The Power of Action Verbs: 100+ Words to Make Your Resume More Dynamic
The Power of Action Verbs: 100+ Words to Make Your Resume More Dynamic
Action verbs are the engines of your resume, transforming passive duties into dynamic accomplishments. Using strong, specific verbs is critical for demonstrating your impact to both hiring managers and Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), ensuring your professional story is both compelling and discoverable.
What Are Action Verbs and Why Do They Matter on a Resume?
Action verbs are words that express a physical or mental action. On a resume, they are used to begin each bullet point in your experience section, immediately focusing on your contributions.
These verbs create a powerful picture of you as a doer, not just a passive employee. They convey ownership and initiative, which are traits universally valued by employers.
For automated screeners, or ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems), action verbs are often tied to specific skills. Resumes rich with varied, targeted action verbs are more likely to be flagged as a strong match for a job description.
How to Replace Weak Verbs with Strong Action Verbs
The first step is to scan your resume for weak or passive phrases like "Responsible for," "Tasked with," or "Duties included." These phrases describe a job, not your performance in it.
Replace each passive phrase with a strong verb that accurately describes what you did. Focus on the action and the outcome.
Always try to quantify the result. A powerful action verb followed by a metric is the most effective way to demonstrate value, a principle also found in the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result).
| Weak Phrase | Strong Action Verb Phrase |
|---|---|
| Responsible for managing the budget. | Overhauled the department budget, reducing operational costs by 15% in Q3. |
| Helped with the marketing campaign. | Executed a multi-channel marketing campaign that generated 500+ qualified leads. |
| Was in charge of a team. | Mentored a team of 5 junior developers, increasing team productivity by 25%. |
Action Verbs for Leadership and Management
- Advised
- Approved
- Assigned
- Authorized
- Chaired
- Coached
- Delegated
- Directed
- Enabled
- Enforced
- Fostered
- Guided
- Hired
- Inspired
- Led
- Managed
- Mentored
- Mobilized
- Motivated
- Orchestrated
- Oversaw
- Presided
- Recruited
- Supervised
- Unified
Action Verbs for Communication and Teamwork
- Advocated
- Aligned
- Articulated
- Authored
- Collaborated
- Communicated
- Composed
- Convinced
- Corresponded
- Defined
- Directed
- Drafted
- Edited
- Explained
- Facilitated
- Influenced
- Liaised
- Mediated
- Negotiated
- Partnered
- Persuaded
- Presented
- Promoted
- Reported
- Synthesized
Action Verbs for Technical and Analytical Skills
- Analyzed
- Assessed
- Audited
- Calculated
- Coded
- Computed
- Configured
- Debugged
- Engineered
- Evaluated
- Extracted
- Forecasted
- Identified
- Interpreted
- Investigated
- Measured
- Modeled
- Programmed
- Prototyped
- Quantified
- Resolved
- Tested
- Tracked
- Troubleshot
- Validated
Action Verbs for Creative and Problem-Solving Skills
- Adapted
- Brainstormed
- Built
- Conceived
- Conceptualized
- Created
- Designed
- Developed
- Devised
- Established
- Fashioned
- Founded
- Illustrated
- Imagined
- Initiated
- Innovated
- Introduced
- Invented
- Launched
- Pioneered
- Redesigned
- Remodeled
- Solved
- Spearheaded
- Transformed
Action Verbs for Growth and Achievement
- Accelerated
- Achieved
- Acquired
- Attained
- Augmented
- Boosted
- Completed
- Consolidated
- Decreased
- Delivered
- Enhanced
- Exceeded
- Expanded
- Expedited
- Generated
- Grew
- Improved
- Increased
- Maximized
- Outperformed
- Produced
- Reduced
- Secured
- Streamlined
- Yielded
Frequently Asked Questions About Resume Action Verbs
How do I choose the right action verb?
Match the verb to the skills listed in the job description. If a role requires "strategic planning," use verbs like "Orchestrated," "Devised," or "Conceptualized" to align your experience directly with the employer's needs.
Can I use the same action verb more than once on my resume?
Try to avoid repetition. Using the same verb (like "Managed" or "Led") multiple times can make your experience seem one-dimensional. Consult a thesaurus or this list for powerful alternatives.
Where should action verbs go on my resume?
Action verbs should start every bullet point under your professional experience sections. This immediately grabs the reader's attention and places the focus on your accomplishments. According to experts at Harvard Business Review, this structure is key to a scannable and effective resume.
Supercharge Your Resume with Cruit
Choosing the right verbs and framing your accomplishments can be challenging. Cruit's AI-powered platform is designed to eliminate this guesswork and make your resume a powerful marketing tool.
The Generic Resume Module acts as an intelligent co-pilot. When you describe your experience, its AI consultant asks insightful follow-up questions to uncover quantifiable results, then crafts professional, action-oriented resume bullets for you.
Cruit's Resume Tailoring Module takes this a step further. It analyzes a specific job description and your resume, then engages you in a collaborative conversation to articulate the exact skills and experiences that will beat the ATS and impress the hiring manager. This guided process ensures every bullet point is packed with impact and precisely targeted for the role.
This guide was created by Cruit, a career growth platform that helps professionals build and execute their career strategy.