Katie Roberts Career Consulting

Whether you’re a sales rep or tradesperson, nurse, administrative assistant, or CEO, there are words you can use to describe what you do that are more impactful than others. In today’s job market, recruiters can receive upwards of 100 applications for one role, so what can you do to get your resume noticed? 

You need to stand out if you want to secure your next role, and using the same old words to describe what you do and the value you add is not the way to achieve that. When you’re writing your resume, ensure that the content is short, sharp and compelling. It should clearly sell you and your unique skill set as a viable candidate for the roles you are applying for.

We often liken resumes to sales proposals on YOU! It’s essential to highlight key skills, qualifications and experience in a way that demonstrates value to a potential employer. It should be packed full of easy-to-read facts and achievements. So get clear on exactly what you want and then work out what you’ve achieved previously that demonstrates the value you will add to a future employer.

Then, when writing your content, instead of using standard words to describe what you did, use some of these action-oriented and positive words that will help you stand out from the crowd.

Words to use when you saved the company money or time:

1. Accelerated
2. Boosted
3. Centralised
4. Consolidated
5. Converted
6. Customised
7. Decreased
8. Expanded
9. Integrated
10. Merged
11. Overhauled
12. Reconciled
13. Reduced
14. Rehabilitated
15. Reorganised
16. Replaced
17. Restructured
18. Simplified
19. Standardised
20. Streamlined
21. Yielded

Words to use when you improved something:

22. Altered
23. Changed
24. Clarified
25. Diagnosed
26. Enhanced
27. Enriched
28. Invigorated
29. Perfected
30. Progressed
31. Redesigned
32. Refined
33. Revamped
34. Revitalised
35. Transformed

Words to describe experience with projects:

36. Created
37. Designed
38. Developed
39. Devised
40. Drove
41. Established
42. Founded
43. Improved
44. Initiated
45. Introduced
46. Invented
47. Launched
48. Pioneered
49. Spearheaded

Words to describe experience with teams:

50. Aligned
51. Coached
52. Conducted
53. Demonstrated
54. Informed
55. Instructed
56. Led
57. Mentored
58. Strengthened
59. Trained
60. Transformed

Words to use if you work with partners and/or customers:

61. Advised
62. Advocated
63. Arbitrated
64. Coached
65. Consulted
66. Educated
67. Facilitated
68. Informed
69. Supported

Words to describe experience with data and/or information:

70. Analysed
71. Assessed
72. Audited
73. Calculated
74. Categorised
75. Classified
76. Compiled
77. Composed
78. Critiqued
79. Drafted
80. Identified
81. Integrated
82. Interpreted
83. Investigated
84. Leveraged
85. Monitored
86. Qualified
87. Quantified
88. Recorded
89. Researched
90. Revised

Words to describe general work characteristics:

91. Accurate
92. Active
93. Adaptable
94. Articulate
95. Capable
96. Committed
97. Competent

Words to describe general work duties or responsibilities:

98. Altered
99. Arranged
100. Developed
101. Directed
102. Evaluated
103. Formulated
104. Ordered
105. Planned
106. Prepared

Words to use instead of achieved:

107. Accomplished
108. Attained
109. Awarded
110. Carried out
111. Completed
112. Conquered
113. Demonstrated
114. Exceeded
115. Outdid
116. Outperformed
117. Realised
118. Succeeded
119. Surpassed
120. Targeted
121. Topped

Next time you update your resume, try swapping out some of the more common words with some stronger, more compelling language to help you stand out to recruiters. Use our list to get started, and review your documents for repetition – use a thesaurus to identify other alternatives.

Are you interested in getting assistance from a professional resume writer to prepare a winning resume that will help you stand out in your next job application? If so, please see our Resume Writing Services.