Use These Words For Your Resume

Crafting a resume can feel overwhelming, and it’s tempting to rely on buzzwords and clichés to make your skills pop. But overused phrases can make your resume sound generic. Instead, focus on concise, impactful language that reflects your unique skills and experiences.

Below, we’ve broken down powerful action words and tips to help you create a resume that’s professional, relatable, and easy to read.

"Managed" Include the number of subordinates and the scope of work. Managing also includes projects, communication, and inventory.

"Grew" Use "grew" with data to show you drive results and avoid stagnation.

"Led" Highlight leadership experience with "led," demonstrating your ability to guide teams.

"Researched" If the job requires in-depth information, use "researched" to describe your information-gathering skills.

"Identified" Pair "identified" with examples that showcase your curiosity and problem-solving abilities.

"Oversaw" Conveys trustworthiness and responsibility—important traits for your resume.

"Operated" Suggests specialized skills; highlight unique abilities you possess.

"Improved" Show results with "improved," using data to demonstrate your impact.

"Planned" Use "planned" to illustrate your organizational skills in projects or events.

"Collaborated" Highlights teamwork, especially with other departments or professionals.

"Trained" Incorporate "trained" to show your expertise in teaching others.

"Coordinated" More impactful than "organized"; it shows how you manage initiatives and teams.

"Executed" Use "executed" to describe your role in seeing projects through to completion.

"Delegated"

Share examples of how you delegated tasks for efficiency.

"Mentored" Include "mentored" to demonstrate your knowledge in guiding others.

In general, using ACTION WORDS and ACTIVE VOICE is vital for your resume and cover letter, as they convey confidence.

Specific and Quantifiable Terms

Employers seek candidates who provide concrete evidence of their abilities. Use specific and quantifiable terms like numbers and percentages to enhance credibility. For example: "increased sales by 25%" or "reduced production time by 20%."

Industry-Specific Terminology

Incorporate industry-specific terms to demonstrate your knowledge and expertise. For instance, in marketing, use phrases like "brand awareness" and "SEO."

Results-Oriented Language

Adopt results-oriented language to highlight your impact. Instead of "worked on a project," say "developed a project that achieved X results."

Action-Oriented Statements

Use action-oriented statements to showcase your initiative. For example, replace "responsible for managing a team" with "successfully managed a team of X to achieve Y results."

Results-Oriented Accomplishments

Highlight specific accomplishments with impact-focused language, such as "increased revenue by X," "saved Y dollars," or "streamlined operations for a Z% efficiency boost."

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