Module 3 — Part 4: Clear, Concise Writing

Estimated Time on Task: 15–20 minutes

Objective

This lesson teaches you how to remove vague, generic, or fluffy language from your résumé and replace it with clear, specific, achievement-focused statements. You’ll also learn how to write in the correct résumé “voice” — first person without “I” — and use consistent, powerful action verbs. By the end, you’ll know how to tighten your writing so it communicates real value instead of filler.

 

 

▶ Show episode notes / transcript

Episode overview

In this lesson, Gayle explains why vague wording weakens your résumé, and shows how to replace generic phrases like “responsible for” or “involved in” with precise statements that show impact. She also breaks down the correct résumé writing voice — first person without “I” — and demonstrates how
specificity, action verbs, and correct tense make your résumé more confident and persuasive.

Key ideas from the lesson

  • ✔ Fluffy statements add no value. Avoid vague, generic wording.
  • ✔ Specificity is essential. Employers want clarity, detail, and outcomes.
  • ✔ “Responsible for” is weak. Say what you actually did.
  • ✔ Liaised ≠ achievement. Replace it with the real action you took.
  • ✔ Use action + outcome instead of duties.
  • ✔ Résumé voice = first person without “I”.
  • ✔ Tense matters. Present for current roles; past for previous roles.
  • ✔ Action verbs drive clarity. Start bullets with strong, active language.
  • ✔ Quality of writing shapes employer perception.

Some favourite lines from the lesson

  • ✔ “If a politician said she was ‘involved in various projects’, would you be impressed?”
  • ✔ “‘Responsible for’ is just taking the easy way out.”
  • ✔ “Never force the reader to hunt for substance.”
  • ✔ “Résumé speak is first person without the ‘I’ — it’s powerful, clean, and professional.”

This summary captures the essentials. For full nuance, the video is your best guide.

Why This Matters

Your résumé only has seconds to make an impression. Vague, generic statements make you blend into the crowd, while clear, specific writing immediately communicates competence and confidence. Learning to strip out fluff and use the correct résumé voice ensures your achievements stand out and your message lands cleanly with recruiters.

Task

Take your current résumé draft and:

  1. Remove all instances of:

    • ✔ I, me, my, our

    • ✔ Responsible for

    • ✔ Involved in

    • ✔ Liaised / liaison

    • ✔ Supported

    • ✔ Various

  2. Check the tense:

    • ✔ Current job → present tense

    • ✔Past jobs → past tense

  3. Rewrite each bullet so it starts with an action verb.
    Examples: Managed, Delivered, Created, Designed, Improved, Negotiated, Implemented, Streamlined.

  4. Replace vague statements with specifics.
    Ask yourself:

    • ✔ What exactly did I do?

    • ✔ How did I do it?

    • ✔ What was the result?

Reflection

Which vague phrase did you find yourself using most often — and what more powerful action verb or specific outcome could replace it?

Action Steps

  • ✔ Clean up your draft by removing fluff.

  • ✔ Ensure all bullets begin with strong, punchy verbs.

  • ✔Apply correct résumé voice (first person without “I”).

  • ✔ When you’re ready, continue to the next lesson for final polishing and layout.