Action verbs! They sound like something cool, sexy, and powerful. It immediately brings images to mind. Maybe you see a superhero landing on a skyscraper. Maybe you see a dynamic leader rallying a team to victory. Or maybe you see yourself, dramatically kicking down the door to your next job interview hoping to demonstrate your excitement and enthusiasm (which backfires btw!). Whatever you picture, action verbs are all about movement, energy, and getting things done—and that’s exactly the impression you want to give on your resume.
What you probably don’t see is someone sitting at a desk writing their resume. It doesn’t exactly present the image of being cool and sexy. But action verbs on a resume are a big deal because you want hiring managers to see you in… action!
You want them to see you leading the charge, solving problems mid-air, juggling deadlines with one hand while high-fiving results with the other. You want them to picture someone who gets things done—not someone who just “helped” or “was responsible for.”
What are Action Verbs on a Resume?
By definition, action verbs are words that represent actions performed by a person, animal, or object, both external (like run, jump, or work) and internal (like love, think, or consider). On your resume, these verbs play a crucial role in conveying your skills and accomplishments. By using them effectively, you showcase your abilities and make it easier for hiring managers and recruiters to understand your value as a potential candidate.
- Emphasize accomplishments: Action verbs allow you to focus on your achievements, giving the recruiter a clear picture of what you’ve done and what you’re capable of.
Incorporating action verbs into your resume is essential for making a strong impact on the hiring process. It not only highlights your skills and experiences but also shows that you’re an active, result-oriented professional who can contribute to the company’s success.
How to Use Action Verbs on Your Resume
Creating Impactful Bullet Points
When crafting your resume, use strong action verbs to create impactful bullet points that showcase your skills and experience. Start each bullet point with a powerful verb to draw hiring managers in and give them a concrete picture of your expertise. By doing so, you’ll also increase the chances of your resume getting past automated scanning tools. For example:
- Improved customer satisfaction ratings by 20% through efficient problem-solving
- Collaborated with a team of 10 to develop an innovative marketing strategy
Highlighting Achievements and Accomplishments
To effectively highlight your achievements and accomplishments, incorporate action verbs that demonstrate your contributions. These words add quick and effective context to your resume, helping employers better understand your value as an employee and contributor. For example, instead of saying “Responsible for,” use “Improved”. Instead of “Worked with”, use “Collaborated on a team that…,” and “In charge of” turns into “Directed 20 employees to…” source.
Consider the following examples:
- Increased sales by 30% within six months through implementing targeted marketing campaigns
- Reduced project completion times by 25% by streamlining internal processes
Choosing the Right Action Verbs for Your Skills and Experience
Selecting the right action verbs for your skills and experience is crucial to conveying your unique value to potential employers. Be sure to choose verbs that are specific to your industry and the position you’re applying for. You can find lists of relevant action verbs and power words to use on your resume, such as these and these.
For example, if you’re applying for a client-facing role in sales or customer service, consider using action verbs like:
- Engaged with customers to boost brand loyalty
- Retained key clients through exceptional relationship management
Make sure to scan your resume for passive voice and forms of the verb “to be”. These weak and overused verbs should be replaced with strong, industry-specific action verbs. By doing so, your resume will stand out and make it easier for employers to see the impact you can have with their company.
Examples of Action Verbs for Different Careers and Jobs
In this section, you’ll find examples of action verbs tailored to different career types and job roles. Remember to use these action verbs effectively to make your resume more impactful and show your successes clearly and concisely.
Leadership and Management
As a leader or manager, your achievements often involve guiding and directing others. Here are some action verbs that help convey your leadership and management skills:
- Spearheaded: Shows how you led a project or initiative
- Organized: Demonstrates your ability to manage resources and tasks
- Administered: Highlights your experience in overseeing systems or programs
- Supervised: Illustrates your capacity to oversee personnel and work
Examples:
- Spearheaded the development of a new training program, increasing employee performance by 20%
- Organized and administered a safety communication initiative, promoting safety awareness across the organization
Creative and Design
For creative and design careers, emphasizing the ways you contributed to the visual aspect of your projects is essential. Here are some verbs to showcase your creative prowess:
- Designed: Highlights your ability to craft visual elements and experiences
- Created: Demonstrates your ability to generate new ideas or concepts
- Devised: Shows your skill in forming innovative solutions to problems
- Produced: Emphasizes your role in bringing ideas to life
Examples:
- Designed and implemented a new company website, resulting in a 30% increase in user engagement
- Created and produced a promotional video campaign that boosted product sales by 25%
Communication and Negotiation
Effective communication and negotiation are crucial in many job roles. Use these action verbs to portray your communication skills:
- Coordinated: Demonstrates your ability to collaborate and manage relationships
- Developed: Illustrates your ability to create and maintain plans and strategies
- Promoted: Shows your skill in generating awareness and increasing visibility
- Negotiated: Highlights your success in reaching mutually beneficial agreements
Examples:
- Coordinated cross-functional teams to streamline internal communication processes
- Developed and promoted a new marketing strategy, leading to a 15% increase in customer acquisition
Action verbs are more than just fancy words—they’re your first impression. They help your resume feel alive, energetic, and results-driven. So, ditch the dull, passive phrasing. Start strong. Be bold. And remember: when hiring managers read your resume, you want them to see you in action—even if you’re not kicking down doors!
