions about your expertise if you include it on your resume.
References available upon request. This statement is redundant and takes up valuable space. It’s widely understood that references will be provided if requested.
Go-to person. This term can be unclear. Instead of using vague descriptors, clarify your role. Were you responsible for delegating tasks, or were you the one people approached for assistance? Describe your contributions directly.
Self-Motivated. Many candidates claim to be self-motivated, but this doesn’t provide any proof. Illustrate your self-motivation through specific examples of proactive initiatives you’ve undertaken.
Results Driven. Instead of simply stating you’re results-driven, provide tangible examples of outcomes you achieved through your efforts. Hiring managers appreciate concrete evidence of your impact.

What You Shouldn’t Include in Your Resume

Here’s a list of essential steps to take when revising your resume. If you’re writing it for the first time, use this as a guide for what not to include.

Eliminate your objective statement. While it’s common to start a resume with an objective, these statements often lack uniqueness and take up valuable space. Replace your objective with a succinct summary of your qualifications and what makes you an ideal candidate. Tailor this section to the specific job to avoid sounding generic.

Consider using titles like:
- Executive Summary
- Summary
- About Me
Avoid writing in the third person. If your name appears anywhere besides the header, it’s time to delete it. Third-person writing feels unnatural and takes up space. Write in the first person without using pronouns. For example, say “Managed a team of 10” instead of “John managed a team of 10.”
Exclude potentially offensive interests. Avoid including hobbies or interests that could be polarizing. Focus on job-related information, or if necessary, ensure everything sounds professional and relevant to the position.
Don’t use your current work email. Using your company email for job applications raises concerns about your professionalism and discretion. Opt for a personal email instead. If your personal email is outdated or unprofessional, consider creating a new one.
Don’t list every job you’ve ever had. Your resume should highlight relevant experience that prepares you for the position you’re applying for. Focus on positions that demonstrate applicable skills, and if necessary, explain how past roles contributed to your qualifications.
Never lie. Avoid exaggerating or stretching the truth. While you can frame accomplishments compellingly, ensure you can substantiate them with examples. Hiring managers will investigate your claims, and dishonesty can lead to disqualification.
Steer clear of pompous or vague language. Use straightforward language that accurately reflects your experiences. Avoid complex words for their own sake, as they can obscure your message.
Avoid vague buzzwords. Embrace the adage, “Show, don’t tell.” Specific accomplishments make a stronger impression than generic terms that others frequently use.

By following these guidelines and modernizing your resume content, you can enhance your chances of standing out in the competitive job market of 2026. Focus on clarity, specificity, and relevance to ensure your resume resonates with potential employers.

Author

Abby McCain

Abby is a writer who is passionate about the power of story. Whether it’s communicating complicated topics in a clear way or helping readers connect with another person or place from the comfort of their couch. Abby attended Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where she earned a degree in writing with concentrations in journalism and business.

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