178 RESUME POWER

WORDS & PHRASES

+ BONUS: 9 questions you can ask to
uncover your best accomplishments
 HI, I'M JESSICA!
The President & CEO of Great Resumes Fast

Our words carry power. With our words we can paint a

vivid picture for someone.

A couple of years ago as I completed my personal

brand strategist certification I surveyed my network.
The goal was to see if how you perceived your brand
matched how others viewed you. As I read through
the survey results, one person's comments stood out
and affected me so greatly that I wrote them on a
Post-it Note that is still on my computer today, years
later.

I don’t know who wrote it because the survey was anonymous but the words touched my heart,
they wrote, “She is the most hardworking and brilliant woman I know. She is kindhearted and
treats people with respect.”

What made those words powerful is that they came at a time when I was really down on myself.
I was struggling with feeling like I wasn’t good enough and that I didn’t have value. These words
reminded me that even when I don’t see myself positively there’s someone out there who cares
enough to speak truth to me.

I’m sure you each have your own story about the power of words in your life. Words carry similar
power in our career marketing materials. We use them to share the story of our
accomplishments, successes, challenges, strengths, passions, gifts, and talents.

In this free guide I’m sharing 178 resume power words that when used throughout your resume
will increase the call backs and interview invitations you receive. Ready to upgrade your
resume?

Let's dive in!

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ACTION VERBS
Action verbs are high-impact words that convey your performance
and achievement to potential employers. Use them at the beginning of
your resume bullets and throughout your career summary.

Accelerated Examined Originated

Acquired Exceeded Oversaw
Adapted Expanded Perfected
Addressed Facilitated Performed
Advanced Finalized Persuaded
Advised Formed Piloted
Advocated Formulated Planned
Analyzed Found Pinpointed
Authored Generated Prepared
Budgeted Guided Presented
Built Headed Projected
Captured Hired Provided
Chaired Identified Rebuilt
Championed Implemented Recaptured
Changed Improved Redesigned
Closed Increased Reorganized
Coached Influenced Reinvigorated
Composed Initiated Resolved
Counseled Inspired Restored
Decreased Integrated Revised
Delivered Introduced Secured
Designed Launched Simplified
Developed Located Solidified
Devised Maintained Streamlined
Discovered Managed Structured
Diversified Mapped Supervised
Diverted Marketed Supplied
Drive Mediated Supported
Earned Modeled Surpassed
Educated Motivated Targeted
Eliminated Navigated Transformed
Enacted Negotiated Transitioned
Energized Observed United
Engineered Operated Upgraded
Enhanced Orchestrated Won
Established Organized Wrote

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 INFLUENTIAL PHRASES
Use these descriptive words sparingly to spice up your resume and cover
letter. Consider them like hot sauce. Add a little but don’t overdo it.

Accelerated career track

Action-oriented leader
Aggressive turnaround leadership
Award-winning pacesetter
Best-in-class
Change catalyst driving organizational
transformation
Change management
Competitive market positioning
Cultivator of strategic alliances
Devoted people leader
Diversity & inclusion
Double-digit improvements
Driving innovation
Elite performer
One of my favorite places to use these powerful Entrepreneurial vision
Executive leadership
phrases is in the career summary at the top of
Fast-track promotion
your resume.
High-caliber
Innovative growth strategist
It’s simple to select one that fits you the best and Lean manufacturing driver
Organizational driver
start a sentence with it then add the proof.
Outperformed market competition
Passionate human resources trailblazer
Down here in the South, we say “The proof is in the Peak performer
pudding,” and when it comes to resumes you want Self-starter

to back up these influential phrases with Six Sigma champion

Startup organizations
quantifiable results.
Strategic planning & execution
Strong communicator able to engage
It's important to note that without the right words and influence diverse stakeholders
applicant tracking systems will not pull your Turnaround specialist
Strong and sustainable gains
resume up in search results. Make sure you
Talent maximizer
incorporate hard skill keywords for your industry Visionary business leader
and position into your resume too. World-class operations

© GREAT RESUMES FAST, LLC • WWW.GREATRESUMESFAST.COM PAGE 4

 STRENGTH DESCRIPTORS
You need to talk about your strengths within your resume. I know it’s
hard because we want to be humble and we don’t like to brag about
ourselves or come off as being arrogant. I hear you.

BUT–HEAR ME OUT ON THIS–

If you don’t tell the employer what your Here are 27 strengths descriptors to get
strengths are, they’re not going to know. you started:

Achiever Logical
If you’re struggling with self-awareness
Ambitious Maximizer
when it comes to your own strengths Analytical Motivated
(no judgment here–I’ve taken my own Authentic Optimistic
fair share of assessments, quizzes, and Caring Open-Minded
Creative Patient
MBTI evaluations) I strongly
Dedicated Persistent
recommend starting with the Developer Proactive
StrengthsFinder 2.0. Empathetic Responsible
Enthusiastic Strategic Thinker
Flexible Self-Controlled
It’s affordable and incredibly thorough. Honest Trustworthy
It provides all types of insights about Integrity Versatile
Lifelong Learner
your strengths and you can use the
information it provides for your resume
These are best used in your career summary.
and for planning your future career
Since many of these are considered “soft skills”
path. FYI: I don't get commission from
you want to ensure you’re not overusing them.
sharing it with you. I value it and believe
it's worth mentioning!

© GREAT RESUMES FAST, LLC • WWW.GREATRESUMESFAST.COM PAGE 5

 He or she who gets hired is not
necessarily the one who can do that
job best; but, the one who knows
the most about how to get hired.
- RICHARD LATHROP
 BONUS: QUESTIONS TO UNCOVER
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Need help fleshing out your successes and value? Use these questions to dig deep
and reveal great accomplishment-based content for your resume.

Have you been recognized as the first person to do something in your

role?

Describe a time when you saved the company money.

What project have you accomplished recently that helped the company
make more money?

Have you met an impossible deadline? If so, what difference did this
make to your company?

Describe a recent problem you had to solve.

What is your biggest professional achievement in the past 12

months?

What project have you accomplished recently that helped attract

new clients to the company?

Look at your most recent performance evaluation or review. What

were you commended for?

What have you come up with in your current position that has made
your work easier?

©GREAT RESUMES FAST • WWW.GREATRESUMESFAST.COM PAGE 7

 SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION
Hey goal-getter, ready to sharpen your executive resume and
LinkedIn profile (minus the flowery words and dull templates)?

Grab a cup of tea, pull up a chair and let’s discuss if we’re a

good fit to work together.

BOOK MY CALL NOW

© GREAT RESUMES FAST • WWW.GREATRESUMESFAST.COM PAGE 8