06 Mar
Thinking of ways to make your resume stand out from the rest? Writing an effective resume doesn’t have to be rocket science. All you have to do is add resume verbs that truly add that much-needed punch.
The number of resumes a company receives vary, but on average, a hiring manager may get up to 250 for each job opening. That’s a big hurdle your resume needs to overcome to up your chances of getting hired. Here are 25 of the best action verbs that you can use to add impact to your resume.
What is a Verb?
Oxford dictionary defines a verb as a word to describe an action, state, or occurrence and forming the central part of the predicate of a sentence. Words such as learn, see, or stop are some examples. When writing your resume, using action verbs can improve your chances of landing that job.
However, not all verbs are created equal. It isn’t as easy as peppering your resume with dozens of verbs and then hoping for the best. You have to choose them carefully and form a strategy to describe your skills and experience. Always remember to go for quality over quantity.
Why Use Verbs on Your Resume?
If you don’t know the power of action verbs for your resume, you might be missing out on a lot. You can use verbs to move sentences dramatically or tacitly, as the need arises. Action verbs bring life to your resume in these ways:
Add Impact
The phrase “I increased, improved, or achieved” has more impact than saying “My responsibilities included.” A job recruiter may get bored with verbs that do nothing for your resume other than making it seem repetitive. Ensure that you’re not writing long sentences to describe your skills or experience. Strong action verbs allow for shorter sentences yet fill your resume with substance.
Provide Information in an Instant
With the hundreds of resumes employers receive, catching their attention is of utmost importance. It’s quite the norm for them to skim through a resume and not read everything on it. Action verbs help provide instant information as these are what recruiters look for. It’s a good idea to choose action verbs that are industry-specific to have them reading your resume longer.
Create a Visualization of You
Action verbs help the hiring manager form a visualization of you doing the job you’re applying for. Verbs represent an action. Using words such as pioneered, modeled, completed helps project a task done satisfactorily.
Set You Apart from the Competition
Carefully chosen action verbs can show accuracy while leaving a lasting impression. These words are excellent in illustrating your skills and achievements. Avoid using generic terms that don’t leap off the page. Use action verbs that can show your competitive advantage.
Gives Your Resume a Smooth Flow
The goal of your resume is for the recruiter to read about all your accomplishments. Action verbs can provide a smooth flow to your resume and make it easier to read. They can make one sentence flow to the next smoothly. You no longer need to use transition words such as “also” or in “addition.”
25 Verbs for Your Resume
Make your resume stand out from the hundreds vying for a job with these action verbs:
- Accelerated
- Achieved
- Administered
- Audited
- Completed
- Contributed
- Delivered
- Designed
- Developed
- Enabled
- Exceeded
- Generated
- Grew
- Implemented
- Improved
- Increased
- Motivated
- Negotiated
- Oversaw
- Produced
- Produced
- Reduced
- Spearheaded
- Streamlined
- Transformed
Tips on Using Verbs on Your Resume
You might be asking yourself, what are the most appropriate verbs for my resume? It’s quite impossible to use all of these on your resume without sounding conceited. Here are some tips when using these verbs:
Use Success Verbs
“Increased,” “improved,” and “grew” are great success words that highlight your accomplishments rather than just state a fact. Instead of using “I was hired to,” which is already a given, use resume verbs such as these for a more impactful impression.
Choose Carefully
Not every resume verb will apply to you, so choose them wisely. Give preference to verbs that are related to your industry or accomplishment. For those on a managerial level, use verbs such as “enabled” or “administered.” Resume buzzwords such as “hard worker” are a no go, instead, use verbs such as “achieved” or “increased.”
Show Your True Self
Let your prospective employer know who you are by using verbs that describe your personality. Verbs such as “motivated” or “initiated” are good to use to show that you’re proactive and authoritative. This will give out an aura of a positive mindset and a strong character.
Be Specific
Being straightforward with your resume helps you get noticed more than adding fluff to it. Wasting the recruiter’s time by having them read long paragraphs can produce negative results. If you’re applying for a leadership position, tell it straight away and be specific about it. Verbs such as “spearheaded” and “oversaw” project strong leadership qualities.
Be Patient
If your resume isn’t working, learn to experiment. Determine which CV verbs work for you by switching one with another. Also, come up with sentences that show your competence, not solely relying on these resume action verbs.
More Resume Verb Ideas
Here are additional verbs that are worth including in your resume:
- Advised
- Built
- Consolidated
- Created
- Directed
- Founded
- Maximized
- Mentored
- Obtained
- Saved
- Trained
Resume Verbs to Avoid
It may seem hard to distinguish which verbs are proper to use in your resume and which ones are not. If in doubt, these are some of the most common words that you shouldn’t use in your resume:
- Accomplished
- Dabbled
- Defined
- Established
- Included
- Interfaced
- Managed
- Performed
Final Thoughts
Use these verbs on your CV and add a quantifiable metric followed by your accomplishment. Place them all in bullet points, and you’re more than halfway in creating a resume that gets you the job. More importantly, matching them with what the company is looking for is a sure-fire way to get you noticed and find the job of your dreams.
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