resume writing action verbs

185+ Action Verbs to Make Your Resume Stand Out in 2024

Most resume bullet points start with the same tired old words hiring managers have read over and over (think: tasked with, responsible for, experience in) to the point where they’ve lost a lot of their meaning. They also don’t do much to show off your accomplishments , and instead tend to just communicate your job duties. Let’s get a little more creative, shall we?

Next time you update your resume , switch up a few of those common words and phrases with strong, compelling action verbs that will catch hiring managers’ eyes.

What is an action verb and how to use it on your resume?

Action verbs convey doing —for example, “She walked to the door,” or, “The dog chased the ball.” On your resume, action verbs show readers you accomplished something at your past jobs, you weren’t just “responsible for” it. Instead you “streamlined” or “coordinated” or “executed” it. You got the job done and you achieved something in the process.

But be careful: Not all action verbs are as strong as others. For example, words like “led” or “handled” may have their place on a resume (sparingly), but don’t give the reader any details about how you did it. Did you lead by assigning work to a team; by creating a road map for a project; by organizing resources, people, and deadlines; or by doing some combination of the three?

Impress hiring managers with these action verbs and secure your next interview! Find the perfect fit by looking for more open jobs on The Muse »

No matter what duty or accomplishment you’re trying to show off, we’ve got just the resume action verb for you. Check out the list below, and get ready to make your resume way more exciting.

Action verbs for when you led a project

If you were in charge of a project or initiative from start to finish, skip “led” and instead try:

• Administered
• Coordinated
• Orchestrated
• Spearheaded

Actions for when you envisioned and brought a project to life

And if you actually developed, created, or introduced that project into your company? Try:

• Established
• Implemented
• Incorporated

Action verbs list for when you increased efficiency, productivity, profit, sales, revenue, or customer satisfaction (or reduced costs or time spent)

If you can show that your work boosted the company’s numbers in some way, you’re bound to impress. In these cases, consider:

• Accelerated
• Capitalized
• Consolidated

Action verbs for when you changed or improved something

Did you bring your department’s invoicing system out of the Stone Age and into the 21st century? Talk about the amazing changes you made at your office with these words:

• Centralized
• Rehabilitated
• Reorganized
• Restructured
• Revitalized
• Standardized
• Streamlined
• Strengthened
• Transformed

Action verbs for when you managed a team

While “managed” may have a place on your resume (especially if it’s a keyword ), phrases like “Managed a team…” or “Managed employees…” are just reciting your job duties. Instead, you can show what an inspirational leader you were with terms like:

• Facilitated

Action verbs for when you brought in partners, funding, resources, or clients

Were you “responsible for” a great new partner, sponsor, source of funding, or client? Try:

Action verbs for when you supported customers

Because monitoring the phones, answering questions, or providing customer service really means you’re advising customers and meeting their needs, use:

• Recommended

Action verbs for when you did research or analysis

Did your job include research, analysis, or fact-finding? Mix up your verbiage with these words:

• Interpreted
• Interviewed
• Investigated

Action verbs for when you communicated

Was writing, speaking, lobbying, or otherwise communicating part of your gig? You can explain just how compelling you were with words like:

• Corresponded
• Illustrated

Action verb examples for when you oversaw or regulated

Whether you enforced protocol or managed your department’s requests, describe what you really did, better, with these words:

• Adjudicated
• Scrutinized

Action verbs for when you achieved something

Did you hit your goals? Win a coveted department award ? Don’t forget to include that on your resume, with words like:

• Demonstrated
• Outperformed

Regina Borsellino contributed writing, reporting, and/or advice to this article.

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300+ Powerful Resume Action Verbs (with Examples)

Achievement

Communication, project management, people management, customer service, problem solving, organization.

Every schoolchild knows that a verb is a "doing" word. Hopefully your career has been all about "doing" things, so your resume action verbs need to be particularly carefully chosen. They will frame your accomplishments.

What was the situation and what was the nature of the action that you took? 

Now, be careful…. choose your resume words wisely as you risk sounding the same as other candidates. Worse still, you might use the same word over and over again. Trust me, hiring managers will notice if you substitute powerful resume action verbs with bland cliched language.

So, to offer some assistance, we have come up with a list of the most impactful resume action verbs, collated into fifteen categories, with bullet-pointed examples that might fit into a resume or cover letter. 

We cover the following:

• 3 benefits of resume action verbs in a job search
• 300+ resume action verbs in 15 categories with examples
• Expert tips about where and how to use action verbs for impact

I bet you thought verbs and resume words could never be so exciting? Well, you should be excited, because choosing the right words is the first step to your new job.

These very resume action verbs could make the difference between you securing an interview over another candidate who is less discerning. When every word on your resume is obviously chosen with care, it says a lot about you as a person. Let’s explore why they are so important in highlighting accomplishments :

3 benefits of action verbs in a job search

There are many advantages of using action-oriented vibrant language in your applications, but the three main benefits of resume action verbs for a job search are:

• Resume action verbs elevate your existing accomplishments, showing how you can contribute in similar way to a new employer
• Action verbs help you avoid cliched or passive language in a resume
• They demonstrate you’ve actually paid attention to the job description, which makes a favorable impression on recruiters.

Thinking through the most suitable action verbs for your job search is not only useful for your resume. 

Whether your vibrant verbs and lively language are choices for resume words or cover letter words, it's about making both documents as efficient as possible. Every bit of communication, whether written or oral will be optimized if you choose your resume words carefully. Your cover letter will obviously benefit alongside your resume. You might be asked to give a potted history of your career over the phone with a recruiter , and you don’t want to be searching for the right word amidst the pressure of an interview. Use the action verbs in your resume when you meet the hiring manager in person - they will be doubly resonant.

These three benefits of action verbs outline how to boost your job search and why you should bookmark this blog for repeated viewing: 

Elevate your existing accomplishments with action verbs

Many of us think that our career achievements seem a little too “normal” for us to get that dream job. While that may or may not be the case, there is a way of elevating the accomplishments so that they stand out from the crowd: with carefully selected action verbs to highlight your accomplishments.

If you are starting your bullet pointed achievements with impactful action verbs that embellish your actions (whilst not changing the accomplishment itself), you are taking your candidature to another level. The action verb itself will already allow the hiring manager to imagine you doing something impactful.

Most people will write: “Managed a team of five analysts.” You will write: “Coached and mobilized a team of five insightful analysts.” Oooh, mobilized. I wonder why they had to be mobilized. Surely there is a story behind that word? Action verbs make a hiring manager curious. Curiosity leads to an interview invite.

Obviously, there is much more to writing an impactful accomplishment than the first word, but, for the purposes of this article, that crucial first verb (or two) is all that matters.

Avoid overused descriptions by using action words instead

Are you a detail-oriented team player, who thinks outside the box to achieve results? I can tell you that this sentence will impress a grand total of zero hiring managers. It would also confuse a five-year-old, which is a great test of simple but effective writing. 

I can tell you that you can convey the same ideas by using the right action words at the start of your accomplishments (while, at the same time, actually telling the hiring manager about something worthwhile rather than irrelevant fluff). Sidestep bland and boring language by utilizing action verbs in your resume.

Here’s how you can substitute overused cliches with powerful resume action verbs:

• “Detail-oriented” – use an action verb from the “researched” category.
• “Team player” – use an action word from the “ teamwork ” section.
• “Thinks outside the box” (uurgh) – use an action verb from the “creativity” category.
• “Achieve results” – use a power verb from the “achievement” section.

Every word counts in your resume and cover letter. Don’t waste words if you don’t need to.

Equally, don't use an impressive verb if your accomplishment doesn't back it up.

Show you’ve read the job description by using action verbs

Your third priority should be this: utilize action verbs to show you are attentive and detail-sensitive. Show that you actually put in some effort when analyzing your future job. Every hiring manager wants to get a sense that you are a fit for the role. While there should hopefully be a good amount of synergy between the job description and your resume, the job description is more about responsibilities and the resume is more about achievement.

You can breach that gap by choosing the right action verbs to match.

In addition, the ATS (applicant tracking system) software is getting increasingly sophisticated at selecting the most suitable applicants, so using the most relevant action verbs will help your application to move to the top of the virtual pile. It might even give more advanced language a slight bump up the ratings.

Active vs. passive voice

In any job search, you need to be clear about what you personally accomplished and where you participated in the accomplishments of a wider team. If you are not careful, your language can create the wrong impression:

Active voice: “Completed the project in two months” (clear that you did it yourself)

Passive voice: “Project was completed in two months” (not at all clear who actually did it)

This is basic English grammar, but you would be surprised how many people get it wrong.

Hopefully you now agree that action verbs are pretty important. Let’s get amongst them:

Quantify your value when using action verbs

You can take your careful resume word choice a step further by adding some numbers into the mix. In fact, it works just as well for cover letters and interviews, too. This is a top shortcut to quantify your professional contributions with the use of numbers. Pick action verbs that you can match with statistics and numbers that illuminate your results. 

Perhaps you want to include an example about cutting costs from your department. Pick a strong action verb that's appropriate to use in this context and works with the statistic you can match it with. For instance, "Reduced department costs" could quickly turn into "Streamlined production workflow which led to surpassing team output goals by 25%".

The results of many people's jobs are not easily measured. For instance, if you work in compliance then your job is to avoid undesirable consequences. No results in an audit in your case means a job well done. Not only does that mean that your action verbs could focus on "diminishing" or "reducing", but the numbers you use to quantify your success should relate to situations you have successfully avoided.

300+ resume action verbs in 15 work situations

While the English language can be wonderfully rich, the same 20-25 action verbs dominate 95% of job search applications. I won’t list them here. You know the usual suspects. They won't impress anybody.

So, here we offer fifteen common categories of resume actions and achievements that job seekers write about, with 20 words and an example per category. We hope they are useful.

For ease of navigation, here are the 15 category links:

• “Leadership” action verbs
• “Achievement” words for resume
• “Teamwork” action words
• “Communication” action verbs
• “Project management” verbs for resume
• “People management” action verbs
• “Customer service” action words
• “Problem solving” power words
• “Improved” synonyms
• “Researched” action verbs
• “Organization” resume words
• “Creativity” action verbs
• “Worked on” power words
• “Increased” synonyms
• “Reduced” action verbs

Consider yourself a leader? Have you changed the lives of your people and put some rocket fuel under the bottom line? Would those around you see you as someone to follow until the bitter end?

Okay, well, let your accomplishments do the talking then. Have you done anything that could be prefaced with any of these leadership-oriented resume action verbs?

• Enlightened
• Orchestrated
• Recommended
• Spearheaded
• Strengthened

“Chaired a project team through a change process, trimming 5% of our cost base.”

Put yourself in the hiring manager’s position. What sort of achievement action words will make them sit up and take notice of your resume ? Make sure that the verb matches the nature of the accomplishment.

Think about what would work for your industry sector and your job function.

• Accelerated
• Accomplished
• Outperformed

“Outperformed sales team in quarterly new business attraction by 67%.”

Use unique action words in the work experience section

The work experience section of your resume is the first place that a hiring manager would expect to read about accomplishments. Whether there are bullet points or full sentences, using thoughtful action words will add a different dimension to how your achievements come across. They don’t all have to be world-beaters, as that might seem a little false, but make sure that you sprinkle in enough to stand out from the crowd.

We all reckon we are good at working with others, but the true measure of a team is the results they achieve together. Which team accomplishments are you most proud of? Don't overexaggerate your role, though.

Demonstrate your qualities with the teamwork-oriented resume action verbs below:

• Contributed
• Established
• Participated
• Reorganized
• Volunteered

“Moderated a merger between two areas, with bottom line synergies of $500k.”

There are so many ways of communicating with others. Some appropriate, some maybe less so. Again, pick the action verbs that work best for your industry and occupation to empower your resume communication skill list .

Conveying your message to achieve the desired outcome is a rare skill indeed.

• Articulated
• Corresponded
• Interpreted
• Transmitted

“Briefed my team on the details of the $1.2m business continuity plan.”

Include impactful action verbs in your summary .

The first 5-6 lines at the top of a resume have the power to make or break a candidate. Our guide on how to craft an impactful summary gives me detail, but it goes without saying that you should save your most impactful and relevant couple of action verbs for this area. The hiring manager might only glance at your resume for a few seconds. What verbs really and truly sum up what you are all about? Give it some serious thought. It really matters.

When you outline a project in your resume or cover letter, it is important to button down the exact nature of your role. 

A descriptive action verb will highlight your project management abilities, check out the list here:

• Brainstormed
• Consolidated

“Executed the software rollout to twelve departments within two months.”

The resume words that you choose when describing how you achieved things with others are hugely revealing. What is your impact on those around you? What was the exact nature of the action to make your difference?

Illustrate your “people skills” with one of the evocative action verbs from this list:

• Facilitated

“Mentored four colleagues, two of whom were promoted within three years.”

Deploy emotive action words in your cover letter.

A cover letter is different from a resume. It gives a candidate far more opportunity to showcase their personality and demonstrate their culture fit, so ensure that your cover letter action words are more oriented towards provoking an emotional response in the hiring manager. If they are too formal, you risk coming across as boring (etc). Words are all you have, so make sure that they make the reader of your cover letter feel something positive about you.

I serve customers. Really? Is that all you have got? How you describe your customer service sheds a light on how you make your customers feel and whether they walk away happy.

Here’s 20 action verbs you can use in your resume to showcase your customer service experience:

• Incorporated

“Resolved a company-record 150 customer complaints a week.”

Why use six words to give more detail about a problem when one action verb will suffice. The details of the problem can come later at interview - just give a hint at the complexity involved.

Matching problem-solving action verbs with the job description is particularly important.

• Centralized
• Experimented
• Synthesized
• Troubleshot

“Rectified a list of outstanding issues that had been dormant for more than a year.”

Don’t overuse the action verbs, much as you might want to.

Having shared a blog with 300+ action verbs, it pains me to say that you should not over use them. Balance is important in job search communication, so don’t let your action verbs dominate while you are maybe not including enough numbers or industry keywords . One is enough at the start of an accomplishment, with two in a sentence at most (on rare occasions).

There are a hundred shades of improvement and each one says something slightly different about how you made the situation better. What did you change and why was your input important?

How did you really make your difference felt? Help the hiring manager understand your qualities by using accurate and vibrant action verbs from this list:

• Constructed
• Differentiated
• Restructured
• Transformed

“Ignited a fire under the management team to deliver an extra $950k sales.”

For the detail-oriented among us, we all have to research information at some point. The research-based resume action verb that you chose to describe this will show just how detail-obsessed you are.

• Scrutinized

“Scrutinized the market and doubled market share by launching a new product.”

Use impressive words, but don’t stray too far from your normal speech.

Authenticity is important in any job search, so while you should write your resume and cover letter to stand out to a hiring manager, you should be careful not to use too many words that you might not use in normal life. If you use certain resume words, but it becomes clear during an interview that your resume language is somehow inauthentic, it can cast a shadow over your application. Be yourself and try to find that happy medium.

If you are anything like me, organized is definitely not my middle name, but a couple of suitably chosen action words could make you seem like a zen master of efficiency.

It is one thing to use the "organized" action word, but make sure that the example backs it up

• Administered
• Implemented

“Implemented a new software solution that shrunk build time by 34%”

Your accomplishments are the only thing that can shine a light on your creativity. “I am a creative person” is possibly the most vomit-inducing line in any job application. Ever.  

Put a bit of effort into an alternative description - use a creativity-related action verb from this table:

• Architected
• Conceptualized
• Illustrated
• Storyboarded

“Drafted a contract that ensured a 45% gain in compliance.”

How can I optimize my use of action verbs in my job search?

• Be thoughtful in which verbs you use
• Pick action verbs that reflect your role
• Replace overused phrases such as “team player”
• Transfer your written language to an interview
• Overuse action verbs
• Be tempted to exaggerate
• Never describe yourself as a “creative person”
• Struggle to find the right words at interview

We all understand that we go to work to get paid, but what was the nature of your work? What exactly did you do? Is it a fit for what you will be expected to do in your next role?

• Collaborated
• Coordinated
• Investigated

“Initiated a recruitment drive that hired fifteen people within three months.”

For me, this category of action verbs is the most impactful in most job applications. Your future employer wants you to make a difference to their business. But in what way?

• Capitalized
• Intensified
• Revitalized

“Revamped our social marketing strategy, delivering +25% uplift in sales.”

Equally valid is the point that some roles may require you to decrease certain things. Which words best fit your brand of elimination? Streamline your resume with great action verbs.

• Streamlined

“Minimized surgery wait times by 15 mins, increasing patient satisfaction by 25%”

Key Takeaways

Just one word can change the entire outlook on an achievement.

• Pick the right action verbs in conjunction with your accomplishments
• Mix complicated action verbs with normal ones (don't be too flashy)
• Use at the start of a bullet point for the maximum effect
• Make sure that you use them in your interview

We are sure that you can think up hundreds of different examples for your career. The big question is which ones to use? Good luck making those tough decisions. Have a look at our resume accomplishments blog for more inspiration or read here how you create a job-winning resume . 

240+ Resume Action Verbs with Examples [2024]

• February 18, 2024
• In Resumes & Cover Letters

When crafting a resume, action verbs play a crucial role in showcasing your skills and achievements. These powerful words help demonstrate your impact and make your experience stand out to potential employers. In this blog, we’ll explore how using the right action verbs can elevate your resume and improve your chances of landing your dream job.

Table of contents

What are resume action verbs, why are action verbs important in a resume.

• How to Use Action Verbs to Make Your Resume Stand Out

1. Choose relevant action verbs

2. be specific and concise, 3. quantify your achievements, 4. use a variety of action verbs, 5. tailor your action verbs to different sections, 6. highlight accomplishments, 7. focus on industry-specific action verbs.

• How to Use Action Verbs for Resume Achievements

List of resume action verbs

Action verbs describe the responsibilities and acquired skills on your resume. Unlike passive, overused verbs, action verbs are dynamic and powerful. Using them in bullet points will communicate your expertise in a concise yet persuasive manner. Additionally, a hiring manager is more likely to read through your resume if you use strong, active verbs. Altogether, action verbs are a powerful way to describe your capabilities and set you apart from other applicants.

Action verbs make sentences more concise, easy to understand, persuasive, and have strong impact. They allow you to save space on position descriptions yet still highlight your experience. Because dynamic action verbs describe the exact actions you carried out, they create a more specific and detailed image of your responsibilities. Also, they are not as overused and cliché, which will make your resume stand out.

But, possibly the most crucial reason to use resume action verbs is that they improve scannability and readability. Using action verbs from the job listing will help you pass through the ATS (applicant tracking system) . Also, it will make it easier for the hiring manager to find essential skills and experience on your resume. Generally, powerful resume action verbs leave a more significant impact on the reader. They will make your resume memorable and unique and increase your chances of landing the job.

How to use action verbs to make your resume stand out

Using action verbs in your resume is an effective way to make your accomplishments and skills stand out to potential employers. Action verbs help convey a sense of action, achievement, and impact, rather than simply listing your job duties. Here are some tips on how to use action verbs effectively in your resume:

Select action verbs that are relevant to the specific job or industry you are applying for. Consider the skills and qualifications that the employer is seeking and use action verbs that align with those requirements.

Use action verbs that accurately describe your accomplishments and responsibilities. Be specific about what you achieved and how you contributed to the success of your previous roles. Avoid using generic or vague action verbs that do not provide clear information.

Whenever possible, quantify your achievements using numbers, percentages, or other measurable metrics. This helps demonstrate the impact of your actions and provides concrete evidence of your abilities.

Avoid repeating the same action verbs throughout your resume. Instead, use a variety of action verbs to showcase your versatility and range of skills.

Use different action verbs for different sections of your resume. For example, use action verbs related to leadership and management for your experience section, and action verbs related to problem-solving and communication for your skills section.

Rather than just listing your everyday tasks and responsibilities, use action verbs to illustrate specific successes. Using the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method, you can concisely provide context for your achievements and highlight the impact you had in previous positions.

Here is an example of how to utilize the STAR method:

• Situation: Describe the situation at hand.
• Task: Describe the assigned task.
• Action: Describe the action you took to fulfill the task.
• Result: Describe the positive outcome of your actions.

For example, using the STAR method, you can describe an accomplishment as follows: “Implemented a new sales software focusing on repeat customers, increasing annual sales volume by 19%.”

Your industry most likely has its own language and jargon that is used every day. So, when writing your resume, use action verbs specific to your industry or job function. This proves your expertise and familiarity within the industry, enabling your resume to stand out among other applicants.

How to use action verbs for resume achievements

To effectively use action verbs for resume achievements, follow these tips:

• Identify your achievements. Make a list of your accomplishments in previous roles, such as projects completed, goals achieved, and challenges overcome.
• Choose relevant action verbs.  Select action verbs that accurately describe your achievements. For example, if you increased sales, you could use verbs like “boosted,” “maximized,” or “accelerated.”
• Tailor the verbs to the specific achievement.  Use action verbs that align with the specific accomplishment you want to highlight. For instance, if you led a successful team project, you could use verbs like “orchestrated,” “guided,” or “coordinated.”
• Quantify your achievements.  Whenever possible, include quantifiable results to showcase the impact of your accomplishments. For example, instead of saying “improved customer satisfaction,” you could say “increased customer satisfaction by 20%.”
• Incorporate the action verbs in your resume.  Integrate the action verbs into your bullet points under each relevant job experience. Start each bullet point with an action verb and provide a concise description of the achievement.

Here’s an example of how to use action verbs for resume achievements:

Previous Role: Sales Manager

• Achievement: Increased sales revenue by 35% within six months.
• Action Verb: “Boosted”

Examples of strong action verbs for resumes

These action verbs can help convey a sense of accomplishment and demonstrate your skills and abilities to potential employers.

Customer service action verbs for your resume

When crafting a customer service resume, it’s important to use action verbs that highlight your skills and accomplishments in this field. Here are some action verbs specifically tailored for customer service resumes:

• Assisted: Provided support and assistance to customers in resolving their inquiries or issues.
• Resolved: Successfully addressed and resolved customer complaints or concerns.
• Communicated: Effectively communicated with customers to understand their needs and provide appropriate solutions.
• Collaborated: Worked collaboratively with team members and other departments to ensure excellent customer service.
• Listened: Actively listened to customers to understand their requirements and provide personalized assistance.
• Advised: Offered guidance and advice to customers on product selection or problem-solving.
• Negotiated: Engaged in negotiations with customers to reach mutually beneficial resolutions.
• Empathized: Demonstrated empathy and understanding towards customers’ concerns or frustrations.
• Managed: Effectively managed customer accounts, ensuring accurate and timely information.
• Followed up: Followed up with customers to ensure their satisfaction and address any additional needs.
• Upsold: Identified opportunities to upsell or cross-sell products or services to customers.

Creative Skills

Communication Skills

Leadership Skills

Management Skills

Helping Skills

Research Skills

Financial Skills

Efficiency Skills

Technical Skills

Teaching Skills

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340+ Resume Action Verbs & Power Words [For 2024]

Language matters in a resume.

Imagine this:

You’re a busy HR manager, and you read hundreds, even thousands, of resumes every day.

And every single one of them sounds the same.

“Responsible for”

“Critical Thinker”

“Team Player”

You’re bound to see these words on just about every single resume.

And guess what? They’re boring.

That’s where power words come in. They make your responsibilities and achievements really pop!

So, do you want your resume to really stand out? Use some of these 340+ action words:

• Why Power Words Matter

How to use Resume Action Words [+Examples & Tips]

340+ resume action verbs and power words [w/ examples].

• Resume Power Adjectives
• Resume Buzzwords to Avoid

Why Power Words Matter 

Power words help show off your top achievements in the best way possible.

Don’t believe us? Let’s compare an example with and without power words.

• Spearheaded company X’s content marketing operations.
• Responsible for content marketing at company X.

See the difference?

Both of these examples say exactly the same thing .

The main difference is that the second wording makes you seem a LOT more competent.

Something to keep in mind - power words, action words, action verbs, and so on are synonyms. So, don’t be surprised to see that we use them interchangeably in this article!

Other than allowing you to stand out, action words can also be used to say one thing in different ways. We’ve seen way too many resumes that have “Responsible for” all over the place!

So, instead of:

• Responsible for managing company X’s Instagram account.
• Responsible for connecting with influencers in the niche.

You could say:

• Managed company X’s Instagram account.
• Connected with popular influencers in the niche.

In this article, we have conveniently grouped 340+ action words to help you upgrade your resume descriptions:

• Resume Power Words for Team Work and Communication
• Resume Action Words Management and Leadership Achievements
• Resume Power Words to Showcase your Creativity

Resume Power Words for Problem Solving Accomplishments

Resume action verbs for research, analysis, and planning.

• Resume Power Verbs for “Support”
• Resume Power Words to Use Instead of “Improved”
• Resume Power Words to Use Instead of “Responsible For”

Resume Action Words to Use Instead of “Worked On”

• Resume Action Verbs that Mean “Use”

Action words can really spice up your resume if done right.

Now, we’re going to explain all the do's and don’t of using power verbs...

Which power words should you use? 

The type of power words you use will depend on the position you are applying for. 

Do a detailed scan of the job posting and single out the key responsibilities and requirements. 

Determine which of your abilities and experiences apply to those job requirements. 

Then, look for power words in our list that describe those achievements. 

Pretty straightforward, right?

Although the power words will be specific to the position you are applying for, there are some general rules to follow: 

• Choose resume power words that can be measured . This way you can follow the power word with a tangible achievement, for example: “ enhanced customer base by 35%.”
• Don’t use subjective words . “I’m amazing at” , “I’m incredible at” aren’t as pleasing to hear as you might think. These statements make you appear self-involved, which recruiters find appalling. Don’t tell them you’re amazing, show them with a measurable power word!

How often should you use power words? 

Sadly, just like with anything good in life, action words will lose their value if you overdo it. Instead of power words, they’ll just look like sprinkled mambo-jumbo that doesn’t mean anything.

Also, your resume is swamped with power words, your hiring manager might get turned off and think you’re trying too hard. 

A good rule to follow is to not add more than one or two action verbs in a sentence.  

Use them appropriately and moderately. 

Resume Power Words for Teamwork and Communication

If your job was to give guidance or communicate information to a team, you:

• 2. Advocated
• 3. Clarified
• 4. Corresponded
• 6. Gathered
• 8. Informed
• 9. Interpreted
• 10. Persuaded
• 11. Publicized
• Gathered external data for the project-planning personnel and advised on the implementation of capital projects. 

When you were part of a team:

• 13. Enabled
• 14. Encouraged
• 15. Facilitated
• 16. Fostered
• 17. Inspired
• 18. Supported
• 19. Collaborated
• Made a $6M merger through collaboration with an international team.

When you supervised a team: 

• 21. Evaluated
• 22. Instructed
• 23. Mentored
• 24. Motivated
• 25. Regulated
• Mentored 5 startup founders in the last 2 years. 

Resume Action Words for Management and Leadership Achievements

When you reach a goal:

• 27. Achieved
• 28. Attained
• 29. Strengthened
• 30. Initiated
• 31. Coordinated
• 32. Developed
• 33. Managed
• 34. Orchestrated
• Coordinated data integrity within the company’s applicant tracking system. 
• Strengthened the sales and service culture through coaching and guidance. 

When you gave a different approach to solving a problem:

• 35. Implemented
• 36. Recommended
• 37. Overhauled
• 38. Improved
• 39. Streamlined 
• 40. Prioritized
• Improved and tuned networking equipment and overall computer network. 

When you worked with other people:

• 41. Motivated
• 42. Supervised
• 43. Delegated
• 44. Chaired
• Supervised and motivated a team of 5+ sales associates. 

Resume Action Words to Showcase your Creativity 

When you helped the company innovate or launch something new:

• 45. Conceptualized
• 46. Designed
• 47. Devised
• 48. Determined
• 49. Drafted
• 50. Formulated
• 51. Introduced
• 52. Initiated
• 53. Launched
• 54. Originated
• 55. Spearheaded
• Designed a new feature on a mobile equation solving app. 

When you worked on an established idea:

• 56. Adapted
• 57. Applied
• 59. Condensed
• 60. Customized
• 61. Fashioned
• 62. Integrated
• 63. Modified
• 64. Patched
• 65. Piloted
• 67. Revitalized
• Built the company sales processes ground-up.

When you introduced a finished project:

• 68. Displayed
• 69. Modeled
• 70. Launched
• 71. Performed
• 72. Pioneered
• Launched an e-commerce website to take the company business online. 

When you worked with data, statistics or numbers: 

• 73. Audited
• 74. Budgeted 
• 75. Calculated
• 76. Converted
• 77. Crafted
• 78. Documented
• 79. Estimated
• 80. Inventoried
• 81. Programmed 
• 82. Projected 
• 83. Recorded
• 84. Verified
• Calculated monthly and quarterly investment forecasts.

When you corrected mistakes and errors:

• 85. Debugged
• 86. Diagnosed
• 87. Established
• 89. Rectified
• 90. Lessened
• 91. Reconciled
• 92. Remodeled
• 93. Rebuilt
• 94. Upgraded
• 95. Corrected
• Debugged internal operating system issues, reducing company cost by 15%

When you kept company processes flowing seamlessly: 

• 96. Conserved
• 97. Maintained
• 98. Operated
• 99. Regulated
• 100. Refined
• 101. Simplified
• 102. Standardized
• Maintained design production under an extremely tight budget. 

When you prepared or helped prepare an event:

• 103. Assembled
• 104. Conducted
• 105. Organized
• Organized meetings and handled all correspondence for the Scranton branch.

When you analyzed a new idea:

• 106. Experimented
• 107. Detected
• 108. Discovered
• 109. Measured
• 110. Mapped
• 111. Probed
• 112. Searched
• 113. Surveyed
• 114. Studied
• Surveyed and documented weekly performance reports on a new marketing strategy.

When you analyzed existing practices and ideas:

• 115. Analyzed
• 116. Assessed
• 117. Clarified
• 118. Checked
• 119. Examined
• 120. Explored
• 121.Evaluated
• 122. Investigated
• 123. Quantified
• 124. Reviewed
• 125. Tested
• 126. Tracked
• 127. Convert
• Converted data into actionable insight, boosting revenue by 5%

When you contributed to solving a problem:

• 128. Critiqued
• 129. Diagnosed
• 130. Identified
• 131. Invented
• 132. Proved
• 133. Solved
• Provided an extraordinary customer service experience, solved customer issues and upsold other products or services. 

Resume Power Verbs to Use For “Support”

When you were supportive of others through words: 

• 134. Advised
• 135. Answered
• 136. Clarified
• 137. Motivated
• 138. Collaborated
• 139. Fielded
• 140. Guided
• 141. Intervened
• 142. Referred
• 143. Resolved
• Motivated co-workers by rewarding positive behavior, encouraging optimism and stimulating teamwork.

When you were supportive of others through actions: 

• 145. Assisted
• 146. Contributed
• 147. Provided
• 148. Volunteered
• Volunteered in 3 non-profit social organizations.

When you taught others:

• 149. Coached
• 150. Counseled
• 151. Demonstrated
• 152. Educated
• 153. Informed 
• Consulted 5 startups that became successful scaleups in Europe and together received investments of over €28 million.

Resume Power Words to Use as a Replacement for “Improved”

Did you leave the company you worked for better than when you came in? 

That’s cool, but if you say you “improved” something four times in a row, it loses its impact.

Use the list below to mix it up:

• 154. Amplify
• 155. Boosted 
• 156. Converted
• 157. Customized
• 158. Elaborated
• 160. Integrated
• 161. Lifted
• 162. Merged
• 163. Overhauled
• 164. Raised
• 165. Redesigned
• 166. Refined
• 167. Remodeled
• 168. Reorganized
• 169. Restructured
• 170. Revamped
• 172. Slashed
• 173. Streamlined
• 174. Strengthened
• 175. Updated
• 176. Upgraded 
• Boosted the AdWords click-through rates (CTR) from 25% to 37% without additional costs, which increased monthly sales by $5,000. 

Resume Power Words to Use Instead of “Responsible for”

Using “responsible for” in a resume gets old fast. Instead, use these alternative verbs that *pop*:

• 177. Accomplished
• 178. Acquired
• 179. Achieved
• 180. Acted As
• 181. Completed
• 182. Created
• 183. Executed
• 184. Finished
• 185. Forged
• 187. Navigated
• 188. Negotiated
• 189. Operated
• 190. Partnered
• 191. Performed
• 192. Prepared
• 193. Produced
• 194. Secured
• 195. Succeeded In
• 196. Undertook
• Navigated three simultaneous projects between 3 departments within the budget limit. 

Most of your job descriptions will be describing things you contributed to. This makes it tough to be original and show value.

In this case, you should try to be as specific as possible by giving details about your accomplishments. 

Here’s a list to help you replace the overused “worked on” and show value:

• 197. Arranged
• 198. Compiled
• 199. Composed
• 200. Constructed
• 201. Created
• 202. Developed
• 203. Engaged In
• 204. Fashioned
• 205. Forged
• 206. Formulated
• 208. Made Progress On
• 209. Operated
• 210. Organized
• 211. Perfected
• 212. Prepared
• 213. Pursued
• 214. Put Together
• 215. Set-Up
• 216. Undertook
• Created over 25 professional logos for companies in multiple industries, from small startups to large corporations.

Resume Action Verbs that Mean “Use” 

Instead of “utilize” or “use” replace them with these power words:

• 219. Deploy
• 220. Employ
• 222. Handle
• 223. Mobilize
• 224. Operate
• 225. Promote
• 226. Profit by
• 227. Put to Use
• 228. Restore
• 229. Revive
• 230. Resort to
• 231. Specialize in
• Handled full sales cycle for the company’s three biggest clients.

Resume Power Adjectives [w/ Examples]

Power adjectives have the same function as power verbs, but instead, they are…you guessed it: adjectives .

Unlike power verbs, you can use power adjectives beyond describing Professional Experience.

In this section, we'll cover how to use power adjectives in your resume summary, professional experience, and skills.

Then, we’re going to give you a complete list of the best power adjectives you can use in your resume.

Using Buzz Adjectives in the Resume Summary Section

The resume summary section is a short pitch to your prospective employer. You use it to summarize your most relevant experience, skills, and achievements.

When done right, adding some power adjectives can help your resume summary stand out.

Take a look at these examples:

• Caregiver with 5+ years of extensive experience. Recognized for providing heartfelt emotional support to clients. 
• Loving caregiver who has been working in an elderly home for 5 years. The perfect choice for delivering emotional support to clients.

The first example focuses on the candidate’s personal qualities, rather than her skills. Whereas the second example is professional and leaves a much more powerful impact. 

Want to know how to write the perfect summary for your resume?

Check out our complete guide, filled with professional examples and practical tips!

Using Power Adjectives in the Professional Experience Section

When you are describing your professional experience, power adjectives should be used sparingly. 

You already have plenty of action verbs in there, so don’t double down on the power words by adding an adjective. It’s either one or the other. 

Take a look at this example on how they can be strategically placed in a job description:

• Developed harmonious relationships with 70% of the patients, resulting in higher overall patient happiness.
• Developed relationships with 70% of the patients, resulting in overall patient happiness.

Using Power Adjectives in the Skills section

Don’t use power adjectives as a skill on their own. Don’t list “Intelligent” or “Professional” as a skill. Those are subjective personal traits.

Instead, use power adjectives only when they affirm your competency in another skill.

For example:

French and German vs Fluent in French and German 

Management skills vs Strong Management Skills 

The Best Power Adjectives [Divided by Category] 

Power adjectives for analytical thinking.

Are you constantly doing work that calls for putting your thinking hat on? 

This list is perfect for describing the detailed, calculating tasks you complete on a daily basis. 

They’re usually valuable for industries that require complicated critical thinking: IT , finance , telecommunications, engineering . 

• 232. Astute
• 233. Insightful
• 234. Methodical
• 235. Practical
• 236. Calculating
• 237. Intelligent
• 238. Meticulous
• 239. Shrewd
• 240. Complex
• 241. Investigative
• 242. Objective
• 243. Strategic
• 244. Discerning
• 245. Logical
• 246. Perceptive
• 247. Thoughtful

Power Adjectives for Creativity 

Use the adjective list below to describe creative work: 

• 248. Cutting-edge 
• 249. Imaginative 
• 250. Novel 
• 251. Sophisticated 
• 252. Elegant 
• 253. Ingenious 
• 254. Progressive
• 255. Unique 
• 256. First-class 
• 257. Innovative 
• 258. Revolutionary 
• 259. Unprecedented 
• 260. Groundbreaking 
• 261. Inventive 
• 262. Robust 
• 263. World-class

Power Adjectives for Productivity

• 264. Accomplished 
• 265. Economical 
• 266. Instrumental
• 267. Skilled 
• 268. Adept 
• 269. Expert 
• 270. Productive 
• 271. Skillful 
• 272. Advanced 
• 273. Fluent 
• 274. Proficient 
• 275. Strong 
• 276. Competent 
• 277. Ideal 
• 278. Profitable 
• 279. Superior 
• 280. Constructive 
• 281. Industrious 
• 282. Significant 
• 283. Qualified 
• 284. Cost-effective 
• 285. Influential 
• 286. Smooth 
• 287. Quality

Power Adjectives for Dedication

Recruiters love seeing genuine interest from a candidate. The words below are great for showing your dedication and high-spirits:

• 288. Committed
• 289. Devoted 
• 290. Genuine
• 291. Sincere 
• 292. Dedicated 
• 293. Earnest 
• 295. Spirited 
• 296. Determined 
• 297. Energetic 
• 298. Passionate 
• 299. Wholehearted

Power Adjectives to Describe Hard Work

Are you a diligent and driven person? Are you prepared to pull up tiring all-nighters to complete important projects? 

Here are some adjectives that compliment your hard work: 

• 300. Alert 
• 301. Driven 
• 302. Motivated 
• 303. Thorough 
• 304. Attentive
• 305. Enterprising 
• 306. Persistent 
• 307. Tireless 
• 308. Concerted 
• 309. Focused 
• 310. Studious 
• 311. Vigorous

Power Adjectives to Describe You as Organized and Systematic

• 312. Businesslike
• 313. Detail-oriented
• 314. Smooth
• 315. Systematic 
• 316. Controlled 
• 317. Orderly 
• 318. Step-by-step 
• 319. Timely 
• 320. Detailed 
• 321. Precise 
• 322. Structured

Power Adjectives for Communication and Teamwork 

Being friendly, understanding and sociable are key qualities for anyone working in a team setting or with customers and clients on a daily basis. 

Use these words to help describe your skills:

• 323. Amiable
• 324. Cheerful 
• 325. Cooperative 
• 326. Personable 
• 327. Amicable 
• 328. Clear 
• 329. Cordial 
• 330. Pleasant 
• 331. Articulate 
• 332. Coherent 
• 333. Courteous 
• 334. Positive 
• 336. Cohesive 
• 337. Diplomatic 
• 338. Respectful 
• 339. Charming 
• 340. Conscientious 
• 341. Harmonious 
• 342. Team-minded

Resume Buzzwords to Avoid 

Buzzwords are the opposite of power verbs.

They’re boring, overused, and hated by managers world-wide .

Here are some of the most popular buzzwords you should avoid:

• Hard worker
• Strategic thinker
• Outside the box
• Responsible for
• Specialized in
• Results-driven
• Team Player
• Detail Oriented
• In charge of 

Key Takeaways

Here’s everything we learned in this article:

• You can use power words to spice up your resume and add variety to your language. They are mostly verbs but can also be adjectives.
• To decide which power words to use, do a detailed scan of the job listing and identify the key responsibilities the employer is looking for. Your power words will be emphasizing how you have shown these traits. Be careful not to use more than one power word per sentence.
• Try using power verbs more often than power adjectives. It’s all about action!

Looking for more ways to improve your resume?

Suggested readings:

• How to Pick the Best Resume Format [+ Examples]
• How to List Education On a Resume [13+ real-life examples]
• What’s the Best Resume Font, Size, and Format [for 2024]

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214 Unique Action Verbs to Power Up Your Resume

In This Guide:

What are resume action verbs, тop 20 action words used by enhancv customers, why do action verbs matter.

How to use action verbs in a resume

How to include action verbs in the resume sections

Action verbs for the top 25 jobs in the US

Action verbs for top organizations and sectors

Action verbs for specific skills

10 action verbs to avoid on a resume and why, power verbs vs power adjectives.

Cover letter action verbs

Key takeaways

Action verbs on a resume are words that describe what someone does or did in their role or within a company. Also known as power verbs, they're different from neutral words because they convey a sense of initiative and impact. You use them to amplify your accomplishments and skills. For example, "worked on a team project" can be replaced with "spearheaded a team project," which sounds more dynamic and demonstrates leadership.

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Let’s be honest—you probably didn’t think much about your resume wording when writing it . The idea of adding action verbs might have just slipped your mind, and that’s totally normal.

A lot of job seekers don't realize how much impact these power words can have. But think about it: hiring managers go through countless resumes, and buzzwords like “detail-oriented” or “team player” pop up everywhere, making them dull and forgettable. Action verbs, however, can really make your resume stand out by highlighting your initiative and achievements. So, why not enrich your resume vocabulary with these powerful words?

In this guide, we’ll go through:

• What action verbs are, why they matter, and when to use them.
• Which action verbs can boost your resume and catch a recruiter’s eye.
• Choosing power words for your resume grouped by top job titles, industries, and organizations.
• Describing skills with active verbs.
• Hundreds of examples to choose from for your own resume, CV, cover letter, letter of interest, and interview.

Often referred to as action or power words, you can use action verbs throughout your resume to describe and strengthen your skills, achievements, and experience.

Recent neuroscience findings show  that action verbs can actually activate the parts of our brain involved in those actions. For example, reading the word "kick" might light up the brain areas related to kicking.

This fascinating connection suggests that inserting strong action verbs into your resume can vividly highlight your skills and achievements, making them more impressive to hiring managers. Just as these words stimulate your brain, they can also make your resume stand out and resonate more with potential employers.

So, let's dive into why action verbs are a game-changer for your resume and how to use them to your advantage.

To help you craft a resume that stands out , here are 20 powerful action verbs tested by Enhancv customers who managed to land their dream jobs just two months after starting to use our resume-building app .

• Collaborated
• Established
• Implemented
• Spearheaded
• Streamlined

If you’re not sure how to properly insert these power words into your resume, worry not. Our resume builder gives you bulleted suggestions that can instantly make your resume content more actionable.

Make this your resume

Use Enhancv’s Resume Builder and make a resume that stands out.

Hiring managers sift through a mountain of resumes when deciding who to bring on board, spending an average of just 7.4 seconds on each one . This makes it crucial to grab their attention quickly. To stand out, you need to use the most impactful language you’re capable of.

Action verbs can make your resume shine, immediately increasing your chances of getting an interview call by underscoring your skills and qualifications. They enhance the impression you leave on hiring managers. While your GPA  and basic credentials matter, employers are more interested in the results  you've achieved. By incorporating unique action verbs, you can easily introduce your quantified successes. For example:

Spearheaded  a team of 10 engineers to develop an innovative software feature, resulting in a 25% increase in user engagement  within three months.

Whether you're a high school student or a seasoned professional, the right power words can support your application. However, it's important to be honest about your achievements . Knowing which action verbs to use can make the difference between looking impressive and appearing mediocre or dishonest.

How to use action verbs in a resume: 5 simple rules

Ready to create a job-winning resume? Here are some key tips to use action verbs strategically and amplify your application:

• Study the job description : Tailor your resume  to the specific position you're applying for by studying the job description carefully. What keywords do they use to list the skills and responsibilities required? Now, try to match the same keywords  from the job posting on your resume (no lying, of course). This shows the hiring manager you have the relevant experience and can meet their needs.
• Be specific about your achievements : Don’t just tell recruiters you did something—show them! Use numbers and specific results  to highlight your successes. For example, instead of saying “Increased monthly blog visits,” say “Magnified monthly blog visits from 100,000 to 2 million in a year.” This not only sounds impressive but also provides concrete evidence of your impact. Here’s another hint — opt for action verbs that can be easily measured.
• Avoid overused action verbs : You don’t want your resume to look and sound like everyone else’s. Generic words like “managed,” “led,” “worked on,” and “participated” are so common they’ve become white noise to recruiters. Instead, opt for more specific and dynamic verbs that will grab attention and stand out.
• Use active voice : Active voice makes your accomplishments clearer and more impactful, implying agency and proactivity. Start each bullet point in your experience section with a power verb to ensure you’re underlining your result-driven approach. For example, say “Developed a new training program that boosted employee productivity by 20%,” instead of “A new training program was developed.”
• Consider high-register synonyms : To elevate your resume game, replace common action verbs with their French/Latin/Greek-origin synonyms. (Instead of saying " Analyzed  data," you could say " Scrutinized  data"). They convey a higher level of sophistication and expertise. Sometimes, opening the thesaurus to find the right substitutes for common action verbs can add a touch of sophistication to your resume.

How to include action verbs in your resume sections [examples & tips]

Dynamic words can transform your resume into a compelling story of your career path. Let’s explore how you can sprinkle action verbs across various sections of your resume  to make every sentence pop and every bullet point shine.

Resume summary

The resume summary  sits prominently at the top of your resume, right below the header. It provides a concise overview of your career, highlighting your key skills and accomplishments. To avoid turning it into a monotonous list, start every sentence with an action verb. This approach makes your personal statements  more dynamic and impactful.

Here’s a good example from a CTO resume :

Work experience

The work experience section  is where power verbs truly shine. Each bullet point under your job titles should begin with an action verb to clearly and concisely convey your responsibilities and accomplishments. For example:

• Managed  a team of 10 developers to deliver projects on time.
• Implemented  a new software solution that increased efficiency by 20%.
• Partnered  with 15 people from cross-functional teams to drive product innovation.

The same tips can be applied to a projects section  if you decide to create one. Just remember to list verbs in the past tense for previous roles and the present tense if the job is ongoing.

Here’s an example of action verbs in an experience section:

• • Lead ad hoc analyses of financial and IT data to assist other areas of the audit function, improving audit efficiency by 30%.
• • Develop repeatable methods to build an internal knowledge base, increasing team productivity by 20%.
• • Design and execute audit programs and system implementations, enhancing compliance rates by 25%.
• • Identify and resolve discrepancies leading to a 15% reduction in annual financial reporting errors.
• • Conducted detailed audits of financial and IT systems, recommending improvements that reduced risk exposure by 18%.
• • Provided IT control expertise, boosting system efficiency by 22%.
• • Managed multiple projects and teams, ensuring timely and accurate completion of audit tasks, resulting in a 95% on-time project delivery rate.
• • Developed and implemented process improvements, enhancing the efficiency of audit processes, which led to a 20% reduction in audit time.

Skills section

Action verbs are excellent for describing your skills. While technical proficiency  is often listed in a separate skill section  for easy skimming by recruiters, it's not advisable to present soft skills  in a bulleted list. Instead, support them with concrete examples of how you've applied these skills to make them credible. It's best to integrate them throughout different parts of your resume.

For example:

• Designed  user-friendly interfaces  (creativity)
• Analyzed  data to inform strategic decisions  (critical thinking)
• Engineered  marketing strategies that increased brand awareness  (communication and collaboration)

By using power verbs to describe your skills, you provide context, making it easier for hiring managers to understand your strengths.

Enhancv’s staple sections

Enhancv offers unique sections like “My Time,” “Strengths,” and “Most Proud Of” to help your resume stand out. In these distinctive sections, action verbs can add depth and clarity. For example:

• In “My time,” explain how you balanced  multiple responsibilities.
• In “Strengths,” describe how you honed  analytical skills through coursework.
• In “Most proud of,” highlight a significant and job-relevant milestone you achieved .

Using action verbs in these custom sections provides a more comprehensive view of your capabilities and personality.

Action verbs for the 25 most in-demand jobs in the US

In early 2024, U.S. News  evaluated jobs across various industries based on median salary, predicted growth, unemployment rate, work-life balance, and stress level to rank the top ones of the year.

Let's examine these jobs individually and list the action verbs that job-seekers in each occupation can use on their resumes.

Actuary resume action verbs

If financial risk assessment or data analysis is your specialty, here's how to highlight your expertise on your resume with powerful action verbs.

• Recommended
• Risk-assessed
• Synthesized

Data scientist resume action verbs

Here are some examples of power verbs that will make your data skills  shine.

• Architected
• Constructed
• Illustrated
• Orchestrated
• Scrutinized

Dental hygienist resume action verbs

Below are the most suitable words for a dental hygienist resume .

• Administered

Financial manager resume action verbs

If you thrive in money matters, your financial manager resume needs these words:

• Consolidated
• Diversified
• Strategized

Genetic counselor resume action verbs

As the healthcare industry grows, genetic counselors are in high demand. They dig into family history and genetic issues to guide treatment decisions.

To highlight your skills as a genetic counselor on your resume, use these action verbs:

• Coordinated
• Facilitated
• Interpreted
• Investigated

Industrial psychologist resume action verbs

For those wanting to amplify their interpersonal and problem-solving skills on their resume, here’s a list that will get you started:

Information security analyst action verbs

Here are some suitable and non-cliched action verbs for a cyber security analyst's resume :

• Safeguarded

IT manager resume action verbs

If you're aiming to highlight your expertise as an IT Manager , here are some powerful action verbs to showcase your skills and achievements on your resume:

• Transformed

Lawyer resume action verbs

Below are some impactful action verbs to use on your lawyer resume  to emphasize your legal expertise and accomplishments.

• Represented

Management analyst resume action verbs

Management analysts, or consultants , help organizations operate more efficiently through careful planning and studies. Integrate these words into your resume to describe the results of your decision-making:

• Benchmarking

Marketing manager resume action verbs

Marketing managers can find inspiration in the following list of power verbs:

• Conceptualized

Mechanical engineer resume action verbs

If mechanical engineers  are ever at a loss for words, here’s a list that will help them communicate their strengths on a resume:

• Troubleshot

Healthcare operations manager resume action verbs

If you’re in healthcare and medical services , the words below can boost your resume:

• Prioritized

Nurse anesthetist resume action verbs

The expected job growth for this position is 8.9%. Get ready to optimize your resume with strategic word choices.

Nurse practitioner resume action verbs

There will be over 100,000 job openings for nurses by 2032 . Be ready to stand out from the competition with a well-written resume.

• Rehabilitated
• Resuscitated

Occupational therapist resume action verbs

If you want your showcase your therapeutic skills  on your resume, get inspiration from the list of suggestions below:

Operations research analyst resume action verbs

If analytics, mathematics, and computer science are part of your daily responsibilities, here are some suggestions to help you build an effective operations analyst resume .

Orthotist and prosthetist  resume action verbs

Advances in medical and manufacturing technology have improved the accessibility of orthotic and prosthetic devices, leading to increased adoption and demand for these services. To build your prosthetist resume, choose the right verbs to introduce your responsibilities and accomplishments at work.

• Manufactured

Physician assistant resume action verbs

Physician assistants are appreciated for their clinical and diagnostic skills. These can be highlighted with the help of strong action verbs on your resume.

Sales manager resume action verbs

Sales managers are valued for their leadership and strategic abilities. Emphasize these skills on your resume by using impactful action verbs.

• Accelerated

Software developer resume action verbs

In competitive fields like IT, you need to stand out. Use this list of action verbs to create a tech resume  that’s both ATS- and recruiter-friendly.

Speech pathologist resume action verbs

For these professionals, precise communication skills are key. Use this list of action verbs to effectively showcase your expertise and catch the attention of employers.

• Communicated
• Individualized

Statistician resume action verbs

Here’s a list of power verbs that can enrich a statistician’s resume .

Veterinarian resume action verbs

Vets can make their resumes more engaging  and easier to read by using dynamic and varied verbs like those from the list below.

Web developer resume action verbs

Web developers need good action verbs for their resumes to effectively convey their technical skills, project achievements, and contributions to potential employers.

Now that we’ve covered some of the most popular jobs in the US, let’s explore the power words for industry-specific resumes.

Action verbs for top organizations and sectors

You're probably wondering what the best action words for a resume are. The answer depends on the context in which you use them. In this section, we’ll provide a list of impactful action verbs tailored to enhance resumes for top companies and universities. Many of these organizations periodically release their own lists of key action verbs. If you want recruiters from these organizations to notice you, pay attention to the words they emphasize in their recommendations. Make sure these same keywords are included in your application documents.

Google resume action verbs

For a Google resume , which typically emphasizes innovation, collaboration, and technical expertise, you can use the following words to highlight your skills and achievements:

Tesla resume action verbs

For those of you looking for a job at Tesla, we’ve created a list of action verbs that highlight innovation, technical expertise, problem-solving skills, and the ability to work in a fast-paced, cutting-edge environment.

Fortune 500 resume action verbs

For resumes targeting Fortune 500 companies, it’s important to use action verbs that highlight your leadership, innovation, and ability to drive results. Here are some impactful action verbs suitable for such resumes:

Big 4 resume power verbs

If you’re looking for a job in any of the Big 4 accounting  and consulting firms (Deloitte, PwC, EY, and KPMG), it's important to use action verbs that demonstrate your analytical skills, client service, and project management abilities. Here are some suggestions:

Harvard resume action verbs

Harvard Law School and Harvard Business School  have made their action verbs lists publicly available, but here’s a summary that will help you prove your leadership, strategic thinking, and academic excellence.

Action verb list for the University of California

For resumes and cover letters targeting the University of California system, including various campuses like UC Berkeley, UCLA, and UC San Diego, it's important to use action verbs that demonstrate your academic excellence, research capabilities, leadership, and community involvement. Here are some examples:

• Experimented

Strong action verbs for construction resumes

Struggling to highlight your construction skills effectively? Use these powerful verbs to make your resume stand out:

• Blueprinted

Resume action verbs for the education sector

If you need to showcase your teaching or academic expertise, these action verbs will help you effectively communicate your strengths:

• Differentiated
• Enlightened

Action verbs to describe financial services

Highlight your analytical and strategic planning skills with these action verbs to make your resume impressive and detailed.

Healthcare action verbs for a resume

Enhance your healthcare resume by emphasizing your problem-solving and patient-care skills with these action verbs:

• Revitalized
• Specialized

Information technology action verbs

Need to show off your IT skills with flair? These action verbs will help you set yourself apart in the tech industry:

The best action verbs for the manufacturing industry

Demonstrate your precision and efficiency skills with these action verbs:

• Standardized

Retail sector power verbs

Introduce your customer service and sales skills into your resume with these action verbs to make a great first impression:

• Merchandised

Transportation and logistics action verbs

Your organizational and logistical planning skills can be even described with some of these power verbs:

Utilities and energy action verbs

Recruiters expect to see some of these verbs in an engineering-related resume:

When you're crafting your resume, it's essential to use language that accurately reflects your skills and accomplishments. Also known as skill verbs, these are specifically chosen to highlight your expertise and abilities in various areas. However, the problem here is that they don't sit well when merely listed. They need to be illustrated or quantified to show their real impact.

Here are some guidelines to keep in mind when doing that:

• Be specific : Choose verbs that precisely describe what you did. For instance, instead of saying "Worked on a project," say "Designed a prototype." Specific verbs make your achievements more tangible and impressive.
• Match verbs to your skills : For example, if you want to underline your leadership, use verbs like "Directed" or "Orchestrated" instead of just “Led”. The synonyms are in the same semantic field, which will not only enrich the content but will also help you optimize your resume for applicant tracking systems and increase its visibility in search results.
• Show impact : Use verbs that demonstrate the impact of your work. Words like "Improved," "Optimized," or "Enhanced" can show how you made a difference in your previous roles.
• Vary your verbs : Avoid repeating the same verbs. Mix it up with different words that convey similar actions to keep your resume interesting and dynamic.
• Match the job description : Always tailor your verbs to match the job you're applying for. If the job description emphasizes certain skills or tasks, use similar verbs to underscore your relevant experience.

Now, let’s dive into the various ways you can underline your skills on a resume.

Action words to emphasize analytical thinking

Analytical thinking  is one of the most common skills listed on resumes, but to make it truly stand out, it's crucial to provide concrete evidence. Choose any of the verbs below when talking about your data-driven mindset.

Action verbs for partner acquisition and partnership development

These action verbs are essential for roles in business  development, sales, and partnership management, as they highlight your ability to acquire clients, secure funding, and develop strategic partnerships.

Best resume power words for research skills

The following group is crucial for roles in academia, scientific research, and data analysis, as it emphasizes your ability to conduct thorough investigations and contribute valuable insights to your field.

• Accumulated
• Extrapolated

Resume action words for problem-solving

From management and C-level positions to customer service and consulting, problem-solving is a great asset for an impressive range of resumes. Find some inspiration for which action verbs to use here:

• Anticipated

Resume action verbs for teamwork and communication

Here are 20+ action verbs to effectively showcase teamwork  and communication skills  on your resume and avoid sounding too vague or generic.

• Articulated

Power verbs for project and product management skills

Using powerful action verbs on your resume can significantly enhance the presentation of your project and product management skills. They can help you quantify your accomplishments, providing concrete evidence of your contributions. Look at the examples below:

Resume power words to use when describing results and achievements

The suggested words below matter because potential employers want to know about the impact you’ve made in your previous roles. Use them generously, regardless of your occupation or level of experience.

• Capitalized
• Outperformed

Resume action verbs to describe tasks and responsibilities

Action verbs can help convey your accountability and the extent of your duties. Here’s what you can say when you mean “responsible for”:

As if crafting a resume isn’t challenging enough, choosing the right action verbs can make it even more frustrating. However, there’s a general agreement among recruiters that some verbs are so overused that they’ve lost their impact. They make you sound vague and forgettable, which is the opposite of what you want to be when looking for a job.

To help you navigate word choice, here are 10 common action verbs to avoid and what to use instead:

• was responsible for   →  managed, directed, oversaw
• worked on   →  developed, executed, designed
• helped   →  assisted, facilitated, supported
• led   → chaired, guided, directed
• used   → utilized, applied, leveraged
• participated in   → contributed to, engaged in, joined
• supported   → bolstered, enhanced, strengthened
• made   → created, crafted, produced
• handled   → managed, administered, operated
• put together   → constructed, compiled, assembled

Power adjectives and power verbs are two equally important tools in your resume-writing arsenal. While power verbs clearly articulate your actions and accomplishments, power adjectives add depth and detail, making those actions even more impressive.

For instance, instead of just saying "Led a team," you can say "Led a dynamic, high-performing team," which gives a richer, more vivid picture of your role. Using strong adjectives alongside verbs not only highlights your skills but also makes your contributions stand out more effectively to recruiters. This strategic use of language makes your resume highly engaging and memorable.

For more tips on how to master this, be sure to read our detailed article on integrating power adjectives into your resume .

Should I use action verbs in cover letters and interviews? 

Action verbs aren’t just for your resume (or CV). They’re equally impactful in cover letters , letters of interest , and interviews.

Including strong action verbs in these contexts helps you convey a proactive, results-driven professional persona. For example, in a cover letter, you might say, "I spearheaded a project that increased sales by 20%," which immediately grabs attention. In an interview, describing how you "orchestrated a successful team initiative" makes your experiences sound more dynamic and engaging.

This varied language not only enhances the storytelling aspect of your professional journey but also creates a holistic view of your capabilities. Research shows  that varied and vivid language increases engagement and retention, making your story more memorable to hiring managers. By consistently using action verbs across all professional communications, you reinforce your competencies and leave a lasting impression.

If you feel like you're ready to get the gist of how to make your resume truly shine, here are the main insights:

• Action verbs make your resume more dynamic and engaging : They help to articulate your skills, achievements, and responsibilities clearly.
• Choosing the right action verbs can significantly impact how your resume is perceived : By avoiding generic terms and using specific, impactful words, you stand out to hiring managers.
• Use action verbs to illustrate and quantify your achievements : This makes your contributions more tangible and impressive.
• Tailor your action verbs to match the job description : This shows that you have the relevant experience and can meet the employer's needs.
• Incorporate action verbs across various sections of your resume : From the resume summary to work experience and skills, power verbs can enhance every part of your resume.
• Avoid overused action verbs : Common words like "managed," "led," and "worked on" can become white noise to recruiters.
• Enhance your language with high-register synonyms : This adds a touch of sophistication and can help optimize your resume for applicant tracking systems.
• Use action verbs in cover letters and interviews : They help convey a proactive, results-driven professional persona and enhance your storytelling.

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Are you looking for impactful resume action words and power verbs?

Correctly using relevant action words and power verbs can put you light years ahead in your job search.

If you write your experiences in the resume like the following, you need to read this guide:

• 'I am an excellent team player...'
• 'I was responsible for managing...'

Instead of these generic words, you must use resume power verbs to make your resume all the more compelling.

Resume power verbs are words that help grab the reader's attention by clearly communicating your skills and experience. It also improves the wattage of your bullet points and improves readability.

Our 2023 Guide to Resume Words, focusing on Action Verbs Examples, will provide a detailed roadmap to shift your resume from 'oh well' to 'wow.'

You will get clarity on the following FAQs related to resume action words and power verbs:

• What are power verbs or resume action words?
• Why action verbs are important for a resume?
• How to use action verbs on a resume?
• What are some resume power adjectives?
• 250+ example of power verbs in resume

What are Power Verbs or Resume Action Words?

Power verbs are action-based verbs with strong meaning in the English language compared to other verbs. If you use action words in a sentence, you become strong and confident.

In contrast, most resume bullet points start with the same words:

• "Responsible"
• "Managed"
• "Held," etc.

These words are used so much that it has lost their meaning for the recruiters. So, to grab the recruiter's attention, it's important to use resume power verbs in the bullet points.

Also Read: How many bullet points should you add to your resume in 2023?

Why are Action Verbs Important for a Resume?

Action verbs are important because they help you communicate your strengths and experiences to the recruiter in a strong voice.

Let's see two examples:

Which one do you think is the most effective?

Both the bullet points mean the same thing, but the first one is more impactful to the recruiters,

Given below are two examples of how to use action words on a resume:

Also Read: How to create a compelling work experience section in your resume?

How to Use Action Verbs on a Resume?

A good resume is much more than a list of jobs with corresponding dates – it's a marketing document to show off your strengths and get you the job.

One of the most important elements of your resume is the action verbs (words that describe actions) you use. Action verbs make up your experience description; each should be relevant, concise, and targeted to a specific job.

1. Which Power Words Should You Use?

When using power verbs in your resume, it is important to choose measurable and relevant words for the job. This way, you can pair the power verb with a tangible achievement, for example, enhanced marketing ROI by 35%.

Here's a step-by-step guide:

• Read the job description carefully, and identify the key responsibilities for the job
• Determine which skills of yours match the job description
• Look at power verbs to highlight these achievements in the resume

Also Read: What are some good resume synonyms for the word "teach"?

2. How Often Should You Use Power Words?

If you overdo the action verbs, then they will lose their value. The hiring manager might also think that you're trying too hard.

A general rule of thumb is to not use the same power verb in one "Work Experience" section twice.

3. Avoid Generic Resume Words

Generic action verbs are common on resumes. They don't make much of an impact. Instead, choose resume words representing a quantifiable achievement that is powerful, and dynamic, and show the employer how much of an impact you had on your previous company.

Also Read: How to say "innovative" in different ways on your professional documents?

4. Use Fresh Resume Action Verbs

Resumes are boring. You're not going to hook an employer with your vanilla resume and piles of text. That's why it's important to include the right words in your resume to make yourself stand out from the pack.

36 Fresh Resume Action Verbs Example

5. Avoid Passive Voice in Resume

We often unconsciously use the passive voice in resume writing, which can be difficult to detect. One simple way to tell the difference is to look at your verbs in the active voice. For example: If the verb in your sentence comprises two words ("was developed") or contains "to be" verbs such as "is," "are," and "were" (e.g., "were developed"), then you know the passive voice is at work.

By changing the passive voices to active voices, you will improve the readability of your resume.

Also Read: What skills should you include in your resume in 2023?

Kickass Resume Action Verbs to Replace Commonly Used Words

Strong resume words for 'planning' or 'strategic planning.'.

Additionally, check out this great resource for more action verbs around 'Strategic Planning'

Also Read: 10+ Strategic synonyms that will elevate your reusme

Good Resume Words for 'Managing.'

Also Read: 10+ Synthesize synonyms

Strong Resume Words for 'Organizing.'

Also Read: Synonyms for the word "build" that you can use in resumes and cover letters

Good Resume Words for 'Supervising' or 'Leadership.'

Also Read: 10 unique ways to say "teamwork" on a resume

Strong Resume Words for 'Executing' or 'Worked on' or 'Handled.'

Also Read: "Contribute" synonyms

Good Resume Words for 'Communication.'

Also Read: 10+ Synonyms for "motivate"

Strong Resume Words for 'Helping.'

Good Resume Words for 'Creativity' or 'Problem Solving.'

Strong Resume Words for 'Responsible for' or 'Getting Results'

Good Resume Words for 'Team Player'

Also Read: Which keywords should you use in your resume in 2023?

Resume Buzzwords: 2023 List of Resume Verbs to Include and Avoid

Also Read: How to write a stellar resume in 2023?

What are Some Resume Power Adjectives?

Power adjectives are a more sophisticated way of listing your achievements and skills when compared with power verbs because, unlike power verbs, you can use power adjectives beyond describing Professional Experience.

This section will show you how to use power adjectives effectively in different resume sections.

Use Power Adjectives in Resume Summary

A resume summary is the first paragraph the recruiter sees in your resume. It’s used to grab the recruiter’s attention to read the whole resume.

And power adjectives can help you do that if you effectively add them to the resume summary.

• Certified Cybersecurity professional with 4+ years of extensive experience adept at providing meticulous leadership and network infrastructure support by ensuring all systems and databases are up-to-date.
• Certified Cybersecurity professional with 4+ years of experience adept at providing network infrastructure support by ensuring all systems and databases are up-to-date.

Power Adjective in Professional Experience Section

The professional experience section is the heart of the resume. And using power adjectives in a resume can help you hold the recruiter’s attention.

Also Read: What are some great examples of resume summaries for various job profiles?

Best Power Adjective for Resume

Given below are some power verbs which are categorized based on different soft skills:

Power Adjective for Creativity

Power Adjective for Productivity

Power Adjective for Dedication

Power Adjective for Hard Work

Power Adjective for Organization Skills

Also Read: How to use resume buzzwords the right way?

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top 20 resume power words.

What are Some Resume Buzz Words 2023 to Leave Off Your Resume?

You need to ensure that you’re not using popular Resume Buzz Words 2023 on your resume.

The resume already has limited space. So choose your words carefully to maximize the impact on recruiters.

Here are some Buzz Words 2023 to Leave Off Your Resume:

• Hard-working
• Responsible
• Team Player
• Result-driven
• Specialized
• Problem-solving

Why Do We Need to Add Power Verbs in a Resume?

When applying for a job, a candidate needs to appear confident and competent, so using power verbs helps you communicate your message more powerfully, confidently, and convincingly.

How to choose power verbs? Choose a power verb that describes your work most accurately. The aim is to convey what you’ve done in your previous jobs that led to measurable results.

Also Read: What are some of the best jobs for retired people?

Key Takeaways

To recap everything that we discussed till now:

• Action verbs for resume are different from resume keywords. The latter pertains to professional job skills which the recruiter is looking for. The former helps to realign your resume from responsibility-based to achievement-based.
• Simply stuffing your resume with action verbs will do you no good. It's always better to validate everything you say with quantifiable instances and achievements.
• If everyone's special, no one's special. Resume buzzwords come and go with each passing season, and it's critical to be aware of the trend. Our section on the 2023 Guide to Resume Keywords will give you an idea of which ones to use and which ones to avoid.
• Use our extensive compendium of action verbs for resume grouped by resume skills to revamp your resume!

Go to Hiration's ChatGPT-powered career platform which has 24/7 chat support and get professional assistance with all your job & career-related queries. You can also write to us at support{@}hiration{dot}com.

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Resume Worded

Resume action verbs for 2024, curated by hiring managers at top companies, these action words will ensure your resume's bullet points stand out..

When you're applying for jobs, it's not the amount of experience on your resume that counts; it's how you write about your accomplishments that makes the difference. A well-written, impactful resume can catch a recruiter's eye and help give you an edge over other job applicants. Bullet points highlighting your achievements are an excellent way to pack a lot of information into bite-sized chunks that are easy for a hiring manager to skim through.

Your resume's bullet points should start with strong action verbs. Action verbs, like "Created" or "Implemented" , immediately tell a recruiter your involvement in your accomplishments. Strong, unique action verbs show hiring managers that you have held different roles and skill sets, and makes your resume more impactful.

To help your resume pack the most punch, choose precise action verbs to describe the role you played in each achievement. The strongest verbs are unique and specific -- not vague or cliche. Overused expressions such as "responsible for" will make a recruiter's eyes glaze over, and worse, they don’t provide much information about what you actually accomplished. Verbs like "Pioneered" or "Launched" are more clear and vivid, and help you sound more confident.

Choose a category to see relevant action verbs

We've worked with 20+ hiring managers to curate 200+ effective action verbs. Just choose a category that best matches the kind of experience you're trying to convey, we'll show you the verbs you should use.

Strong Accomplishment-driven Action Verbs

Use accomplishment-driven verbs to talk about all types of professional achievements. These verbs are unique and clear, but they’re not exclusive to any particular industry; they can be applied to a wide range of experiences and people.

• Accelerated
• Revitalized
• Spearheaded
• Strengthened
• Transformed

Examples in action

These examples lead with strong verbs to highlight specific, measurable accomplishments.

Action verbs to demonstrate communication skills

When you want to demonstrate your ability to convey ideas or work on a team, consider leading with communication-centric verbs. Although communication is a “soft” skill, it can still achieve tangible results -- focus on those in your bullet points, especially if you’re targeting a job where you’ll be working with people a lot.

• Co-authored
• Co-ordinated
• Communicated
• Corresponded
• Demonstrated
• Facilitated
• Interpreted
• Interviewed
• Recommended

Examples like these show the type of communication skill that you used as well as the outcome that each one had.

Action verbs to describe your entrepreneurial experiences

If you want to bring your entrepreneurial skills to the forefront, start out with strong verbs that show your initiative and ingenuity. These verbs can be helpful when talking about business ideas you’ve launched or projects you’ve conceived.

• Established
• Implemented

These types of accomplishments aren’t ones you’d see on a typical resume -- so if you’ve got this type of experience, don’t hide it! It’ll help you stand out from the crowd.

Action verbs to highlight Management and Executive skills

Being a manager or executive requires a specialized skill set and plenty of experience. To show that you’re the right one for the job, choose verbs that showcase abilities such as planning, evaluation, and delegation.

• Administered
• Consolidated
• Prioritized
• Reorganized

Management and executive roles are often competitive -- having concrete examples to show what you’ve achieved in similar roles could be crucial to getting the job.

Action verbs and words for leadership and mentorship experiences

If you have experience in leading and mentoring, opt for collaborative verbs that show how you inspire and bring out the best in others. Your ability to nurture others and encourage their growth is a great strength to possess, and will likely make a strong impression on a hiring manager.

• Illustrated
• Familiarized
• Rehabilitated
• Represented
• Coordinated

Verbs such as “coached” and “taught” show how you led others to achieve the concrete results that you discuss in the bullet points.

Action verbs to demonstrate your research skills

For more research-based and analytical experiences, pick verbs that demonstrate how you gather, assess, and interpret information. While research and analysis often happen “behind the scenes”, they can still have a significant impact on a business.

• Investigated

With these examples, potential employers will see not only how you gathered information, but also how you used it to make a difference.

Action verbs that show how you solved problems

Problem solving skills are essential, but can be hard to quantify. To highlight your abilities in this area, choose verbs that describe what specific action you took to find a solution to a problem.

• Streamlined

Wherever possible, specific examples are always better than vague generalities. Simply saying you have “strong problem solving skills” sounds nice, but provides little information.

Action verbs which demonstrate how you improved existing processes

Although closely related to problem solving abilities, process improvement skills are a bit more specific. When talking about your work on business processes, use verbs that show how you’ve enhanced those processes to make them more efficient or effective.

• Reorganised
• Restructured

These examples demonstrate how you took action to improve an existing process, what the outcome was, and how it positively impacted the business.

Action verbs that are effective for financial or numeric-heavy roles

When you want to highlight your financial or accounting experience, industry-specific verbs such as “budgeted” or “balanced” show that you are knowledgeable in this area. Recruiters for these types of jobs may want to see that you have developed skills such as balancing books or making financial projections.

Because finance is a niche industry requiring specific skills and training, it’s best to stick with verbs (and accomplishments) that are specific to this field.

Action verbs for design and creative professions

If you’re a creative professional, you’ll want to showcase your skills at developing ideas and bringing them to fruition. Choose verbs that show how you conceptualize new projects, give them structure, and eventually execute them.

• Conceptualized

Verbs like “designed” and “created” tell recruiters that you conceived a new idea that positively impacted your company.

Action verbs for all kinds of administrative or detail-oriented roles

Administrative and clerical work comes with its own set of skills such as organizing, compiling, and recording information. Use specific verbs such as these to explain what you accomplished in past jobs.

• Systematized

When applying to be an office assistant or clerk, examples like these show that your efforts have contributed to the success of companies you’ve worked for.

Action verbs for engineering resumes

Much like financial positions, engineering and technical jobs are highly specialized. If you’re seeking one of these positions, you are best off using specific industry-related vocabulary to describe your skills and underscore your level of experience.

• Extrapolated
• Standardized
• Troubleshooted
• Architected

When looking for work in the tech industry, it’s important to include examples like these as proof of your technical mastery.

Examples of action verbs

Let's look at some examples of the action verbs above, and how they're used in practice.

How to structure your resume bullet points

Here are two frameworks to keep in mind when writing your bullet points. Notice how we start with an Action Verb, briefly describe the task and finish with the impact we had.

Here's another similar framework. The difference here is we start with the impact we had - in this case, it's a reduction in customer support calls. Both frameworks are equally effective.

For more sample bullet points, visit Sample Bullet Points

Finding the words to tell your story can be a challenge, especially on a resume. But taking the time to choose the perfect verbs to illustrate your skills and experience can take your resume from good to outstanding -- and that edge may be just what you need to start landing the jobs you really want.

What are weak action verbs in a resume?

Weak action verbs are those that are generic and don't effectively describe your role. Common examples of such words include 'Assisted' and 'Worked with'. Words like these are too generic and often make genuine achievements sound insignificant. After all, recruiters want to know what you actually did , and weak verbs like 'Assisted' tell recruiters you did not take an active role in the work - you just 'assisted' or 'worked with' people, without any real accomplishment. Stronger words like 'Developed' and 'Implemented' are more descriptive and effectively demonstrate your contribution in your achievements.

What are some good action verbs?

What are some strong action verbs, top 200+ action verbs free pdf download.

Download all action verbs in a single PDF document and use them as an easy reference when writing your own resume and bullet points.

Instant download. No email required.

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Resume Cheat Sheet: 222 Action Verbs To Use In Your New Resume

• Juraj Ondrejka , 
• Updated November 2, 2023 1 min read

Having difficulty finding the right words? Our cheat sheet with 222 powerful verbs will help you impress your future employer.

Almost everyone knows the struggle – sitting behind the desk trying to put together a resume.

But where to start? How to make its content look and sound professional?

Our cheat sheet will help you find the right words for describing your exceptional skills. :)

Getting the job is a very complex process. In order to get it, you need to have a knowledge and experience in the certain areas.

The first step though is having a relevant resume. Correct word selection can be much more important than you think. The resume with a poor vocabulary can make you seem dull and unqualified.

Many people think, that employers do not judge resumes on a vocabulary level anymore.

The opposite is true. Your resume makes the first impression for you. Leave it the best you can, make it sound pompous!

And if you're impressed by our list of powerful action verbs for your resume, put them to work! Harness the power of our AI Resume Builder to effortlessly craft a compelling and dynamic resume.

Do you like this story? Share it with your friends! 

• Juraj Ondrejka

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Action Verbs That Will Strengthen Your Resume

Add these vibrant action verbs to your resume to stand out from the competition and increase your chances of getting more job interviews.

Customers Interviewed by:

Want to make your resume stand out? Use action verbs. They make your resume easier to read, more exciting, and more memorable.

In fact, one study showed that using strong action verbs on your resume can increase your chances of getting an interview by 140%.

To help you write your resume , we’ve compiled a list of 500 action verbs. They’re organized into categories to make it easy to find the perfect words to showcase your unique strengths.

What are action verbs?

Action verbs convey doing , and include words like achieved , designed , and implemented . The best place to use these words is at the beginning of bullet points on your resume.

Your “resume is typically written in an implied first person without pronouns,” says professional resume writer Clair Levy . “This means you avoid using ‘I’ and instead start bullet points with action verbs (e.g., ‘Developed marketing strategies’ instead of ‘I developed marketing strategies’).”

If you’re unsure which words to use, our action verbs list below offers plenty of options to choose from.

Action verbs for when you managed a project

When you need to highlight your ability to manage , these action verbs will help you convey your leadership and organizational skills effectively.

• Coordinated
• Disseminated
• Established
• Facilitated
• Orchestrated
• Prioritized
• Recommended
• Reorganized
• Represented
• Revitalized
• Spearheaded
• Streamlined
• Strengthened

Action verbs for when you were creative

When you want to showcase your creativity, these action verbs will help you bring your innovative ideas to the forefront.

• Conceptualized
• Constructed
• Corresponded
• Demonstrated
• Illustrated
• Interpreted
• Interviewed
• Photographed
• Storyboarded

Action words for when you did office work

When it’s time to highlight your office skills, these action verbs will help you show just how efficient and organized you are.

• Administered
• Contributed
• Distributed
• Followed up
• Implemented

Action words for when you researched

When you want to showcase your research skills, these action verbs will help you emphasize your analytical and investigative abilities.

• Articulated
• Concentrated
• Experimented
• Investigated
• Systematized

Action verbs for when you helped with a project

When you need to highlight your ability to assist , these action verbs will help you show how you made a difference.

• Co-authored
• Collaborated
• Participated
• Rehabilitated

Action verbs for when you used technical skills

When it comes to showing off your technical expertise, these action verbs will help you highlight your skills with precision.

• Communicated
• Reconstructed
• Supplemented

Action words for when you used numbers

When you want to showcase your number-crunching skills, these action words for your resume will help you highlight your analytical abilities.

Action words for when you were the teacher

When you need to highlight your teaching or mentoring experience , these resume action words will help you show how you guided and inspired others.

• Individualized

How to use action verbs on your resume

Power verbs are one of the most important elements of a strong resume, but they can sometimes be tricky to use. Here are five tips for using action verbs on your resume effectively:

1. Avoid commonly used action verbs

While some action verbs pack a punch, others are so familiar to recruiters that their eyes may skim right over them. The top 10 most overused action verbs are: 

Use Jobscan’s resume optimization tool to help you replace generic, overused resume verbs with more relevant, targeted keywords.

2. Use numbers to be more specific

Action verbs are a prelude to words that describe your accomplishments . You analyzed what ? You researched what ?

When describing the what of an accomplishment, always try to use numbers. Don’t just list your job duties. Numbers are a great way to be specific. They paint a clear picture of how well you did something. Here are three examples:

• Increased sales revenue by 30% through strategic marketing campaigns.
• Reduced customer wait time by 50% by implementing a new customer service queuing system.
• Streamlined inventory management processes, resulting in a 20% decrease in overhead costs.

Wondering if your resume has enough relevant numbers? Jobscan’s resume optimization tool checks and helps you measure your achievements, making sure you stand out to employers.

3. Be active, not passive

Always try to use active voice on your resume. For example, “The batter hit the ball.” Avoid writing in passive voice . For example, “The ball was hit by the batter.”

One simple way to tell if you are using active voice or passive voice on your resume is to see if your resume action verbs contain one word or two. For example, the verb “was grown” comprises two words, meaning that it is in the passive voice. If it were in the active voice, it would have only one word, “grew.”

You can also easily check to see if your resume is using the passive voice with a free online tool called HemingwayApp . Just paste your resume into the app and it will highlight where you used passive voice. 

4. Try to use industry-specific verbs

It’s important to use language that is specific to your areas of expertise . For example, if you’re applying for a job in the financial industry, using strong verbs like “invested,” “audited,” or “calculated” will impress hiring managers and show that you have the relevant skills , experience, and knowledge they are looking for.

5. Tailor your resume to get more job interviews

You must tailor each resume to the job you’re applying to if you want to get interviews. That’s because most companies today use computer software to help them in the hiring process.

This software is known as an ATS, or Applicant Tracking System . It’s a database that contains all the resumes a company receives. Hiring managers search through the database by typing in keywords. These keywords are usually hard and soft skills .

Just like websites need to be optimized for Google, your resume needs to be optimized for the ATS.

The way you optimize your resume is by adding specific job-related keywords to it. Where do you find these resume keywords ? In the description of the job you’re applying to.

To speed up the process use an online tool like Jobscan’s resume scanner . Paste your resume and the job description into the scanner. You’ll then receive a resume score that tells you how closely your resume matches the job description. The higher the score the more likely you are to get an interview.

Here’s an example of a match report:

In the above example, the keyword “answering phones” is an important requirement for the job but is missing from the applicant’s resume. By adding key resume words, the match score will increase.

Try Jobscan’s resume scanner for free below…

An action verb is simply a word that shows what you did, like “managed,” “designed,” or “created.” These verbs make your resume more dynamic and help your experience come across as stronger. Using them highlights your skills and accomplishments, making them stand out to potential employers.

Action verbs describe doing . Action verb examples include “run,” “jump,” “think,” and “read.” A variety of action verbs can really spice up your resume and make it more interesting to read. The best place to use action verbs when you build your resume is in your work experience section . Start off your resume bullet points with action verbs. You can also use active verbs in your resume summary . Avoid using the same active verb more than once on your resume. Check out our library of resume examples to see the best way to use action verbs.

Action verbs grab and hold the reader’s attention. They paint a clear and convincing picture of your accomplishments. They also convey a sense of enthusiasm and energy. Studies show that using action words on your resume increases the chance of getting an interview by 140%.

A list of action verbs for students includes organized, coordinated, led, collaborated, contributed, participated, volunteered, initiated, assisted, conducted, presented, created, designed, developed, implemented, researched, analyzed, evaluated, communicated, adapted, demonstrated, managed, facilitated, supported, mentored.

Here are 50 popular action verbs examples: achieved, adapted, analyzed, assisted, built, collaborated, communicated, completed, conducted, created, designed, developed, directed, earned, established, executed, facilitated, generated, implemented, improved, innovated, led, maintained, managed, mentored, negotiated, organized, oversaw, participated, performed, presented, prioritized, produced, promoted, provided, resolved, reviewed, solved, streamlined, supported, supervised, taught, trained, updated, utilized, verified, volunteered, wrote, adapted, served.

Avoid overused action verbs like managed, led, created, implemented, improved, achieved, developed, resolved, planned, and assisted on your resume and cover letter .

Robert Henderson, CPRW, is a career advice writer and a resume expert at Jobscan.

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24 action verbs for your resume that will get you the job

Jump to section

What are action verbs?

Why use action verbs, the 24 best action verbs to include in your resume, how often should you use action verbs, 8 dos and don’ts of power words, what are hiring managers looking for in a resume.

3 sections your resume should include

What action words should you avoid?

Precision will take you to the top.

Lights, camera, action. Action verbs, we mean.

Action verbs help us set the stage for a strong resume or cover letter that best describes who we are as a person and why we’re the best candidate for the job. Action verbs for resumes are a must. We can’t make a great first impression on a hiring manager without powerful words amplifying all our accomplishments.

But resume writing is hard. Our job search shouldn’t start with vague, uninspiring words on our resumes when we can use action verbs to share all we have to offer. 

Grab a pen and paper, physically or virtually, and let’s dive into the power behind action verbs.

Hiring managers read dozens of resumes or CVs in a day, and we want ours to stand out. Action verbs, which express how we do things (rather than states of being), do that for us. The concept is simple: use words that express action, drive, and energy rather than imprecise or uninformative words. 

Action verbs describe our leadership and creative skills and how we best use our communication skills within a team. We use them to highlight how specific experience, knowledge, and skills to prove we’re the right person for a role.

Action verbs can slide right into bullet points or full sentences, so there’s always room to include them.

One big benefit of using powerful action verbs is that they steer us away from using generic words like oversaw or helped. Instead, we can say directed or trained and offer details about what those experiences looked like. These verbs make us sound more creative and emphasize our skills, goals, and passions.

Using strong action verbs in your resume will show your employer more about your personality than the vague words that people gravitate toward. They’ll paint a picture of what action items you managed or what impact you made on your team.

If you read through some of these examples on our resume action word list and find that they don’t sync up with you and your work experience, don’t fret. 

Here are 24 action verbs that can showcase your different skills or experiences, along with a few examples of how to use them: 

Words for leadership skills:

• Tutored 

Words for sales experience

• Coordinated
• Systematized

Words for communication skills

Words for customer service experience, 8 examples of resume action verbs in action.

• Advised: I advised customers on which spa package would best suit their needs 
• Resolved: I resolved any issues that guests had and ensured that they enjoyed their time with us
• Inspired: I inspired my team members to speak up for their mental health needs
• Mentored: I mentored junior team members to develop their understanding of the industry
• Documented: I documented our bookkeeping with proficient detail and care
• Streamlined: I streamlined our pitching process to be clearer and more effective
• Boosted: I boosted our store’s overall sales percentage by 25% within the first three months 
• Strengthened: I strengthened our team’s collaborative skills to improve our sales strategies

Sometimes it’s hard to find the right words to articulate our thoughts. At BetterUp , our coaches can provide the guidance you need to gain confidence as you write or speak about yourself.

Too much of anything isn’t great — even action verbs in a resume. We want our resumes to have a sufficient number of action verbs, but we don’t want them to overwhelm our reader. 

Our words need to be descriptive. We love action language for our resumes, but we shouldn’t overdo it. Don’t try to be too fancy or confusing. 

Our advice is to refrain from adding more than two action verbs per sentence. Keep things concise, and make the few action words you use count. 

Everything in moderation, right?

We want to be responsible action verb users, so we need to review a few dos and don’ts for when we use action verbs in our resumes.

Learning and unlearning is a skill that teaches us plenty of new lessons. We’ll learn how to use action verbs most effectively and unlearn habits of using them poorly.

Let’s review these four dos and four don’ts:

• Use them in bullet points and paragraphs 
• A brief read over the job description, and see if you can apply any of those words
• Make sure you clearly understand the meaning behind each word you use
• Combine action verbs with quantifiable examples and results
• Use subjective words that recruiters often hear, including “I’m awesome at…”
• Rely on only those words to carry your whole sentence; remember to remain descriptive
• Add an adjective or adverb with your action verb to elongate the sentence; don’t say you “effectively delivered” something, as effective is implied 
• Use words that don’t apply to your skills and abilities

Recruiters and hiring managers are looking for people who can do the job — and do it well. Lucky for you, research has shown that when applicants use words that promote more detailed, positive images of themselves, they make a better first impression through their resume and interview .

Managing first impressions — or impression management — is everything. Action verbs will help you make a strong first impression to convince them you’re the best fit.

And hiring managers are busy people. They have tons of applications to flip through, and yours might be overlooked for a spelling mistake or generic opening — but not if you include the right keywords and action verbs and convey their desired characteristics. 

Before you write your resume or cover letter, familiarize yourself with the industry and requirements for job positions. It’ll help you narrow down the relevant keywords that recruiters are looking for. Keywords might be skills, levels of education, or specific programs or software. A hiring manager will use these keywords as a checklist to ensure that candidates match what they need.

We’ve compiled a list of characteristics that a hiring manager would want to see. Check them out and think about how you can incorporate them:

• Strong sense of self-advocacy and understanding of your goals
• Confidence in yourself and your abilities
• Familiarity and experience with problem-solving strategies
• Strong articulation skills and ability to communicate ideas, thoughts, and concerns
• Sense of empowerment , motivation, and ambition
• Knowledgeable about the industry and job responsibilities
• Demonstrated resilience and self-efficacy skills
• Ability to adapt to change and embrace learning opportunities

3 sections your resume should include 

Now that we know what action verbs to use in resumes, we must know where we’ll exactly use them. Your resume has many sections, but we need to cover three that make or break the page. If you’re ever having trouble formatting your resume, try using resume templates or ask a friend for help.

We have three sections you should include where action verbs help:

Introduction section

Shortly after your contact information, including a brief introduction is great. You can have a description of yourself, your objectives, or a summary of your qualifications.

An example of an objectives section could look like this:

I’m passionate about the environment, and I’m looking to find a job where I can advocate for more environmentally-friendly products. I’ve recently finished a contract with my local conservation association, and I plan on securing a similar opportunity.

Experience section

Action verbs have a fun time in this detailed experience section. It’s where you highlight all your relevant working experience to demonstrate you’re qualified for the job. You’ll want to write about where you worked, when, and your responsibilities. 

Here’s an example:

Buddy’s Painting, Sales Associate 

January 2018-May 2022, Palm Springs, California

• Boosted sales by 15% within the first year of working there
• Brought enthusiasm, attention to detail, and transformational leadership t o the workplace
• Furthered sales strategies and inspired new marketing tactics

Skills section

Think of your skills and which ones match the job description’s keywords. If they’re looking for someone “detail-oriented” in the job post, emphasize that you possess that skill. However, don’t hesitate to include skills they forgot to list. Make sure this section is well-rounded and includes transferable skills .

Here are some examples of skills to include, but remember to make them relevant to the job you’re applying for:

• Collaboration and teamwork
• Analyzing and interpreting data
• Public speaking and presenting work
• Organization and time management

We’ve talked about the words we love to use, but we also have to highlight the words we’re ready to kick to the curb. Certain buzzwords or generic terms are downright boring. Why use them when we can use powerful action verbs? We want key action words for our resumes, not overused words.

Vague wording doesn’t help us build trust and a connection with hiring managers. We want to provide a detailed description that accurately and confidently portrays ourselves. 

For the future, we’ve compiled a list of eight words and phrases to avoid:

• In charge of

Choosing action verbs for our resumes is what’s going to help us stand out from the rest. Being precise and mindful as we choose words to reflect on ourselves helps create an appealing resume and make a great first impression on hiring managers.

We do this by proofreading our resumes before we submit them anywhere. Take the time to clearly read over your words and think twice about how descriptive they are. Powerful action verbs detail our work experience and abilities in an empowering light. They should highlight everything we have to offer as an employee and as a person quickly and clearly. 

Find someone to help you pay attention to details and be more mindful of your words. At BetterUp , our coaches can help you slow down and note how your words reflect who you are and your goals.

Understand Yourself Better:

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Elizabeth Perry, ACC

Elizabeth Perry is a Coach Community Manager at BetterUp. She uses strategic engagement strategies to cultivate a learning community across a global network of Coaches through in-person and virtual experiences, technology-enabled platforms, and strategic coaching industry partnerships. With over 3 years of coaching experience and a certification in transformative leadership and life coaching from Sofia University, Elizabeth leverages transpersonal psychology expertise to help coaches and clients gain awareness of their behavioral and thought patterns, discover their purpose and passions, and elevate their potential. She is a lifelong student of psychology, personal growth, and human potential as well as an ICF-certified ACC transpersonal life and leadership Coach.

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Take Your Résumé to the Next Level With These Action Verbs

Assisted …

Let’s face it: most résumé bullet points start with the same handful of words. Words that have become so overused at this point that not only are they beginning to lose their meaning entirely, but they’re also failing to illustrate the actual day-to-day duties of a particular job.

That’s a major problem when you think about how recruiters and hiring managers have their eyes on hundreds of applicants’ résumés per day. If you’re using the same dull, flat, and oftentimes boring words on your résumé, how can you expect it to stand out from the crowd?

That’s where action verbs can help. And not just any action verbs—but those that are powerful enough to convey not only what you did on the job, but also that you excelled at your tasks and on-the-job challenges.

What is an action verb ?

Action verb: the grammatical definition.

First things first—a verb is a word that describes an action, state, or occurrence. As we all learned in grade school, a few basic verbs include run , walk , dance , jump , etc. Pretty simple, right?

What you may not have known is that these single-word verbs are more specifically defined as action verbs , or verbs that express an action that a person, animal, or object can physically do.

When trying to identify an action verb, ask yourself the question: what is the subject doing? The answer will be the action verb. For example, in the sentence Jane sings a melody , the subject is Jane. What is Jane doing? Jane is singing, so the action verb is sings .

Action verbs vs. linking verbs vs. stative verbs

In contrast, stative verbs express a state of being rather than an action, while linking verbs provide more information or context about the subject of the sentence. But it’s important to note that some verbs can be used as either action verbs or linking verbs, depending on the context of the sentence.

Linking verb example: Jane’s voice sounds lovely. In this sentence, sounds  is a linking verb because it links the subject ( Jane’s voice ) with the characteristic of having a lovely sound.

Stative verb example: Jane is a musician. Here, the verb is  serves as the stative verb because it connects our subject ( Jane ) with the trait of being a musician.

Want to know more? No need to wait, you can dive deeper into this explanation of action verbs of all kinds.

Action verbs in writing résumés

Action verbs are strong, vivid verbs that you can incorporate within your résumé as a solid replacement to everyone else’s typical go-tos. Here’s an example:

Option 1: Managed student volunteers

Option 2: Trained , supervised , and mentored a group of dedicated student volunteers

See how much more detailed, interesting, and compelling the second option is? Choosing a fresh action verb (or in this case, three) makes all the difference.

So whether you’re writing a brand new résumé from scratch for the first time or are simply refreshing your current one, here’s how to strategically make use of action verbs to really pack a punch:

How to use powerful action verbs in résumés

If you have any experience at all with résumé writing, you already know that it is deceptively difficult. Because a résumé’s purpose is to essentially “sell” yourself and your skillset to recruiters and hiring managers, each sentence needs to be carefully and thoughtfully crafted. You want to thoroughly describe your duties and responsibilities and your previous jobs while simultaneously telling the reader something about who you are as an employee— all while keeping it as brief as possible and trying not to be repetitive. That’s a tall order for just a few short bullet points !

Need help putting your résumé together? Check out our guide on writing an effective résumé.

That’s exactly why action verbs are so crucial to good résumé writing. By simply swapping out a few words here and there, you can more clearly showcase your skills, provide as much detail as possible, and lead with the most compelling words that will keep recruiters’ eyes on your résumé for longer.

Try sprinkling in some of the powerful action verbs below throughout your résumé, including in your job descriptions, summary statement, and even in your cover letter. (Pro tip: you can also use them on your LinkedIn profile in the same way!)

Solved a challenging problem

If you helped your team come up with a viable solution for an ongoing issue, consider using:

• constructed
• coordinated
• established
• restructured
• strategized
• transformed

Example: Researched reporting tools and restructured the marketing department’s internal reporting process, making it easier to analyze key performance indicators and prioritize team projects accordingly.

Supported internal stakeholders

Internal stakeholders are people whose interest in a company is the result of a direct relationship, such as employment, ownership, or investment. Whether you interacted directly with company investors or simply managed the needs of a team of employees, elaborate on your specific experience with:

• collaborated
• communicated
• contributed
• problem-solved

Example: Informed the board of directors of any emerging issues related to the business’s day-to-day operations, addressed concerns, and answered questions about proposed changes.

Do you often confuse the words resume and résumé ? Make sure you use them correctly before you get back to building up your applications.

Found ways to save time or money                                

Helping companies streamline their efforts and operate more efficiently or cost-effectively is no small feat, which is why it’s such an impactful accomplishment in the eyes of recruiters. To really drive the point home on your résumé, try using:

• capitalized
• consolidated
• prioritized
• reorganized
• standardized
• streamlined

Example: Streamlined the employee onboarding process by consolidating and standardizing all new hire training materials within one online software.

Grew sales   

On the other hand, it’s equally as impressive if you’ve played a major role in making the company money. Show off your stellar sales skills with:

• outperformed

Example: Generated over $20,000 in revenue in 2020 and continuously outperformed all other sales representatives in the district.

Launched a feature or project

Did you lead the charge on an exciting new endeavor or help launch a company-wide initiative? Illustrate just how important your role was with:

• conceptualized
• implemented
• orchestrated
• spearheaded

Example: Founded and served as volunteer editor of the first marketing department newsletter to help keep company stakeholders and employees in other departments up-to-date on important projects and team efforts.

Led a team             

Strong management and leadership skills are highly valuable for job-seekers in any industry. Set yours apart from the rest by using:

• demonstrated

Example: Supervised and mentored a team of five graphic designers. Trained all employees on industry best practices and cultivated a company culture rooted in continued education.

Showed technical proficiency                  

Demonstrate your skills and showcase the amount of hands-on experience you have in your industry with:

• troubleshot

Example: Identified content gaps on client websites and worked collaboratively with the SEO team to formulate content marketing strategies that drive organic traffic.

Action verbs in action

As you’re incorporating these dynamic action verbs throughout your résumé, don’t be afraid to show off a bit—that’s what a résumé is for! You already know what you’ve accomplished at previous jobs and how great of a candidate you are; simply choose your favorite action verbs and really let those accomplishments shine.

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Résumé? check! Now on to the cover letter .... Thankfully, we've got you covered on how to best write one.

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