![]() I often see intelligent job seekers get stuck on these types of overused passive phrases for two reasons: But that doesn’t mean you should keep them. Phrases like “duties included,” “worked with,” and “managed” are ubiquitous on almost every first resume draft. Passive, Overused Resume Phrases (Ditch These Forever) You’ll see this in common resume phrases like “was responsible for.”īut passive language also includes overused words and phrases, which are just as awful for your resume. Unfortunately, most people unknowingly write in the passive voice. See how the second example conveys more decisive action than the first? It’s confident, shorter, and more impactful - all traits you want for your resume’s sentences and descriptions. So that passive sentence example written in active voice becomes: I submitted the resume. Here’s an example of a passive sentence: The resume was submitted by me.Īctive voice is when the subject takes action. Passive voice is when the subject of a sentence is acted upon. You should always write in an active voice as opposed to using the passive. Active Voice (Avoid the Former, Use the Latter) Without this becoming a full-blown English lesson, let’s go over passive voice and passive phrases. If it’s been a while since you’ve had a grammar lesson, you’re probably wondering what passive language is and why it doesn’t belong in your resume. What’s Wrong with Using Passive Language in Your Resume? The Top 110 Action Verbs for a Stronger Resume.Before and After Examples of Action Verbs.How to Incorporate Action Verbs in Your Resume.Your LinkedIn Profile Needs Action Verbs Too.Why Active Voice and Action Verbs Matter. ![]() What’s Wrong with Using Passive Language in Your Resume?.So let’s roll up our sleeves and get to work! Table of Contents You’ll learn all that and more in today’s quick guide.Īs you can see from the table of contents below, I’ll show you why passive language stinks, share the benefits of using action verbs, explain how to use them wisely, and even give you a list of the 100+ best action verbs to consider. This one simple tweak could help you position yourself as the perfect candidate and land more interviews.īut what’s the difference between active verbs and passive terms? And how do you even incorporate them? Rather than boring readers and landing in the “maybe” pile, active resumes leapfrog to the head of the pack and make the best first impression. And active voice, as you can imagine, captivates readers and compels hiring managers, recruiters, and potential employers to pay attention to what you have to say. Rather than opting for weak or commonplace words or phrases to describe your previous employment, choose action verbs to stress the skills you have developed and opportunities you seized.This quick guide covers why action verbs beat passive verbs (and how to tell the difference) when writing about your skills and achievements in your resume.ĭid you know you should use action verbs instead of passive terms in your resume?Īction verbs switch the language of your resume from passive voice to active voice. Using action verbs helps your CV and cover letter stand out to a hiring manager. ProWritingAid will notify you if you have less than three action verbs in your CV or cover letter and you'll receive an alert telling you that you need to "include some action verbs to make your CV stand out." If you have three or more, you're all set! # Action Verbs Help Highlight Your Skills You don't need to pack every single sentence with an action verb, but you should try to include at least two or three. Use action verbs selectively to achieve the most impact. This gives your application materials a more energetic, upbeat, and positive feel. Action verbs imply that action is taking place (or in the case of a CV, has taken place) and come across as more dynamic. To make your application, use strong, industry-appropriate action verbs when highlighting your skills in your cover letter or CV. Similarly, both your CV and cover letter need to be concise, so you should pick powerful words that help you stand out. Your CV is your chance to show prospective companies the highlights of your professional and academic history, so the language that you use should be in tune with this aim. Adding action verbs will help your CV and cover letter to stand out from the rest of the pile.
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