Here is a List of Words to Incorporate Into Your Resume

Because a resume is a short document, every word matters. When creating or editing your resume, it's crucial to make sure your words have an impact. If you're not sure what words you should use, check out this comprehensive list. While you won't be able to get every word into your resume, you can incorporate several of these words.

General Verbs and Power Words

By using action words, you can make your resume more impressive. Instead of starting off with, "Responsible for", try to begin with a verb. Do this for every one of your bullet points, or your resume may not be appealing.

As far as leadership verbs go, all of the following are excellent options:

Organized

Empowered

Unified

Coordinated

Mentored

Orchestrated

Led

Chaired

Oversaw

Coordinated

When choosing your words for leadership, remember that you want to demonstrate your prowess. While "led" is a strong word, "empowered" shows even more skill.

A history of success isn't enough to impress your potential employer. If you want to discuss your experience improving sales or revenue, incorporate one or more of the following words:

Expanded

Increased

Amplified

Boosted

Generated

Maximized

Process-Improving Words

While with your previous employer, you could have made a process better. In this case, you should consider using one of these words to showcase your skills:

Advanced

Upgraded

Updated

Optimized

Strengthened

Adjusted

Accelerated

Overhauled

Streamlined

Re-imagined

Retooled

Revamped

Modified

Process-Creating Words

Were you in charge of an initiative or making a new process? If so, these words could improve your resume:

Started

Founded

Established

Pioneered

Devised

Launched

Deployed

Created

Initiated

Spearheaded

Research and Analysis Words

In the event that you want to display your decision-making and research skills, you can use these words:

Tested

Mapped

Discovered

Audited

Diagnosed

Forecasted

Verified

Assessed

Calculated

Searched

Identified

Financially-Charged Words

By showing a potential employer that you saved money or resources in a previous position, you demonstrate your value. Try using these words to highlight your money-saving skills:

Reduced

Saved

Conserved

Prevented

Improved

Gained

Achievement Words

Rather than list off all your achievements, use these verbs to give your achievements more impact.

Recognized

Attained

Won

Received

Outperformed

Completed

Reached

Choosing Job-Specific Keywords

While the words above are fitting for any position, you also might want to include several job-specific keywords. Because those words depend on the position, there's no way for you to look at a general list of words and find what you need. To pick these words, you need to do some research on your own.

In some cases, using certain keywords will make a hiring manager notice your. At other times, the keywords allow your resume to get past resume bots. Either way, using the right keywords makes a difference.

To figure out which keywords can help you, look at the job listing. Does the listing have any buzz words? What skills do you need to have for the position? As you read the listing, make a list of relevant words. When you write your resume, use those words.

Other Keyword Tips

There's much more to choosing the right keywords for your resume. With these tips, you can improve your chances of getting called in for an interview.

Tailoring Your Resume

If you send in a generic resume, the hiring manager or resume bots will never move you forward to the interview. They want to know that you took the time and effort to tailor your resume. By including the right words, you show just that.

In your resume, try to use the same phrasing that the company uses. For example, the listing could say "Lead employees". Make sure to use the same terminology in your resume, or the hiring manager could overlook you for the position.

Avoiding the Generic

As previously mentioned, buzzwords can help you. But they can also hurt your chances of being called in for an interview. If you choose generic buzzwords, you won't get your point across. The hiring manager will be sorting through hundreds of resumes, and many of those documents will include "hard-working."

You could describe yourself as hard-working, or you might want to make yourself stand out by being more specific. Use a word that's more applicable to the job listing, or pick a word that shows how you were hard working. As always, actions speak louder than words. They want proof that you'll do what you promise them, and past examples from your work history can do that.

Don't Rely on Abbreviations Alone

Some terms, like "B2B", are often abbreviated. However, you shouldn't only use those terms in their shortened form. For more impact and a chance to beat resume bots, include the term in both the shortened and the longer term.

You don't need to overdo it, as that could hurt you. Additionally, you should be certain to spell the terminology properly and capitalize the abbreviations correctly. By using each term once and properly, you optimize your resume.

Focus on Accomplishments

In resume after resume, hiring managers see the term, "Responsible for." That term speaks nothing of your character, nor does it give confidence to a prospective employer. To make a positive impression, focus on your accomplishments more than your responsibilities.

No hiring manager wants to see a long list of duties. When possible, include specific examples of how you accomplished your duties. Hard data is the best recommendation. When you use a combination of hard data, targeted keywords, and the words listed above, you greatly improve your chances of receiving an interview.

Following Through with Your Keywords

If your use of keywords results in you receiving a call for an interview, then your work is only beginning. Remember the keywords you used in your resume, and try to use them during your interview. Doing so will reinforce the fact that you're right for the job.

While keywords can't get you hired, they can help. Using the right words in your resume is just one step forward in your job search.