10 Phrases to Cut From Your HIM Resume — And What to Say Instead
- Shonda Holloway, RHIT
- Jul 7
- 2 min read
If your resume sounds polite, vague, or safe — it’s probably getting ignored.
You don’t need more experience. You need stronger language. Because hiring managers don’t hire responsible, hardworking, or motivated people.
They hire problem-solvers who can speak in outcomes, systems, and strategy.
Here’s a breakdown of 10 phrases to delete from your HIM resume — and what to say instead if you actually want callbacks.
1. “Responsible for reviewing patient charts”
✅ Instead say: “Reviewed 75+ patient charts weekly to ensure accurate coding and complete documentation across multi-provider workflows.”
Always quantify volume, task, and outcome.
2. “Familiar with Epic”
✅ Instead say: “Navigated Epic Workqueues to monitor documentation gaps, update problem lists, and track billing flags for inpatient cases.”
Don’t say “familiar.” Show how you used it to solve problems.
3. “Knowledge of ICD-10 and CPT”
✅ Instead say: “Applied ICD-10-CM, CPT, and HCPCS coding guidelines across outpatient and risk-adjusted encounters, including RAF scoring and HCC mapping.”
Show them you don’t just “know it” — you use it.
4. “Team player”
✅ Instead say: “Collaborated with providers and clinical staff to resolve documentation discrepancies and reduce coding rejections.”
Make your teamwork mean something.
5. “Worked in fast-paced environment”
✅ Instead say: “Managed 50+ claims daily across commercial payers with <3% error rate under tight submission deadlines.”
Specific beats generic, every time.
6. “Excellent communication skills”
✅ Instead say: “Drafted provider queries, appeal letters, and claim justifications that recovered $120K+ in denied payments.”
Show how your communication gets results — not just compliments.
7. “Detail-oriented”
✅ Instead say: “Identified documentation inconsistencies that triggered claim audits and reduced preventable denials by 22%.”
If you’re detailed, prove it with impact.
8. “Seeking a challenging opportunity”
✅ Instead say: “Targeting analyst or coding roles where I can improve claim accuracy, streamline workflows, and reduce documentation-related write-offs.”
Don’t beg for opportunity. Position yourself as an asset.
9. “Reviewed charts for accuracy”
✅ Instead say: “Audited patient encounters to flag missed chronic conditions, incomplete HCC documentation, and incorrect sequencing.”
Use real HIM language — not just generic terms.
10. “Motivated HIM professional”
✅ Instead say: “RHIT-certified HIM specialist with 3+ years of revenue cycle experience and proven results in claim recovery, data integrity, and system optimization.”
Your cert doesn’t speak. Your language does.
Final Word
If your resume sounds like everyone else’s, you’ll keep getting passed over.Start talking like the strategic professional you actually are.
Real HIM hiring managers want to know:
What problems you fix
What systems you’ve used
What results you’ve created
Don’t sell yourself short with soft language.
Ready to Cut the Weak Language and Sound Like an Asset?
✅ I’ll rewrite your resume line by line
✅ We’ll swap vague wording with data-backed statements
✅ You’ll walk away with a document that gets you interviews
Let’s get you seen — and hired.
Comments