Power Words for Resumes
This is an edited excerpt from Resume Writing for Teens (and Other First Time Job Hunting Tips), written by Lisa Frederiksen.
To present your “real life” experiences as job skills in your resume, it is important to use commanding, powerful verbs that grab a prospective employer’s attention. We call the verbs “Power Words”. Read the various power words below which are grouped by skills categories. Go back to this list whenever you are writing and updating your resume to remind you of ways you can sell your skills.
Power Words used to Describe Management Skills
Formed Moderated
Owned and Managed Directed
Operated Developed
Elected Motivated
Supervised Organized
Started Improved
Power Words used to Describe Organizational Skills
Coordinated Maintained
Organized Planned
Reorganized Assembled
Collected Centralized
Updated Catalogued
Arranged Enforced
Prepared Scheduled
Power Words used to Describe Sales Skills
Marketed Negotiated
Sold Solicited
Convinced Promoted
Raised Exceeded
Encouraged Publicized
Increased Expanded
Power Words used to Describe Helping Skills
Tutored Provided
Helped Assisted
Contributed Facilitated
Completed Partnered
Guided Coordinated
Treated Executed
Power Words used to Demonstrate Communication Skills
Presented Wrote
Introduced Drafted
Communicated Spoke About
Organized Reported
Advised Prepared
Informed
Power Words used to Demonstrate Technical Skills
Upgraded Designed
Installed Networked
Processed Automated
Programmed Tracked
Power Words used to Demonstrate Analytical Skills
Organized Edited
Researched Compiled
Surveyed Examined
Analyzed Searched
Evaluated Documented
Critiqued Discovered
Power Words used to Demonstrate Team Work Skills
Motivated Supported
Team Builder Collaborator
Power Words used to Demonstrate Finance Skills
Budgeted Reported
Analyzed Audited
Planned Modeling
Strategic Planning Forecast
Other Descriptive Power Words
Mentored Improved Invented
Delegated Calculated Tested
Issued Applied Classified
Taught Gathered Catered
Awarded Mastered Raised
Attained Gained Revamped
Performed Built