"Using 'Held' On Your Resume" The term 'Held' is a commonly used word that carries a certain level of prestige in the professional world. Essentially, it signifies the act of possessing or maintaining a position, role, or responsibility within an organization. It's a word that suggests stability, reliability, and the ability to fulfill duties over a period of time. In the context of a resume, 'Held' is often used to indicate the positions or roles one has previously occupied. It's a term that recruiters frequently encounter as it provides a snapshot of the candidate's professional journey. It communicates that you have been entrusted with roles or responsibilities in the past, and have maintained them successfully, demonstrating your commitment and reliability. However, while 'Held' is a useful term, it isn't always the most impactful language to use on your resume. The word is so widely used that it can sometimes become commonplace, diminishing its effect. Moreover, it may not fully encapsulate the scope and depth of your skills and experiences. Therefore, it's advantageous to consider using other synonyms or more descriptive terms that can better convey your abilities and accomplishments. By doing so, you can make your resume more distinctive, and give potential employers a more thorough understanding of your qualifications. Remember, the goal is to not just list the positions you've held, but to highlight the value you brought to those roles.
Tailor Your Resume Content to the Job Description
Held a position in sales
This statement is too generic and does not provide any specific information about the role or responsibilities in the sales position. It is better to provide specific details about the role, such as "Held a position as a Sales Manager, overseeing a team of 10 and increasing annual sales by 15%."Held responsible for team management
This phrase is passive and does not clearly communicate your role or achievements. Instead, use active language to describe your responsibilities and accomplishments, such as "Managed a team of 5, improving productivity by 25%."Held a role for two years
While this statement provides some information about the duration of the role, it does not highlight any achievements or responsibilities during this period. Instead, provide specific details about your role and accomplishments during this time, such as "Held a role as a Project Coordinator for two years, successfully completing 10+ projects on time and under budget."Held a job in the marketing department
This statement is vague and does not provide any specific information about the role or responsibilities in the marketing department. It is better to provide specific details about the role, such as "Held a job as a Marketing Specialist, developing and implementing successful campaigns that increased brand awareness by 30%."Held accountable for customer service
This phrase is passive and does not clearly communicate your role or achievements. Instead, use active language to describe your responsibilities and accomplishments, such as "Managed customer service, improving customer satisfaction ratings by 20%."Assuming a role:
Instead of saying "Held the position of," job seekers can use more dynamic phrases like "Assumed the role of," "Served as," or "Functioned as." These alternatives imply a more active involvement in the role, highlighting the individual's commitment and adaptability.Organizing events:
When detailing experience with event planning, job seekers can replace "Held events" with more descriptive phrases such as "Orchestrated events," "Facilitated events," or "Conducted events." These terms emphasize the individual's ability to plan, coordinate, and oversee successful events, showcasing their organizational and leadership skills.Retaining a title or position:
Instead of saying "Held the title of," job seekers can use phrases like "Maintained the position of," "Retained the title of," or "Upheld the role of." These alternatives suggest a sense of consistency and reliability, highlighting the individual's ability to sustain performance and meet expectations over time.Find the Right Synonyms for Any Job
Frequently Asked Questions
The best replacement word for 'Held' on a resume could be 'Managed', 'Led', or 'Oversaw'. For example, instead of saying "Held a team of 10 salespeople", you could say "Managed a team of 10 salespeople". This emphasizes your leadership and responsibility in the role.
It's appropriate to use 'held' on your resume when referring to positions or roles you've previously occupied. For example, "Held the position of Team Leader for three years," or "Held responsibilities such as project management and team coordination." It succinctly communicates your past experience and responsibilities without unnecessary verbosity.
"Held" is relevant for your resume when you want to describe a position or responsibility you've maintained in the past. For example, "Held the position of team leader for 2 years" or "Held responsibility for project delivery". It's a concise way to demonstrate your experience and the trust placed in you by previous employers. However, ensure it's used in a context where it adds value and clarity to your role and responsibilities.
