Update Your Resume with These 20 Power Words
Still using words and phrases like “think outside the box,” “dynamic,” “results-driven” or “self-motivated” on your resume? Then it’s time for you to punch it up with power words.
Seasoned recruiters have read so many resumes that they’re good at scanning them and looking for keywords, so grab their attention immediately with concise, meaningful words.
“If someone has two or three minutes to scan a resume, ask yourself what you want to convey to that person,” said Justin Couch, Consultant Advisor. “What’s your goal? Then use action words that get you to that goal – getting hired for one specific position.”
Couch advises listing your resume in this order: Skills Summary (or Summary of Qualifications), Certifications, Professional Experience, Education and optionally, Personal Interests (listing items such as volunteering). In your Skills Summary, Professional Experience and Personal Interests, replace the meaningless words and phrases on your resume with some of the 20 action words below:
- Reduced or increased
- Reversed
- Strengthened
- Recovered
- Achieved
- Trained
- Mentored
- Managed
- Resolved
- Influenced
- Volunteered
- Launched
- Under budget
- Won
- Revenue/profits
- Negotiated
- Accomplished
- Encouraged
- Generated
- Earned
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