Your CV is your personal marketing tool—a chance to showcase your experience, achievements, and skills in a way that grabs an employer’s attention. But if your CV is filled with overused clichés and buzzwords, you risk blending into the crowd instead of standing out.
Recruiters spend an average of 6 seconds scanning a CV—and phrases like “hardworking” or “team player” don’t tell them what they need to know. Instead, they’re looking for specific, results-driven examples of your contributions.
Let’s break down the most overused CV clichés and how to replace them with compelling, quantifiable content that will make your application stronger and more effective.
1. Hardworking → Show, Don’t Tell
2. Team Player → Showcase Collaboration
4. Excellent Communication Skills → Demonstrate Impact
Do Not Say: “I have strong communication skills.”
Better Alternative: “Presented technical solutions to executives, leading to the approval of a R2 million budget for system upgrades.”
5. Detail-Oriented → Give Specific Examples
Do Not Say: “I pay attention to detail.”
Better Alternative: “Reviewed and corrected over 100 financial reports with zero discrepancies, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards.”
6. Go-Getter → Show Initiative
Do Not Say: “I am a go-getter who takes initiative.”
Better Alternative: “Developed a company-wide training program that improved employee efficiency by 35%.”
7. Dynamic → Prove Adaptability
Do Not Say: “I am a dynamic professional.”
Better Alternative: “Successfully transitioned from a traditional software development model to Agile methodology, improving project delivery speed by 40%.”
8. Problem Solver → Describe a Challenge You Solved
Do Not Say: “I am an excellent problem solver.”
Better Alternative: “Identified and fixed a recurring software bug that reduced system downtime by 25%.”
9. Self-Starter → Give a Real Example
Do Not Say: “I am a self-starter.”
Better Alternative: “Independently created an automation tool that saved the company R500,000 in annual operational costs.”
10. Passionate → Show Dedication
Do Not Say: “I am passionate about IT and innovation.”
Better Alternative: “Completed three industry-recognized certifications (AWS, Azure, Cisco CCNA) to deepen my expertise in cloud computing.”
11. Innovative → Highlight Unique Ideas
Do Not Say: “I am an innovative thinker.”
Better Alternative: “Developed a machine learning algorithm that improved customer retention by 15%.”
12. Proven Track Record → Use Hard Data
Do Not Say: “I have a proven track record of success.”
Better Alternative: “Achieved a 98% project completion rate while managing a team of 15 engineers.”
13. Outside-the-Box Thinker → Showcase a Unique Approach
Do Not Say: “I think outside the box.”
Better Alternative: “Designed a custom cybersecurity solution that reduced phishing attacks by 80%.”
14. Ninja/Guru/Rockstar → Stay Professional
Do Not Say: "I am an IT guru.”
Better Alternative: “Experienced Senior Software Engineer with expertise in Java, Python, and DevOps, leading development teams to deliver high-performance applications.”
15. Responsible for → Use Action Verbs
Do Not Say: “Responsible for managing a team of developers.”
Better Alternative: “Led and mentored a team of 10 software developers, resulting in a 25% increase in coding efficiency.”
16. References Available Upon Request → Remove This
Do Not Say: “References available upon request.”
Better Alternative: (Leave this out—employers already expect you to provide references when needed.)
17. Handled a High Volume of Tasks → Quantify Your Workload
Do Not Say: “Handled a high volume of client accounts.”
Better Alternative: “Managed a portfolio of 50+ corporate clients, increasing customer retention by 30%.”
18. People Person → Showcase Relationship-Building Skills
Do Not Say: “I am a people person.”
Better Alternative: “Built and maintained relationships with key stakeholders, securing R5 million in funding for new projects.”
19. Worked Well Under Pressure → Provide an Example
Do Not Say: “Thrives in a fast-paced environment.”
Better Alternative: “Led a crisis response team that resolved a cybersecurity breach within 24 hours, preventing potential financial loss.”
Use Action Verbs to Strengthen Your CV
Hiring managers prefer action-oriented language. Start your bullet points with strong verbs like:
Developed
Optimized
Spearheaded
Engineered
Negotiated
Implemented
Achieved
Quantify Achievements with Data
Instead of vague statements, use numbers to highlight your impact:
“Increased sales by 20%”
“Reduced costs by R500,000”
“Managed a team of 15”
“Improved efficiency by 35%”
Tailor Your CV to the Job Description
Use relevant keywords that match the job description to improve your CV’s visibility in Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).
1. What is the biggest mistake job seekers make on their CVs?
The most common mistake is using generic language instead of showcasing specific skills and achievements.
2. How can I replace buzzwords with stronger language?
Use action verbs and quantifiable data to prove your impact rather than relying on vague adjectives.
3. Should I include a personal summary at the top of my CV?
Yes, but keep it concise and impactful—focus on what makes you a strong candidate.
4. What are the best action verbs to use on a CV?
Words like developed, increased, optimized, managed, designed, streamlined, implemented, and engineered are effective.
5. How do I make my CV ATS-friendly?
Use a clean format, include job-relevant keywords, and avoid tables or images that ATS software cannot read.
At Skillzpage, we know what hiring managers look for in a standout CV. If you’re struggling to land interviews, our team can help connect you with top IT, Engineering, and Finance employers in South Africa and beyond!
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