Are you using too many buzzwords during the interview?
by Olevia Yuen - Recruitment Consultant | 02/06/2015
Are you using too many buzzwords during the interview?
“A word or phrase that becomes very popular for a period of time” - Merriam-Webster
We hear buzzwords every day. Marketers make profit by using technical, important-sounding phrases to uninformed consumers which creates a positive impression. For example, “detox” was a popular buzzword in 2014 that magazines and media used to promote a dieting fad which it's basis has yet to reach wide scientific consensus. Job seekers too use buzzwords during the interview, but these phrases often carry no meaning to the interviewers. Here are some words that are overused:
Results-oriented
Work Well under pressure
Can-do attitude
Team player
Work autonomously
Strategic
Solid experience
Seasoned
People Person
Proactive
Responsible
Ambitious Focused
Using buzzwords won’t necessarily get you a job. In order to stand out in a competitive job market you have to describe your skills more specifically and explain to the employer how this is useful to the business. Try using an actual scenario that happened as this will make you speak more fluid with confidence as it was a real event.
Another great way to translate your strengths and achievements into transferable skills is to apply “action words” which the University of Kent has described perfectly in this article . Here is their example:
Rather than writing:
"For my final-year project, I had to carry out a survey of patients' attitudes to health care services for the elderly. This involved interviewing patients in hospital and in their homes. A database was used to keep track of data collected. This project was finished on time and was awarded a 2.1 grade."
You should instead write:
" Devised and prepared a survey of patients' attitudes to health care services for the elderly as my final-year project. Interviewed 70 elderly patients and obtained a substantial amount of data. Created a database to analyse and interpret this material. Completed this project three weeks ahead of schedule and achieved a 2.1 grade."
In conclusion, simply telling your interviewer that you are hard-working, focused or ambitious won't convince so. The most effective way is to tell them specific details of your experience and achievements. Use this on your resume too!
