Page 157 - Complete Idiot's Guide to The Perfect Resume

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Chapter 9 ➤ Step Four: You’re an Achiever!

Lights, Camera, Action Verbs!

A film crew may have lights and cameras, but there’s no movie
until there’s action. Likewise, your resume needs dynamic language
to make it move. To deliver the most punch in your achievement
statements, use an action verb at or near the beginning of each
line. Action verbs make your resume more powerful by emphasiz-
ing how you accomplished your goals. Terms of Employment

The following list of verbs is categorized under two headings: Responsible for is a slippery
Management and Communication. Which verbs most powerfully phrase that doesn’t clearly
describe your achievements? describe your level of involve-
ment. Did you think of an idea
Management caused that others carried out, or did
you work overtime to implement
accelerated centralized
every detail of a project? Either
accomplished certified way, be sure to give yourself full
credit by using action verbs
achieved chaired
(instead of “responsible for”)
activated championed to indicate exactly what your
role was.
added collaborated
administered completed

advanced conceived
allocated concentrated
analyzed conducted

anticipated consolidated
appointed contracted Job-Hunt Hint
appropriated controlled Using action verbs on your
resume is one of the easiest ways
approved converted to tell the employer that you’re
a go-getter!
arranged coordinated
assigned corrected

attained cultivated
augmented cut

authorized decided
bid defined
boosted delegated Career Casualty
Uncertain about the exact
budgeted delivered
meaning of a word? Either look
built designated it up in the dictionary or use a
word that you’re familiar with.
capitalized on determined
carried out developed

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