No matter where you work, you will always find that one person who everyone makes fun of  because he/she keeps repeating the same phrases over and over; but have you ever thought, it may be you?

Reading an article in yahoo: ” The Most Annoying, Overused Words in the Workplace“, I laughed over and over, until I ran into something I’ve been known to say from time to time: “It is what it is…”  I would like to use my “English-is-not-my-first-language card, but I will take responsibility for the annoyance.

Here a list of phrases that annoy the bejesus out of me! (yes, the bejesus is one of those):

  • Lets put your ducks in a row – Lets go to the town fair
  • What do we have for OTB (open to buy) – How about asking how much money we have left?
  • Circle back around – Wait, what?
  • Timecrunch
  • “Lets look at the CRN ASAP, to find our OTB, and cross-reference with our QTD revenue, to see if we could buy some more SEO and SMO services…”  - at some point you just feel like throwing in some more, FBI, ATF, CIA, JRR TOLKIEN!

You may be nodding while you read, and chances are when you close this window, you won’t ever think about it again, but don’t close it yet.  Think of how many of this things are on your resume, or cover letter, or on emails to clients or superiors… its not so funny anymore.

I’ve read many resumes, that I dont understand what they do, did or want to do, and not because its not expressed but because its in some weird lingo that only apply to a certain industry.  As a musician, I tend to say things like: “Wow, the Horn player was amazing“ and even though you can guess he was a wind instrument player, which instrument will still be unknown, some other phrase could be “That axe player has a serious stink” (translated), alright, so if you ever listened to K.I.S.S. you know the axe player is the guitarist, but what is it with body odor and musical talent?  Some phrases become annoying for someone out of your industry; and completely useless.

A little list of phrases we all have put on our resumes at some point:

  • Results-oriented professional – Oh No, I like the other kind of professional
  • Cross-functional teams – Its like cross gender but less of a hassle
  • More than [x] years of progressively responsible experience – could you add more adjectives?
  • Superior (or excellent) communication skills – Ok, so you know how to speak, and write, what else?
  • Strong work ethic – according to the fact that you have not been sued for sexual harassment
  • Extremely responsible – according to whom?  I swear I’m the most handsome guy in my office, but thats just my opinion

Are you running to look at your resume right now? Wanna bet some money you may find some of those there?

Lingoes are useful and somewhat necessary in a certain aspect of business, but you have to be really careful when you leave the comfort of your cube, office, farm barn or street gutter.

I know you just thought of 20 more, send them to me, I need a good laugh.

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