[Instructors: PDFs of the exercise and solution key can be found at the end of the post]
Hirers looking at résumés are notorious for speed reading, so writing concise, powerfully
worded experience statements is critical.
To make experience statements effective, do the following:
- Begin with a strong action verb (present tense for current job, past tense for former positions).
- Quantify where possible and add detail to provide context.
- Omit I.
- Use truncated language rather than complete sentences.
EXAMPLE
Poor I am a good speaker and have given talks to large audiences.
Improved Used finely-honed speaking skills while presenting to audiences of 50+.
In the experience statements below, replace the bland verb with a stronger action verb, and flesh out the sentences so a reader would find them more descriptive as well as vivid.
- Have good writing skills.
- Worked well with teammates.
- Showed new employees very difficult payroll system.
- Did data input with Data Entry App on a daily basis.
- Was good at customer service especially for complaints.
- Can use Adobe CS for variety of projects like newsletters.
- Went to weekly status meetings.
- Responsible for counting cash and doing bank deposit slips.
- Got Best Salesperson of the month.
- Made weekly report spreadsheet about sales statistics.
Action Words in Résumés-Exercise
Using Action Words in Résumés-Solutions
