What Are Power Words in a CV?

Power words demonstrate your qualifications for the job and capture an employer’s attention. They emphasize your achievements and abilities and help prove your expertise. Here are some examples of power words:

• Achieved
• Implemented
• Improved
• Led
• Managed
• Developed
• Designed
• Increased
• Reduced
• Launched
• Directed
• Initiated
• Generated
• Facilitated
• Negotiated
• Coordinated
• Executed
• Optimized
• Resolved
• Supervised

Besides action verbs, you can use powerful adjectives for your resume that emphasize your capabilities and character. Examples include: efficient, innovative, reliable, strategic, and adaptable.

Power words are especially valuable when companies use applicant tracking systems (ATS), which scan for specific keywords relevant to the employer. Therefore, include words that match the job description in your resume to highlight relevant skills and experiences, making you appear an ideal candidate.

How we review the content at LiveCareer

Our editorial team has reviewed this article for compliance with Livecareer’s editorial guidelines. It’s to ensure that our expert advice and recommendations are consistent across all our career guides and align with current CV and cover letter writing standards and trends. We’re trusted by over 10 million job seekers, supporting them on their way to finding their dream job. Each article is preceded by research and scrutiny to ensure our content responds to current market trends and demand.