In lieu of hard-working, consider saying what hard work was done, e.g. 'It is really more about choosing words that accurately describe actions or goals that were met. Rather than looking for the latest buzzword, Joyce says job seekers are better off being specific in their resume. The key is to make a resume better than any great piece of fiction by embracing the storytelling aspect and showing readers your true qualifications.' 7. Orchestrated, by definition, means to arrange and direct. 'Consider the verb 'orchestrated' and how it shows, versus just telling, the hiring manager what was accomplished. Instead, use verbs that really explain what happened in that specific task,' insists Joyce. But focusing on being productive, adding value and making progress show that the person is tuned in to improving the company, which almost always resonates with hiring managers.' 6. 'Terms like 'hard-working' don’t do this because working hard doesn’t necessarily produce better results.

' These words show that the candidate is thinking about their own activities in terms of how they’ll improve the business,' says expert and author of Fearless Salary Negotiation Josh Doody. They empower and advance the candidate's story!' 5.

'Modernized'Īccording to master resume writer Jacqui Barrett-Poindexter, this word, along with 'conceived and metamorphosed' are ' like a switch, powering up the candidate's story, showing how they've improved, envisioned and transformed their work environments, and therefore, gained revenue, customer growth, reputation, traction, etc. Launched, solved, transformed and optimized are all examples of action verbs that make you look good without resorting to cliches.' 4. ' Simple, practical words that denote responsibility have the most impact. If clichés are a no-no, simple yet powerful words are your go-tos, according to Glassdoor columnist Anish Majumdar. ''Redesign' d emonstrates problem-solving skills as well as the ability to think big picture and reduce process inefficiencies.' 3. She advises clients to include verbs that show leadership and transformation. 'Redesigned'įor life & career coach Jenn DeWall, action verbs are a must on any resume. Say something that reflects your actual results, such as, 'Grew online sales and revenue by 200% in one year.' Now, that's impressive!'Ĥ Metrics Recruiters Love to See on Resumes 2. 'For example, rather than stating that you're an 'excellent digital marketer,' prove it. As they say, the proof is in the pudding,' says job coach Angela Copeland. ' If you want to show that you're results-oriented and hard-working, share the numbers. To help land your resume at the top of the pile, we tapped an expert panel of career coaches, resume writers and experts to ask, “What are the words you like to see on resumes?” Here’s what they had to say. If a hiring manager doesn't see key indicators a candidate is qualified by appropriate word choice or diction at first glance, chances are, the resume will be eliminated before they are even considered.” Some might think a candidate's experience outweighs the actual text of a resume, but this is often not the case. “If I picked up a resume for a C-suite candidate who chose vague descriptives, they would immediately be discredited. “ The words used show what level the candidates are at in their career,” says Susan Joyce, owner and operator of, the guide for a smarter, safer job search. However, it’s time to talk about what works should be included in your resume.ĭiction or word choice is important when it comes to drafting your resume, not just to ensure that your resume is reviewed positively by software, but also because you want to wow recruiters with your skills, competencies and relevant credentials. After all, one of Glassdoor’s most popular articles, “21 Words to Never Include In Your Resume,” is bookmarked even by our staffers who want to gut-check before making resume faux pas. We’ve all read about what not to include in a resume. Words like “rockstar” and “synergy” are so 2015. Misspelled words are immediate grounds for denial.

Understand synonym