Top power verbs to use in your resume
Credit to Author: Murali Murthy| Date: Tue, 19 Nov 2019 06:49:41 +0000
Strong action verbs on your resume can make a huge difference when you only have a few seconds make an impression with recruiters.
Power verbs, when placed strategically, paint a vivid picture of your experience and achievements in a potential employer’s mind. When used wisely, certain power verbs can also help your resume get past the automated tracking systems with ease.
But it’s not as simple as just stringing together a bunch of verbs on your resume and hoping something sticks. One proven way is to start each bullet point about your past experience with a relevant power verb, draw hiring managers in and giving them a concrete picture of your expertise. Here are a few tips to use action verbs on your resume intelligently, that could help you land the job of your dreams.
Be strategic
Be strategic while choosing action verbs that describe your skills and experience. Resumes that make the cut are tailored towards both the job and the industry by using verbs that feel relevant and targeted.
For maximum impact, use power verbs selectively and convey simple, direct messages. Don’t go overboard. Nothing dilutes the impact of action verbs than being surrounded by too many action verbs.
Be individual
It’s a good idea to include action verbs that showcase your unique individuality. For instance, ’empowered’ speaks to your ability to give energy, authority and confidence to a group or a team to achieve a certain result. It suggests that you possess the confidence and the influence to be able to energize a team or group to have a powerful impact.
‘Organized’ is a wonderful verb that denotes that you can prioritize not only the items on their desk, but their tasks too. This lets employers see that you understand what is valuable to your job. ‘Orchestrated’ is an even better verb that is more likely to attract attention.
‘Initiated’ another strong verb, demonstrates that you are proactive and that you spent the time and energy to begin a project or that an idea originated with you. To employers and recruiters, it speaks to a positive, ‘can-do’ mindset and says that you will be a solution starter.
Be specific
One of the most important rules for using action verbs effectively is to choose them based on the jobs you’re applying to. If you want to gain a leadership position, use strong leadership action verbs to describe both your skills and experiences. Examples include ‘drove, advocated, bolstered, engaged, elicited and spearheaded’ and other verbs on similar lines.
To highlight management experience, you will want to use verbs like ‘established and delegated’. These words can say much more than more common verbs such as led or oversaw. You want to show how proactive you are and these verbs express that well.
Brainstorm a few industry-specific action verbs, as well. For example, if you are a job seeker targeting the IT industry, use action verbs such as administered, centralized, configured, engineered, installed and programmed. These show that you know the space inside and out and you won’t need to be brought up to speed.
If you’re looking at creative jobs, you might want to consider the verb ‘pioneered’. This verb conveys that you have initiated projects or activities that did not exist before.
Be magnetic
A job seeker’s goal is to get the recruiter or search committee member interested enough about their background to be invited for an interview. Remember, it’s not just about a specific adjective or verb, but everything around it. The best candidates often understand how important it is to share their specific stories, give examples and show how and why they are good at something, rather than just stating that they possess a skill.
Some more power verbs to consider
Below are some more power verbs to consider if you want to convey different skill sets.
Communication: Addressed, Authored, Brainstormed, Marketed, Persuaded, Promoted, Summarized
Innovation: Constructed, Designed, Engineered, Envisioned, Fostered, Shaped, Visualized, Pioneered
Organization: Arranged, Centralized, Compiled, Planned, Processed, Regulated, Systematized
Teamwork: Aligned, Balanced, Collaborated, Cooperated, Improvised, Participated, Partnered
Leadership: Administered, Assigned, Coached, Empowered, Facilitated, Guided, Monitored, Supervised