A Word on Sales Resume Buzzwords
- Frank Manfre
- Mar 25
- 2 min read
Here are some of the most common, trite terms that hiring sales execs and managers see:
Hardworking - This is a quality that’s expected of all candidates.
Results-Driven - Too vague, better to show results with specific achievements.
Self-Starter - It’s more effective to demonstrate initiative through examples.
Team Player - While collaboration is key, simply stating this without context doesn’t show how well you work in a team.
Excellent Communication Skills - It’s better to highlight specific communication achievements.
Go-Getter - A cliché that doesn’t provide any evidence of your abilities.
Problem Solver - Often used without evidence of what and how problems were solved.
Proven Track Record - It’s more effective to show the proof through metrics and examples.
Effective Leader - Can sound generic unless backed by specific leadership experiences.
The last buzzword, "Award-Winning", is very common and deserves a deeper dive. It can be effective when used in a resume summary but it depends on the context and if it’s backed by specifics and adds genuine value to your qualifications. Is it relevant to the role you’re applying for? Also, avoid overusing it or it may lose its impact. Be specific, identify the award and why it was significant, e.g. “Salesperson of the Year exceeding revenue targets by 30%”,
Instead of relying on these buzzwords, focus on quantifiable achievements:
Sales numbers
Percentage growth
Successful projects
Specific skills e.g., CRM expertise and negotiation skills
Bottom Line: Be sure to highlight unique aspects of your experience that differentiate you from other candidates. In other words, build your personal Unique Value Proposition that communicates to hiring managers, "This is the value I can add as a member of your team".
Frank Manfre
Job Search Sherpa
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