Resume Words That Work
Ready to take the next step in your career? Whether you want to climb the corporate ladder, make a lateral move, or you’re looking for your very first job, you can create an amazing resume. In any industry or job, there are certain resume words to use that will stand out to a potential employer.
You’ve done your research and have a general idea of what you should include. Now you’re just wondering what words to use in a resume. Strong resume words are important — they get your point across quickly, and set your application apart from the rest of the pile.
So, what are the best words to use on a resume? The best resume words are descriptive, powerful, action words. We’ll go over the top tips, along with a list of resume keywords that will help you highlight your abilities and achievements.
Use Descriptive Resume Words
Action verbs are some of the most powerful resume words. But don’t just stick to the same old verbs everyone uses: Led, managed, worked on, and improved are just a few of the words hiring managers see all the time. Dig deeper and get to the heart of what you accomplished by using these more descriptive words:
Instead of… |
Say… |
| Led | Coordinated, executed, founded, produced, organized |
| Managed | Directed, guided, educated, mentored, delegated |
| Worked on | Advocated, monitored, analyzed, supported, established |
| Improved | Solved, influenced, redesigned, updated, revitalized |
Use the Right Resume Keywords
While some skills will vary between jobs and industries, there are keywords you can use that apply to all positions. Employers always want applicants who have leadership potential and are passionate about their work, but who are also responsible. Resume words for leadership and other soft skills are outlined next.
For this soft skill… |
Use… |
| Leadership | Achieved, initiated, planned, supervised, invented |
| Passion | Motivated, prioritized, created, mobilized, inspired |
| Responsibility | Supported, prepared, represented, ensured, provided |
It’s time to stop using the same words as everyone else on your resume. When you use good resume words like the ones we just discussed, you’ll get ahead of your competition. Our suggestions don’t stop here — download our resume word list for even more great buzzwords.
Happy resume writing!
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