“Responsible for” is one of the weakest verb phases you can use on your resume. One of the first lessons I learned while taking courses in resume writing was this: The phrase “responsible for” does not belong on a resume.
Instead, you want to use strong verbs that tell hiring managers and recruiters how you handled responsibilities. How did you apply your skills, experience, and education? What results did you achieve? This will differentiate you from the thousands of other folks who have held your job title and are applying for the same job you are. Tell hiring managers why you are the person they need to hire for the job.
Hiring managers and recruiters want to know what you accomplished. In a resume, that information is shared through bullet points under each of your current and prior roles. For example, you might begin a series of bullet points this way:
- Increased efficiency by…
- Saved $50,000 by…
- Raised customer satisfaction by…
- Improved communications between…
- Expedited changes in…
- Led team that…
- Mentored new employees by…
- Designed process that…
These verbs—increased, saved, raised, improved, expedited, led, mentored, designed—all show that you actively participated in your job. They are strong verbs because they are varied, concise, clear, and direct. If you were “responsible for answering phones,” then you “answered phones”—simply removing “responsible for” tightens up the statement and makes it stronger.
Let’s say you are a beginning graphic designer who has had held two very similar positions. But in each job, you worked for different companies and created specific types of designs, communicated with different team members, reported to a different level of supervisor, and employed slightly different software tools. Notice the verbs: worked with, created, communicated, reported, and employed—all leading to statements that are much more specific and stronger than “responsible for graphic design.”
Every career moves on its own path, regardless of the bare facts stated in a job description. Through bullets that begin with strong verbs, you will make your own path stand out to hiring managers and recruiters. If you are struggling to find the right words to strengthen your resume and show how you will add value to the job and company for the hiring manager, please contact Robin’s Resumes® today.