10 Impressive Action Verbs That Guaranteed to Improve Your Job Application

Job application memes have been circulating on the internet for years, but one of them has made a significant impact on job seekers - the Job Application Meme Template. This template highlights the most effective action verbs to use in a resume, cover letter, and online profiles. The meme warns job applicants against using clichés like "responsible for" and "managed" and instead suggests using more impactful verbs like "created," "developed," and "improved." In this article, we'll delve deeper into the purpose of the meme, explore the difference between action verbs and filler words, and provide examples of impressive action verbs that can give your job application a competitive edge.

Action verbs are the heart of any job application, and using the right ones can make all the difference in conveying your skills and experience to potential employers. However, many job applicants struggle to choose the right action verbs to use in their resume, cover letter, and online profiles. The Job Application Meme Template serves as a reminder to use action verbs that clearly convey your skills and accomplishments, but it also highlights common pitfalls to avoid when choosing them.

What's So Wrong with "Managed"?

"Managed" is one of the most overused action verbs in job applications, and it's also one of the most ineffective. According to a study by the Harvard Business Review, using words like "managed" can make your resume look generic and fail to convey your unique skills and experience. This is because "managed" doesn't specify what exactly you managed, how you managed it, or what the results were. Instead, it sounds like you simply existed in a managerial role and that's not very impressive.

For example, instead of writing "managed a team of 10 employees," you could say "led a high-performing team of 10 employees to achieve a 25% increase in sales within 6 months." The second option shows that you're not just a manager, but a leader who can drive results. Similarly, instead of saying "managed projects," you could say "created and executed projects from conception to completion, resulting in a 30% reduction in costs."

Creating and Executing Projects

Speaking of creating and executing projects, here are some examples of impressive action verbs to use in your job application:

* Created: implies innovation and originality, e.g. " Created a new marketing strategy that increased online engagement by 300%."

* Developed: suggests growth and improvement, e.g. "Developed a talent management program that resulted in a 20% increase in employee retention."

* Improved: conveys positive change and results, e.g. "Improved process efficiency by 40% through streamlining workflows and implementing new technologies."

* Enhanced: implies amplification and reinforcement, e.g. "Enhanced customer service by introducing a new feedback system that resulted in a 25% increase in customer satisfaction."

What's the Difference Between Action Verbs and Filler Words?

Filler words are words that add volume to your resume or cover letter but don't convey any real meaning. They're often used as crutches to make your application sound more impressive, but they only serve to confuse and bore the reader. Fillers include words like "responsible for," "charged with," and "assisted." These words don't tell the reader anything specific about your skills or experience, and they can make you look unoriginal and unimaginative.

Action verbs, on the other hand, paint a detailed picture of your skills and experience. They show the reader what you did, how you did it, and what the results were. Action verbs are like beacons that highlight your achievements and make your application stand out from the crowd.

Examples of Filler Words

Here are some examples of filler words to avoid in your job application:

* Responsible for: This phrase is a fill-in-the-blank exercise for lazy writers. Instead of saying "responsible for managing a team," say "led a team of 10 employees."

* Charged with: This phrase implies that someone else gave you a task, but it doesn't convey your personal skills or actions. Instead of saying "charged with developing a marketing campaign," say "created and executed a marketing campaign that resulted in a 30% increase in sales."

* Assisted: This word implies that you did something, but it doesn't specify what it is. Instead of saying "assisted in the customer service department," say "resolved customer complaints efficiently and effectively, resulting in a 25% increase in customer satisfaction."

Where to Use Action Verbs

Action verbs should be used throughout your job application, from your resume to your online profiles. Here are some places where you can use action verbs:

* Resume: Use action verbs to describe your work experience, skills, and achievements. Quantify your achievements wherever possible.

* Cover Letter: Use action verbs to tell a story about your skills and experience. Explain how you achieved results and what you learned from the experience.

* Online Profiles: Use action verbs to describe your skills and achievements in any online profiles, such as LinkedIn or Twitter bio.

Final Tips

Here are some final tips for using action verbs in your job application:

* Use specific, descriptive verbs whenever possible.

* Quantify your achievements wherever possible.

* Avoid filler words like "responsible for" and "managed."

* Tailor your action verbs to the job you're applying for.

* Use action verbs to tell a story about your skills and experience.

By following these tips and using the right action verbs, you can create a job application that stands out from the crowd and shows the reader that you're a skilled, results-driven professional.