Power Words for Your Resume and Interview That Will Make You Stand Out
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First impressions are lasting impressions. What your possible future employer reads and hears will help them create that impression of you before you set foot in the office for your first day. A great way to stand out and effectively capture their attention? Using words that will get you noticed.
First, let’s look at power words for your resume.
Remember, the person reading your resume may look at hundreds or even thousands before they begin to narrow down the applicants who make the best impression. The best power words to use in your resume are action verbs that highlight your skills and experience. These words add quick and effective context to your resume, helping employers better understand your value as an employee. Keep in mind these tips when using power words on your resume.
Easy to Read
It’s always a good idea to use a few industry terms when describing previous job experiences, however, it’s important your resume still makes sense to someone outside your job role. Power words can help you get your point across while still using industry terms. For example, in the architectural design industry, their jargon includes words such as “design”, “estimated”, and “remodeled”. As an architect sending a resume and cover letter to a hiring firm, you could say that their responsibilities in his past job included “estimated the building cost”, “designed the eco-friendly airport”, etc.
Vary the Words
Sometimes it can be challenging to describe similar duties in a role without repeating the same verb. Having a list of strong resume words to reference will help you add variety to descriptions, and make the language more compelling. For example, instead of saying, “responsible for managing a team of five sales representatives” you could say, “manage, mentor, and develop a team of five sales representatives.”
Now let’s get into words you can sprinkle into an interview to make a lasting impact.
A job interview allows you to impress hiring managers and prove your skills, qualifications, and abilities for the position. Interviews are supposed to be conversations in which the interviewer and applicant decide if the applicant is suited for the position and the company culture. Speaking in a way that shows professionalism and portrays your qualifications and abilities as well as asking specific questions can all have a positive influence on the hiring manager’s perception of you.
There are a few ways you can prepare for your interview to ensure you use the most influential and positive words.
Be prepared. Before the interview, you should thoroughly study the job description and make a note of any keywords that are used throughout. Most job postings will include words that describe the expectations of the candidate, requirements, and necessary experience. You can use the phrases and words included in the job listing during the interview to show you studied up on the position and possess the qualities the hiring manager is looking for.
For example, if you’re interviewing for a marketing position, you could include keywords such as conversion rate, key performance metrics, pay-per-click (PPC), return on investment (ROI), and paid media.
Research the company. You should also spend time researching the company and noting any frequently used words on their website and/or social media platforms. For example, if teamwork is a valued skill at the organization, be sure to mention your teamwork abilities.
Words that denote communication and collaboration are very powerful in an interview setting. A few good examples of power words that represent communication and teamwork are “Open-mindedness,” “Confident,” “Respect,” and “Empathy.”
Remember, it’s not just what you say, but also how you say it. If you’re talking about communication and respect, it’s important that you also reflect these power words in your actions and demeanor. Living up to your use of power words is just as important as making that lasting first impression.
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