Step 6: Language

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​Your resume should have effective language showing your experiences to the hiring official. You want to provide as best of a description as possible so the employer will believe you are a good fit for the company. There are many ways to build up your experience with words. In this step, you will learn how to use the employer’s language, quantifying and qualifying, using parallel structure, and refraining from fluff.
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Use the employer’s language
Again, this is where your research will pay off. You will need to use the language of the employer and the industry. For example, if your chosen employer and industry value leadership traits, then you should consider titling your activities as "Leadership Experience.” If the employer, industry or job description mentions strong management skills, then you should describe your past experiences and responsibilities using the word managed. If the position calls for training employees or clients, then make sure you describe your past experiences with the word trained. You get the picture? Using key words that match with the employer’s terminology will get your resume noticed.

Use action verbs
When describing accomplishments, use strong action verbs.

Here’s a list of many strong action verbs that you can easily use to describe your accomplishments.

Quantify and qualify
When showing your related experiences and responsibilities, you will need to do more than restate the job description. You can accomplish this by quantifying and qualifying whenever you can.

For example:

• If you worked as a budget analyst, you should put in the size of the budget that you analyzed
• If you trained employees at a past job, then include the number of employees in total with whom you have trained
• If you worked as a graphic designer, you should list the software used to put together for your campaigns
• If you taught elementary school students, then you should note the age of the students and how many students in each level of proficiency

Examples

From this:
Responsible for supervising employees

To this:
Supervised 12 salespeople, 5 cashiers and 2 service desk representatives


From this:
Worked on setting up a SharePoint page

To this:
Designed and developed a SharePoint site involving 55 pages using Dreamweaver software


From this:
Responsible for all aspects of annual wine festival fundraiser

To this:
Coordinated with 25 vendors, designed marketing and promotional materials including print and TV ads, flyers, and programs; organized and scheduled 75 volunteers; and managed a $100,000 budget for the annual Colorado Springs wine festival fundraiser

Use parallel language
When writing your experiences, you need to be consistent and use parallel language. Parallel language is using the same structure for each entry. Typically, entries are written starting with strong action verbs to describe the experience. Make sure the verb tense is the same. You should use past-tense verbs with past experiences and present-tense verbs with present responsibilities.

Here is an example that doesn’t use parallel language:
XYZ Company – Denver, CO            January 8, 2010 – March 19, 2012
Event Planner

• Was responsible for coordinating 18 vendors
• Print ads, brochures, flyers, and programs
• organize 75 volunteers
• Managed a $90,000 budget for the annual fundraiser wine festival

Here is an example that does use parallel language:
XYZ Company – Denver, CO            January 8, 2010 – March 19, 2012
Event Planner

• Coordinated arrangements with 18 vendors
• Designed marketing materials including print ads, brochures, flyers, and programs
• Organized the schedule for 75 volunteers
• Managed a $90,000 budget for the annual fundraiser wine festival

Avoid fluff
You will do well if you refrain from using material that does not apply to the prospective job. You only need to include information that the employers will want to know so that they can decide if you are the person they want to hire. The employer doesn’t care if you won the New York City marathon unless you are applying for a physical trainer type of position.

Remember:

• Include everything that is important to marketing yourself for the job.
• Keep out everything else
• Use clear and concise language. You don’t need flowery adjectives and useless adverbs.  In other words, Get to the point!