80+ Power Words for a Resume: Verbs and Keywords to Use

The strongest phrases you possibly can put in your resume are verbs. While different job seekers are saying, “Responsible for…” you need to be saying, “Led,” “Managed,” “Grew,” and so on.

In this text, we’ll have a look at over 80 of those energy phrases to use in a resume or CV.

You’ll additionally uncover how to discover skill-related key phrases to use primarily based on what every employer desires for their job… so you may get much more interviews. 

Let’s get began…

Verbs & Power Words to Use in a Resume

To begin, listed below are some spectacular, action-oriented phrases you should use in your resume to keep away from the over-used phrase, “Responsible for…”

Always strive to lead off your bullets with a verb when potential. You also can use verbs in your resume summary, bullets and work history.

Here’s the complete record of verbs to make it easier to write a higher resume:

Words for Leading People, Projects, and Tasks

• Led
• Organized
• Orchestrated
• Oversaw
• Managed
• Chaired
• Headed
• Coordinated
• Facilitated
• Guided
• Mentored
• Supervised
• Trained
• Taught
• Empowered
• Unified

Words for Boosting Sales/Revenue

• Produced
• Increased
• Expanded
• Gained
• Generated
• Maximized
• Amplified
• Boosted

Words for Improving a Process

• Accelerated
• Increased
• Optimized
• Re-engineered
• Reorganized
• Retooled
• Transformed
• Adjusted
• Calibrated
• Re-calibrated
• Modified
• Overhauled
• Restructured
• Revamped
• Transformed
• Updated
• Upgraded
• Strengthened
• Streamlined
• Transitioned

Words for Creating a New Process or Initiative

• Planned
• Piloted
• Pioneered
• Built
• Started
• Initiated
• Founded
• Created
• Devised
• Implemented
• Established
• Introduced
• Launched
• Pioneered
• Spearheaded
• Authored
• Wrote
• Deployed
• Delivered

Words for Research, Analysis, and Business Decision-Making

• Calculated
• Audited
• Discovered
• Analyzed
• Tested
• Quantified
• Mapped
• Forecasted
• Evaluated
• Assessed
• Determined
• Diagnosed
• Validated
• Verified
• Uncovered

Words for Saving Money or Resources for the Company

• Conserved
• Saved
• Reduced
• Decreased
• Improved
• Prevented

Words to Show Achievements, Awards, and Successes

• Completed
• Attained
• Recognized for
• Received
• Reached
• Succeeded in
• Earned
• Surpassed
• Outperformed
• Won

What Are Good Keywords for a Resume?

Next, you’ll want to put some key phrases for the particular jobs you’re making use of for.

But what are good key phrases to embody?

The greatest key phrases to put in your resume are phrases immediately from the job posting. This is what the employer desires to see most (and seemingly what they’re wanting for first – whether or not they’re utilizing a software-based applicant monitoring system or having a recruiter or HR particular person assessment every resume manually).

So if the job posting talks about wanting somebody who has led initiatives prior to now, be sure to’re saying “leadership” in your record of abilities, and put a bullet that claims “Successfully led…” in your latest work if potential.

This is named tailoring your resume.

Try to use the identical phrasing that the corporate makes use of within the job description not less than as soon as (e.g. led vs. main vs. lead).

This isn’t all the time potential, and it’s best to all the time write your resume for a actual particular person first and foremost… since that’s who shall be making the ultimate resolution. But strive to mirror the job description when potential. 

Don’t use generic buzzwords and adjectives like “hard-working”

The phrases listed on the job description are one of the best key phrases and key phrases to put in your resume. Avoid buzzwords like, “hard-working” or “excellent interpersonal skills.” Employers don’t care a lot about this on a resume and want to consider it in an interview.

Those generic lists of resume key phrases that you simply’ll discover on-line aren’t serving to. I labored for 5 years as a recruiter and by no means as soon as determined to interview somebody or advocate them for a job due to a generic phrase like that. 

Employers are far more involved about onerous abilities and job-related expertise on a resume. They need proof you possibly can step into the job and succeed… which is what the resume/CV glossary above will make it easier to present!

For skill-based key phrases with an abbreviation, strive to embody the lengthy and brief model of the key phrase not less than as soon as in your resume. For instance, in the event you do business-to-business gross sales, you’d need to say “B2B Sales” as soon as, and you’d need to write it out within the longer kind not less than as soon as, too.

That’s only one extra tip to make it easier to beat applicant tracking systems.

Write What You Accomplished, Not What You Were Responsible For

When writing your resume and selecting what key phrases and verbs to use, needless to say your aim ought to be to spotlight what you completed… not simply what you have been accountable for.

Hiring managers aren’t going to be very impressed by a lengthy record of what you have been assigned to do. That’s primarily what you’re sharing in the event you begin a bullet with “Responsible for.”

Also, strive to embody particular knowledge and outcomes when potential, particularly in your bullets. 

I’ll share a few examples beneath… by taking a number of the phrases I beneficial above and finishing the sentence.

The verbs from the record above shall be in daring to make it easier to spot them beneath. Note that you simply shouldn’t write them in daring in your precise resume probably.

Examples of How to Write Accomplishment-Driven Resume Bullets

Completed a mean of 19 initiatives per 30 days, bringing in $2.4MM in income for the corporate in 2019″

Audited 4 inner processes and techniques associated to order administration, figuring out a possibility to save 1.2% on cost processing prices.

Overhauled the coaching program for new gross sales associates, leading to 2 fewer weeks of coaching essential and a 7% improve in first-month income generated by new gross sales associates in Q1 2020.

Oversaw and mentored 10 new crew members per quarter, instructing them on the day-to-day work, firm insurance policies, and greatest practices

Conclusion: The Best Keywords and Verbs to Use in a Resume

You now have a record of highly effective, efficient phrases for writing your resume, which it’s best to use to lead off bullet factors and different sentences. This will present employers the way you carried out and what you completed in previous work.

Try to keep away from saying, “Responsible for,” and use the verbs from the glossary above as a substitute!

You additionally understand how to discover one of the best key phrases for your resume – by utilizing the job description. This is one of the simplest ways to be certain that you’re not forgetting any important abilities that the employer desires. 

Finally, NOT to put generic buzzwords like “hard working” or “fast learner”.

If you skipped to the underside and aren’t certain about any of this, I like to recommend going again by way of the article. 

Once you implement every part above, you’re going to have a a lot higher resume that will get you extra job interviews.