Most resume/CV bullet points start with the same tired, boring, and dry words that just lay flat on the page. Job seeking as an LGBTQ candidate there are many things to consider. You have to decide how OUT you want to be on your resume. Whether you are out as a gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, or queer job-seeking candidate or not your resume should be full of powerful – no, fierce – rainbow-bright colorful verbs that make it stand out and get noticed showing off your amazing work and/or volunteer accomplishments.
Next time you update your resume, switch up a few of those run of the mill commonly used words and phrases with colorful, strong, compelling action verbs that will get you past the HR recruiter gatekeeper and wake up the hiring managers to give your resume their full attention.
No matter what duties you performed or accomplishment you slue, we’ve got just the verb for you. Check out the list below, and get ready to make your resume thrilling to read and make your phone vibrate with interview requests.
What other great resume/CV action verbs pack a punch? Add them in the comments below the article.
You are a project leader
- Chaired
- Championed
- Chaperoned
- Controlled
- Coordinated
- Executed
- Governed
- Guided
- Headed
- Operated
- Orchestrated
- Organized
- Oversaw
- Planned
- Produced
- Quarterbacked
- Shepherd
- Wrangled
You initiated a project
And if you actually developed, created, or introduced that project into your company? Try:
- Administered
- Built
- Charted
- Created
- Designed
- Developed
- Devised
- Founded
- Engineered
- Established
- Formalized
- Formed
- Formulated
- Implemented
- Incorporated
- Initiated
- Instituted
- Introduced
- Launched
- Pioneered
- Spearheaded
You saved the company/organization time and/or money
You are a golden candidate. Hiring managers love candidates who’ve helped a company/organization operate more efficiently or cost-effectively. To show just how much you saved, try:
- Conserved
- Actualized
- Consolidated
- Decreased
- Deducted
- Diagnosed
- Lessened
- Reconciled
- Reduced
- Yielded
You increased efficiency, sales, revenue and/or customer satisfaction
Along similar lines, if you can show that your work boosted the company’s numbers in some way, you’re bound to impress. In these cases, consider:
- Accelerated
- Achieved
- Advanced
- Amplified
- Boosted
- Capitalized
- Delivered
- Enhanced
- Expanded
- Expedited
- Furthered
- Gained
- Generated
- Improved
- Lifted
- Maximized
- Outpaced
- Stimulated
- Sustained
You were instrumental in change and improvements
So, you brought your department’s billing system out of the Stone Age and onto the internet of things? Talk about the amazing changes you made at your office with these words:
- Centralized
- Clarified
- Converted
- Customized
- Influenced
- Integrated
- Merged
- Modified
- Overhauled
- Redesigned
- Refined
- Refocused
- Rehabilitated
- Remodeled
- Reorganized
- Replaced
- Restructured
- Revamped
- Revitalized
- Simplified
- Standardized
- Streamlined
- Strengthened
- Updated
- Upgraded
- Transformed
You manage a team
Instead of reciting your management duties, like “Led a team…” or “Managed employees…” show what an inspirational leader you were, with terms like:
- Aligned
- Cultivated
- Directed
- Enabled
- Facilitated
- Fostered
- Guided
- Hired
- Inspired
- Mentored
- Mobilized
- Motivated
- Recruited
- Regulated
- Shaped
- Supervised
- Taught
- Trained
- Unified
- United
You cultivated funding, business partners, and/or resources
Were you “responsible for” a great new partner, sponsor, or source of funding? Try:
- Acquired
- Forged
- Navigated
- Negotiated
- Partnered
- Secured
You supported customers
Because manning the phones or answering questions really means you’re advising customers and meeting their needs, use:
- Advised
- Advocated
- Arbitrated
- Coached
- Consulted
- Educated
- Fielded
- Informed
- Resolved
You were a research savant
Did your job include research, analysis, or fact-finding? Mix up your verbiage with these words:
- Analyzed
- Assembled
- Assessed
- Audited
- Calculated
- Discovered
- Evaluated
- Examined
- Explored
- Forecasted
- Identified
- Interpreted
- Investigated
- Mapped
- Measured
- Qualified
- Quantified
- Surveyed
- Tested
- Tracked
You wrote and communicated
Was writing, speaking, lobbying, or otherwise communicating part of your gig? You can explain just how compelling you were with words like:
- Authored
- Briefed
- Campaigned
- Co-authored
- Composed
- Conveyed
- Convinced
- Corresponded
- Counseled
- Critiqued
- Defined
- Documented
- Edited
- Illustrated
- Lobbied
- Persuaded
- Promoted
- Publicized
- Reviewed
You oversaw and/or regulated
Whether you enforced protocol or managed your department’s requests, describe what you really did, better, with these words:
- Authorized
- Blocked
- Delegated
- Dispatched
- Enforced
- Ensured
Get involved!
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