Word Choices to Consider

When Building Your Resume

Key Words

When developing your resume to fit a particular job opening, it can be helpful to use terms that match or relate to the precise requirements of the job. To identify relevant keywords, you should first comb through the job listing to identify phrases, words, and skills that are unique to the position. Here are larger categories to look out for when brainstorming keywords that are often used for narrowing down candidates.

• Industry-Specific Skills: Grant proposal writing, financial analysis, facilities engineering, distribution management, customer support, sales forecasting, maintenance repair
  
  
• Necessary Hardware and Software: Python, MYSQL, Dreamweaver, Final Cut Pro, InDesign, GIS
  
  
• Training and Certifications: CCNA, Security
  
  
• Education: GED, BS, BA, MS, MBA, PhD, MD
  
  
• Job Titles: Social Media Manager, Outreach Coordinator, Finance and Administrative Assistant, Software Developer
  
  
• Industry Jargon: Accounts payable, program development, systems configuration, asset management, crisis management, legislative review, acquisition, performance standards
  
  
• Company Names: Some big-name companies can be useful for applications to top positions (Berkshire Hathaway, JP Morgan, Amazon, Boeing, etc.).
  
  
• Locations: Zip codes, cities, and states will often be used for narrowing down geographic locations.
  

Power Verbs

Power verbs are action words that communicate a message strongly. They are used in resumes to highlight experience, skills, and achievements in a concise and effective way, with the intention of helping a candidate stand out.

Examples include but are not limited to the words below:

Assembled Assessed Budgeted Calculated Campaigned Coached Collaborated Completed Configured Converted Coordinated Corresponded       Customized Cultivated Created Designed Developed Documented Educated Engineered Established Evaluated Examined Expedited Facilitated Formulated Generated Guided Hired Identified

Implemented Improved Increased Instituted Interacted Investigated Launched Lectured Managed Measured Mediated Merged Mobilized Monitored Motivated Negotiated Operated Organized Prepared Presented Produced Purchased Rated Recommended       Recorded Recruited Reduced Regulated Repaired Replaced

Reported Represented Researched Restored Restructured Reviewed Revised Revitalized Scheduled Showcased Simplified Solved Specialized Standardized Surveyed Taught Tested Tracked Trained Transcribed Transformed Translated Transported Tutored Updated Upgraded Utilized Verified Volunteered Wrote