Updating your resume doesn’t often top the list of fun things to do. Usually we’re doing it under pressure and in a hurry because we’ve spotted a job we want to apply for. As a career coach, my advice is to take the pressure off by blocking out time to perfect your resume, even if you’re not actively job hunting.
Earlier this month I led a Resume Bootcamp session at The Wing to help women polish their resumes. Here’s a summary of some of the advice I shared plus a list of 40 powerful action verbs you can use on resume.
Create an extended version of your resume to pull from
Your resume should be tailored for each position you are applying for and it’s best to keep to no longer than 1-2 pages. That said, as you continue to progress in your career you don’t want to lose track of your experience and accomplishments.
I recommend keeping an extended version of your resume where you compile all the experience and accomplishments you are proud of. Then, you can pull the most relevant content into the resumes you will create for specific job opportunities.
Consider an introductory career statement
It’s not mandatory to use one, but a career statement can be a great addition to your resume as it serves as a concise and compelling introduction.
Your career statement should be tailored toward the job you are targeting and demonstrate how you are the perfect candidate for the role. In essence, it reinforces why someone should hire you.
An effective career statement highlights your most relevant expertise in 1-3 sentences. It details your exceptional qualities, skills, experience and how you’ve added value or produced results.
If you’re not sure if you need one, you can always decide on a case-by-case basis. Trust your instincts. If you believe you can sell yourself more effectively with a career statement, then use one.
Showcase your significant achievements
When it comes to your career history, each role you detail should be supported by content that clearly conveys your responsibilities and your impact. Identify your most significant achievements at each role, and make sure they reflect the requirements of the role you’re targeting.
Always quantify the impact of your accomplishments for example. Examples of quantifiable metrics include the size of the audience reach, volume of units sold, amount of revenue generated, the percentage of the profit margin, the number of customers served, the size of the market etc.
To amplify your expertise and skills, use action verbs that describe your key strengths. Your goal is to demonstrate you have experience to handle the requirements of the role you are targeting. Your accomplishments will cement this as the proof points.
Here are 40 powerful action verbs you can use on your resume:
Accelerated
Accomplished
Achieved
Advanced
Advised
Analyzed
Arranged
Assembled
Authored
Briefed
Built
Captured
Championed
Created
Collaborated
Communicated
Conceptualized
Constructed
Converted
Curated
Delivered
Designed
Developed
Directed
Drove
Earned
Ensured
Exceeded
Executed
Expanded
Established
Finalized
Forecasted
Forged
Fostered
Founded
Generated
Guided
Handled
Headed
Identified
Implemented
Improved
Increased
Installed
Initiated
Integrated
Leveraged
Negotiated
Orchestrated
Performed
Predicted
Presented
Produced
Published
Reached
Reconciled
Reduced
Refined
Renovated
Replaced
Resolved
Sparked
Spearheaded
Steered
Stimulated
Supervised
Surpassed
Trained
Volunteered
Won
If you need help with your resume or are looking for support building your career, feel free to schedule a complimentary career coaching consultation here.
Post by Octavia Goredema
Octavia Goredema is an award-winning career coach, writer and the founder of Twenty Ten Talent. You can connect with her on LinkedIn or over on Twitter.
