Free Resources to Help You Build a Powerful Résumé

Tired of searching online for free résumé resources? Here’s an aggregated list to help you save time and focus on what’s really important: writing a powerful résumé.

I. Examples of qualifications summaries

In today’s market, recruiters get dozens or hundreds of résumés for each opening, so they decide within about 6 seconds whether a résumé goes in the Yes, No, or Maybe pile. If recruiters can’t see your qualifications quickly, your résumé won’t pass the 6-second test. An effective qualifications summary greatly increases your chance of landing in the Yes pile.

Registered Nurse

• 12 years’ experience as a Registered Nurse, including clinical research and coordination of cardiology clinical trials
• 9 years’ experience in direct patient care, including pre- and post-op, and pediatric cardiology
• Led a 4-person team that restructured nursing shift scheduling, reducing absenteeism 26% and cutting overtime costs in half
• Thorough knowledge of federal and state healthcare regulations

Marketing Communications Associate

• 2.5 years as Marketing Coordinator for a mid-size communications firm producing flyers, advertisements, brochures, and online content
• BA in Marketing and Communications
• 2 years’ blogging experience promoting and reviewing on-campus social events
• Committed to building expertise in web communications, social media, and search engine marketing

Facilities Maintenance Technician

HVAC-certified maintenance technician with more than 7 years of experience in building and grounds maintenance in multi-unit residential and healthcare facilities. Expertise includes painting and wall coverings, apartment make-ready services, general electrical and plumbing repairs, coordinating licensed vendors, and power and hand tool use.

Biomedical Scientist

• 6+ years research experience in biomedical engineering, including biosensors, microfluidics, electrochemistry, and biomaterials
• Independent researcher collaborating with 10+ biochemists and bioengineers across labs and institutions
• First author of 4 peer-reviewed journal publications and 3 conference presentations
• Experienced lab manager who trained and supervised graduate students, interns and visiting scholars

II. Examples of PAR statements

PAR (Problem, Actions, Results) statements are a succinct way to express an experience. They let the employer read a few major bullet points on your key accomplishments:

• Upgraded three computer systems and related communication equipment, increasing the volume of transactions and sales processed by 30%.
• Promoted team building, cross-functional training and employee involvement, increasing productivity by 23%.
• Instituted recruiter accountability for the quality of hires, met or exceeded hiring requirements, and increased employee retention.
• Eliminated duplication of paperwork in a struggling department by auditing and streamlining procedures.
• Implemented a $75,000 electronic data interchange program that cut overall operating expenses by $800,000 annually.
• Developed customized reports monitoring maintenance productivity, dramatically increasing uptime and cutting costs by more than $262,000 annually.
• Developed and managed strategies for a $200,000 division, increasing revenues by 22%.
• Consistently performed at 15% above quota in a three-state sales territory for 12 consecutive quarters.
• Managed the outsourcing of payroll, saving approximately $75,000 in labor and costs while improving the overall service level.

III. Examples of action verbs

Employers want to know what you’ve accomplished, so your résumé should contain action-oriented verbs. They describe a specific action and create a clear visual image. A list provided by Harvard Law School includes:

accelerated, accomplished, achieved, acquired, activated, adapted, administered, advised, allocated, analyzed, anticipated, applied, appraised, arranged, assembled, assessed, authored, balanced, briefed, budgeted, built, catalogued, chaired, clarified, coded, collaborated, compiled, composed, computed, conducted, consolidated, constructed, contracted, conveyed, coordinated, counseled, created, critiqued, defined, delegated, delivered, demonstrated, designed, determined, developed, devised, directed, distributed, drafted, edited, educated, established, evaluated, examined, executed, expanded, expedited, explained, facilitated, financed, focused, forecasted, formulated, fostered, founded, generated, guided, identified, illustrated, implemented, improved, increased, informed, initiated, instituted, instructed, interpreted, interviewed, introduced, invented, investigated, led, maintained, managed, marketed, mastered, measured, mediated, modified, monitored, motivated, negotiated, observed, operated, organized, originated, outlined, oversaw, performed, persuaded, planned, presented, presided, produced, provided, recommended, recorded, recruited, reduced, repaired, reported, represented, researched, resolved, restored, reviewed, revised, scheduled, selected, served, shaped, simplified, solved, specified, streamlined, structured, supervised, supported, synthesized, targeted, taught, tested, trained, translated, updated, utilized, verified, and wrote.

IV. Examples of hobbies and interests

Adding a section for personal interests can add value to your résumé — it tells the employer something specific about your personality and how you might fit the company culture. A few examples and what they signal:

1. Individual sports (marathon running) — you’re fit and enjoy challenges.
2. Team sports (basketball) — you excel at teamwork and have leadership skills.
3. Tech hobbies (computing) — you’re tech-savvy.
4. Puzzles (crosswords) — you’re an analytical thinker with problem-solving skills.
5. Games (chess) — you’re an intelligent strategist.
6. Social hobbies (mentoring) — you communicate well and connect with others.
7. Traveling — you’re eager to experience new cultures and environments.
8. Volunteer work / community involvement — relevant for companies actively involved in their communities.

This list of free résumé resources is complementary to the step-by-step guide on how to write a résumé.