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Career Blog Action Verbs

Career blog

140+ Resume Action Verbs [2023]

3 minute read | Aug 18, 2023 | By: Maria Correa, Professional Resume Writer

Give your resume more pep with these 140+ action verbs for a resume, instead of overused, cliché phrases.

Use your resume power verbs wisely

When you write a resume, it’s important to feature the right skills and qualifications, but you should pay special attention to your words. Hiring managers don’t just care about what you’ve done in the past; they also care about how you talk about it. That’s where resume verbs come in!

To help your resume stand out, on this page we will:

  • Give you a full understanding of how to use resume verbs.
  • Provide resume power verbs you can use to cover a variety of job situations and achievements.
  • Give you a list of relevant words to replace the tired catchphrases most job seekers use on their resumes.

What are resume action verbs?

Resume action verbs used to highlight strengths on your resume. You can use them in your resume summary or resume objective, and work experience sections.

Action verbs remove the need for personal pronouns like I & me or my, they make your statements stronger and more straightforward, and they allow you to talk about your technical skills, hard skills and soft skills in different ways.

For example, say you’re a customer service professional writing a bullet point in your work history section; instead of saying “Was responsible for taking phone calls” a verb like “answered” will strengthen your statement so that you could write instead, “Answered an average of 40 incoming calls per day.” Notice how using an action verb gives a stronger impression, showing you’re fully in charge of your responsibilities and achievements.

Or imagine you’re a software developer and want to tell the recruiter how many people you worked with on projects. Instead of writing “I worked with six people to successfully launch new apps,” you could say, “Collaborated with six people across departments to successfully launch new apps.”

How do you use action verbs in a resume?

Here are a few resume writing tips to properly use action verbs:

Look at resume examples from your field.

Looking at resumes related to your career or industry is a great way to get inspiration. They can give you an idea of industry-specific verbs you can use and provide an excellent foundation for your resume.

Tailor your resume to the job description.

Beyond giving you instructions on how and where to submit your resume, the job posting should serve as a guide to determine what skills and work accomplishments you should highlight. Including some of these keywords in your resume will also help make it past the applicant tracking systems (ATS) employers use to determine which action verbs you used.

For example, if the job stresses financial analysis, you’ll likely use action verbs like analyzed, organized, budgeted and oversaw.

Keep your phrases concise.

Get straight to the point in your statements and make sure the wording you’re using matches the action verb. “Facilitated patient screening for 100+ bed hospital” is more impactful than “I was responsible for screening patients for a hospital with 100 beds,” and also gives you more room on your resume to add other major qualifications and skills.

Pack an extra punch with quantifiable metrics.

Ensure your action verbs are extra powerful by combining them with a number. So instead of just saying “Tasked with editing articles,” you should say, “Edited an average of eight articles a day.”

Action verbs to use: group and project management

If you managed a project and have management skills or leadership skills that are important for the job, here are some powerful action verbs you can use:

  1. Oversaw
  2. Conceptualized
  3. Streamlined
  4. Mentored
  5. Tutored
  6. Critiqued
  7. Advised
  8. Familiarized
  9. Guided
  10. Organized
  11. Arranged
  12. Assembled
  13. Shaped
  14. Counseled
  15. Conducted
  16. Planned
  17. Recruited
  18. Supervised
  19. Managed
  20. Trained

Example of power words in action:

For the job of an account executive:

  • Streamlined conversation between agency and seven clients to successfully navigate marketing campaigns.

Action verbs to use: problem-solving

Do problem-solving skills come naturally to you? Here are other words you can use in your resume to show potential employers:

  1. Clarified
  2. Refined
  3. Refocused
  4. Redesigned
  5. Overhauled
  6. Remodeled
  7. Reorganized
  8. Transformed
  9. Strengthened
  10. Updated
  11. Upgraded
  12. Replaced
  13. Budgeted
  14. Delegated
  15. Consolidated
  16. Catalogued
  17. Grouped
  18. Tested
  19. Verified
  20. Improved

Example of power words in action:

For the job of a programmer:

  • Updated internal servers every month and increased performance by 50%.

Action verbs to use: analysis

If you had to actively use your research skills or analyze numbers and the competition, mix up your wording by including some of the following resume action verbs:

  1. Analyzed
  2. Investigated
  3. Researched
  4. Forecasted
  5. Measured
  6. Modeled
  7. Projected
  8. Monitored
  9. Anticipated
  10. Assessed
  11. Compared
  12. Detected
  13. Evaluated
  14. Reported
  15. Verified
  16. Surveyed
  17. Measured
  18. Computed
  19. Tracked
  20. Identified

Example of power words in action:

For the job of a research assistant:

  • Analyzed new data and compared it to data found in previous research to determine new course of action.

Action verbs to use: communication

If there’s one universal soft skill that is needed in every single job, regardless of industry, it would be communication skills. Here are some action verbs that express good verbal and written communication skills:

  1. Authored
  2. Presented
  3. Edited
  4. Drafted
  5. Outlined
  6. Counseled
  7. Composed
  8. Campaigned
  9. Wrote
  10. Articulated
  11. Spoke
  12. Rewrote
  13. Refined
  14. Responded
  15. Reported
  16. Represented
  17. Publicized
  18. Created
  19. Illustrated
  20. Documented

Example of power words in action:

For the job of a copywriter:

  • Wrote a total of eight unique and original campaign slogans for agency’s major clients.

Action verbs to use: achievements

Did you accomplish something big at work? Did you successfully complete a project? These are all important snippets that you should include in your resume’s work experience section, with power words like:

  1. Completed
  2. Won
  3. Outperformed
  4. Showcased
  5. Finished
  6. Demonstrated
  7. Exceeded
  8. Reached
  9. Accelerated
  10. Accomplished
  11. Acquired
  12. Delegated
  13. Designed
  14. Developed
  15. Encouraged
  16. Targeted
  17. Reduced
  18. Shaped
  19. Simplified
  20. Solved

Example of power words in action:

For the job of a car salesman:

  • Exceeded monthly sales goal by 80%, selling a total of 10 units.

Action verbs to use: creativity

If you were tasked with using imagination and innovative thinking, here’s a list of strong action verbs you can use on your resume to show employers your creative skills:

  1. Designed
  2. Conceptualized
  3. Devised
  4. Drafted
  5. Sketched
  6. Visualized
  7. Originated
  8. Drew
  9. Enhanced
  10. Created
  11. Composed
  12. Brainstormed
  13. Captured
  14. Crafted
  15. Wrote
  16. Invented
  17. Innovated
  18. Showcased
  19. Graphed
  20. Storyboarded

Example of power words in action:

For the job of a graphic designer:

  • Designed over 20 social media posts per month for Facebook and Instagram.

Action verbs to use: customer support

Knowing how to give excellent customer service is a skill that more and more employers are requiring. Here are several action verbs to convey your sales experience and ability to provide great customer support:

  1. Increased
  2. Improved
  3. Proposed
  4. Interviewed
  5. Generated
  6. Decreased
  7. Coordinated
  8. Operated
  9. Helped
  10. Transcribed
  11. Collected
  12. Calculated
  13. Offered
  14. Processed
  15. Monitored
  16. Recorded
  17. Streamlined
  18. Solved
  19. Verified
  20. Reduced

Example of power words in action:

For the job of a sales associate:

  • Offered strong customer support that boosted sales by 15%.

Action verbs to use: teaching

As a teacher, you’re bound to wear many hats throughout your career. Here’s a list of the right words to portray your highly valuable skills and professional experience:

  1. Adapted
  2. Accommodated
  3. Interacted
  4. Taught
  5. Guided
  6. Advocated
  7. Counseled
  8. Arranged
  9. Encouraged
  10. Implemented
  11. Conducted
  12. Demonstrated
  13. Compelled
  14. Prepared
  15. Prepped
  16. Facilitated
  17. Clarified
  18. Evaluated
  19. Executed
  20. Reported

Example of power words in action:

For the job of an English teacher:

  • Evaluated student progress and modified instructions according to student needs, increasing academic performance by 60%.

Action verbs to use: technical

Does your job require you to possess highly specialized technical skills? Resume power adjectives for the tech industry will convey that you’re a results-driven professional who knows how to get the job done.

  1. Tested
  2. Engineered
  3. Maintained
  4. Scheduled
  5. Installed
  6. Deployed
  7. Restructured
  8. Introduced
  9. Consolidated
  10. Unified
  11. Drove
  12. Contracted
  13. Trained
  14. Procured
  15. Supported
  16. Refurbished
  17. Coached
  18. Modeled
  19. Balanced
  20. Delegated

Example of power words in action:

For the job of a game designer:

  • Modeled and created over 100 levels for various Sci-Fi and Fantasy Action-RPG games.

Synonyms for overused words

Nailing down how to write a resume can be tough when you’re not sure what words to use to substitute generic words and phrases. Not to worry! Here are synonyms for overused resume words that you can use:

  • “Responsible for…”
    • Created
    • Produced
    • Executed
    • Achieved
    • Accomplished
  • “Tasked with…”
    • Prepared
    • Fashioned
    • Developed
    • Constructed
    • Composed
  • “Worked on…”
    • Arranged
    • Navigated
    • Forged
    • Organized
    • Pursued
  • “Improved…”
    • Boosted
    • Customized
    • Redesigned
    • Refined
    • Integrated
  • “Managed…”
    • Directed
    • Guided
    • Shaped
    • Supervised
    • Piloted
  • “Served…”
    • Administered
    • Offered
    • Provided
    • Dispatched
    • Brought
  • “Assisted…”
    • Aided
    • Facilitated
    • Supported
    • Cooperated
    • Collaborated
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FAQ: Resume action verbs

Have questions? We’re here to help.

How can I make sure I’m not being overly flashy with my action verbs?

Even action verbs can be carried too far. Check our resume examples and resume templates for how to best use action verbs and hold back from being too casual or “colorful.”

For instance, you wouldn’t want to use words like “destroyed” or “smashed,” even if you’re using them in a positive context. Not only do these words very rarely actually provide anything extra to your resume but they can also be read in a negative light rather than a positive one.

Saying “Systematized paperwork submission processes” is much more effective than saying “Destroyed paperwork issues at previous workplace.” The second reads very unprofessionally, but the first gives helpful information.

What are keywords in a resume?

Unlike power verbs, keywords are certain words that you’ll find in the job description during your job search that tell you the specific skills and experiences an employer is looking for. These words will be picked up by applicant tracking systems (ATS) employers often use to scan resumes and make sure you’re qualified for a specific job.

Resume action verbs, on the other hand, describe how you do certain things in your job (e.g., “Oversaw production line of 50 employees”). Both words you’ll use all throughout your resume, but one of them helps with ATS and the other helps when it actually gets to a hiring manager.

What is a list of action verbs?

Here are some bullet points with powerful resume verbs you can use:

  • Directed
  • Oversaw
  • Managed
  • Pioneered
  • Cataloged
  • Quantified
  • Computed
  • Critiqued
  • Systemized
  • Streamlined
  • Debugged
  • Organized
  • Facilitated
  • Furthered
  • Arbitrated
  • Mediated

What action verb you use will depend on the job you are applying for and the industry. It’s important to add them to your resume to give the recruiters and hiring managers the impression that you’re a proactive and energetic professional.

What are some not-so-good resume action verbs?

Words can have the power to make or break a resume, so it’s crucial that you choose the right action verbs. Some weak resume words to avoid include:

  • Worked
  • Made
  • Studied
  • Took
  • Showed
  • Said
  • Watched
  • Tried

As you can see, the words mentioned above are generic and vague. They don’t paint a clear picture of what you did or your impact and may result in a bland resume that leaves hiring managers desiring more.

What are action verbs examples?

Some examples of power verbs include to create a strong resume: Conveyed, moderated, negotiated, authored, explained, mastered, standardized, organized, devised, piloted and managed.

As you can see, these power verbs are there to start the beginning of your phrases and help you in describing professional experience. You can use them in the professional experience section to highlight accomplishments, the resume summary or the resume objective. Power verbs replace statements like “Was responsible for…” or “I was in charge of…”

Power verbs will make your phrases more punchy and easier to read. Take a look at these 10 examples and how they’re worded:

“Organized retreat for over 40 employees with daily team activities.”

“Moderated panel for debate event where more than 30 students participated.”

“Authored 15 lifestyle and fashion articles based on social media trends.”

“Carried out plan of care for over 25 patients in safe and competent manner.”

“Generated 14% sales increase by initializing transactions and implementing new marketing strategy.”

“Presented new idea to prospective clients and won the agency a new account with $1M budget.”

“Assisted with organizing, restocking and answering customer questions.”

“Streamlined work by ensuring resources were purchased, cleaned and available for use.”

“Transported clients to locations outside the home such as to physicians’ offices.”

“Provided life-saving medical interventions to injured and ill individuals.”

Where can I write resume action verbs?

You can write power verbs in your resume summary, resume objective and work history sections. Resume action verbs will help you create an engaging, professional and strong resume that captures and retains the attention of recruiters and hiring managers.

Action verbs give your resume an active voice when talking about your key responsibilities and accomplishments, so it’s important to mix them around and use the appropriate one depending on what you want to say. If you’re talking about something that relates to your communication skills, for example, instead of writing “I spoke to the clients,” you can use a statement like, “Communicated with clients weekly to ensure satisfaction and provide ideas for upcoming events.”

Action verbs on a resume summary may look like this:

“Playful elementary school teacher with experience in capturing student attention through dynamic and stimulating educational activities. Energetic, trustworthy and trained in providing top learning assistance to students, learning assessments and grading techniques. Known for positive attitude, excellent leadership skills and open communication.”

You can also include action verbs in your cover letter, so be sure to read our How to Write a Cover Letter article to learn how.

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