Resume Words That Make You a Winner

Resume Buzz Words & Resume Action Words

Understanding how to use the right resume words can make a huge difference in your job hunting success. Learn which resume buzz words and resume action words work...

The content of your resume is extremely important. Yes, the format, the layout, and the appearance all matter. But none of those factors will have quite as much impact as the words you use and the ways in which you put those words together.

So, it's essential that you understand exactly how to approach the resume words that you write if you want your resume to POP.

Here are a few "dos" and "don'ts" when it comes to the resume wording that you use.

Resume Wording Dos

• Use lots of resume action words, words that convey that you "did" something.



• Use bulleted, short phrases, rather than lengthy sentences and paragraphs.



• Use the correct resume buzz words for the healthcare industry.



• Emphasize the positive.



• Include enough information on each job to show your full breadth of knowledge.



• Be concise. This is not an academic essay. You want it to be easily digestible.



• Use symbols, such as "#", "$", and "%", and numbers. They'll stand out and grab the attention of the reviewer. For example, "Increased pharmaceutical sales in a 5-state territory by $20,000 a month."



• Plug your qualifications by focusing on accomplishments and specific results, rather than a routine listing of your job duties.

Resume Words Don'ts

• Avoid vague resume wording such as "a few months." Specific dates are more powerful.



• Leave out the "I's,' as in "I directed..." It's better to start each phrase with an action verb.



• Leave out the negatives or any irrelevant information. If you have had job duties that aren't relevant to your current job goals, you don't need to include them.



• Don't go into too much detail on each job; save that for the interview. Think "highlights."



• Don't be vague or long-winded. Clear and concise will win the day. The "Baffle 'em with bull**" approach doesn't work well on a resume.



• Don't use the wrong words or punctuation. Have someone with top-notch writing skills review your resume simply for grammar and clarity.

If you pay attention to the resume words that you use when you write your resume, the result will be a document that markets your abilities effectively. And that will get you the job!

The Power of Resume Action Words

There are words that work well to convey your unique talents and experience. But there are also others that will detract from your message. You HAVE to get this right if you hope to use your resume to gain entrée to the job of your dreams.

Besides the sprinkling of various job-related key words throughout your resume, it’s also crucial that you make use of action verbs in all of your descriptions. Action words need to be specific and provide a clear, concise picture of your accomplishments, skills, and experience.

Here are some that you can consider.

Here are nouns you can use too:

• Ability
• Capacity
• Competence
• Effectiveness
• Vigorous

And a few adjectives and adverbs:

• Actively
• Competent
• Consistent
• Pertinent
• Proficient
• Qualified
• Resourceful
• Substantially
• Technically
• Versatile

A Few Resume Words to Avoid

There are also some resume words that can detract from the overall effectiveness of your resume. For one thing, you don't want to use confusing jargon or vague phrases. Cliches are out too.

Unless you're trying to convey your ability to function as an integral part of a team, words like assisted, contributed, and supported are not going to be very effective.

These words basically say you helped, but not how. If you must use these words, follow them with a more complete description of your role.

Successfully is another meaningless resume word. Rather than using it, give concrete examples of your accomplishments that prove your success at your past jobs.

The phrase, responsible for, takes up unnecessary space on your resume and should be avoided. Besides, your resume is the place to list your accomplishments, not your job duties or responsibilities.

You also need to avoid "flowery" speech and words. By trying too hard to sound intelligent or "in the know," you may convince your reader of just the opposite—or even worse, confuse them.

The key is to say what you mean, plainly and simply, using powerful resume action words. Stick to these resume words rules and you can't go wrong!

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