Many companies receive hundreds, if not thousands, of resumes every day. Ultra-busy hiring managers have little interest in reading generic, uninspiring resume content that doesn’t convey who you are, what you’ve done, and what you could do for them. Do yourself – and hiring managers across the country – a favor. Set yourself apart! Paint a compelling picture on your resume using vivid, powerful verbs.

When writing your resume, it’s essential to avoid mundane, non-descript phrases at the beginning of each bullet, including the highly repetitive resume phrases ‘Responsible for’ and ‘Managed.’ If you led a team, think about incorporating verbs such as ‘Inspired,’ ‘Influenced,’ and ‘Transformed’ to demonstrate your leadership abilities— and your impact. Think about the message you’re trying to convey and use descriptive action verbs to win the attention of hiring managers. Focus on the first five words in each of the bullets on your resume, as that’s the content recruiters are most likely to read. Don’t be afraid to get a little creative and show your personality while still conveying a professional image. Here’s a list of power verbs, published by The Muse, to consider incorporating in your resume when highlighting the accomplishments that will set you apart.

If you’re thinking about developing a compelling resume to jumpstart your job search in 2016, contact San Francisco-based, top professional resume writer, Robin Kelley, for a complimentary call to discuss next steps in your career.