Searching for power words to slip into your job interview to sound smarter? You’re not alone.
First impressions are critical to any successful job interview whether virtual or in-person. That said, the words you choose, and how you use them, can and will be held against you. For example, using like, literally, and honestly can kill your chances quickly.
It’s also a best practice to steer clear of filler words if your goal is to sound smarter. Using words such as um and ending sentences with and yeah can make you sound unsure of yourself. Practice ending sentences clearly and cleanly. Make every word you use intentional. Otherwise, filler words can and will damage your credibility and competence.
No matter your industry, and despite your career experience, you’re selling yourself. That’s why the No.1 tip to landing your dream job is learning how to market yourself. Having a strong elevator pitch and being equipped with an educated vocabulary are crucial elements in locking down the job you want and leaving a favorable (and lasting) impression.
But what’s your hook? Job interview tips run the gamut when it comes down to what to do and what not to do. It really just depends on your audience. Yes, your job is to cater your experiences to the role you’re interested in. But you also need a strategy to capture and retain your interviewer’s attention. That’s why your vocabulary should be succinct and compelling to complete your overall candidate profile.
To maximize your vocabulary, here is an ULTIMATE LIST of 110 impressive and punchy power words from A-Z that can make you instantly sound smarter and potentially more competent than your competition. Just make sure to use them correctly.
- Acute
- Aggregate
- Albeit
- Alchemy
- Algorithm
- Align
- Amendment
- Amid
- Ancillary
- Antithetical
- Attribute
- Atypical
- Autonomy
- Benchmark
- Bridge
- Candid
- Catalyst
- Cathartic
- Cavalier
- Chiefly
- Cinematic
- Collaborative
- Communion
- Comprehensive
- Comprised
- Conduit
- Connect
- Counterintuitive
- Cross-pollinate
- Cultivate
- Delineate
- Demonstrative
- Deconstruct
- Dichotomy
- Diversify
- Domain
- Elemental
- Elevate
- Elicit
- Embellish
- Emblematic
- Embody
- Empirical
- Ergonomic
- Esoteric
- Exponentially
- Facilitate
- Faculty
- Fallacy
- Foster
- Galvanize
- Garner
- Generate
- Genesis
- Granular
- Hallmark
- Harness
- Holistic
- Impediment
- Imperative
- Implement
- Indicative
- Initiate
- Intrinsic
- Keen
- Lateral
- Methodical
- Mitigate
- Nominal
- Nondescript
- Non-starter
- Nuanced
- Onus
- Operative
- Orchestrate
- Palpable
- Parameter
- Parity
- Paramount
- Penultimate
- Permeate
- Pithy
- Plausible
- Polished
- Potent
- Pretense
- Propensity
- Proprietary
- Proverbial
- Realm
- Reductive
- Relinquish
- Renaissance
- Revitalize
- Solicit
- Spearhead
- Steward
- Stoic
- Succinct
- Synthesize
- Taxonomy
- Topical
- Trajectory
- Unmatched
- Unparalleled
- Unwavering
- Unvarnished
- Unyielding
- Utilitarian
- Utilize
In an effort to not sound pretentious, it’s best to use these words only when they apply and in moderation.
Try not to overuse any of these words. Remember, your goal is to communicate competence and confidence through your vocabulary in order to sound smarter, but you also want to be seen as personable and down to earth to your audience.
If you avoid filler words at all costs, incorporate power words when applicable, and rehearse ending sentences with a defined period at the end, you will successfully demonstrate certainty and instantly sound smarter.
If you’re confident in you, then chances are your audience will be too.
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