How should you use Action Verbs and Power Words?
1. Identify Key Skills and Accomplishments:
Before writing your resume, identify the key skills and accomplishments relevant to the job you’re applying for. For this consider the job description and requirements to tailor your resume to the specific needs of the employer.
2. Select Appropriate Action Verbs:
Choose action verbs that accurately reflect your role and achievements.
For example, if you led a team, use words like “led,” “orchestrated,” or “guided.”
3. Start Bullet Points with Action Verbs:
Begin each bullet point under your work experience with a strong action verb to draw attention to your achievements.
Instead of saying “Responsible for managing a team,”
say, “Led a team to accomplish project goals.”
4. Quantify Achievements:
Whenever possible, quantify your achievements by using numbers and percentages to provide concrete evidence of your impact.
Instead of saying, “Improved sales,”
say, “Scaled sales by 20% within six months.”
5. Use Variety and Be Specific:
Avoid repetition by using a variety of action verbs to keep your resume interesting and showcasing a diverse skill set and be specific about your accomplishments.
Instead of saying, “Contributed to project success,”
say “Created and conducted a streamlined project management system resulting in a 15% rise in efficiency.”
6. Tailor to the Job Description:
Align your action verbs with the language used in the job description to not only show that you understand the requirements but also help your resume pass through applicant tracking systems (ATS).
For example, if the job description focuses on “innovation,”
use words like “innovated,” “pioneered,” or “introduced.”
7. Highlight Leadership and Initiative:
Use action verbs to highlight instances where you took initiative, led projects, or played a key role in achieving goals.
Instead of saying, “Participated in team projects,”
say, “Initiated cross-functional team projects resulting in enhanced efficiency.“
8. Proofread for Consistency:
Ensure that you use consistent language and verb tense throughout your resume to create a polished and professional presentation.
For example, if you start a bullet point with “Developed,” make sure the subsequent points also use the past tense.
Resume Action Verbs and Power Words
Action verbs and power words are dynamic and impactful words that are used in resumes to highlight skills, experiences, and achievements as they convey a sense of strength, action, and capability. Therefore, using these words in your resume increases your chances of being selected for your job as it helps to create a good picture of your professional experience. This article is your go-to guide to resume action words and power words as it goes through why to use these words and how to use them along with some word suggestions.
Resume Action Verbs and Power Words