Ok, so I bet the first question you asked when you read the title of this article is ‘What on earth is a buzzword?’… Well, read on and soon you will be an expert in what buzzwords are and how you can use them to give your CV optimum success.

So, a buzzword (also known as action words) is a word or phrase that is modish in a particular context or at a particular time. Buzzwords in a CV will be used to sell yourself. For example, you might use positive verbs to highlight your skills and qualities to the employer reading your CV. Buzzwords can also be placed in a CV to catch the eye of certain companies; recruitment consultants may type certain words into a database to find their ideal employee. Mastering the use of buzzwords can be difficult at first, you need to have enough buzzwords that your CV will stand out from the crowd but not have it overloaded so that it looks too overdone and unnatural. Nevertheless, hopefully this article will have you on your way to the perfect balance of buzzwords and an effective CV!

How do I use Buzzwords?

A CV is used to sell yourself, you want to make yourself look like the perfect candidate for any job you apply to. The use of Buzzwords will help you be selected for a job interview as employees will search a list of keywords to find CV’s that match with the job qualifications and skills enlisted when the job role was advertised.

When you write your CV, you should list keywords that are specific to your occupation or job that you are interested in. For example, you might write about sales skills you might have. However, you should include buzzwords with these skills to highlight your accomplishments. You shouldn’t just list your skills or qualifications, use buzzwords to sell how good you are at these certain attributes.

For example, ‘proficient in bar work’ instead of ‘bar work experience’

More Examples

• Specialised in childcare.
• Supervised associates on sales floor
• Established skills in IT
• Achieved qualifications in…

What Buzzwords should I use on my CV?

Buzzwords should be positive verbs that are used in active statements that will show the employer your personal contribution and involvement in qualifications you have gained, work experience you have or skills you have obtained.

Here is list of Buzzwords that can get you started:

• Advised
• Achieved
• Analysed
• Assisted
• Built
• Challenged
• Created
• Critiqued
• Co-ordinated
• Decided
• Developed
• Demonstrated
• Designed
• Discussed
• Determined
• Established
• Focused
• Formulated
• Guided
• Helped
• Mastered
• Negotiated
• Participated

Build these words into your CV and you will have employers intrigued, impressed, and interested in giving you that all important interview…or maybe even the job!

Good Luck!

Emma-Rose Lees is a StudentJob blogger, and is a student at the University of York where she studies English in Education. Check out her Blog and make sure you Like her Facebook Page!