Struggling to make your resume stand out? Action verbs are the key to achieving a powerful and impactful first impression!
Action verbs showcase your initiative, skills, and accomplishments in a much more effective way than passive language or simply listing duties. They paint a vivid picture of what you achieved rather than just what you were responsible for.
Here’s why action verbs are crucial:
- Grab attention: Strong verbs make your resume more dynamic and engaging to read, grabbing the recruiter’s attention from the start.
- Highlight your strengths: They showcase your skills and abilities in action, demonstrating how you’ve applied your knowledge and achieved results.
- Quantify your impact: By using action verbs, you can quantify your achievements with numbers and data, making your contributions even more impressive.
How to Choose the Right Action Verbs
Not all action verbs are created equal. Here are some tips for choosing the best ones:
- Match the verb to the accomplishment: Make sure the verb accurately reflects the specific action you took and the outcome you achieved.
- Use strong, varied verbs: Avoid overusing generic verbs like “responsible for” or “performed.” Instead, opt for verbs that showcase your unique skills and contributions.
- Tailor your verbs to the job description: Analyze the keywords and skills mentioned in the job description and choose verbs that demonstrate your alignment with those requirements.
Quantifying Achievements with Action Verbs:
Explain that quantifiable achievements with action verbs add power and credibility to your resume. Here’s how:
- Numbers: Instead of saying “Increased sales,” use “Boosted sales by 15% within Q1.”
- Metrics: Show results that matter to employers. “Streamlined operations, resulting in a 20% reduction in processing time.”
- Percentages: Highlight improvements with percentages. “Developed a new training program that led to a 30% increase in employee productivity.”
Examples:
- “Managed a team of designers, exceeding project deadlines on all initiatives.” (Good, but lacks specifics)
- “Led a cross-functional team, delivering all projects 10% under budget and ahead of schedule.” (Quantifies impact)
Sample Action Verb List
Here’s a list of action verbs categorized by different skill sets to get you started:
Leadership and Management: Delegated | Spearheaded | Coached | Mentored | Motivated | Streamlined | Optimized | Improved
Communication and Collaboration: Presented | Facilitated | Negotiated | Partnered | Mediated | Communicated | Collaborated | Disseminated
Problem Solving and Analysis: Analyzed | Investigated | Diagnosed | Devised | Implemented | Evaluated | Interpreted | Forecasted
Crafting a compelling resume takes more than just strong verbs. It should always be written with your target audience in mind. At The Squires Group, our talented team of experts can help you land the interview you’ve been searching for. Contact us today to take the next steps in your career journey!
