Imagine your resume at the top of the recruiter’s pile—where it belongs. Try focusing on word scarcity

Remember, the art of resume writing is about balance—providing enough information to be impressive while avoiding unnecessary words. Keep it simple, keep it clear, and watch your resume rise to the top of the pile.

Some ideas for you managers out there! Lean on your management style “buzzword” to streamline your word salad…like these:

Management styles
Authoritative (tell ’em what to do and punish if they don’t do it)

Persuasive (convince ‘em your ideas are better and invite real discussion)

Paternalistic (love ‘em for loyalty)

Consultative (open it all up for collaboration, but make the final decision)

Participative (more collaboration until we all agree)

Collaborative (enough collaboration, let’s all vote)

Transformational (push ‘em with inspiration towards efficiency and expansion)

Coaching (coach ‘em for succession)

Delegative (give ‘em the work and check it when it’s done)

Visionary (motivate ‘em towards your goals and vision)

Now for your resume EXPERIENCE section…

Your previous level of management and your experience in other departments will determine the amount of detail that goes into your resume. While some people feature an objective at the top of a resume, those seeking a career in management should use this space to highlight key skills and expertise in a short summary of statements. You can also provide your most recent job title in this overview to show how you align with the type of position you’re applying for. If your most recent position is the longest and most impressive, make sure your resume includes more information about this experience. The summary is also a good place to include the size of the companies you’ve worked for and the number of people you’ve managed at each stage of your career. You can also explain who you reported to, such as a senior manager or vice president.
Achievements

An employer will be very interested in what you accomplished as a manger in previous roles. It’s important to include a numerical list or outline of your accomplishments or notable milestones if you can. And if you successfully managed a certain dollar value of your department’s budget or project, your resume is the best place to include that for potential employers to review! The most efficient way to format your achievements is in a bulleted list under your experience section. Think about anything you did in a position and how it affected the company. Successes such as saving money, cutting costs, reducing time, improving staff productivity, and increasing sales are all valuable details a potential employer should be aware of.
Power Words

Using a combination of power verbs to describe responsibilities and achievements will greatly strengthen your resume. When you use these “buzzwords,” you’re allowing potential employers to identify you as a viable candidate. They separate you from others (including contenders that may not have relevant experience), which really helps recruiters find you in the endless pile of resumes they’re looking through on a daily basis. The easiest way to find the keywords to use is by looking at the resumes of those who are in a similar position you’re applying for. Take a look at profiles on LinkedIn, and look through other comparable job postings for inspiration. We know you’re a solid candidate for the job you’re applying for; just make sure you’re visible to those making the hiring decisions by using the right words to introduce yourself and your experience!

Some power verbs to consider are:

Managed
Led
Oversaw
Coordinated
Took on
Delivered
Negotiated
Planned
Trained

And another resource for you: