Résumé words · Traits and self-description
Another word for “Passionate”
What it is trying to claim: That you care about the field and are motivated by more than pay.
Why it underperforms
It describes a feeling, and feelings cannot be checked. It is also the single most common opening word in personal statements, so it makes an introduction sound like every other introduction. The intent behind it is usually genuine, which is what makes it a shame: real enthusiasm produces evidence, and the evidence is far more convincing than the adjective.
What to write instead
This one is not fixed by a better adjective. Each of these replaces the claim with evidence.
| Instead | Use it when |
|---|---|
| (show unpaid work) | What you built, wrote, or organized when nobody asked. |
| (show the years) | A long commitment to one subject is the honest proof of interest. |
| (show what you made) | A side project with users, readers, or a repository. |
| (show what you learned) | A qualification taken while working full time. |
A real bullet, fixed
Before
Passionate about renewable energy and sustainability.
After
Ran the community solar co-op for three years on my own time, taking it from 12 households to 90.
Three unpaid years and a membership figure prove the interest is real, which the adjective only asked the reader to take on trust.
When “Passionate” is the right word
In a cover letter, where you have room to state it and then immediately back it with the thing you did on your own time. On a résumé bullet there is no room for the backing.
Common questions
- What can I say instead of "Passionate" on a résumé?
- Replace the phrase with evidence rather than another adjective. Three unpaid years and a membership figure prove the interest is real, which the adjective only asked the reader to take on trust.
- Is "Passionate" bad on a résumé?
- It describes a feeling, and feelings cannot be checked. It is also the single most common opening word in personal statements, so it makes an introduction sound like every other introduction. The intent behind it is usually genuine, which is what makes it a shame: real enthusiasm produces evidence, and the evidence is far more convincing than the adjective.
- When is it fine to use "Passionate"?
- In a cover letter, where you have room to state it and then immediately back it with the thing you did on your own time. On a résumé bullet there is no room for the backing.
Fix these next
- Self-motivatedThat you work without supervision.
- Hard workerThat you will put in effort.
- Results-orientedThat you focus on outcomes rather than activity.
- Proven track recordThat you have consistently delivered before.
All 72 words are on the résumé words index. For the verbs grouped by what they claim, read résumé power verbs.
After the résumé
Fixing the words is the easy half. The applying is the slow half.
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