Powerful Verbs

In the recent past,because resumes were scanned, we were told that they were usually scanned for nouns. Well, apparently now experts advise us to have plenty of good action verbs.

Suzanne Simpson has good advice about verbs:
"Verb Guidelines
* Remember to use present-tense verbs for your current job except for obvious cases of past accomplishments in your current job. Use past-tense verbs for your past jobs.
* Vary your verbs. Avoid beginning consecutive bullet points with the same verb.
* Keep verb forms parallel (more about this subject in Chapter 6, Keeping it Parallel). Generally, use simple present-tense verbs in describing your current job, not present-participle (-ing) verbs.
* Watch tricky verbs, such as "lead" (present tense). The past tense of "lead" sounds like the metal, "lead," but is spelled "led."
* Apply the "So what?" question. Does each bullet point in your resume arrest the reader's attention and excite him or her? Or does it inspire the reader to ask "so what?" To avoid a "So what?" response, use picturesque verbs."

Suzanne gives examples of replacing weak verbs with powerful ones and has an extensive list of powerful verbs for your resume and cover letter:

http://www.quintcareers.com/action_alpha.html