If you can do anything to improve your resume today, then this is it.

Remove, eliminate, wipe out, replace (get my drift?) the horrendous cliche "responsible for".

This little phrase is the most over-used phase in resume writing and despite its popularity, means absolutely nothing.

What does "responsible for" mean exactly? That you managed people? That you were required to get a report out on time? Something else? Nebulous and cloudy phrases do not belong on a resume and do not sell your skills!

For example:

"Responsible for the restaurant". Does that mean the person manages the restaurant? Does it means they are accountable for the profitability of the restaurant, or does it mean they manage the shift? Does that mean that they recruit and train staff? Perhaps it means they oversee the leases and deal with the building owner. Who knows?

By using the phrase "responsible for" jobseekers sabotage their presentations by making the information ambiguous.

Think about what the employer is looking for in relation to what it is you do. Don't take the lazy way out by resorting to cliches everyone uses! Tell the reader what you do!

Instead of "responsible for the restaurant" consider:

* Delivered profits exceeding targets via an integrated strategy with marketing and the head chef that matched a cultural theme with the daily menu specials.

* Reversed declining staff morale--transforming staff into a dynamic, customer-focused team through one-on-one training and skills reinforcement.

* Drove renewed effort to improve restaurant operations to reflect new management.

* Devised new processes, created policies for OH&S and eliminated duplicated tasks.

Doesn't that tell your next employer just a little more than "responsible for"?

Be cliche free. You can do it!