120 Power Words That Will Make Your Resume Stand Out

Powerful Resume Words to Include and Avoid

It is necessary to avoid weak and passive verbs when writing a curriculum vitae, stay away from business jargon or clichés, and watch for repetitive terms and sentences. The quality and relevance of the resume can be compromised by these poor word choices. Instead, use strong action verbs and stop the overuse of the same verbs (like “supported,” “oversaw,” and “used”).

Words of action are clear, explain your efforts and add a positive tone to your resume and accomplishments list. Here is an example from this:

Lacks in power and clarity: “Held weekly progress meetings to discuss information with clients.”

Empowered and detailed: “Weekly progress meetings organized to communicate revenue growth for the department.”

Can you see just how stronger and more informative the second alternative is? The action verbs make a direct and impactful contribution to you.

Related Post : 10 Best skills to include in the CV

Resume action verbs

Below are several action verbs grouped by the form of effect, so that you can pick the most appropriate words for your resume.

To demonstrate your strong work ethic or to introduce your achievements, try:
AchievedCapitalizedDeciphered
DiscernedDroveEnacted
EndeavoredEstablishedExceeded
SharpenedShatteredSparked
SpearheadedSteeredStimulated
SupervisedSurpassed
Instead of “including tasks,” “responsible for,” “acted as” or “included behavior,”, try:
AcceleratedAccomplishedAnalyzed
AssembledBuiltFounded
CreatedConstructedDelivered
DevelopedExecutedExpanded
FinalizedForgedGuided
HandledHeadedImproved
IncreasedInitiatedImplemented
InstitutedProducedReached
SimplifiedVolunteered
To highlight your communication skills, try:
CollaboratedConveyedEnlivened
InstructedPerformedPresented
SpokeTrained
For creative views, try:
AuthoredBrainstormedBriefed
CommunicatedConceptualizedCurated
DerivedDesignedDiagramed
DraftedEditedIllustrated
ImaginedInfluencedIntensified
ModeledProofreadPublished
ResearchedStrategizedStoryboarded
TranslatedVisualizedWrote
For sales positions, try:
CapturedConservedConverted
EarnedGeneratedMaximized
NegotiatedWon
For executive roles, try:
AdvisedArrangedAugmented
CentralizedChampionedDifferentiated
DirectedEmpoweredEndorsed
EnforcedEnsuredForecasted
FosteredIdentifiedIntegrated
LeveragedReconciledReduced
ReplacedResolvedOrchestrated
OptimizedPredictedRenovated
For financial positions, try:
AuditedClassifiedCollected
EqualizedDispensedHalted
InvestigatedLoweredMaintained
MinimizedRecognizedSecured
For technical positions, try:
AdvancedArchitectedAutomated
CodedDeployedDetected
DevisedDiagnosedDiscovered
FormulatedInstalledLaunched
NetworkedPlannedProgrammed
RewroteRefinedTested
TroubleshootUpgraded

Leave a Comment