How to Choose the Right Words for an Entry Level Resume

If you've just graduated from college and are looking to land your first gig, you'll need a great resume.
Here are three words I recommend that recent grads include in their resumes.

Things You'll Need

• Computer
• Resume

Instructions

1. "Responded"

   I like this one best for recent grads because it offers a fancy way to detail how you answered calls and memos. And we all know that during your internships or summer jobs you managed a lot of busy work. Instead of stating that you answered telephone calls, you can use it to say you responded to customer inquiries. It shows that you can leverage even the most piddly experience into a diplomatic document.

2. 

   "Generated"

   This is another great word for grads to use to help make busy-work jobs sound a little more appealing. Did you put together executive reports while you rotted away at that much-required internship? Don't just say that you compiled reports--state that you generated them. It's a power word that shows you can make things happen.

3. "Innovated"

   I love this word because it goes beyond what "created" can say. Use this one to highlight what you did that went above and beyond. For example, did you create a new spreadsheet that helped to better organize employee training schedules? Say that you innovated it! Again, it's just a simple synonym but it offers a bit more power than the standard "I made that." Use it for little things--anything--that you did to improve business processes; this shows that you work to improve corporate objectives.

Tips & Warnings

• Use an objective only if you're an entry-level candidate with little experience. It should state what you want to do.