When it comes to writing a resume, using stale buzzwords can be a recipe for failure.
These buzzwords can make your resume sound generic and unremarkable, which is the last thing you want when trying to land an interview.
Instead, try using more specific and descriptive language to highlight your skills and accomplishments.
By choosing the right words and phrases, you can make a lasting impression on potential employers and increase your chances of getting hired
Well, let me save you some time looking for those better words. In this article, we’ll show you how to spice up your resume with action verbs, power words, adjectives, and synonyms—all used in place of the stale buzzwords that will make your resume stand out from the crowd. Through this list of resume words, you’ll be able to make a great impression on employers and show them how exceptional you are. Let’s get started!
Introduction to the Power of Resume Good Words
The power of words is undeniable. They can move mountains, inspire hope, and—when it comes to your resume—land you that dream job. So why would you settle for stale buzzwords when you have the opportunity to make your resume stand out?
Simple answer? You wouldn’t. Instead, use words that mean something and add weight to your application. That’s why we’ve compiled this list of action verbs, power words, adjectives, and synonyms to help you spice up your resume and make it more attractive to potential employers.
But what sets this list apart? Well, not only do we provide 310 resume action words grouped by keyword synonym so that you can easily find the right word for the right occasion—making sure you don’t go overboard with describing yourself—but our lists are also organized in such a way that saves time while allowing you to quickly find the best resume power words and buzzwords for each situation or job profile.
Think of these lists as the key ingredient in a great-tasting recipe for success. So let’s get started on making sure your resume stands out from all other applicants!
Action Words to Describe Your Skills and Accomplishments
Are you looking to stand out in your job search? A great way to do this is to have a resume with powerful action words that paint a picture of your skills, experiences, and accomplishments. Here are some examples of action words you can use to describe your abilities:
- Execute the Ability to manage and complete tasks quickly and efficiently.
- Implement: To introduce and put into effect new plans or strategies.
- Innovate: To develop creative solutions or ideas for new products, services, or processes.
- Foster: To foster relationships between people or organizations.
- Analyze Ability to review data, form conclusions and make recommendations for improvement.
- Achieve: To reach a goal or desired outcome due to hard work and dedication.
These action words not only show employers what kinds of skills you have, but also demonstrate how you can bring value to their organization. So, next time you’re writing your resume, be sure to focus on using powerful verbs over tired buzzwords!
Embrace Tech: Digital Skills
Appeal to Your Audience
Tailoring your resume to a specific role is extremely important for improving your chances of getting the job. Use industry-specific terms or words that are related to the job or company. It doesn’t need to be overly complicated, but it should be something that shows the recruiter that you researched and understand the job.
For instance, if you’re applying to software engineering roles, highlight the technical skills you possess, such as “proficient in JavaScript” or “experience with Python”. If you’re applying for a customer service role, use words like “defused conflicts” or “friendly client interactions.”
Showcase Your Achievements
Describing your experience with powerful words will make you stand out, but so will citing your achievements. Instead of simply listing the duties you carried out or the tasks you completed, provide data or stories that highlight the outcome of your work.
For example, instead of simply saying you “managed a team,” demonstrate the success of your leadership by saying “Increased team productivity by 20% in three months.” This packs more punch than just generic words, and it also serves as a peek into your work ethic and performance.
Resumes are living documents that should be regularly edited and updated as you progress in your career. If you’re looking to replace stale
Power Words to Include on Your Resume
If you want to make sure your resume is up-to-snuff, then you need to use the right words. And not just any words—power words.
Power words are those little gems that make your resume stand out from the rest of the applications. They are “action” verbs, power verbs, and buzzwords that set your resume on fire and allow you to stand out from the competition.
Here’s a list of some powerful words you should consider using on your next resume:
Action verbs:
Achieve, coordinate, direct, motivate, produce and supervise are all action verbs that show employers you can get things done. By using them in place of weak verbs (like organized or handled) and in combination with other powerful words, you’ll add much-needed impact to your resume.
Power verbs:
These take it a step further and help add credence to your claims by illustrating how you went about accomplishing something—like brainstorming or facilitating. This will give employers a better idea of how you actually complete tasks and respond to challenges at work.
Buzzwords:
Make sure you check out some of the industry’s latest buzzwords like “AI” (artificial intelligence) or “IoT” (Internet of Things). Adding these kinds of terms can give a modern twist to your resume while showing recruiters that you know what’s going on in the industry.
Adjectives to Describe Yourself on a Resume
While you might be using stale buzzwords on your resume, there are plenty of adjectives you can use to describe yourself that don’t sound over-used or unoriginal. You want to make sure that your resume stands out from the pack so employers can spot the difference.
Power words
When choosing adjective words for your resume, try to pick power words like:
- Resourceful
- Innovative
- Versatile
- Insightful
- Patient
- Dependable
These adjectives make it easy for the reader to get an idea of the wide range of qualities you possess that they’re looking for in a potential hire. With such descriptive words, employers will know at a glance what kind of person you are and what sort of value you might bring to the team.
Positive descriptors
Positive descriptors like ambitious, creative, and reliable can also help add a bit of flavor to your resume and make it stand out above the rest. They demonstrate qualities that are super attractive to employers who want team members who can think on their feet and produce results. Professional adjectives like organized, motivated, and detail-oriented are also good descriptions to include when writing about yourself on a resume.
Using powerful adjectives is the best way to ensure that your skills shine through in your application materials—instead of just being another boring data point on your resume!
Synonyms for Common Resume Buzzwords
When it comes to making your resume stand out, it’s all about standing out from the crowd. Sure, buzzwords like “team player” and “responsible for” can get the job done in terms of filling up space – but why not spice it up with some power words that pack a punch?
Using synonyms is a great way to give your resume that extra oomph without sounding cliche or boring. Here are some buzzwords and their synonyms you can use:
Leadership
Management, overseeing, directing, supervising, controlling
Communication
Corresponding, networking, interacting, conversing
Team Player
Collaborator, contributing member, cooperative participant
Responsible For
Accountable for, obligated to fulfill/complete, responsible for keeping track of/maintaining.
By switching up your resume words from the same-old-same-old to more powerful synonyms and action verbs you’ll be sure to make your mark on potential employers and set yourself apart from other job seekers. With the right words in your arsenal, your resume will be sure to take off!
Tips for Crafting a Strong and Effective Resume
Are you wondering how to make sure your resume stands out? These tips are sure to get you on the right track!
Action Verbs
Rather than relying on generic phrases like “responsible for” and “team player,” use powerful action verbs to describe your professional history. Power words like “initiated,” “envisioned,” and “spearheaded” can help illustrate your past accomplishments. Not only that, but customized action words show an extra level of attention and care for your resume.
Adjectives
When you are taking inventory of all the great things about yourself and your career history, don’t forget to add some descriptive adjectives here and there. Instead of just saying that you have good communication skills, try adding a few details like “astute communication style” or “clear and concise communication skills.” This does more than just make you look better—it also highlights your proactive approach to job searching.
Synonyms
Finally, if you want to seem more relatable, approachable, and well-read in the eyes of hiring managers, diversify your language by using synonyms and alternatives. For instance, if the job description mentions leadership experience—say you have demonstrated “leadership aptitude&” or “executive prowess” instead. This will keep things fresh while still delivering the same message as buzzwords like ‘led’ or ‘managed. ‘
Conclusion
Recruiting managers are often under intense pressure to hire the right candidate, so if you’re still using stale buzzwords on your resume—you’re risking missing out on an opportunity.
Adding good words to your resume is the missing piece in giving yourself an edge. These new resume words make your resume stand out and make it easier to quickly glean the most important information that the hiring manager is looking for.
So, instead of relying on cliche terms, try stepping out of your comfort zone and using words from this list to describe yourself. It’s the small details that can make a big difference when it comes to competing for the job you want.
