350 Strong Action Verbs For A Resume

Christina J Colclough

By Christina Colclough

Last updated:

If active resume words are new to you, you may be wondering how they differ from verbs on your resume. Well, this article is what you are looking for. Adding the right action verbs to your resume is as easy as substituting them for any verbs that are currently on it, even if it is 100% full right now.

Let’s find out more with my list of action verbs below!

Why Use Action Verbs And How They Can Highlight Your Resume

Action verbs are used to convey and characterize actions taken by someone or something. In other words, they can highlight all the effort you’ve put into your professional development.

Resume Example

You can exhibit your proactivity, self-assurance, and capacity for handling a range of job duties and responsibilities by showcasing your relevant skills and potential. By demonstrating how much, how frequently, how quickly, and how well you completed a task, action verbs may also assist in quantifying your accomplishments and influence.

Also, a resume with action verbs demonstrates your distinct qualities, contributions, and personality, which might make you stand out from the competition. This might assist you in making an excellent impression and grabbing the hiring manager’s attention.

List Of Powerful Action Verbs For Resume

Action Verbs For Describing What You Did

Impactful action verbs in your resume tell a hiring manager more than just what you did. It showcases the effort you put into achieving that result. Below are some examples of action verbs you can employ:

  1. Advocated
  2. Aided
  3. Fabricated
  4. Printed
  5. Arranged
  6. Answered
  7. Assisted
  8. Assessed
  9. Clarified
  10. Cared for
  11. Collaborated
  12. Counseled
  13. Contributed
  14. Demonstrated
  15. Diagnosed
  16. Encouraged
  17. Ensured
  18. Expedited
  19. Facilitated
  20. Repaired
  21. Solved
  22. Furthered
  23. Guided
  24. Insured
  25. Intervened
  26. Motivated
  27. Provided
  28. Referred
  29. Rehabilitated
  30. Represented
  31. Supplied
  32. Supported
  33. Advised
  34. Coached
  35. Clarified
  36. Conducted
  37. Communicated
  38. Coordinated
  39. Evaluated
  40. Encouraged
  41. Explained
  42. Focused
  43. Guided
  44. Instilled
  45. Instructed
  46. Persuaded
  47. Ignited
  48. Joined
  49. Melded
  50. Merged
  51. Participated
  52. Studied
  53. Built
  54. Designed
  55. Determined
  56. Partnered
  57. Maximized
  58. Lifted
  59. Made
  60. Perfected
  61. Set up
  62. Drafted
  63. Publicized
  64. Documented
  65. Proofread

Power Verbs For Describing Achievement

Every employer is curious about your accomplishments. Ultimately, accomplishments demonstrate the effort and time you have put into your career. Using these impactful resume action verbs can help you come across as a successful individual who can assist a company in achieving its objectives.

  1. Achieved
  2. Accelerated
  3. Decreased
  4. Won
  5. Pioneered
  6. Accomplished
  7. Delivered
  8. Founded
  9. Produced
  10. Achieved
  11. Demonstrated
  12. Generated
  13. Raised
  14. Advanced
  15. Drove
  16. Grew
  17. Reached
  18. Amplified
  19. Earned
  20. Improved
  21. Saved
  22. Attained
  23. Enacted
  24. Lifted
  25. Sharpened
  26. Boosted
  27. Endeavored
  28. Managed
  29. Showcased
  30. Capitalized
  31. Enhanced
  32. Maximized
  33. Sparked
  34. Completed
  35. Established
  36. Outpaced
  37. Spearheaded
  38. Consolidated
  39. Exceeded
  40. Outperformed
  41. Steered
  42. Converted
  43. Expanded
  44. Overcame
  45. Stimulated
  46. Created
  47. Expedited
  48. Overhauled
  49. Streamlined
  50. Targeted
  51. Surpassed
  52. Succeeded
  53. Strengthened
  54. Streamlined
  55. Reorganized
  56. Completed
  57. Exceeded
  58. Resolved
  59. Restored

Action Verbs For Describing Responsibilities

Do you wear several hats at work? Excellent, make use of those job duties in your CVs or cover letters. A resume with action words may highlight your fast thinking and adaptability, which are qualities that some jobs need. A prospective employer should be able to tell a lot about your capabilities and key skills from these action verbs.

  1. Forged
  2. Coordinated
  3. Handled
  4. Organized
  5. Accomplished
  6. Created
  7. Headed
  8. Partnered
  9. Achieved
  10. Delivered
  11. Implemented
  12. Performed
  13. Acquired
  14. Developed
  15. Improved
  16. Prepared
  17. Acted as
  18. Executed
  19. Increased
  20. Produced
  21. Analyzed
  22. Expanded
  23. Initiated
  24. Reached
  25. Assembled
  26. Facilitated
  27. Instituted
  28. Secured
  29. Built
  30. Finalized
  31. Made
  32. Simplified
  33. Charted
  34. Finished
  35. Navigated
  36. Negotiated
  37. Succeeded in
  38. Completed
  39. Accelerated
  40. Negotiated
  41. Undertook
  42. Constructed
  43. Guided
  44. Operated
  45. Volunteered

Action Verbs For Describing Experience

Relevant experiences are the strongest influence. It’s indisputable evidence of your professional accomplishments up to this point, so make use of it. Ultimately, your background might be the deciding factor between you and other job seekers.

  1. Adapted
  2. Expertised
  3. Coordinated
  4. Guided
  5. Recommended
  6. Administered
  7. Critiqued
  8. Individualized
  9. Reorganized
  10. Advised
  11. Delegated
  12. Informed
  13. Reviewed
  14. Analyzed
  15. Developed
  16. Installed
  17. Scheduled
  18. Assigned
  19. Directed
  20. Instructed
  21. Simulated
  22. Chaired
  23. Enabled
  24. Motivated
  25. Stimulated
  26. Clarified
  27. Encouraged
  28. Organized
  29. Supervised
  30. Coached
  31. Evaluated
  32. Oversaw
  33. Taught
  34. Communicated
  35. Executed
  36. Persuaded
  37. Tested
  38. Conducted
  39. Explained
  40. Planned
  41. Trained
  42. Consolidated
  43. Facilitated
  44. Prioritized
  45. Transmitted
  46. Contracted
  47. Focused
  48. Produced
  49. Tutored

Action Resume Verbs For Describing Communication Skills

These days, effective communication is highly valued. However, the term becomes empty if you repeatedly enter “Communicated with XYZ departments.” Strive for power words instead. The following action words for resumes are excellent for summarizing your interpersonal skills at the workplace.

  1. Addressed
  2. Disseminated
  3. Advertised
  4. Advised
  5. Alerted
  6. Amended 
  7. Emailed
  8. Queried
  9. Announced  
  10. Questioned
  11. Answered
  12. Emphasized
  13. Recorded
  14. Arbitrated
  15. Relayed
  16. Articulated
  17. Expressed
  18. Reported
  19. Authored
  20. Framed
  21. Responded
  22. Highlighted
  23. Rewrote
  24. Briefed
  25. Informed
  26. Scribed
  27. Broadcasted
  28. Interacted
  29. Chronicled
  30. Interfaced
  31. Shared
  32. Circulated
  33. Interpreted
  34. Socialized
  35. Cited
  36. Interviewed
  37. Specified
  38. Clarified
  39. Liaised
  40. Spoke
  41. Commended
  42. Listened
  43. Suggested
  44. Communicated
  45. Logged
  46. Synthesized
  47. Compiled
  48. Mediated
  49. Talked
  50. Condensed
  51. Moderated
  52. Telegraphed
  53. Consulted
  54. Narrated
  55. Transcribed
  56. Contacted
  57. Notated
  58. Translated
  59. Conveyed
  60. Notified
  61. Transmitted
  62. Convinced
  63. Outlined
  64. Tweeted
  65. Corresponded
  66. Penned
  67. Verbalized
  68. Crowd Sourced
  69. Portrayed
  70. Wrote
  71. Debated
  72. Posted
  73. Defined
  74. Presented
  75. Detailed
  76. Proclaimed

Good Resume Words For Describing Leadership Skills

Have you used the term “led” in your job application seven times already? Try replacing this active verb with “chaired team meetings.” Sounds better, right? As you can see, even if it’s tiny, the difference is enormous. To emphasize your leadership abilities in your CV, use the following keywords.

  1. Administered
  2. Appointed
  3. Controlled
  4. Approved
  5. Delegated
  6. Originated
  7. Overhauled
  8. Authorized
  9. Chaired
  10. Considered
  11. Consolidated
  12. Contracted
  13. Reviewed
  14. Scheduled
  15. Converted
  16. Streamlined
  17. Coordinated
  18. Decided
  19. Directed
  20. Eliminated
  21. Emphasized
  22. Enforced
  23. Selected
  24. Established
  25. Prioritized
  26. Recommended
  27. Executed
  28. Handled
  29. Headed
  30. Hired
  31. Hosted
  32. Assigned
  33. Improved
  34. Incorporated
  35. Increased
  36. Initiated
  37. Inspected
  38. Oversaw
  39. Panned
  40. Instituted
  41. Led
  42. Managed
  43. Enhanced
  44. Merged
  45. Attained
  46. Motivated
  47. Organized
  48. Presided
  49. Reorganized
  50. Replaced
  51. Restored
  52. Developed
  53. Secured
  54. Strengthened
  55. Supervised
  56. Terminated

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The Bottom Line

Action verbs have a significant impact and are therefore considered power words when utilized on a typical resume. They make your abilities pop, and your professional experiences in previous roles come to life, which helps you stand out from the competition and entices hiring managers to learn more about you. So, add these compelling words to your resume to boost your chance of getting hired!

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Christina J Colclough

Christina J. Colclough

Dr Christina J. Colclough is an expert on The Future World of Work and the politics of digital technology advocating globally for the importance of the workers’ voice. She has extensive regional and global labour movement experience, is a sought-after keynote speaker, coach, and strategist advising progressive governments and worker organisations.

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