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When I ask for more details about what they do (or did) at their job, I typically get replies that describe the duties of the job, not how they got the job done.
It is difficult to shift into a mode where you think about "how" you do/did your job and how that makes/made a difference for your employers.
This is an essential mind-set you must adopt if you want to give your resume the best chance of floating to the top of the pile.
You must show yourself in action providing valuable benefits to your employer.
So how do you accomplish this task? Value of Choosing Action Verbs in a Resume You would never say on a resume "Am in charge of accounts payable and receivable.
" Verbs such as am, is, was, were show no action.
They are passive, and you will look passive if you use them.
Even if you are a wall-flower type, chances are good that when you get on the job, you don't do your job passively.
You get in there and do it.
Instead, you use action verbs in a resume.
"Ensure accounts payable and receivable are always current.
Pursue collections on receivables.
" You have provided details here that describe how you approach your job.
You are looking out for your employer.
When you can show a benefit to the employer through your actions, it is even better.
For example, if you came into a position where things were a mess when you started, you should take the opportunity to show how you got things sorted out, how quickly, and/or how your efforts resulted in financial benefits to the employer.
For example, let's say you started work at company that had a backlog of service orders that went back three months.
You cleared all the back orders within a month and kept the company current from there on out.
This stopped customer complaints to regulatory agencies.
You also organized the shop so materials that were on hand were used.
You have several positive actions to highlight.
"Providing maintenance services to four apartment complexes.
At hire, met three month's backlog of services orders and four disorganized maintenance shops.
Cleared back orders in one month.
Organized maintenance shops within two months.
Eliminated orders for materials already in stock.
Reduced maintenance costs.
Eliminated fines for lack of compliance to county codes.
" The first statement provides context.
Second provides condition.
Each action statement afterwards demonstrates actions that benefited the employer.
This is a Context-Condition-Action formula.
This should be your goal for every piece of information you included in your resume.
Show context.
Show condition.
Show action.
If there wasn't a condition to overcome, then move straight from context to action.
Importance of Parallel Structure in a Resume Sometimes the job title itself will provide the context.
Then you can move straight into showing action.
There isn't a strict formula you must follow.
Just be consistent with whatever "formula" you choose to present your information.
For example, if you use a Context-Condition-Action formula for one employer, try to use it for every employer.
Also use this same format for each point you choose to highlight.
If you choose Context-Action, stick to it.
This is a writing technique called parallel structure.
I mention this because it truly helps you demonstrate action more effectively.
Using parallel structure adds another benefit as well.
It goes a long ways toward demonstrating your organizational skills.
That's another benefit you want to demonstrate on your resume.
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