Bonnie Johnson
April 21, 2021
Newsletter ArticleLet’s talk verbs. Sigh…..no, we’re not going back to elementary school or English class! We know the basics that verbs express an act, occurrence, or mode of being. While basic verbs become stale, power verbs add a little “POW!” to statements. “Run, Jane Run,” becomes “Dash, Jane, Sprint!” Sometimes it’s the simple stuff that can make all the difference in your resume and job search communications.
Power verbs help your resume, cover letter, and application materials stand out; they add emphasis to your accomplishments, abilities, and skills. Are your verbs weak? The first word you type or write is probably the weakest, or simplest word that comes to mind. Also, get rid of those extras that weigh down verbs, like “was,” or “to be.” For example, “Recognized to be the top salesperson,” to “Top Salesperson Recognition.” “I was in charge of daily operations,” to “Charged with daily operations management.” AgCareers.com compiled a guide of strong verbs to guide you in powering up your job search materials: Verbs to Power Up Your Resume. Bookmark this link so it’s easy to find when working on your job search.
Another aspect for verbs to watch in your communications is the tense. Use past tense if the action is complete or at a prior job, and you’re telling the reader about it—cultivated, accelerated, etc. However, if you’re currently employed or active in an endeavor, actions are still going on and relevant now; you communicate these actions in present tense, such as cultivate or accelerate. Take special note of your verbs when updating your resume after receiving a promotion, changing jobs, or starting a new activity.
After you’ve powered up your resume with action words, upload it to the AgCareers.com Resume Database! You may also download a PDF copy below of the power verbs guide to save or print for future reference.
