OK. I admit it. I used to think "passionate" was a good CV or resume word. It conveys more than "hard-working" or "diligent" and adds "caring" and emotion. If you're passionate about something, you're fully absorbed, engaged and enthusiastic. I can remember when, if I saw it on somebody's CV, it added value.

But oh, how the lustre is scrubbed off by over-use...

For me, it's the most overused CV word for 2013. Everybody seems "passionate" about their customers, about their service and about their colleagues. I've even come across one candidate who's "passionate" about Human Resources! Now that's really testing credibility!

Well sorry, it's all cobblers. It over-used. (I'm afraid too many candidates and recruiters are lazy with their language). It's over-used by candidates, recruiters, CV/resume writers and copy writers.

Congratulations to the first person who used it. You were original then. Whoever you are, wear your crown with pride, but the rest of you, you're showing a distinct lack of imagination. You've seen it somewhere, and though "Ooh. I should use that. That will mark me out as different...."

It doesn't. It displays a lack of imagination. If you say you're "passionate" on your CV I no longer believe you. Actually, it's worse than that. You're incapable of original thought. Subtle tones pass you by. You're one of the herd.

And I feel passionate about that...

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