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185 Powerful Action Verbs That Will Make Your Resume Awesome
Reposted article via The Muse
Led…
Handled…
Managed…
Responsible for…
Most resume bullet points start with the same words. Frankly, the same tired old words hiring managers have heard over and over—to the point where they’ve lost a lot of their meaning and don’t do much to show off your accomplishments.
So, 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.
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 1-12
You Led a Project
If you were in charge of a project or initiative from start to finish, skip “led” and instead try:
Chaired
Controlled
Coordinated
Executed
Headed
Operated
Orchestrated
Organized
Oversaw
Planned
Produced
Programmed
Action Verbs 13-33
You Envisioned and Brought a Project to Life
And if you actually developed, created, or introduced that project into your company? Try:
Administered
Built
Charted
Created
Designed
Developed
Devised
Founded
Engineered
Established
Formalized
Formed
Formulated
Implemented
Incorporated
Initiated
Instituted
Introduced
Launched
Pioneered
Spearheaded
Action Verbs 34-42
You Saved the Company Time or Money
Hiring managers love candidates who’ve helped a team operate more efficiently or cost-effectively. To show just how much you saved, try:
Conserved
Consolidated
Decreased
Deducted
Diagnosed
Lessened
Reconciled
Reduced
Yielded
Action Verbs 43-61
You Increased Efficiency, Sales, Revenue, or Customer Satisfaction
Along similar lines, 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
Achieved
Advanced
Amplified
Boosted
Capitalized
Delivered
Enhanced
Expanded
Expedited
Furthered
Gained
Generated
Improved
Lifted
Maximized
Outpaced
Stimulated
Sustained
Action Verbs 62-87
You Changed or Improved Something
So, you brought your department’s invoicing system out of the Stone Age and onto the interwebs? Talk about the amazing changes you made at your office with these words:
Centralized
Clarified
Converted
Customized
Influenced
Integrated
Merged
Modified
Overhauled
Redesigned
Refined
Refocused
Rehabilitated
Remodeled
Reorganized
Replaced
Restructured
Revamped
Revitalized
Simplified
Standardized
Streamlined
Strengthened
Updated
Upgraded
Transformed
Action Verbs 88-107
You Managed a Team
Instead of reciting your management duties, like “Led a team…” or “Managed employees…” show what an inspirational leader you were with terms like:
Aligned
Cultivated
Directed
Enabled
Facilitated
Fostered
Guided
Hired
Inspired
Mentored
Mobilized
Motivated
Recruited
Regulated
Shaped
Supervised
Taught
Trained
Unified
United
Action Verbs 108-113
You Brought in Partners, Funding, or Resources
Were you “responsible for” a great new partner, sponsor, or source of funding? Try:
Acquired
Forged
Navigated
Negotiated
Partnered
Secured
Action Verbs 114-122
You Supported Customers
Because manning the phones or answering questions really means you’re advising customers and meeting their needs, use:
Advised
Advocated
Arbitrated
Coached
Consulted
Educated
Fielded
Informed
Resolved
Action Verbs 123-142
You Were a Research Machine
Did your job include research, analysis, or fact-finding? Mix up your verbiage with these words:
Analyzed
Assembled
Assessed
Audited
Calculated
Discovered
Evaluated
Examined
Explored
Forecasted
Identified
Interpreted
Investigated
Mapped
Measured
Qualified
Quantified
Surveyed
Tested
Tracked
Action Verbs 143-161
You Wrote or Communicated
Was writing, speaking, lobbying, or otherwise communicating part of your gig? You can explain just how compelling you were with words like:
Authored
Briefed
Campaigned
Co-authored
Composed
Conveyed
Convinced
Corresponded
Counseled
Critiqued
Defined
Documented
Edited
Illustrated
Lobbied
Persuaded
Promoted
Publicized
Reviewed
Action Verbs 162-173
You Oversaw or Regulated
Whether you enforced protocol or managed your department’s requests, describe what you really did, better, with these words:
Authorized
Blocked
Delegated
Dispatched
Enforced
Ensured
Inspected
Itemized
Monitored
Screened
Scrutinized
Verified
Action Verbs 174-185
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:
Attained
Awarded
Completed
Demonstrated
Earned
Exceeded
Outperformed
Reached
Showcased
Succeeded
Surpassed
Targeted
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