In the lists of power verbs posted on some resume help websites, you will find the words “Assisted” and “Assisted.” Unfortunately, if you rely on lists like this, you may be sorely disappointed.
The verbs “Assisted” and “Help” should be used only when describing your work in a very specific category: Helping. That’s the *only* place these verbs belong! Examples are below.
Telling us on your resume that you helped someone with something is about as informative as it gets. Honestly, I don’t care that you assisted in the filming of a movie. I want to know you held a camera or a boom; who ordered pizza (or handled catering orders); or that you solved problems in emergency situations.
It is essential that you do not be fooled into thinking that Assisted and Aided are always power verbs. Often they just lead to vague and uninteresting bullet points.
Compared:
has. Helped artists and personal network.
b. She accompanied the artists to television appearances and meditated between the artists and the network’s staff.
And compare:
has. Assisted with small claims cases.
b. Handled all phases of collection and litigation of small claims cases. He attended small claims court; he instructed the court clerk and court commissioner regarding what action to take in company cases.
version b. in both cases it is much more interesting and descriptive than version a.
There are limited situations where it may be appropriate to use the words “Assisted” or “Assisted.” For example:
has. Helped disabled adults perform simple job tasks at their workplaces.
b. Assisted elderly residents with their personal and financial records.
Note in these last two examples that while there may be other ways to phrase bullet points, we’re not left wondering, “Well, what exactly did you do to help or help?”
Take a look at your resume. Did you find the words “Help” or “Assisted”? If so, can you be more specific about what you did? Make us a drawing. We want to know.
