When it comes to crafting the perfect resume, every word counts. But too often, resumes are packed with filler words—those unnecessary phrases that dilute the impact of your skills and achievements.

What exactly is a filler word? Essentially, it's a word, sound, or phrase that people commonly use in conversations and speeches to fill pauses. Filler words are often a way to avoid silence. Critics ...

As someone who’s originally from Southern California and now lives in the South, it’s not uncommon for me to get Valley girl comments. I have a habit of throwing in a quick “you know, like” or “so ...

Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Scott Hutcheson teaches leadership at Purdue University. Filler words like “um,” “uh,” “like,” and “you know” are more than just ...

(CNN) — As someone who’s originally from Southern California and now lives in the South, it’s not uncommon for me to get Valley girl comments. I have a habit of throwing in a quick “you know, like” or ...

ATLANTA — As someone who's originally from Southern California and now lives in the South, it's not uncommon for me to get Valley girl comments. I have a habit of throwing in a quick "you know, like" ...

“Filler words are part of your mental dictionary, even things like um or uh,” said Dr. Idan Blank, assistant professor of psychology and linguistics at the University of California, Los Angeles.