How Using Action Words Will Help Your CV Stand Out

Take a look at your CV. What words stand out? For most professionals, phrases like “was responsible for” or “worked on” are probably in there somewhere.

These days, employers want to know what you can achieve for their company .simply utilizing job descriptions on your CV is not enough.

If you want to make your CV stand out, one of the easiest places to start is to make your language sparkle a little. Ms Rebecca Nyawira, a CV Writing expert at Corporate Staffing Services says that the use of strong specific action words helps make your accomplishments seem even more impressive.

The use of action words ensures that you add and quantify accomplishments in the career section of your CV. Verbs enable you to include your results and achievements. It is a simple trick that ensures you prove your strengths, rather than simply list them one by one.

Action words help your CV stand out past the other numerous applications.

Here’s how to use them:

1. Focus on areas that are a match

In order to make your action words more effective, customize them to the position you are applying for.

Take time to review the job description. If, for example, the job you are applying for emphasizes critical thinking and analytical skills, look for areas on your CV where you can include those skills and add keywords.

In your application, remember that it is important for the employer to clearly see your qualifications and skills, on your CV.

QUICK READ >>> 3 CV Writing Tips From A Professional Plus Sample CV

2. Do not sell yourself short

As job seekers, we tend to only list down what we did at our former places of work, which in most times, does not differ from the typical job description.

However, what you should have at the back of your mind is that employers want to know how you have excelled, and what sets you apart from other candidates. Therefore, use appropriate action words to convey your achievements in your CV.

3. Use words that can be measured

In as much as some of the words you choose to use may be action words, they are not quantifiable as they are not specific. It is better to use words such as ‘decreased,’ ‘raised,’ or ‘added,’ and use them with specific quantifiers.

Effective action words include

• Demonstrate your creativity: built, crafted, devised, implemented, pioneered, initiated, established
• Demonstrate your efficiency: enhanced, advanced, capitalised, maximised, leveraged, improved
• Demonstrate your leadership skills: headed, coordinated, executed, managed, operated, organised
• Demonstrate improvements made: refined, remodelled, strengthened, upgraded, transformed
• Demonstrate your management skills: guided, fostered, motivated, recruited, enabled, united
• Demonstrate bottom-line contributions: reduced, decreased, consolidated, saved, yielded, increased
• Demonstrate overall achievements: awarded, exceeded, outperformed, surpassed, earned, granted

READ ALSO >>> Why A Professionally Written CV Must Be On Your To Do List

In Conclusion,

Using action words and active voice makes a difference in your CV and is worth the extra effort. Show the employer what you can bring to the table by listing past achievements and notable contributions, and you will increase your chance of getting an interview.

Remember, your CV has limited real estate, so make the most of it!

Need help professionally writing your CV?  Let a professional CV Writer help you.