Action Words for Applications

 

Using active, positive words (these are normally verbs) in a CV or in an application form can give it additional impact and make a stronger impression on potential employers. Use action words (also called buzz words) to put over what you have achieved in vacation jobs or posts of responsibility - not just the tasks you have carried out.

For example, rather than writing:

"For my final-year project, I had to carry out a survey of patients' attitudes to health care services for the elderly. Thisinvolved interviewing patients in hospital and in their homes. A database was used to keep track of data collected. This project was finished on time and was awarded a 2.1 grade."

You should instead write:

"Devised and prepared a survey of patients' attitudes to health care services for the elderly as my final-year project.Interviewed 70 elderly patients and obtained a substantial amount of data. Created a database to analyse and interpretthis material. Completed this project three weeks ahead of schedule and achieved a 2.1 grade."

The first example starts with a number of weak and passive verbs (in red) whereas the second example contains strong targeted active verbs (again in red) such as devised and created which suggests a person who has initiative and takes action.

Action words help to give an impression of a positive, motivated person who knows how to present themselves in a businesslike way and will be likely to succeed in a variety of work areas whereas passive verbs such as had to and went suggest the opposite.

SOME MORE ACTION WORDS FOR YOUR CV OR APPLICATION FORM

Don't try to use them all at once - but they will help to offer some ideas for a more dynamic CV

Planned	Devised	Achieved
Developed	Liaised (spell it right!)	Evaluated
Supervised	Co-ordinated	Managed
Administered	Controlled	Selected
Created	Instructed	Negotiated
Designed	Researched	Analysed
Discovered	Recommended	Tested
Diagnosed	Budgeted	Monitored
Evaluated	Examined	Assessed
Promoted	Sold	Advised
Selected	Trained	Taught
Explained	Presented	Conducted
Distributed	Organised	Solved
Represented	Persuaded	Calculated
Completed	Arranged	Responsible for

Admissions advisers at the University of Hertfordshire drew up a list of the 10 top words to make a good impression in applications.
The top ten words to make a good impression Achievement Active Developed Evidence Experience Impact Individual Involved Planning Transferable skills	Ten words to make a poor impression Always, Awful Bad Fault Hate Mistake Never Nothing Panic Problems