When it comes to resume action verbs, they are one of the most powerful elements to make your resume stand out. The key importance of the action verbs lies in emphasizing that you accomplished something rather than you were just responsible for it!
This article walks you through,
- What is an Action Verb?
- Where to put Action Verbs in your Resume?
- Must use Actions Verbs in your Resume
- Resume Action Verbs based on different skill areas
What is an Action Verb?
Action verbs are very powerful verbs that you can use on a resume instead of ordinary boring verbs. These action verbs or power words help to describe your skills or achievements in a potential way rather than just stating what you did. This will increase the value of your resume and will not hurt you at all.
Just see the difference below:
- "Managed a team of 50 employees" - Here, the word Managed sounds more like just a mere responsibility in a job description
- "Mentored a team of 50 employees" - The term Mentored implies that you were an ideal leader who helped your team members reach their potential under your guidance.
This is a word game to put your best personality out there on paper.
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Where to put Action Verbs in your Resume?
This is the next question you will face in resume writing. You already know that there are different sections on a resume. But can you use action verbs in all those sections? The answer is, no.
There are some ideal sections in which you can use action verbs to optimize your resume to perfection.
1. Summary Section
The resume summary is a great place to put action verbs as it is the first place most recruiters lay their eyes on. If you can use a couple of great action verbs in your profile or summary that will be a great thing that will help you to pass the 6-second resume scan.
2. Employment Summary Section
The work experience section is also a good place to include some powerful action verbs on your resume. While composing the work summary, make sure to use powerful action verbs to emphasize your achievements or results by performing certain responsibilities. According to the career experts’ opinion, bullet points in work experience section is the best place to enter action verbs for a resume.
3. Cover Letters
Cover letters is another top place to add power verbs for it's the first piece of content that the HR manager reads. This can convince the reader to further explore your CV/ resume without neglecting it.
Check out some examples below!
You can now check out more resume tips to stand a better chance of winning the competition.
Must use Actions Verbs in your Resume
Action verbs for when you have done something
The term Did is too generic, and boring. Instead, try more powerful verbs as listed below, but in the right context.
- Implemented
- Assembled
- Handled
- Executed
- Processed
- Initiated
- Facilitated
- Conducted
- Carried out
- Dedicated
Action verbs for when you have created something
Whether it's a tangible thing you created or a concept, give it the deserved worth by using one of the powerful action words below.
- Developed
- Designed
- Produced
- Devised
- Established
- Fostered
- Formulated
Action verbs for when you have helped towards goals
If you want to demonstrate your competencies of achieving a goal by helping your peers or your organization, use the words below in your resume.
- Assisted
- Aided
- Demonstrated
- Provided
- Effected
- Protected
- Motivated
- Referred
- Served
- Represented
- Empowered
- Dealt
You can use the Keyword Finder tool below to find out the job-specific keywords for your resume now.
Action verbs for when you have led a team
If you were responsible for leading a team from the start to end of a project or phase, the following power words can be used instead of led.
- Managed
- Coordinated
- Supervised
- Oversaw
- Directed
- Trained
- Mentored
- Spearheaded
Action verbs for research and analysis tasks
Were you involved in doing research, analyzing facts, etc., then the following terms can help you to convey the right idea.
- Analyzed
- Diagnosed
- Measured
- Collected
- Discovered
- Surveyed
- Evaluated
- Identified
- Interviewed
- Reviewed
- Investigated
- Critiqued
- Inspected
- Summarized
- Detected
- Spotted
Action verbs for when you communicated things
Communication is widely seen responsibility in many jobs. But, if you can specify your form of communication using any of the words below, then it's a win!
- Collaborated
- Reported
- Highlighted
- Defined
- Authored
Action verbs to show the outcomes of your initiatives
Highlighting the positive outcomes of your actions is a great way to pitch yourself as a prospective candidate. With the right power word, it can maximize the effect.
- Increased
- Generated
- Identified
- Strengthened
- Gained
- Accomplished
- Improved
- Boosted
- Expanded
- Lifted
- Exceeded
Resume Action Verbs based on different skill areas
First of all, find the skill sets required by the employer for you to have. Then scan action verbs for the particular skill from the following list and include the most relevant power verbs directly on your resume.
Congrats! Now your resume stands out from the crowd.
Action words to showcase your Analytical Skills
| analyzed | ascertained | assessed | compared |
| conceptualized | concluded | Confirmed | Consulted |
| Deciphered | deliberated | determined | devised |
| Enlarged | enlightened | Estimated | evaluated |
| experimented | forecasted | Formulated | integrated |
| justified | measured | Negotiated | Originated |
| prescribed | prescribed | prioritized | projected |
| rated | recommended | researched | scrutinized |
| substantiated | Synthesized | utilized | validated |
| computed | critiqued | Diagnosed | Examined |
| predicted | Questioned | studied | Verified |
| investigated |
Action verbs to demonstrate your Leadership Skills
| administered | advised | allocated | allowed |
| approved | assigned | authorized | chaired |
| delegated | designated | directed | educated |
| employed | empowered | enabled | encouraged |
| enhanced | facilitated | fostered | founded |
| hired | influenced | instructed | interviewed |
| led | moderated | monitored | motivated |
| recruited | sanctioned | supervised | Trained |
| appointed | Coached | elicited | Endorsed |
| guided | Judged | officiated | Operated |
Action words to demonstrate your Organizational Skills
| arranged | assembled | budgeted | calculated |
| centralized | Charted | classified | collected |
| consolidated | correlated | Indexed | linked |
| catalogued | compiled | orchestrated | purchased |
| organized | oriented | planned | Processed |
| recorded | regulated | scheduled | systematized |
| Tabulated |
Action verbs to show your Teamwork Skills
| Assisted | Collaborated | Contributed | Cooperated |
| Participated | Partnered | Mediated | Acknowledged |
| Blended | Encouraged | Energized | Gathered |
| Joined | Partnered | United | Volunteered |
Action verbs for Technical Skills
| Assembled | Built | Calculated | Computed |
| Constructed | Created | Developed | Engineered |
| Programmed | Simulated | Tested | Troubleshot |
| Configured | Installed |
Action verbs for Teaching Skills
| Adapted | Advised | Clarified | Coached |
| Guided | Informed | Instructed | Taught |
| Listened | Demonstrated | Explained | Trained |
Action words to demonstrate Financial Skills
| Appraised | Audited | Balanced | Budgeted |
| Compiled | Financed | Forecasted | Formulated |
| Managed | Marketed | Prepared | Projected |
| Tracked | Calculated | Invested | Targeted |
Want to explore Resume Action Verbs by industry?
Just try out Resume Keyword Finder by Cresuma. This is the only resume action verbs finder tool available which enables the job seekers to find out different specific power verbs and keywords related to different industries and use on their resumes/cvs.
Using Cresuma's Resume Keyword Finder Tool is really easy. All you need to do is, to just filter or select the industry you are in and hit search. This is how it looks like.
Want to make the recruiter impressed about your resume? Simply avoid buzzwords in your resume and use these resume action verbs instead.
Want to know about resume tips and hacks more? Head over to how to write a perfect resume