Lead vs Oversee for a Resume (+Lead vs Led) 

Vocabulary / By

To make your resume truly stand out, use the word oversee or oversaw instead of lead or led. Resume’s need action verbs to draw attention to your accomplishments. Using simple words like lead or led can come across as boring and unimaginative and be rejected from modern resume software.  

Continue reading on to learn more about the difference between lead and led, why you should not use those words on your resume, and other words that you should use instead to have a stellar resume and potentially land your dream job.

Lead vs. Led: What is the Difference?

According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the word ‘lead’ has many different definitions. When it comes to resume writing, however, lead is defined as showing someone the way by directing them from in front or beside.

The difference between lead and led is that led is the past participle of lead. For example, if you were managing employees at your past job, you would use the word ‘led’ instead of lead. To lead implies that you are currently doing the leading.

Should I Use Lead on My Resume?

There are many other words that you should use on your resume other than lead or led. This is because employers often find those words quite boring and unimaginative. Instead of using the words lead or led, try using oversee instead.

Though be cautious of overusing the words oversee or oversaw. These words are quickly becoming just as boring as lead and led in modern resume writing and critiquing. Many companies use applicant tracking systems that automates the resume reviewing process. Oftentimes these applications will automatically disqualify applicants just because they used certain words.

Words to Use Instead of Led or Oversee

To take your resume to the next level, try leaving both led and oversee out of the content. Use other action verbs instead for maximum impact during your next application process. Consolidated, appointed, delegated, and established are all great alternatives to both led and oversee. 

These action words mean much more than the simple oversee or led. By saying that you oversaw or led a team, it gives the impression that you were not actively participating in the activities of the team, just looking over it. By using ‘established’ instead, it creates the image that you were actively involved in the team from the ground up.

 

Conor
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