Overused Words on Advertising Resumes

John Krautzel
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In the advertising industry, certain words are commonly overused, meaning that they make little or no impact on potential employers. When it comes to advertising resumes, most reviewers have seen it all, often due to candidates who run an Internet search for "resumes examples" and copy key phrases. By making an attempt to use unique, descriptive words, you can catch the attention of potential employers.

As the United States economy continues to rebound, the American employment forecast is positive but not overwhelmingly so. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Americans can expect to see growth in the labor force of just 10.8 percent between 2012 and 2022. For job seekers, the slow growth means that competition for jobs is unlikely to drop. Strong advertising resumes are one way to stay competitive with other candidates.

For people who are looking for jobs in the advertising industry, creativity is a necessary part of the job. Therefore, it is almost always unnecessary to use the word "creative" on advertising resumes. Instead, include examples that demonstrate your creativity.

In the advertising industry, buzzwords are common. These words, which often start out as jargon, become trendy and fade away, but not before they become victims of overuse. In general, it is best to avoid buzzwords on advertising resumes. A good way to tell if a word is overused is to run a search for "resumes examples" and examine the text; if a buzzword shows up, do not use it in your resume. In general, avoid words and phrases like "synergy," "paradigm shift," "leverage," and "value-add." Industry professionals may be able to use brand new buzzwords safely but only if you are certain that it will indicate your insider status to the employer.

When you are writing advertising resumes, avoid using words that make a specific claim without proof to back it up. Words like "expert," "driven," "innovative," and "effective" are overused. Plus, as any good advertiser knows, claims are useless without supporting evidence. Instead of saying you are innovative, include an example of an unusual ad campaign you created in a previous job. Instead of claiming to be effective at targeting specific demographics, tell the employer how much sales increased after you released an advertisement to a new market segment.

In most cases, avoid using the first word that pops into your head; chances are, that word is overused. Instead, take time to research synonyms and descriptive phrases to find the words that give a clear picture of your professional experience. By taking time to create advertising resumes that are fresh and unexpected, you can stand out from the crowd.

 

(Photo courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net)

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