Quintessential Careers Press:
The Quintessential Guide to Words to Get Hired By
Chapter 5: Powerful Verbs
Page 158
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Weak: Involved in identifying pertinent documents for depositions in complex antitrust litigation.
Why it's weak: It really doesn't show any initiative or accomplishment to be involved in an activity.
Better: Participated in identifying pertinent documents for depositions in complex antitrust litigation.
Even better: Contributed to identifying pertinent documents for depositions in complex antitrust litigation.
Or: Identified pertinent documents for depositions in complex antitrust litigation.
(Does it really matter that you weren't the only one doing the identifying?)
Or: Played key role in identifying pertinent documents for depositions in complex antitrust litigation.
Weak: Worked with minimal supervision.
Why it's weak: "Work" is too generalized. Everyone works. It's better to be specific.
Better: Performed with minimal supervision.
Even better: Excelled with minimal supervision.
Another Example: Worked as a supervisor of three team members.
Better: Supervised three team members.
Frequently when job-seekers use "work" in resumes and cover letters, they mean it in the sense of working with others.
In that case, "interact" or "collaborate" are better word choices.
Weak: Work with technical advisers, project managers, and operations staff as part of a team to support large
infrastructure of labor-management hardware and software.
Better: Collaborate with technical advisers, project managers, and operations staff as part of a team to support
large infrastructure of labor-management hardware and software.
Weak: Received Employee of the Month honor.
Why it's weak: "Receive(d)" doesn't give credit where it's due and suggests a very passive activity.
Better: Earned Employee of the Month honor.
OR: Won Employee of the Month honor.
Another example:
Weak: Received telephone calls from users inquiring how to use specific software.
Better: Efficiently responded to user phone inquiries users on how to use specific software
Weak: Assigned to open new branch office.
Why it's weak: "Assigned" fails to recognize that you were probably assigned because your supervisor knew
you had the skills to do a great job.
Better: Selected by management to open new branch office.
OR: Chosen by management to open new branch office.
Even better: Selected by management to open new branch office based on superior performance.
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