Introduction
Are you looking for the best way to make your resume stand out? Incorporating powerful call-to-action (CTA) phrases into your resume can be an effective way to ensure that you leave a lasting impression on hiring managers. But what scientifically defines a CTA? And why should you even include them in your resume? In this article, we’ll discover the answers to these questions, and outline the top call-to-action phrases you should include in your resume.
A call-to-action (CTA) is a phrase used to prompt a desired response from the reader. Common CTA examples are ‘Apply Now’, ‘Learn More’, or ‘Call Today’. When used in marketing, CTAs are usually used to inspire an action from potential customers. CTAs can be used in other professional writings as well, such as resumes, to encourage employers to take action.
When it comes to resumes, the power of CTAs lies in how concisely they can communicate your desired goal, allowing employers to quickly spot what the document is trying to achieve, which is usually something along the lines of ‘Please hire me!’ By incorporating brief and powerful CTAs into your resume, you can create a strong impression and make your qualifications shine. Your resume will stand out from the others in the pile, especially if it contains relevant and interesting CTA phrases.
Benefits of Utilizing Call-to-Actions
A. Stand Out Above Other Applicants
One of the most effective ways to stand out among other job applicants is to use call-to-action phrases in your resumes and cover letters. These persuasive phrases can help to grab the attention of employers, setting your application apart from the others. They can be especially effective when used on a cover letter to direct employers to your resume or to encourage them to take a specific action like visiting your online portfolio. With effective call-to-action phrases you can show prospective employers that you are an ambitious and determined candidate and make them more likely to read and consider your application.
B. Demonstrate Your Eagerness and Motivation
Using call-to-action phrases in your resumes and cover letters is a great way to demonstrate your enthusiasm and motivation. Specific, targeted phrases like ‘I am committed to’ or ‘I am eager to’ can emphasize your active interest in the opportunity. Creating a dynamic and energetic impression can show prospective employers that you are the right person for the job, and set you up to land an interview.
C. Lead Employers to Key Information
Including call-to-action phrases in your resumes and cover letters can also help to draw potential employers to the key information they need to make a decision. Subtly guiding employers to points like your skills, qualifications, and contact details is an effective way to ensure they have the proper information to decide to interview you. For example, you could include a phrase like ‘I am excited to discuss how my qualifications match the role’ to encourage employers to focus on what you bring to the job.
By utilizing call-to-action phrases in your resumes and cover letters, you can make sure your application stands out above other applicants, demonstrate your eagerness and motivation, and lead employers to key information. With the help of these persuasive phrases, you can increase your chances of getting an interview and advancing your job search.
Different Types of Call-to-Action Phrases to Include
A. Action
There is no time to waste when it comes to including call-to-action phrases in your resume! Some great action-oriented phrases to consider include: “initiated the project,” “chartered course of action,” “influenced decisions,” and “enacted change.” These phrases can put the focus on tangible projects and tasks you completed, showing decision-makers how you took action and got things done.
B. Results-Oriented
Getting results is what can really set you apart in the job market! Adding phrases like “achieved success,” “created a solution,” “generated greater efficiency,” and “impacted growth” to your resume gives the reader a clear sense of the actual results you obtained. This can help decision-makers envision the positive outcomes you could bring to their organization.
C. Motivational
Let your call-to-action phrases provide a shot of inspiration to decision-makers! Phrases like “driven motivation,” “pursued excellence,” “exceeded expectations,” and “elevated performance” can showcase how you’ve gone above and beyond and help readers understand your level of professional commitment.
D. Confidence-Boosting
When employers comb through resumes, they’re looking for someone that stands out from the rest. Including phrases like “demonstrated capability,” “appointed to lead,” “relied upon by peers,” and “trusted advisor” on your resume can show employers that your colleagues had confidence in you, which is sure to leave them feeling the same.
Examples of Call-to-Action Phrases
A. Action Phrases
• ‘Took initiative to create new projects’
• ‘Initiated changes that increased productivity’
• ‘Led team efforts to achieve successful outcomes’
• ‘Developed methods to streamline processes’
• ‘Assisted with improvements to the department’s workflow’
B. Results-Oriented Phrases
• ‘Cut costs while maintaining quality service’
• ‘Consistently exceeded goals and expectations’
• ‘Contributed to record-setting sales numbers’
• ‘Generated cost savings for the company’
• ‘Received high customer satisfaction ratings’
C. Motivational Phrases
• ‘Encouraged coworkers to meet challenges’
• ‘Provided guidance to promote team unity’
• ‘Worked on tight deadlines and challenging tasks’
• ‘Proposed solutions to difficult problems’
• ‘Grew relationships with key clients’
D. Confidence-Boosting Phrases
• ‘Performed duties with accuracy and efficiency’
• ‘Prioritized tasks to ensure timely completion’
• ‘Reliable contributor with a positive attitude’
• ‘Managed difficult projects to successful results’
• ‘Adapted easily to changing project requirements’
Tips on Incorporating Call-to-Action Phrases into Your Resume
Whether you’re a recent graduate just entering the job market or an experienced professional switching industries, standing out in a crowded job market is a difficult challenge. Supplementing your resume with call-to-action phrases can be a great way to capture the attention of potential employers. Here are a few tips on how to strategically add affective call-to-action phrases to your resume.
A. Identify Where You Want the Employer to Focus
Think about the areas of your resume in which you want an employer to focus their attention. If you’re in a managerial role or have led a large-scale project and want to emphasize that point, use a call-to-action phrase directing the reader to this information. This will help them understand the value and impact of your experience right away.
B. Utilize Verbs to Your Advantage
Verbs are often your best friends when it comes to call-to-action phrases. Words like “create,” “innovate,” “troubleshoot,” and “strategize” can all help give clarity to the impact you had on past projects, and you can use phrases that emphasize these verbs to grab the employers’ attention.
C. Make Sure the Phrases Make Sense and Are Extremely Relevant
Be sure that the call-to-action phrases you use are relevant to the job you’re applying for and make sense to the reader. For example, if you’re applying for a web design position, using a phrase like “led the development of a website” would be a more relevant example than “created an Excel spreadsheet.”
D. Don’t Overload Your Resume with Phrases
When incorporating call-to-action phrases into your resume, it’s important to be concise and focused. Be sure not to overload your resume with phrases or your message will be lost in a sea of words. Focus on just a few key accomplishments and use call-to-action phrases to emphasize your strengths.
Including effective call-to-action phrases in your resume can be a great way to stand out in a crowded job market. By being strategic and focusing on the areas you wish to emphasize, you can make a big impact on potential employers and increase your chances of getting noticed.
Conclusion
This article has provided readers with the top call-to-action phrases to include in a resume. We went over which phrases work best in different situations, why they are beneficial, and which ones should be avoided. Additionally, we discussed how to include call-to-action phrases in a resume and why doing so is important.
Overall, call-to-action phrases can be incredibly beneficial when looking for a job. Not only do they help showcase a candidate’s qualifications, but they can also help demonstrate that the candidate’s skills can be applied to a potential job. Additionally, including call-to-action phrases in a resume can make it stand out from others and make the candidate more noticeable to employers. By selecting the best call-to-action phrases and properly utilizing them, job seekers can increase their chances of landing interviews.
So, if you’re on the hunt for a job, taking the time to consider which call-to-action phrases to include in your resume could potentially give you a huge leg-up on the competition!