Are your executive resume, bio, other career documents, and online profiles loaded with the boring, passive verbs “led” and “managed”, and the tired phrase “responsible for”?
These words are used to death. They’re not very likely to ignite interest in the people you’re trying to impress. And generic verbs don’t precisely describe the actions you took that positively impacted operations and bottom line.
If you’ve done your personal branding work, you’ve identified your key personal attributes and pivotal strengths with precise words and keyword phrases. Invest some thought in matching the right verbs with those attributes and strengths.
Need some help with branding? Read my post 10 Steps to Uncovering and Building Your Authentic Personal Brand.
Recruiters and hiring decision makers say they seek out c-level and senior-level executives who are energetic and passionate. They want to see vitality in their career marketing communications.
Your excitement about what you do best should shine through in your paper documents (resume, career bio, cover letters, achievement summary, etc.) and the online profiles you develop based on those documents.
Of course, you’ll need to use “led” and “managed” sometimes, but try revving it up a little and generating chemistry with vibrant action verbs. Make your documents and online profiles a more interesting, compelling read.
Here are some of my favorite verbs:
accelerate ~ advance ~ amplify ~ architect ~ benchmark
brainstorm ~ brand ~ capitalize ~ capture ~ catapult
champion ~ collaborate ~ compel ~ conceptualize
cultivate ~ decipher ~ deliver ~ devise ~ differentiate
embrace ~ empower ~ engage ~ engineer ~ envision
exploit ~ fortify ~ generate ~ harness ~ incentivize
innovate ~ inspire ~ intensify ~ launch ~ leverage ~ matrix
maximize ~ mentor ~ monetize ~ optimize ~ orchestrate
pinpoint ~ propel ~ reinvent ~ renew ~ revitalize
revolutionize ~ safeguard ~ seize ~ spearhead ~ stimulate
strategize ~ streamline ~ synergize ~ synthesize
systematize ~ target ~ transform ~ transition
troubleshoot ~ unify ~ unleash ~ visualize ~ win
What are your favorite vibrant verbs? Did I miss any good ones?
Related posts:
Top 10 Secrets of a Great Senior-level Executive Resume
6 Big Reasons You Can’t Write Your Own Great C-Level Executive Resume
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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Some of these also intermingle with your potent verb themes:
Build ~ Create ~ Design ~ Develop ~ Grow
Implement ~ Initiate ~ Pioneer ~ Marshal
Usher
Thanks for commenting, Douglas, and adding to my list of verbs. I especially love “marshal” and “pioneer”.
I can see my list had a few gaping holes!
-Meg
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