So many executive job seekers let ho-hum passive verbs describe their sometimes extraordinary accomplishments. Their resume brand suffers.
They use wimpy words like “Responsible for” and “Managed” in their LinkedIn profiles and executive resumes.
If your contributions have been high-impact and greatly benefited your employers, shouldn’t the verbs you use to describe them fit the achievement?
You’re not boring. The content supporting your candidacy shouldn’t be either. Don’t be afraid to get your personality in there.
Elevate Your Resume Brand with Vibrant Writing
Writing vibrant content for your job search personal marketing materials can elevate your candidacy and position your brand above the rest.
After all, personal branding is all about differentiating your unique value. Because you’ve defined and embraced your brand, “sameness” is not driving your job search. One of the ways to stand out is by using powerful language.
Strong action verbs generate chemistry and better showcase the value you offer. They help inject personality into what is often dull reading.
And strong verbs are more specific than generic ones like “managed”. Being as specific as possible in your resume will help differentiate you from others who rely on anemic words like “managed”.
As a writer, I’m always looking for better words when I’m writing LinkedIn profiles, executive resumes, biographies, etc. I often turn to thesaurus.com, but many times it doesn’t hit the mark.
Here’s a boatload of strong verbs to support your resume brand
I came across an excellent post on The Muse that lays out 185 powerful verbs to more precisely express things you did. You’ll find many lists of verbs online, but this is the best one I’ve seen.
They’ve broken down all those juicy verbs into various categories, related to the kinds of contributions you’ve made. Then they provide lists of verbs that can be used to draw out specifics for each category.
Do any of these categories apply to you? You:
- led a project
- envisioned and brought a project to life
- saved the company time or money
- increased efficiency, sales, revenue or customer satisfaction
- changed or improved something
- managed a team
- brought in partners, funding or resources
- supported customers
- were a research machine
- wrote or communicated
- oversaw or regulated
- achieved something
Here’s a sampling, from the category “You changed or improved something“:
- 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
Along with the sheer number of verbs, the thing that impresses me about this list is that, for the most part, the verbs are not fussy or overly-cerebral. These are words most people use regularly in conversation, so they won’t sound out of place for most people.
Creating a vibrant executive resume and LinkedIn profile takes more than strong writing
Writing resumes and LinkedIn profile content is not easy. Strategy and positioning are involved, beyond strong writing.
You may not be able to write your own resume. Typically, executives make these 4 big mistakes:
- Failing to position themselves as the best hiring choice for their target employers.
- Lack of personal branding (or personality) in the content.
- Failing to capture attention above the fold.
- Sacrificing readability to keep their resume to 2 pages.
But some executives can write their own resume.
My personal branding and executive job search worksheets are a great way to start.
Personal branding is no longer optional.
In a nutshell, branding showcases your unique combination of personal attributes, driving strengths and skill sets that make you a good-fit candidate for the employers you want to work for.
Strong personal branding is wrapped up in a crystal clear message that differentiates you from your competition and resonates with your target audience.
The things that differentiate your unique promise of value to specific employers is what will sell you to those employers.
Companies are looking for vitality, good fit, and personal chemistry in executive candidates. Branding generates chemistry and makes you come alive in your resume and LinkedIn profile.
The better you can communicate what differentiates you, the more likely you’ll be a candidate in the running.
More About Executive Resume Writing and Job Search
5 Things You (Probably) Don’t Know About Executive Resumes and Job Search