From 'Helped' to 'Led': How Women Can Use Power Words to Strengthen Their Resumes
When applying for jobs, the words you choose to describe your experience can make a significant difference in how hiring managers perceive your skills and leadership potential. Many women unknowingly use passive or modest language on their resumes, which can downplay their contributions and leadership capabilities. By using power words—assertive, action-oriented verbs—you can make your accomplishments stand out and position yourself as a strong candidate for higher-level roles.
The Power of Language in Resumes
Research has shown that women are more likely to use collaborative and supportive language in their resumes, while men tend to use more assertive and results-driven terms. While teamwork is an essential skill, resumes should highlight impact and initiative rather than just participation. Words like “assisted,” “helped,” or “supported” may make it seem like you played a secondary role in your achievements. Instead, stronger verbs like “led,” “managed,” or “orchestrated” demonstrate that you took ownership of tasks and drove results.
Transforming Resume Language with Power Words
Here are some examples of how to reframe common resume phrases with stronger action verbs:
Instead of “Assisted with project implementation”, say “Executed project plans, ensuring timely completion”
Instead of “Helped organize team meetings”, say “Coordinated and facilitated team meetings to improve collaboration”
Instead of “Was responsible for training new employees”, say “Developed and led training programs for new hires”
Instead of “Worked on a marketing campaign”, say “Designed and executed a strategic marketing campaign that increased engagement by 30%”
These small shifts make a big impact in how your contributions are perceived. Instead of appearing as a passive participant, you come across as someone who takes initiative and delivers results.
How to Identify Your Key Achievements
Before updating your resume, take a moment to reflect on your accomplishments. Ask yourself:
Did I lead a project or initiative?
Did I improve a process or increase efficiency?
Did I mentor or train others?
Did I contribute to measurable business results?
Once you identify these moments, use powerful, specific language to highlight your impact. Quantifying results (e.g., “increased revenue by 15%” or “reduced processing time by 20%”) makes your contributions even more compelling.
Overcoming the Fear of Self-Promotion
Many women hesitate to use strong language on their resumes due to concerns about appearing arrogant. However, advocating for yourself doesn’t mean exaggerating—it means clearly communicating your value. If you struggle with this, try framing it as simply stating the facts. Employers want to hire people who can confidently articulate their skills and contributions.
Final Thoughts
Your resume is your personal marketing tool, and the words you use can influence hiring decisions. By shifting from passive to assertive language, you can present yourself as a confident leader ready to take on greater responsibilities. Take a close look at your resume today—are your words working for you or holding you back? A few small tweaks could be the key to landing your next opportunity.
