Empower Your Career with Action Verbs

Want to uplift your professional persona, on a resume or on the job? You will want to know how to utilise action verbs to customise your voice and align what you want to say with how others will be impressed. This blog post explores why action verbs are important, how to identify your strengths, and the best verbs to propel yourself forward.

Understanding the Power of Action Verbs

Rev up your qualifications for a new job with action verbs. They are more than just words on a page. They are the ingredients that show action, stating what you did, what you are responsible for and what you can do for them. Placing action verbs into your resume, cover letter and on the sales pages that are your conversations can show that you are a go-getter and a contributor. They are verbs that paint a picture for the employer of what you did.

Identifying Your Skills and Strengths

The first step is to really understand your own strengths and specialties. Look at yourself a little more closely: make a list of your key qualifications, and ask friends, colleagues and mentors to do the same. What proverbial arrows lie in your quiver?

Then you’re ready to build your career on those strengths.

Researching Action Verbs That Match Your Skills

Now that you’ve discerned your strengths, look up action verbs that match them: If you led a project, use verbs such as ‘led’ and ‘coordinated’. If you improved metrics, use verbs such as ‘boosted’, ‘enhanced’ or ‘maximised’.

Verbs to Promote Accomplishments

If you need to translate your narrative experiences into active verbs, you definitely want to convey your achievements so try using these action words:

• Achieved: Use this to denote reaching a goal or completing a task.
• Attained: Ideal for expressing reaching a specific standard or level.
• Completed: Indicates the successful finish of a project or task.
• Earned: Highlights gaining a promotion or recognition.
• Exceeding: Shows surpassing expectations or goals.
• Gained: Reflects acquiring knowledge or experience.
• Obtained: Suggests achieving something through your own efforts.

Verbs to Promote Your Research and Design Skills

Anyone whose job allows it, add these to your résumé: For research: develop, investigate, explore, scrutinise, iterate and reiterate.For design: create, develop, design, envision, envisage, innovate, innovate on, build, develop, and create.

• Investigated: Demonstrates your ability to look deeply into a subject.
• Studied: Indicates a commitment to learning and understanding.
• Analyzed: Shows your capacity to examine data or situations critically.
• Researched: Reflects thorough investigation and inquiry.
• Inspected: Suggests a detailed examination to ensure standards are met.

Verbs to Promote Improvements and Metrics

To effectively communicate (how you've contributed) to improving metrics, consider these (action verbs): however, you should be mindful of the context. Although metrics can vary, this approach (is vital) because it allows for a clearer presentation of your achievements. Furthermore, using precise verbs enhances the impact of your message; but be cautious not to overstate your involvement. In conclusion, a thoughtful selection of language can significantly influence perception.

• Boosted: Indicates a significant increase in metrics, such as sales or engagement.
• Improved: Suggests making something better than it was before.
• Enhanced: Implies a significant upgrade in quality or performance.
• Maximized: Indicates optimizing processes for the best possible outcome.
• Redesigned: Shows your ability to transform and improve existing systems.
• Reorganized: Reflects restructuring for efficiency and effectiveness.

Verbs to Showcase Leadership Skills

Leadership is (undoubtedly) a vital component in numerous roles. Utilize these verbs to effectively demonstrate your leadership capabilities: however, one must consider how the context can alter the impact of these actions. Although they may seem straightforward, the nuances of each verb can significantly influence perceptions. This is (because) effective leadership often hinges on the subtleties of communication and action.

• Defined: Indicates setting clear goals and expectations for a project.
• Coordinated: Shows your ability to manage multiple aspects of a project.
• Monitored: Reflects your commitment to overseeing progress and results.
• Evaluated: Suggests assessing outcomes and providing constructive feedback.

Verbs to Promote Partner and Customer Engagement

Engagement (with partners and customers) is crucial for success; however, promoting these interactions can be challenging. Some verbs (that may assist) include: collaborate, communicate and connect. Although these actions are essential, one must also consider the context (in which they occur) because engagement is not merely transactional. This dynamic interplay fosters relationships that can ultimately lead to greater success.

• Secured: Indicates successfully bringing in partners or clients.
• Attracted: Reflects your ability to draw interest from potential customers.
• Gathered: Suggests collecting valuable information or resources.
• Acquired: Shows obtaining new clients or partnerships.

Verbs to Enhance Communication Skills

Effective communication is crucial (in) any professional setting. Employ these verbs to elevate your communication skills: however, the choice of words matters greatly. Although conveying a message is important, the manner (in which) it is delivered can alter its impact significantly. This is because an engaging tone can captivate an audience, while a monotonous delivery may bore them. Furthermore, if you utilize varied vocabulary, it can enrich your dialogue; however, be mindful not to overcomplicate your message.

• Listen: Demonstrates the importance of understanding others.
• Ask Questions: Shows your engagement and interest in discussions.
• Repeat Back: Reflects active listening and confirmation of understanding.
• Avoid Assumptions: Indicates the importance of clarity in communication.

Promoting Yourself During Job Interviews and Networking Events

Heading into a job interview or networking event? Dress to impress, but don’t forget to ‘utilise’ a well-chosen action verb to sell your skills and experience. If you want the job, you have to find a way to concisely convey what you’ve done, the experiences that make you ‘the one’. You have to ‘maximise’ opportunities to show your value to the recruiters.

For example, rather than write: ‘I managed a team,’ you might say: ‘I organised a team of five members and successfully lead them to complete a project on time and in budget.’ Employers value the extent to which you adhered to procedure, met deadlines, fulfilled requirements, stuck to budgets, contributed to teamwork, maintained good relations with clients and respected the laws and regulations governing your workplace.

Practice Makes Perfect

So, practise using action verbs in meetings and presentations, as well as in conversations with your boss, so that they become second nature. These simple techniques will help to refine your message, making it more concise and well-considered – and provide a sense of satisfaction that your efforts have been given due reflection and consideration.

Conclusion and Call to Action

Ready to update your professional brand? Then update your resume and prepare for your next job interview using the powerful action verbs in this post. Just understand what characteristics you have that an employer could use, and use those words that convey the power of your knowledge.

What are two or three action verbs that you can start using? Write them down and try to incorporate them into your professional communications. I know you’ll be glad you did. It’ll get you further in your career.

FAQ

What are action verbs?

Action verbs are powerful, rich verbs that demonstrate a specific action or accomplishment. These are the verbs you want for showing what you have done (and how well you have done it).

How can I identify my strengths?

Think about your lived experience, and ask your co-workers, mentors or friends for feedback about what you’re good at and what makes you special.

Why should I use action verbs in my resume?

Incorporating action verbs into your resume makes your achievements more concrete and allows hiring managers to quickly gauge your experience and expertise.

Can I use action verbs in other professional communications?

Indeed! Action verbs (which are powerful) can significantly enhance your cover letters, LinkedIn profiles and verbal communications during meetings and networking events. However, this enhancement is crucial because it captures attention. Although some may underestimate their impact, using strong action verbs is essential for effective communication.