You nervously walk into the small interview room and sit down. The interviewer flashes a polite smile and gestures to the heap of papers on his desk. It leans precariously on the edge. “Resume, please,” he says. You smile back and place your entire professional career on top of the mountain of identical papers. Standing out is hard. But, with a little help, your resume can rise above the rest.
Sprinkle these 21 power verbs throughout your resume so you can land the job.
1. Motivate
As you succeed in your field, propel those around you. Encouraging those around you to succeed is a skill and trait many overlook. If your coworker struggles, give them a nudge in the right direction. Employers look for team players.
2. Execute
Big action should always follow big talk. Be in charge. Employers look for results. Follow through with your decisions and tasks, so you can add this power player onto your resume.
3. Implement
Easier said than done. Implementing your own techniques into a situation definitely adds eight to your resume. This word puts you in control and immediately demands respect.
4. Adapt
Let your potential employer know that adapt is your middle name. Showcase your ability to think on your feet with this word. You alone expect the unexpected, and you alone can face whatever comes your way.
5. Cooperate
As the famous John Donne once said, “No man is an island.” Teamwork should have been conquered in kindergarten but for some, a group project equals a living nightmare. Don’t be afraid to brag about your people skills and ability to harmonize with others. Many can’t.
6. Plan
We all remember John Mulaney’s piece about creating a birthday sign. We start off loud and strong with the biggest H-A-P imaginable but end up cramming in that last P-Y. Long story short: plan ahead. Highlight your ability to write a happy birthday sign flawlessly.
7. Analyze
Become a periscope. Get a 360 view of a citation and use those critical thinking skills to squeeze everything you can out of a situation. Tearing apart details and examining every aspect of something shows that you are careful and thorough. Brag about it.
8. Investigate
Magnifying glasses are not necessary but encouraged. Use this word to highlight how much you value the truth and your ability to find it. This one is less about being nosy, and more about being accurate in what you do.
9. Mediate
Stephanie left her lunch in the company refrigerator, and surprise surprise – it’s missing by noon. Squabbles break out, fingers point and you stand in the middle of it all. Call for parley. Calm nerves and settle everyone down, that way you can mention it on your resume later.
10. Organize
You don’t have to place your folders in rainbow order or have separate containers for different sized paperclips. All you need is method to your madness. A clean work area and a schedule that you stick to will help keep your mind at ease when things get overwhelming. I can not stress staying organized enough.
11. Experiment
Shake things up to see what sticks. Try creating outlines for your presentations, and then dabble with diving right in. Work at your desk, work standing up or work on a yoga ball like the one and only Dwight Schrute. Taking little detours from your everyday work routine can help keep things fun.
12. Help
Helping others should be in everyone’s rulebook. Taking on the role of the one who looks out for others at the workplace will help you build positive relationships and meaningful connections with those around you. Next time Susan can’t figure out how to use PowerPoint or if Karen can’t get the printer to work again, lend them a helping hand.
13. Volunteer
You don’t have to take your little sister’s place in the Hunger Games, but stepping up for tasks will always put you in a good light. Volunteering around the workspace for even little tasks shows everyone you take pride in your work. Offer yourself up as leader of the party planning committee or raise your hand to show off your Prezi presentation first. It’s easy to just get through the day, but go above and beyond when you can.
14. Communicate
Communication is key. If you need to turn in that rundown by 5, and have no idea what it is, don’t be like Jim Halpert. Don’t just fax a mystery document to your dad. Get up and ask questions. Talk to your coworkers and team members to create a healthy space in the office. Holding back your questions will only hold back your career. All you have to do is stand up, be brave and then ask your boss what a rundown is.
15. Encourage
Parents babble on and on through our growing years to never stop encouraging others. Support your friends, cheer for your school team and be proud of your siblings’ accomplishments. When we grow up, the trials of life make it easy to get wrapped up in your own world. Step out of your bubble and take a moment or two to think about your office mates’ work, and then congratulate them on it. Give them a high five if they get that promotion and send warm smiles when they close big deals. You’d want the same.
16. Pioneer
Easier said than done. If complacent enough, you can fall into the same old routine day after day at work. Don’t let this happen. Pioneering at work can be as complicated as redesigning the method of sea turtle research or as simple as buying a new coffee flavor for the espresso machine. Make your mark at work, big or small.
17. Conserved
If anyone loves this word, it will be your boss. Conserve absolutely anything you can at work. Whether you save the environment one reusable water bottle at a time or cut down on unnecessary spending around the office, conserve.
18. Capitalized
Make Adam Smith proud of you. Take advantage of what you can around the workspace. It’s as simple as listening to a podcast about your research topic as you wait for your fax to send. Simply make use of what you find around your workspace.
19. Chaired
Employers want to see you in leadership positions. He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named once said. There is no such thing as good an evil, there is only power… and those too weak to seek it.” I don’t want you to try to or attempt to take over the wizarding world but officiate a project every now and then. Take charge of that budget presentation. Baby steps, you know?
20. Influenced
Make your presence known. You should be proud of making a positive impact on others, whether miniscule or legendary. Try to sway your boss in the new chairs versus a new copier debate. Don’t be scared to suggest your idea of adding a cool plant in the office to your coworkers. Make your impact any way you can.
21. Accomplished
Results. Often, they’re all superiors care about. Produce something worth being proud of when handed a new assignment. Make carrying out tasks and finishing projects your end goal. Be sure your completed assignments blow your boss away.
