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As obvious as it may seem, selecting the right wording is indispensable in crafting a compelling resume. Regardless of the recruiter, candidate, or field of the job search, the key to your students’ success (i.e. landing a job interview) first lies in their ability to convince through writing. 

Action verbs, also known as power verbs, are verbs that vividly describe the actions taken during past experiences, whether in the workplace, academic settings, volunteer work, or extracurricular activities. In this article, you’ll find all the reasons for students to actively start including them in their job applications and resume as a way to make the best possible impression.

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The benefits of action verbs 

Let’s start with this: action verbs not only demonstrate specific skills and achievements but also convey confidence and initiative. 

Mastering the use of these verbs allows students to showcase their accomplishments in a dynamic and convincing way. Rather than simply listing their past actions, these verbs highlight how they carried them out and the results they achieved, which is particularly valued by potential employers. By using strong, active language, students can effectively highlight their contributions and impact in previous roles. 

In other words, they essentially make students' resumes more dynamic and engaging, helping them stand out in a competitive job market. 

Our first tip would be for students to review their current resumes and identify areas where action verbs can be integrated, as the goal is to present themselves as proactive and results-oriented individuals who can add value to any organization. 

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Engage the Reader

To engage the reader -or job recruiter-, means catching their attention, standing out and leaving the most convincing impression from your application. 

Sparking a recruiter’s interest can precisely be done by blending in recognizable key work attributes and is sure to bring personality to any job application.

This method consisting in the use of action verbs not only provides an interesting background on past work experiences but also helps recruiters paint a vivid picture of the candidate's work style and approach. This way, it becomes easier for employers to visualize the candidate in the role. Remember, in a stack of job applications, the likelihood of a resume being noticed increases when it stands out as more engaging than the others.

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Demonstrate Skills and Abilities

Action verbs offer a window into one’s skill set, strengths, and capabilities. They showcase a candidate’s capacity to proactively address challenges, lead teams, communicate persuasively, and deliver tangible outcomes. 

By employing dynamic language, you not only illustrate your initiative but also your problem-solving prowess, demonstrating to potential employers your readiness to make meaningful contributions. 

Altogether, these verbs inject vitality and depth into your resume, capturing the attention of hiring managers and leaving a lasting impression.

Candidates should use action verbs to demonstrate how they meet or exceed a specific job application’s requirements.

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Practical tips on how to incorporate those verbs into a resume : 

Firstly, consider replacing passive language with active verbs. 

Instead of saying 'responsible for,' opt for action verbs like 'managed,' 'implemented,' or 'led.' The key here is to tailor the verbs to align with the specific requirements of the job description, which ensures relevance and demonstrates a strong fit for the role. Once this is done, quantify achievements where possible to add further impact. Lastly, proofread carefully to ensure clarity and consistency throughout the resume.

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A few examples of powerful verbs to use : 

One thing you might have noticed throughout this article is our frequent use of these verbs, a few examples of which you’ll find below: 

• Analyzed
• Coordinated
• Created
• Designed
• Developed
• Executed
• Facilitated
• Generated
• Implemented
• Improved
• Influenced
• Led
• Managed
• Maximized
• Orchestrated
• Piloted
• Refined
• Streamlined
• Spearheaded
• Transformed
• Validated

Examples of sentences with action verbs: 

• Researched ways to improve website performance, KPIs and other analytics
• Exceed daily sales quotas using a well-planned out strategy.
• Suggest new procedures for staying in touch with customers.
• Leverage sales experience to capitalize on opportunities to upsell customers.
• Respond to requests for information about products and services.
• Boosted sales revenue by 38%.
• Evaluated customer data to identify new opportunities for targeting specific markets.
• Consulted with outside parties to identify creative solutions to everyday business challenges.
• Developed creative tools for the sales team, including trend reports and product data sheets.
• Generated leads and build brand awareness while managing both internal and external teams.
• Capitalized on marketplace trends to identify new solutions and enhance business operations.
• Educated junior team members on financial strategies and assisted with budget creation.
• Coached, trained and delegated responsibilities to 10 team members in order to meet departmental goals.
• Prepare monthly reports for executives, board members and other key stakeholders.
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Overall, action verbs are a powerful tool to effectively communicate experiences, skills, and achievements on a resume, helping candidates stand out to potential employers and land their desired job opportunities.

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By following these tips, your students will gain the tools and knowledge needed to strengthen their resumes and increase their chances of securing job interviews. 

Let your students harness the power of action verbs by emphasizing dynamic language in their resumes to showcase their strengths and make a lasting impression on hiring managers. 

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