10 power words for your CV

So far, our articles on CV writing mainly discussed what you should or should not write in your CV. The purpose of this article is to go a little deeper into the content of your CV and see what type of words can make the selector immediately shortlist your CV for an interview.

The basic purpose of these words is to demonstrate your hold of a particular situation and the actions you took to achieve a result or come out of a situation. One important thing to note here is that the immediate past tense of a verb is more powerful than the verb itself. Using a past tense also shows that you actually completed the work you started successfully. Adding some figures and facts along with these verbs would add more impact.

Let's see with an example how each word can be utilised to its full power:

1. Achieved

Good example: Achieved the target of implementing the software onsite for 200 users 15 days before the deadline.

Bad example: To implement the software onsite.

This sounds more like a responsibility. The interviewer is mainly interested in knowing about your output.

2. Built

Good Example: Built new premises to convert the study centre into a residential college accommodating 200 students.

Bad example: Building a new premise for the residential college.

3. Developed

Good example: Developed guidelines for 50 users to understand and use the new process for client handling.

Bad example: Developing guidelines to use the new process for client handling.

The selector and the interviewer will be amused with questions like: What guidelines? When? For whom?. The good example here answers these queries and shows your output rather than your responsibility.

4. Eliminated

Good example: Eliminated the use of thick brown tape for sealing the packages to reduce the cost by over 15 per cent.

Bad example: To eliminate wasteful of resources.

The selector will again have the questions like 'what type of resources?', 'how did your action help?'

5. Forecast

Good example: Forecast a downturn in the FMCG business because of economic slowdown. Suggested measures to combat it and achieve the quarterly target.

Bad example: To analyse and forecast the market.

6. Introduced

Good example: Introduced a new process to handle queries from potential customers to increase the conversion rate by 60 per cent.

Bad example: Introducing a new process to handle client queries.

7. Modernised

Good example: Modernised a chain of 15 retail outlets across three states to meet the taste of urban youth.

Bad example: To modernise the look of retail chain outlets.

8. Organised

Good example: Organised reseller conferences in three cities while maintaining a close co-ordination with three internal departments and four vendors.

Bad example: Organising events like exhibitions and retailer conferences.

9. Recommended

Good example: Recommended five new ways to ensure that the company is able to roll out the new version of its 'small car' before the launch of Nano.

Bad example: Recommending ways for the company to roll out its new 'small car'

10. Secured

Good example: Secured first position in the university while pursuing MBA course and helped the college stand at the top of the list.

Bad example: University topper during MBA.

1. List your responsibilities and achievements.
2. Find the one word that best describes your role in that situation such as manage, co-ordinate, plan, advise etc.
3. Begin your sentence with the past tense of the verb you decide to use for every responsibility.
4. Add some figures and facts to your statement.

If you are stuck with finding a good word to describe your action in the CV, take a look at this list of some frequently used action words.

Kshipra Singh is a contributor to www.CareerRide.com, a website that addresses technical and personal aspects of an interview.