If you take an average resume or CV you will find there plenty of skills and proficiencies. Such words as "innovative", "motivated", "created", etc. The problem with such characteristics is that hiring authorities don't really know if they can trust these words. Anyone can write anything, but unless it is proved by specific accomplishments or experience there is no way someone will believe these words straight away (especially hiring authority). It should be a top priority then to back up your proficiencies with past achievements and responsibilities at previous workplaces.
HRs Want Just to Know the Truth
When hiring authorities are seeking someone to fill a gap in their company they understand that their primary task is to choose the most fitting person out of hundreds of applicants. It is hard to do if you don't really know which candidates tell the truth on their resume. There are many ways to check whether the information given is truthful; the very first instrument is the resume itself. So before drafting the application documents you have to be really careful because what you write can either grant you an interview or disqualify you from a position.
Innovative. It seems like one can hardly find a candidate who doesn't claim to be innovative. However, most of us understand that real innovative skills are very rare. Besides, if all of those candidates were innovative as they claim we would have lived in a different world. So either don't use this characteristic or prove it. You can do it by describing new products you've developed, mentioned new process improvement tools you have come up with, etc. The innovation is always evident in daily things; if your resume doesn't display your innovative skills in action then it is better to leave it out.
Effective. This is one of the most frequently used words on a resume or CV. Job seekers use it as a synonym to "good". However, this word actually has a meaning a little bit different than just "good". Effective means successful in achieving an effect or result. Unless you can't prove that you have achieved an intended result in something you better not use this word.
Leader. Usually, this word is used in combination with one or two descriptive adjectives such as "good", "effective", "great". However, a leader is someone who leads a group of employees toward specific goals. If you have never been in that position, but you think you have good leadership skills you better leave it out. The best proof how good a leader you are is to demonstrate the results your team has accomplished under your management.
For more insight, check our article on must-have resume skills.
