2019-2020 Purdue University Career Success Handbook

Power Verbs for Your Resume

Bullets Formula Skill Statements POWER VERB (SKILL) + IDENTIFIABLE TASK + PURPOSE/METHOD/RESULT |_____ Choose one of the above _____| Purpose (Why did you do it?) • Performed gear mapping for transmissions to optimize shift patterns, fuel economy and available power

Method (How did you do it?) • Collected quantitative infrared imaging using a high speed infrared camera

Result (What happened because of what you did?) • Designed and implemented latches for condensation vents to reduce water leakage creating a safer work environment

T he following lists are divided into categories to facilitate your ability to identify some great, active verbs to make your resume stand out. Begin each of your descriptive lines with a power verb. Keep the tenses consistent using past verbs for past experiences and present verbs for the current ones.

WorkingWith PEOPLE: Communication Circulate Clarify Collaborate Communicate Compose Correspond Demonstrate Document Edit Engage Entertain

Partner Perform Pitch Plan Present Promote Proofread Publicize Relate Relay Report Review Revise Summarize Syndicate Translate Transcribe

Encourage Enlist Ensure Grade Guide Influence Instruct Introduce

Attend Coordinate Convince Dispense Disseminate Distribute Fundraise Influence Launch Lobby

Assure Bargain Care Coach Collaborate Confer Confront Consult Converse Cooperate Encourage Familiarize Form Foster Fulfill Implement Inform Interact Intervene Join Listen Litigate Critique Develop

Mediate Motivate Negotiate Participate

Partner Provide Recommend Reconcile Rehabilitate Represent Resolve Share Suggest

Lecture Mentor Program Provide

Persuade Publicize

Rate Steer

Publish Recruit Screen Sell Service Target

Administrative/ Management Accelerate Accomplish Achieve Act Administer

Suggest Support Teach Test

Exhibit Explain Express

Teaching/Advising Advise

Illustrate Interpret Interview Investigate Lecture Optimize

Train Tutor

Interpersonal Relations Accommodate Adapt Anticipate

Correct Counsel Demonstrate Display

Public Relations Advertise Advocate

Allocate Approve Assign

16 Center for Career Opportunities