The Power of Action Verbs in Resumes

exchange of notepad

A great resume is essential for any job seeker looking to make a good impression. It needs to be informative and engaging, and strong action verbs can help you craft a powerful resume that will grab the attention of employers. Action verbs are powerful words that deliver energy, enthusiasm, and motivation. In this article, we’ll look at how action verbs can be used in your resume to make it stand out from the crowd. There is also a list of action verbs for your resume at the end, so make sure you read until the end.

1. What Are Action Verbs?

Action verbs are words that indicate an action. They describe an activity or task that someone has done. For example, “organized”, “collaborated”, and “improved” are all action verbs as they show what you have done in the past.

2. Why Use Action Verbs?

Using action verbs in your resume makes it more engaging and interesting for the reader. Action verbs are much more powerful than regular verbs since they show the employer that you have taken initiative and accomplished something. This makes you an ideal candidate for the job position.

Furthermore, action verbs help paint a picture of what you have achieved in the past and give employers an idea of what kind of employee you would be if hired. Instead of simply listing off your qualifications and experience, using action verbs helps you demonstrate core competencies in detail such as leadership skills, communication skills, problem-solving abilities, etc.

3. How To Use Action Verbs Effectively

When using action verbs in your resume there are a few things you should keep in mind:
Focus on accomplishments rather than duties: Instead of saying something like “I answered phones at my previous job,” try “Handled incoming calls professionally and efficiently while balancing customer satisfaction with meeting daily goals”. This highlights your accomplishments instead of just listing duties or responsibilities which can make your application stand out from others.

Be specific: Ensure that you use the exact correct verb for what you did so that it accurately reflects what you accomplished at previous jobs or internships. Be precise, this will help emphasize how impressive your experience truly was!

Choose powerful words: Not only should you choose specific verbs but those verbs should also reflect power and confidence, and demonstrate achievement when appropriately used. Examples of commonly used powerful verbs include optimize, implement, create, innovate, generate, analyze, etc. These types of verbs make it clear that not only did you get the job done but that you also did a job that had an impact!

Avoid overusing any particular verb: Vary those action verbs up so that your resume does not become repetitive or boring for readers!

4. Where to Use Action Verbs?

Action verbs should be used throughout your resume when talking about skills, qualifications, achievements, and experiences gained from previous jobs. Here is an example:
Don’t say “I increased sales”
Say “Boosted sales by 20% through effective marketing strategies”

This shows employers what kind of results were achieved, which makes you more appealing as a candidate for the role you are applying for.

5. A List of Action Verbs For Your Resume

Source: The Harvard University FAS OCS Resume and Cover Letter Guide

Conclusion:

Having the right knowledge and approach can help you stand out from the other applicants. By following these steps, you will definitely increase your chances of leaving with a good impression.
Good luck! Don’t forget to subscribe to our weekly newsletter if you don’t want to miss any valuable information that could help you further your career: https://minextstep.com/
Thank you for reading and let MiNextStep be your next step.