Using Action Orientated Verbs To Get Your CV Noticed

While in leadership roles and through working with clients I have reviewed hundreds if not thousands of CV’s from accountants and other professionals.

 

A few of them stood out and in truth the vast majority of them are so bland and generic that they really are never going to get attention.

 

Yet often using action orientated verbs can turn your CV from run of the mill to attention getting.

 

So what action orientated verbs might accountants use to effectively market themselves on their CV?  Here are a few examples to get you started.

 

Achieved

 

Achieved a 25% improvement in debtor days which improved cash flow

 

Achieved a 3 day close down at month end

 

Achieved a £1million saving on the company’s tax bill

 

Assisted

 

Assisted in production of a business case that got the organisation an additional £2m of funding

 

Assisted in a negotiation with a supplier and achieved a 10% reduction in price.

 

Assisted in developing a business improvement plan for a division that was losing market share

 

Convinced

 

Convinced Operational Managers to work in partnership with Finance

 

Convinced a client to implement audit recommendations to reduce business risk

 

Convinced doubters of the viability of a financial plan

 

Improved

 

Improved a business process by making greater use of technology

 

Improved morale in the Finance team

 

Improved client satisfaction

 

Maximised

 

Maximised the return gained on surplus cash without increasing risk

 

Maximised returns on investment from major business cases

 

Maximised the effectiveness of credit control procedures to reduce debtor days

 

Saved

 

Saved 2 days per month by automating a process or procedure that was carried out manually

 

Saved the company £500,000 by implementing a just in time stock system that reduced stock holdings

 

Saved time without compromising quality by eliminating non added value activities

 

Implemented

 

Implemented a new accounting system

 

Implemented a new procedure

 

Implemented new working practices

 

Implemented a significant change

 

The Reality: CV’s are scanned rather than being read so make sure there are plenty action orientated verbs to get your CV noticed and you invited to more job interviews.

Duncan Brodie helps accountants and other business professionals to achieve more career success.  He invites you to sign up for his free audio masterclass here

 

About the Author Duncan Brodie

Since 2006 I’ve worked with in excess of 8,000 accountants and professionals in workshops, seminars and one to one helping them land their next jobs and become better leaders, presenters and business partners. Before that I spent 25 years in accountancy climbing the career ladder from Payments Clerk to FD. I’m a CIMA Fellow, Certified Professional Coach and Team Coach Facilitator.

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