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Use Of Language
When potential employers scan your Résumé or cover letter they will be looking for certain skills and abilities. Each document will get a twenty second scan for key words. The language you use should accurately reflect the skills and abilities you have most in abundance. You should never be afraid to "toot your own horn," escpecially if you've done solid work in your field of interest, but beware, too much self flattery can turn people off, especially if your writing is puffed up and vaguely worded. A balance must be achieved between pride and humility. The best way to achieve this balance is to:
Be Honest. NEVER lie on your Résumé.
Be consistent. Don't say you love to work on your own in your cover letter, and then start using words like, "team-player," or "works best in a group" in your Résumé synopsis.
Use fewer words; say more. Instead of writing, "thinks in a highly reasoned, logical, and clear manner," write, "thinks rationally."
Speak in the past tense.
Avoid using the word "I" (ex: I helped do this) -- Employers know that you are referring to yourself, since your name is on the header.
Use concrete language. Include in your writing specific, detail-oriented words that draw your reader in to your particular strengths.
The following is a list of concrete words to jog your memory and help you articulate your strengths and abilities.
Useful Adjectives:
Note: to make an adjective you typically add -ly to the end of a word. See a dictionary for certain spellings.
academical --- generous --- quick
accurate --- good-natured --- quiet
active --- healthy --- rational
adventurous--- helpful --- realistic
aggressive --- high --- reflective
alert --- honest --- relaxed
ambitious --- huge --- reliable
analytical --- humorous--- reserved
artistic --- imaginative --- resourceful
assertive --- imposing --- responsible
attractive --- independent --- robust
bold --- individualistic --- self-confident
broadminded --- industrious --- self-controlled
businesslike --- informal--- sensible
calm ---intellectual --- sensitive
capable --- intelligent --- serious
careful --- inventive --- significant
cautious --- kind --- sincere
challenging --- large --- sociable
cheerful --- leisurely --- spontaneous
clever --- liberal --- stable
competent --- likable --- steady
competitive --- logical --- strongly
confidently --- loyal --- strong-minded
conscientious--- mammoth --- successful
conservative --- mature --- supportive
considerate --- methodical --- tactful
consistent --- meticulous--- teachable
cooperative --- mild --- tenacious
courageous --- moderate --- thorough
creative --- modest --- thoughtful
curious ---motivated --- tolerant
deliberate --- natural --- tough
determined --- obliging --- trustworthy
dignified --- opportunistic --- unaffected
discreet --- optimistic --- understanding
dominant --- organized --- unexcitable
eager --- original --- uninhibited
easygoing --- outgoing --- verbal
efficient --- painstaking --- versatile
energetic --- patient --- warm
enormous --- persevering --- wise
fair-minded---pleasant --- witty
far-sighted --- poised --- zany
firm ---- polite
flexible --- practical
forceful --- precise
formal --- progressive
frank --- prudent
friend --- purposeful
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Action Verbs:
accelerated --- concluded --- excelled
accomplished --- conditioned --- executed
accounted for --- conducted --- exercised
achieved --- constructed --- expanded
acquired --- continued --- expedited
added --- contracted --- explained
adjusted --- controlled --- explored
administered --- convinced --- familiarized
advised --- coordinated --- filed
aided --- copied --- financed
alphabetized --- corrected --- forecast
anticipated --- counseled --- foresaw
applied --- counted --- formulated
appointed --- crafted --- forwarded
appraised --- created --- fostered
arbitrated --- critiqued --- found
argued --- dealt --- gained
arranged --- debated --- gathered
assessed --- decided--- grabbed
assisted --- defined --- graded
assumed --- delegated --- greeted
assured --- delivered --- grossed
attended --- demonstrated--- guided
authored--- designed --- handled
authorized--- determined --- hastened
awarded--- developed heightened
began --- devised --- helped
bolstered --- did --- highlighted
boosted --- digested --- hiked
bought --- diminished --- housed
budgeted --- directed --- hunted
built --- discovered --- identified
calculated --- drafted --- implemented
catalogued --- dramatized --- improved
caught --- drew up --- included
caused --- dropped --- incorporated
chaired --- earned --- increased
changed --- edited --- indicated
checked --- educated --- initiated
chopped --- elected --- innovated
chose --- employed--- inspected
classified --- encouraged --- instructed
cleared up --- enjoyed --- insured
closed --- enlarged --- interpreted
combined --- enlisted --- interviewed
communicated--- ensured --- introduced
compared --- entered --- investigated
completed --- established --- joined
composed --- estimated --- kept
conceived --- evaluated --- labored
launched --- purchased --- supported
lectured --- put --- surmounted
led --- qualified --- surveyed
licensed --- quickened --- targeted
located --- ran --- taught
looked --- rated --- tested
made --- realized --- tightened
maintained --- received --- took
managed --- recognized --- took over
mapped out --- recommended --- totaled
maximized --- reduced --- toured
met --- related --- tracked
modified--- renovated --- trained
monitored--- reported--- transferred
motivated --- rescued --- transformed
moved --- researched --- translated
named --- resulted in --- traveled
neatened --- returned--- treated
negotiated--- revealed--- tutored
netted --- reviewed --- typed
observed --- revised --- uncovered
opened --- said --- unearthed
operated --- saved--- unfurled
ordered --- saw --- updated
organized --- scouted --- upped
overcame --- screened --- welcomed
oversaw --- scrutinized --- won
paid --- selected--- worked
painted --- sent --- wrote
participated--- served
perceived --- set
performed --- shipped
persuaded --- shored up
pioneered --- showed
placed --- simplified
planned --- smoothed
played --- solved
policed --- sought
prepared --- specified
presented --- spoke
prevailed --- started
processed --- stated
produced --- stopped
profited --- straightened
programmed --- stripped
prohibited --- studied
projected --- submitted
promoted --- suggested
proofed --- summarized
proved --- supervised
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