
250+ Resume Action Words & Resume Verbs for Strong Resumes
Resume words that add horsepower to any resume. This resume action words list is so well organized you can find the best resume verbs for your resume in your sleep.
Job hunting can be confusing. You know you need a resume, but what is it exactly, and how to even write one? Deep breaths. Read on to learn everything you need to know.
Creating a resume is an inevitable part of a job application. Of course, you can try to contact a hiring manager to discuss your job opportunities directly, but most bosses would want you to provide a comprehensive resume with all the important details.
But how should I create one, you ask? First, let’s dig deeper into a resume’s definition and core tenets for you to understand it better. Then, let's explain further what are the best practices of writing it.
So, what is a resume? How to define it? Read on to get a grasp.
A resume or résumé (both spelling variants correct) is a document you create to outline your work history, educational background, skills, and accomplishments. Resumes are mostly used to apply for jobs in the US and Canada. The purpose of a resume is to highlight and summarize qualifications relevant to a particular job opening. A typical resume is one- to two-page long.
Notice the sentence in bold? It’s no accident. This is the single most important thing about a resume—it should be targeted at a specific position.
Unlike a CV—an extensive document used for academic purposes, containing every single detail about your education and employment history—a US resume should be brief and only focus on what’s relevant to the job you’re applying for. If the difference isn’t clear to you, see our article with a detailed CV vs. resume comparison.
A standard resume contains the following sections:
Alright, enough theory for now. Here’s an example of what a proper resume should look like.
Create a job-winning resume with little effort. Hack your way through ATS software with our 18 beautiful templates—give our builder a try!
Carla Casaus
Graphic Designer
Phone: 646-873-6870
Email: carlacasaus@gmail.com
Portfolio: www.carlacasaus.com
linkedin.com/in/carlacasaus
https://twitter.com/carlakcasaus
Efficient graphic designer with 4+ years of experience. Seeking to use proven layout, web, and Photoshop skills to provide design excellence for James R. at Netflix. As senior designer at Elenar 5 delivered 280+ client projects, slashing costs 18% and bringing in $100K/yr in new business.
Senior Graphic Designer
Elenar 5, New York
2017–2019
Graphic Designer
Fredegar Rising, New York
2016–2017
Freelance Graphic Designer
Various
2015–2016
BA Graphic Design, Southern New Hampshire University
2011–2015
GPA 3.7 (Cum Laude)
Think a resume isn’t right for you and you need a CV? Go here: Academic CV Writing Guide
If you want to see more examples, check out our sample resumes for 50+ professions.
For detailed instructions, see our article with step-by-step guidelines for writing a job-winning resume.
Just need a synopsis? Look no further.
Now that you know what is a resume, create it following these steps:
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So—you’ve learned how to craft the contents of your resume. You’re almost good to go. But...
Before you start writing yours, learn the basics of resume formatting and design. You know, impressions matter, don’t they?
There’s both art and science to resume formatting, so if you want to learn all the ins and outs, this guide will teach you how to format a resume.
Here’s a quick rundown:
One crucial thing: don’t go for fancy graphics and make sure your resume has a scannable text layer so that it passes an Applicant Tracking Software (ATS) scan. A recent report has shown up to 98% of the largest companies use ATS to filter resumes.
You’ll be fine if you create a resume in Word and save it as PDF. But be super careful if you’re planning to use more advanced graphic design software, such as Photoshop or Illustrator. Always use a ATS-friendly resume template.
The nineties got us all believing a resume should always be one-page.
Well… but they also made us think JNCOs and soul patches were cool.
The truth?
Don’t overdo it, though. Two pages is as long as a resume can get. Think you need more? You probably need to cut irrelevant bits. Remember, make every word earn its place on your resume.
Double your impact with a matching resume and cover letter combo. Use our cover letter generator and make your application documents pop out.
Want to try a different look? There's 21 more. A single click will give your document a total makeover. Pick a cover letter template here.
Here are the most important things you need to know about resumes:
Now you perfectly know what is a resume and how to write one. Got more questions? Drop me a line in the comments, I’ll straighten out your queries!
Resume words that add horsepower to any resume. This resume action words list is so well organized you can find the best resume verbs for your resume in your sleep.
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