Your resume is a marketing tool that will assist recruiters or hiring managers determine whether your qualifications, skills, and experience are appropriate for a specific job or internship within their organization. Resumes DO NOT GET YOU THE JOB; their primary purpose is to persuade hiring managers to schedule an interview with you. To be successful in your job search, you must use the proper formats and words, such as resume power words, in this one-to-two-page document.
Resume Power words are self-descriptive words that describe achievements in a resume. They are also known as Resume Action or Impactful words. This article will teach you the best way to use power words to list your most impressive, interesting, or unique accomplishments. Here are some types of resumes to get you started.
TYPES OF RESUMES
Here are four types of resumes and their formats.
- Targeted resume
The targeted resume is a resume format explicitly written for each job application. It is the most potent type of resume because it targets and clearly states the qualities required for the job.
- Functional resume
The functional resume is typically written to highlight the candidate’s skills and abilities rather than a chronological list of work experience.
- Chronological resume
This resume format provides an overview of the candidate’s professional work history. It is either in reverse or forward chronological order. Professionals prefer the reverse Chronological type of resume, which puts the most recent experience first.
- Combinational resume
As the name suggests, this resume combines two resume formats: functional and chronological. Combinational resumes are the best resume format for candidates with extensive work experience and highly developed skills that they want to show hiring managers.
THE RESUME HEADING
The resume heading, usually at the top of the resume, highlights your name, email address, and phone number. In recent years, hiring managers have requested to see your LinkedIn address and your website’s address, blog, or portfolio, if they have one. These additions are used in accordance with the industry and job requirements. Unlike the remaining pages of a resume, no heading is required.
SECTIONS OF A RESUME
A resume is divided into sections that provide information to employers about the candidate. These sections are filled with your most impressive, interesting, and unique accomplishments that will impress those who are interviewing you. Some sections must be completed, while you can skip others.
- Name and Contact Information
- Summary/Objective
- Education
- Experience
- Honors and Leadership Experience
- Skills
- Interests
LISTING YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS ON YOUR RESUME – RESUME POWER WORDS
What have you done that is impressive, interesting, or unique? The best way to list them in order to appear more special than other applicants is to use resume power words.
Resume Power Words are used to concisely and powerfully describe your professional skills, tasks, proven results, and significant accomplishments. These action words are mostly verbs, which allows the hiring manager to review your resume to quickly go over your role in previous jobs and understand how much value you brought to the company during your time there. Although most Resume Power Words are verbs, some adjectives and buzzwords are also considered resume power words.
HOW TO USE RESUME POWER WORDS
- Action Word (verbs) + Context (tell the what and the how) + Results (metrics, Outcome and/or Impact)
The resume’s experience section, usually listed in bullet points, generally starts with power words. Resume action words show your expertise and professional accomplishments, not your experience.
- Use the correct tense
Use the correct tense to document your accomplishments when utilizing action words in your resume’s experience section. For the current job, use the present tense; use the past tense for previous jobs. For instance, if you are currently in charge of a team, write “Manage a team of,” If you are no longer in charge of that team, write “Managed a team of.”
- Avoid long chunky paragraphs
Long paragraphs make it more difficult for the recruiter to read and find vital information. Keep it brief and to the point. According to Indeed.com, a hiring manager spends about six to seven seconds reviewing a resume.
- Avoid Repetition of Resume Power Words
Try not to use the exact powerful words on your resume. Get creative and combine them with strong, compelling power words that will catch the hiring manager’s attention.
EXAMPLES OF RESUME POWER WORDS
- Achievement Words
Accomplished, Achieved, Awarded, Completed, Exceeded, Promoted Won.
- Gave Opinion words
Advised, Analyzed, Consulted, Evaluated, Evaluated, Examined, Recommended.
- Made Words
Authored, Built, Created, Defined, Designed, Founded, Launched, Introduction.
- Made Better Words
Boosted, Conserved, Enhanced, Improved, Increased, Redesigned, Strengthened.
- Managed Words
Chaired, Co-managed, Led, Managed, Mentored, Oversaw, Produced, Recruited, Supervised.
- Other Words
Acquired, Assisted, Contributed, Conducted, Gained, Marketed, Negotiated, Presented, Planned.
CONCLUSION
The most important information about you is best communicated through resume power words. These verbs, buzzwords, and adjectives distinguish you from other resumes by emphasizing your strengths and assisting the employer in understanding why they should choose you.
Before a candidate is considered for an open position, a resume, sometimes in conjunction with a cover letter, is required. It would help to create a new resume for each job application as a general rule.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the significance of resumes for job seekers?
Resumes are essential in the candidate hiring process. It is the first thing recruiters see, and as the saying goes, “first impressions last a lifetime.”
- Do I need a professional to write my resume?
Although anyone can write a resume, it is best to let a professional handle the task. A professional is usually well-equipped to clearly demonstrate your skills and professional achievements. Professionals also ensure that they are ATS-optimized.
- What is an ATS-Optimized resume?
Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is a resume scanning technology recruiters use to screen candidates. A resume must satisfy ATS before it reaches the hands of a hiring manager.
- What is more powerful than resume Power words?
Simple, Excellent Referrals! Request positive recommendations from your previous employers.
