Using the passive voice — where the subject is acted upon by something else — is not impactful on a resume. Yet it happens all the time!
While we may express ourselves daily using the passive voice, the problem with using it on a resume is that it downplays your accomplishments. You are responsible for your own career, so why make it sound like you stood on the sidelines and watched it happen when you were directly involved? You must use the active voice in order to take responsibility for your actions and prove you get results.
Typically, you don’t use “I” on a resume, so how can you tweak statements to show your active voice? Start each bullet point with an action verb that connects your work to what goals you accomplished. For example:
- Increased Twitter engagement by six percent
- Created wireframes for new company website
- Implemented new design standards for the department
- Hired new interns as part of creative team
- Managed copywriting calendar
By phrasing each achievement in the active voice, it makes your involvement and accomplishment clear and easy to understand for the hiring manager. You didn’t experience an increase in social media engagement — you led the growth. That distinction is the thing that can set you apart. Of course, you should include “my or our team” or something similar when it applies to a group effort, however the active voice lets you take credit for your best work.
Remember, your resume has a very finite amount of real estate, yet limitations can breed creativity!
Ignore the passive voice and use action verbs that will define your specific and unique skills and experiences.