Power Resume Words
By Jeannette Webb
It is always interesting to me when I begin working with students.I look over their profile information:classes, grades, test scores, activity list, etc.It is usually interesting, but fairly generic. Only through talking with them do I gain insight into their life and extracurricular profile.
Quite often they have done spectacular things, but I totally miss the import of their work because of the choice of words used to describe it.
Unfortunately, they will never have the chance to explain their resume to a college admissions officer.The harried representative of my client’s dream college will only have5-15 minutes to look at my client’s entire folder. Word choice becomes vitally important and can make the difference in an acceptance or a rejection.
Do you know what words to use?
Most of us know words like “led” or “organized” or “planned.”But what about words like “launched” or “eliminated” or “produced” or “negotiated?”
Not only do most folks not know which words to use, they don’t know how to maximize opportunities for their children, how to help their children live from their heart, how to train them early for leadership, how to keep track of what they do.
It’s not rocket science, but neither is it intuitive for most parents.One of my greatest joys as a college consultant is to find the hidden gold in a client’s profile.The earlier I start with a student, the more opportunity we have to work together to help them find their strength and live it out.Listen to what Elisha has to say about this process,
“Another area of weakness for us, as for many homeschoolers, was extracurricular activities. Because my family lives in China, I didn’t have the traditional options open to me, but Mrs. Webb worked with my unique situation, helping me figure out how to develop the best set of extracurriculars possible. Once we had that raw material, she helped me package it in a way that made them look way more impressive than I had originally thought them to be.”
Elisha was just offered a spot in the freshman class at his first choice ivy league school, the University of Pennsylvania.
My Home Study Course More Than Resume Building:Help Your Student Discover Their Gifts and Present Them Well is designed for parents of kids from elementary school through high school. I take you from understanding your child’s gifts to planning great activities to presenting those activities on a college application. Check it out here!
Michele says
March 3, 2011 at 10:15 amCool….Rock on Jeannette!
Sue Graber says
March 5, 2011 at 12:50 amJeannette, your heart is SO into what you are doing. I wish I would have had access to you 10 years ago….Will be sharing your website. What a blessing for parents/students to have you to turn to!
Antoine McCoy says
March 6, 2011 at 9:17 pmJeannette, there is power in words. Those words help the college admission people distinguish one student from another. You are doing a great service for students. Keep up the great work!