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Resume Action Verbs and How to Use Them [For 2023]

Resume Action Verbs That Will Boost Your Interview Chances

Resume action verbs demonstrate your strengths and communicate your expertise in a powerful manner. The correct use of action verbs can transform your resume from bland to impactful. In fact, action verbs can put you way ahead in your job search and make you stand out. Most importantly, resume action verbs clearly communicate why you are the perfect fit for the position.

Your resume should give off a confident tone and illustrate your strengths. And the best way to do this is to use resume action verbs. Essentially, these verbs will help you define your contribution to each job persuasively and highlight your expertise. 

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What are resume action verbs?

Action verbs describe the responsibilities and acquired skills on your resume. Unlike passive, overused verbs, action verbs are dynamic and powerful. Using them in bullet points will communicate your expertise in a concise yet persuasive manner. Additionally, a hiring manager is more likely to read through your resume if you use strong, active verbs. Altogether, action verbs are a powerful way to describe your capabilities and set you apart from other applicants.

Why are action verbs important in a resume?

Action verbs make sentences more concise, easy to understand, and persuasive. Because of this, they are perfect for resumes. They allow you to save space on position descriptions yet still highlight your experience. Because action verbs describe the exact actions you carried out, they create a more specific and detailed image of your responsibilities. Also, they are not as overused and cliché, which will make your resume stand out.

But, possibly the most crucial reason to use resume action verbs is that they improve scannability and readability. Using action verbs from the job listing will help you pass through the ATS (applicant tracking system). Also, it will make it easier for the hiring manager to find essential skills and experience on your resume. Generally, resume action verbs leave a more significant impact on the reader. They will make your resume memorable and unique and increase your chances of landing the job.

How to use action verbs in a resume?

To use action verbs, scan your resume for passive voice and forms of the verb “to be.” These are the most overused and weak forms of verbs that you should try to replace. Then, choose the relevant words from the list of action verbs below, and get to improving your resume.

Be as specific in your word choice as you can. Essentially, choose the words that define your experience in detail and sound compelling. If you’re not sure what verbs to use, don’t be afraid to use an online thesaurus to see all your choices.

Also, avoid using passive voice on your resume. It takes up more space and doesn’t sound as convincing as action verbs. An easy way to detect passive voice is to look for verbs that comprise two words. Apart from that, you can try and add “by you” behind the verb – if it still makes sense, it is passive voice. Minimizing your use of passive voice and replacing it with action verbs will make your resume easier to read and more concise.

List of resume action verbs

Creative Skills

ActedCreatedIllustratedPersonalized
AdvertisedDesignedImagedRedesigned
AnimatedDisplayedInitiatedRenewed
ArchitectedDraftedInnovatedShaped
CapturedEnhancedIntroducedShowcased
ComposedExhibitedMarketedVisualized

 

Communication Skills

AdvocatedConsulted      Explained         Presented            
AdvisedDebatedExpressedPublished
AlertedDefinedHighlightedReported
ArticulatedDetailedInteractedShared
ClarifiedDraftedListenedTalked
CommunicatedEditedModeratedTranslated
CompiledEmailedNegotiatedVerbalized

 

Leadership Skills

Advocated    EnabledInfluenced    Owned              
AssembledEnergizedInspiredPersuaded
CampaignedEncouragedLedRallied
ChallengedEngagedMentoredSpearheaded
CoachedEnthusedModeledStimulated
DroveGeneratedMotivatedTransformed

 

Management Skills

Accounted      ChargedEstimated       Outsourced         
ActedCoordinatedExecutedPlanned
AchievedControlledForecastedPrioritized
AdministeredDelegatedHiredImplemented
BenchmarkedDirectedManagedRevised
BudgetedElevatedMeasuredSupervised

 

Helping Skills

Accepted          ConductedFacilitated         Performed             
AidedHandledFamiliarizedQuestioned
AssistedHelpedResolvedSupported
BuiltDemonstratedFacilitatedTrained
ClarifiedEducatedMotivatedVolunteered
CoachedEffectedParticipatedWorked

 

Research Skills

Analyzed      Detected Extracted       Located            
Assessed Determined Formulated Organized
Clarified Diagnosed IdentifiedRecognized
CollectedDocumented Inspected Researched
Compiled Examined Invented Solved
Compared Explored Linked Surveyed

 

Financial Skills

Administered Budgeted     Forecasted Predicted         
Adjusted Calculated InvestedReconciled
Analyzed Corrected Measured Reduced
Appraised Decreased Netted Researched
Audited Detailed Planned Retrieved
Balanced Determined Programmed Solved

 

Efficiency Skills

Accelerated EnhancedMergedReduced
Allocated ExpandedOptimizedRevised
BoostedExpeditedOutlinedSimplified
CentralizedHeightenedOutsourcedSynthesized
DownsizedLeveragedPreventedSystematized
EliminatedMaximizedReorganizedUpgraded

 

Technical Skills

Aggregated   Conducted   OverhauledRestored          
AssembledDesignedOperatedRevised
AnalyzedDevisedProgrammedSecured
Built EngineeredReengineeredSolved
CalculatedInstalledRestoredTested
ComputedMaintainedRepairedVerified

 

Teaching Skills

Achieved         Compared      Enhanced        Lectured             
AdvisedCorrespondedFocusedMeasured
AidedCritiquedGradedOrganized
AssistedDemonstratedHighlightedPrepared
BoostedDiagnosedIdentifiedPresented
CollaboratedEducatedImprovedScheduled

 

Remember: Action verbs can completely transform and improve your resume. When writing your resume, use this list of resume action verbs to find the words that best describe your experience. They will make your resume unique and compelling, giving you a competitive advantage over other candidates.

Resume Action Verbs

 


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