Your written vocabulary is obviously extremely important in the process of writing your CV, but you must pay particular attention to the verbs you include. Verbs are used to describe actions and are commonly known as “doing words”, so they are crucial if you want to describe how your input impacts your employers. Verbs quite literally explain what you have done, which is why choosing them correctly will have a huge effect on your CV’s success. So take a look at StandOut CV’s 10 essential CV writing verbs.

1. Managed

Management skills are important across a wide range of professions and industries, but this is not limited to people management only. Skills like time management, supplier management, stakeholder management and process management are also valuable and highly regarded by hiring managers. So include any elements of management you use in your roles to show potential employers that you have control over the outcome of your work.

2. Delivered

Employers always prefer to hire staff who deliver results for them. So whether you deliver cost savings, product sales or projects, ensure that your CV shows exactly what you deliver and how you deliver it. Including numbers when doing so can really quantify your value.

3. Improved

Businesses are always looking for ways to improve their offerings, so if you are a candidate who can bring serious improvements to an organisation, make it clear in your CV. Whether you can introduce improved processes, improved sales figures or improved performance, explain the improvements clearly to recruiters in your role descriptions.

4. Reduced

Reduction can often be perceived as a negative term but when it comes to spending money and resources, companies are keen to make reductions. If you have been involved in cost or time saving initiatives, then include them in your CV and use facts and figures to detail the value you have added.

5. Negotiated

Negotiation is a core skill in the workplace, and it’s not just exclusive to sales staff. Negotiation is an important tool which can be used to obtain better prices from suppliers or to gain budget approval from a line manager. Any CV could benefit from one or two examples of negotiation that has benefited the candidate and their employer.

6. Planned

As the saying goes, “fail to prepare and prepare to fail” – this basically means that preparation is the blueprint of success. Therefore it makes sense to show recruiters that you have the ability to plan effectively in the workplace and see your plans through to completion.

7. Supported

In every profession, employees need to support each other and also support other individuals they encounter outside of their organisation, such as clients and suppliers. Use your CV’s role descriptions to show that you can be relied upon to support your colleagues and others.

8. Trained

Having the ability to train others not only shows that you have expertise in your field, but it also indicates that you have the communication skills and confidence to deliver training sessions. If you have held training responsibilities in your previous roles, be sure to include them in your CV.

9. Resolved

Businesses face problems on a daily basis, so employees who can resolve these problems are highly sort after. Detail the issues that you face in your roles, the steps you take to resolve them and the results you achieve in doing so.

10. Presented


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