Which type of words make your key abilities and attributes jump off the page?

• A. Nouns
• B. Action Verbs
• C. Pronouns
• D. Adjectives

Answer: (B)

Action verbs are best because they show what you did and the impact you had. They turn abilities and attributes into concrete actions, making your overall message feel active and capable. Nouns name things, adjectives describe qualities, and pronouns replace nouns; none of these directly demonstrate an action or result.

Think of it this way: instead of saying you are "creative" or a "leader," you illustrate that creativity or leadership by what you actually did—“led a cross-functional team,” “developed and launched,” “increased sales by 20%,” or “streamlined processes.” These verbs reveal the activity, scope, and outcome, which is what makes your qualifications jump off the page. When you write, start with a strong action verb and, whenever possible, include numbers or outcomes to strengthen the impact.