Crafting a compelling resume requires more than listing job duties; it’s about showcasing your expertise with impactful language. Action verbs play a vital role in helping you stand out to potential employers by emphasizing your accomplishments and skills.
Verbs to Avoid
Not all verbs are created equal when it comes to resumes. Some verbs fail to convey the impact of your actions or contributions. Avoid these common pitfalls:
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Generic Verbs
Words like worked, assisted, or encouraged lack specificity. They don’t explain what you accomplished. For example:
- Worked on the weekly schedule → does not clarify your role or impact.
- Instead: Developed the weekly schedule and accommodated last-minute changes without impacting the mission.
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Passive Verbs
Words like oversaw, utilized, or held sound vague and fail to demonstrate your influence on outcomes. For instance:
- Held staff meetings weekly to share the latest updates → does not show the effort behind the meetings.
- Instead: Executed weekly status meetings to communicate the client’s needs effectively.
Use Action Verbs Strategically
Action verbs create a strong narrative, showing employers how your efforts translate into tangible results. Use them purposefully to highlight your skills and achievements in key areas:
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To Showcase Strong Work Ethics
Choose verbs that demonstrate diligence and determination, such as:
Achieved, drove, established, enacted.
Example:
- Achieved the set weekly goal of generating 50 sales.
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To Demonstrate Completing Core Duties
Highlight your responsibilities and contributions with verbs like:
Accomplished, analyzed, implemented, created.
Example:
- Developed an informative and effective reporting system to analyze sales gaps and shared it with all departments.
Pro Tip
Actionable verbs aren’t just for resumes—they’re equally powerful for performance evaluations. Use these verbs to describe your accomplishments when submitting evaluations to your supervisor. For example:
- Implemented a new client onboarding process that reduced setup time by 20%.
This approach ensures your contributions are recognized and well-documented.
Final Tips for Success
- Use verbs that show your direct impact on the organization’s productivity or goals.
- Be specific and focus on results to make your resume stand out.
- Avoid overusing the same verbs to keep your resume dynamic and engaging.
By strategically selecting actionable verbs, you can transform a list of duties into a compelling narrative highlighting your value and expertise.