Get Your Resume Noticed
Your resume is the first impression you’re providing to your next potential employer, so you want to make sure it’s a great introduction. This document alone often decides whether managers and talent teams want to get to know a candidate better, and they are often sorting through resumes. So, how do you ensure yours stands out?
The Importance of a Strong Resume
In today’s job market, recruiters can receive upwards of 100 applications for one role. Whether you’re a sales rep, tradesperson, nurse, administrative assistant, or CEO, there are words you can use to describe what you do that are more impactful than others. It’s essential to highlight key skills, qualifications, and experience in a way that demonstrates value to a potential employer. Your resume should be packed full of easy-to-read facts and achievements, clearly selling you and your unique skill set as a viable candidate for the roles you are applying for.
Creating a Compelling Resume
To get your resume noticed, you need to stand out. Using the same old words to describe what you do and the value you add is not the way to achieve that. When writing your resume, ensure that the content is short, sharp, and compelling. Here are some tips to create a compelling resume:
Highlighting Key Achievements
We often liken resumes to sales proposals on YOU! Get clear on exactly what you want and then work out what you’ve achieved previously that demonstrates the value you will add to a future employer. Instead of using standard words to describe what you did, use action-oriented and positive words that will help you stand out from the crowd.
Power Words to Use on Your Resume
To make your resume more impactful, consider using the following power words:
Words to Use When You Saved the Company Money or Time
- Accelerated
- Boosted
- Centralized
- Consolidated
- Converted
- Customized
- Decreased
- Expanded
- Integrated
- Merged
- Overhauled
- Reconciled
- Reduced
- Rehabilitated
- Reorganized
- Replaced
- Restructured
- Simplified
- Standardized
- Streamlined
- Yielded
Words to Use When You Improved Something
- Altered
- Changed
- Clarified
- Diagnosed
- Enhanced
- Enriched
- Invigorated
- Perfected
- Progressed
- Redesigned
- Refined
- Revamped
- Revitalized
- Transformed
Words to Describe Experience with Projects
- Created
- Designed
- Developed
- Devised
- Drove
- Established
- Founded
- Improved
- Initiated
- Introduced
- Invented
- Launched
- Pioneered
- Spearheaded
Words to Describe Experience with Teams
- Aligned
- Coached
- Conducted
- Demonstrated
- Informed
- Instructed
- Led
- Mentored
- Strengthened
- Trained
- Transformed
Words to Use If You Work with Partners and/or Customers
- Advised
- Advocated
- Arbitrated
- Coached
- Consulted
- Educated
- Facilitated
- Informed
- Supported
Words to Describe Experience with Data and/or Information
- Analyzed
- Assessed
- Audited
- Calculated
- Categorized
- Classified
- Compiled
- Composed
- Critiqued
- Drafted
- Identified
- Integrated
- Interpreted
- Investigated
- Leveraged
- Monitored
- Qualified
- Quantified
- Recorded
- Researched
- Revised
Words to Describe General Work Characteristics
- Accurate
- Active
- Adaptable
- Articulate
- Capable
- Committed
- Competent
Words to Describe General Work Duties or Responsibilities
- Altered
- Arranged
- Developed
- Directed
- Evaluated
- Formulated
- Ordered
- Planned
- Prepared
Words to Use Instead of Achieved
- Accomplished
- Attained
- Awarded
- Carried out
- Completed
- Conquered
- Demonstrated
- Exceeded
- Outdid
- Outperformed
- Realized
- Succeeded
- Surpassed
- Targeted
- Topped
Crafting a Strong Career Summary
Your career summary or objective should be a short paragraph that explains your career journey and plans. This provides context for your career move, for example: “I’m a student in my final year of university looking to start a career in Marketing” or “I’m a career changer, having spent 10 years working in manufacturing as a manager, I am excited to be upskilling in the digital field of User Experience.”
Organizing Your Work Experience
Your work experience should be listed in chronological order, with your most recent role at the top. Provide a short explanation of the company and what your responsibilities and achievements are or were. Utilize the following format for each experience:
- Company name
- Title
- Employment start and end date (month and year)
- Location (optional)
- Sentence providing an overview of who the company is
- Responsibilities and achievements (use dot points to outline what you did in your role)
Education and Qualifications
Keep your education and qualifications information short and succinct. You may include:
- University degrees
- TAFE or equivalent training
- High school qualification
- Industry-based qualifications
Include the following information for each entry:
- Education provider name
- Degree or qualification name
- Year obtained
Professional Development and Courses
This section is for outlining any further study or short courses you have undertaken that do not fit into the education section. This may include software training or certificates.
Highlighting Your Skills
Use dot points to list your main 5-7 soft skills or areas of expertise, such as team leadership or project management, and your major technical skills, like proficiency in Microsoft Suite or expertise in Search Engine Optimization.
Final Tips for a Standout Resume
- Keep your resume layout and formatting consistent throughout.
- Ensure your personality is present in the design and language of your resume.
- Utilize stats, facts, and numbers to make your resume easy for hiring managers to scan.
Next time you update your resume, try swapping out some of the more common words with stronger, more compelling language to help you stand out to recruiters. Use this list to get started, and review your documents for repetition—use a thesaurus to identify other alternatives.
Get Your Resume Noticed: Powerful Language to Make You Shine
In today’s competitive job market, getting your resume noticed can feel like winning the lottery. Recruiters may sift through hundreds of applications for a single role, so making your resume stand out is crucial.
While relevant skills and experience are vital, the language you use on your resume also plays a significant role. Generic descriptions and overused verbs can make your application blend into the background.
This guide equips you with powerful language to craft a compelling resume that grabs attention and effectively communicates your value as a candidate.
Crafting a Compelling Narrative: Your Resume as a Sales Pitch
Think of your resume as a sales pitch for your skills and experience. Its purpose is to convince potential employers that you’re the ideal candidate to fill their open position.
Here’s the key: Focus on results and achievements. Don’t just list your responsibilities; showcase how you’ve added value in previous roles.
Imagine your resume as a snapshot of your unique skill set. Highlight your strengths and accomplishments using action-oriented verbs and quantifiable data whenever possible.
Powerful Language: Stand Out from the Crowd
Resorting to the same tired verbs and generic descriptions won’t make your resume stand out. Let’s explore some powerful alternatives you can incorporate:
Highlighting Cost-Saving or Time-Saving Achievements
- Instead of: Increased * Use: Accelerated, Boosted, Consolidated, Decreased, Streamlined
- Instead of: Reduced * Use: Overhauled, Reconciled, Restructured, Yielded
Emphasizing Improvements You’ve Made
- Instead of: Improved * Use: Enhanced, Enriched, Perfected, Progressed, Revamped
- Instead of: Changed * Use: Clarified, Diagnosed, Redesigned, Refined
Describing Project Experience
- Instead of: Worked on * Use: Created, Designed, Developed, Launched, Pioneered
Showcasing Teamwork Skills
- Instead of: Managed * Use: Aligned, Coached, Led, Mentored
Demonstrating Client or Partner Focus
- Instead of: Assisted * Use: Advised, Advocated, Consulted, Supported
Highlighting Data Analysis Skills
- Instead of: Analyzed * Use: Categorized, Classified, Interpreted, Leveraged
Describing General Work Characteristics
- Instead of: Reliable * Use: Adaptable, Committed, Competent
Replacing Overused Verbs
- Instead of: Achieved * Use: Accomplished, Attained, Conquered, Demonstrated, Surpassed
Putting it All Together: Craft Your Next Standout Resume
By replacing generic language with powerful verbs and action-oriented descriptions, you can transform your resume from ordinary to extraordinary.
Review your resume critically and identify areas where you can incorporate stronger language. Use a thesaurus to explore synonyms for commonly used words and find impactful alternatives.
Remember, your resume is your first impression to potential employers. Make it count! By strategically leveraging powerful language, you can get your resume noticed and land that dream interview.