📝 10 Words / Phrases to Remove from Your CV Now And what to write instead

In a competitive job market, your CV needs to work harder than ever. Every word should earn its place — and yet, many candidates still rely on vague, overused, or outdated phrases that don’t actually say anything. If you’re polishing your CV, here are 10 words (or phrases) to cut immediately — and what you should use instead.

1. Hardworking

💬 Why remove it: It’s expected, not exceptional. Everyone says it.

✅ Try this: Show it through achievements or responsibilities. For example, “Consistently met tight deadlines across multiple high-pressure projects.”

2. Team player

💬 Why remove it: Too generic.

✅ Try this: “Collaborated with cross-functional teams to deliver a £250K project on time and under budget.”

3. Responsible for

💬 Why remove it: Passive and dull.

✅ Try this: Use strong action verbs: “Led,” “Delivered,” “Implemented,” “Streamlined.”

4. Go-getter

💬 Why remove it: Informal and vague.

✅ Try this: “Secured £50K in new business by proactively targeting untapped market sectors.”

5. Synergy

💬 Why remove it: Buzzword bingo!

✅ Try this: “Built strong working relationships across departments to improve handover processes.”

6. Ninja / Rockstar / Guru

💬 Why remove it: Sounds gimmicky in a professional CV.

✅ Try this: “Recognised as subject matter expert in SQL and Python.”

7. Loyal

💬 Why remove it: Better to show than state.

✅ Try this: “Remained with firm through 2 mergers and took on additional duties.”

8. Reference available on request

💬 Why remove it: Completely outdated.

✅ Try this: Don’t say anything — it’s implied.

9. Reliable

💬 Why remove it: Employers expect this by default.

✅ Try this: “Completed 100% of scheduled audits ahead of deadline.”

6. Enthusiastic

💬 Why remove it: Empty without evidence.

✅ Try this: “Volunteered to run induction sessions for new starters.”

Final Thought: Your CV is your first impression. Be specific, be direct, and above all — show the impact you’ve had. Replace tired phrases with real-world evidence of what you can do.