Experience Descriptors

 

When you write the descriptions of your work experience, follow these guidelines:


1) Be specific: Take a look at the progression of these descriptions:


These descriptions are vague:

  • "Developed and implemented marketing strategies"
  • "Conducted due diligence"
  • "Prepared monthly statements"
  • "Supervised employees"

The same statements, rewritten, become more descriptive:

  • "Directed product and pricing strategy for the PawPrints pet food line"
  • "Completed due diligence on a wide range of merger and acquisition targets"
  • "Generated monthly managerial accounting statements"
  • "Supervised programmers and business analysts"

Rewritten one last time, they describe your accomplishments. This is what you are aiming for!

  • "Directed channel strategies, brand positioning, and a $4M budget for the PawPrints pet food line"
  • "Completed due diligence on 22 potential merger and acquisition targets ranging in asset size from $300 million to $32 billion"
  • "Generated monthly managerial accounting statements for use in tracking divisional asset management goals"
  • "Directed company's largest divisional team of programmers and business analysts"

2) Use strong results-oriented terms and list your achievements.


Examples include:


"resulted in…"
"returning..."
"secured..."
"contributed to..."
"to meet requirements of..."

"achieving…"
"decreased..."
"generated..."
"established..."
"captured cost savings..."

 "promoted to…"
"guaranteed..."
"streamlined...by..."
"recognized as..."
"reducing costs by..."		 "increased..."
"instituted..."
"instrumental in..."
"realized savings of..."

Consult our list of "Action Verbs, High Impact phrases and Personality Descriptors" at the end of this section. Always state the contributions you made, or how your work added value to the organization.


3) Use key words.


Some hiring companies house resumes on a database and scan resumes based on key skills to find qualified candidates for open positions. You should keep a log of key words for your specific industry and function. Reviewing job postings may provide you with some of the keywords recruiters are looking for. Another great source is the list by clicking here and the book 1500+ Key Words for $100,000+ Jobs by Wendy S. Enelow.


Other categories you may want to consider having in your resume include:

  • Computer skills
  • Other specialized skills that pertain to the position you are applying for
  • Foreign languages
  • Honors
  • Leadership activities
  • Associations
  • Travel
  • Key Words


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