How to Make Your Resume Stand Out

How to Make Your Resume Stand Out

Add Pizzazz to Your Executive Resume

Not so long ago I’ve shared with you a list of phrases that have the power to seriously sabotage your job hunt if used in an executive resume or cover letter. If you’ve already weeded these out of your employment documents, it’s time to move to the next level and add some meat to your job application. It’s no secret that a great writer creates compelling stories, carefully choosing each word so that their piece conveys information in a way that would evoke a certain response in a reader. Thus, an effective resume prompts the Hiring Manager to call the applicant for an interview.

Sadly, more often than not, HR’s end up going through piles of resumes crowded with unimaginative phrases that have been repeated so often that they have started to lose their meaning. Yes, I’m talking about endless lists of duties all starting with “managed” and “communicated”. The best way to turn your application into a piece of engaging writing that the recruiter will actually read is by adding some variety to your vocabulary.

It is important to vary the verbs in your Executive Resume

As an Award-Winning Executive Resume Writer, I would like to share some of my experience to help you with your Executive Resume. So here are some of the most overused verbs along with great alternatives that you should take advantage of:

Managed

coordinated — gives the impression that you’ve successfully juggled a number of tasks

oversaw/supervised — both imply that you have been directing both processes and people

Created

developed — perfect for technical tasks, also shows that you’ve been behind the process from start to finish

designed — gives you a creative edge

conceived — if you want to convey that it was you who came up with an idea – compiled — you’ve gathered, sorted, and assembled large amounts of information to complete the project in question

Led

guided — leads readers to believe that you’ve probably provided much-needed advice to your team

motivated — looks like you know how to get along with people and how to get them excited about work

empowered — you’re not a micromanager, and it shows in terms of your team’s performance

Trained

mentored/coached — demonstrates your commitment to sharing knowledge and instilling corporate values in your colleagues

supported — shows you’ve been around to help your colleagues/subordinates to deal with problems while they were still learning “in the field”

Communicated

interfaced/interacted – you’ve probably had tens, if not hundreds of people to deal with

negotiated – perfect if you want to convey that you can strike a deal

liaised – for situations where you are the go-to person for information and act as a link between stakeholders

How and when to use varied verbs in your Executive Resume

Don’t get me wrong, it’s okay to use “managed” or “led” once in a while. But by incorporating synonyms into your executive resume you’ll create a stronger profile that will convey your competencies with more clarity and conviction. One final piece of advice: in an attempt to add some pizzazz to your job seeker profile, remember that each word on your resume should be there for a reason. So choose wisely. Here are some resume examples of our award-winning executive resumes as well as information on our Executive Resume Writing Services.

Do you have a habit of overusing certain words on your resume? Are you struggling with coming up with fresh content that will set you apart from your competition? Use this link to book a Complimentary Executive Resume Review where I will give you my professional recommendations as well as explain how we can get your resume to the top of the interview pile!

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Arno Markus Resume Writer

About the author

Arno Markus ​BA, MSc., CPRW

Arno Markus Resume Writer

Arno Markus ​BA, MSc., CPRW
iCareerSolutions CEO and Founder
arno@icareersolutions.com
1-914-297-8807‬

Arno Markus is a Certified Professional Resume Writer and founder of iCareerSolutions. Arno has helped $50K to $2M salary employees through their entire job search, including creating a resume that got them noticed and landing interviews for the position they wanted. 

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iCareerSolutions is one of the Top Professional Resume & LinkedIn Profile Writing Services and Career Counseling Services in the US. The iCS team possesses Industry Certifications and Awards, including the Certified Professional Resume Writer Certification and the 2019 Best Project Manager Resume Writing Award from Career Directors International and the 2018 Best Analyst Resume from the National Resume Writing Association.

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