Choosing Between 'Develop', 'Improve', and 'Progress' in Writing About Skills
I'm writing a short paragraph for my CV and I'm confused about the differences between 'develop', 'improve', and 'progress'. For example, I'm not sure if I should say "I developed my communication skills," "I improved my communication skills," or "I progressed my communication skills" over the past year.
I want to express that my skills got better while working at my last job, but I don't know which word is the most natural or if they mean exactly the same thing. Could someone please explain when to use each word?
Context:
Writing for a CV to apply for jobs in the UK.
What to Know
| What to Know | Why It Matters | Example | Quick Check |
|---|---|---|---|
| If you mean "made better," use 'improved'. | The words 'develop', 'improve', and 'progress' follow distinctive patterns when talking about skills, especially in CVs. | This wording is correct because it matches the intended meaning in context. | Can I explain why this form fits this sentence better than the alternative? |
| Writers often memorize a definition but miss the context cue that controls the correct choice. | This helps you choose wording by meaning instead of surface form. | A different phrasing is better when the literal meaning would be clearer. | Did I choose this form for meaning, not because it looked familiar? |
3 Answers
Focus on Patterns:
The words 'develop', 'improve', and 'progress' follow distinctive patterns when talking about skills, especially in CVs.
- Develop + skill: Means you built or acquired the ability, perhaps from little or nothing. Example: "During my internship, I developed strong public speaking skills."
- Improve + skill: Means you made an existing skill better. Example: "Over the past year, I improved my problem-solving skills through complex projects."
- Progress in + skill: Used less often, but describes moving forward or advancing within a skill area. Example: "I progressed in my understanding of customer service techniques while working at the call centre."
Practice:
Think about whether you started building the skill or if you just got better at it. Would you say you started from scratch, or had it already? Try writing one sentence for each pattern with your own skills.
Self-check:
If you can replace your verb with "built from scratch" use 'developed'. If you mean "made better," use 'improved'. If your sentence works better with the preposition 'in' ("I progressed in X"), check whether a more direct verb like 'improved' sounds smoother for a UK CV.
Corrective tip: In the context of UK CVs, 'improved' or 'developed' are much more natural than 'progressed my skills.' Substitute accordingly.
Method: Functional Usage Analysis
Each verb has a typical function when describing skill growth on a CV:
- Develop: Use when you've acquired a skill or taken it from a basic to a more advanced level. Example: "I developed effective negotiation techniques during client interactions."
- Improve: Use when a skill existed and you heightened its quality. Example: "I improved my team leadership skills by managing new projects."
- Progress: This verb generally needs 'in' (not 'my'), and is more about continuous movement rather than a measurable result. Example: "I progressed in my understanding of digital marketing," though even here, 'improved' is usually clearer for employers.
Quick Exercise:
For any CV sentence you write, ask yourself whether you:
- Built a new skill? (use 'developed')
- Enhanced an existing one? (use 'improved')
- Want to show ongoing growth? ('Progressed' may work, but rephrase for clarity)
Correction Advice:
For UK CVs, choose 'developed' for newly built skills, 'improved' for existing ones made better. Avoid 'progressed my skills,' as it's rarely natural in job applications.
Method: Contrastive Examples
Let's compare how each verb works in nearly identical sentences:
- "I developed my analytical skills while working at XYZ Ltd." (Implies you built new skills or turned a weakness into a strength)
- "I improved my analytical skills while working at XYZ Ltd." (Means the skills were present before and you made them better)
- "I progressed my analytical skills while working at XYZ Ltd." (This is uncommon and sounds awkward in UK English; usually, we say 'progressed in my analytical skills,' but even then, 'improved' or 'developed' are clearer.)
Practice:
Write two sentences for your CV: one with 'develop' and one with 'improve,' both about a real skill from your job. Then check which feels more accurate: did you build from very little, or become better at something you already had?
Tip for Correction:
Remember, 'progressed my skills' is generally not standard. Usually, British CVs prefer 'developed' or 'improved.' Replace 'progressed' where possible.
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