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150 Resume Action Words to Impress Employers in 2024

Action words are impactful verbs that help tell your professional story to hiring managers, and they can strengthen your resume by more specifically conveying your experience, impact, and outcomes.

The right words on your resume can say a lot, conveying your skills, expertise, and accomplishments. Not only can they help you stand out from other candidates who use plain language to describe their responsibilities and accomplishments, but they can also help you specifically express what you have to offer as a candidate and get more attention.   

Finding the best action words to capture your unique professional story can have a big impact. In this article, we’ll discuss how to use action words to talk about your work and ways you can begin looking for more impactful language to bolster your resume.  

What are action words on a resume? 

Action words are verbs that communicate your professional experience: the kind of work you’ve done, what you’ve achieved in your previous roles, and the skills you’ve developed.

Many applicants end up using similar language on their resume: perhaps they led or oversaw or assisted . While there’s nothing intrinsically wrong with these words, they’re not very dynamic or descriptive, so they don’t effectively express your unique work history, skills, and achievements. 

Why are resume action words important? 

Action words are impactful verbs that help tell your professional story—think designed rather than managed , or initiated rather than oversaw . When you choose the best words to describe your past experience and accomplishments, you help explain to a recruiter or hiring manager why you’d be a strong hire.  

It’s important that you select action words that can quantify your impact. Data has become increasingly important for businesses, and the same holds true for your resume. You should be able to provide some amount of data to quantify your impact, such as:  

Redesigned the main homepage, leading to an 18% increase in site visits

Streamlined incident response reports, reducing average time to completion from 18 minutes to 12 minutes   

Generated three new TikTok campaigns, resulting in a 32% boost in engagement across the platform   

Read more: Resume Keywords: How to Find the Right Words to Beat the ATS

150 resume action words

Looking for the right words to put on your resume?

Below, you’ll find an array of action words arranged by type of responsibility, management, and impact. Use each section as a starting point to help you think about what you’ve done and how to best describe it for a potential employer. 

General responsibilities 

These words express what you did in your previous roles based on your area of responsibility. 

Being creative in a role often means having to generate innovative ideas—or improve upon existing ones. Detail the ways in which you’ve done both with words like:  

Knowing what to look for, or even where to look for it, is a critical skill when conducting research. Show off your critical thinking and analytical skills as much as possible with words like:  

Negotiation

Finding sales leads, bridging relationships with clients or customers, and closing deals all contribute to a business’s overall financial success. Share how you’ve done that with words like:   

Many jobs require some technical or specialized knowledge. Think about the main tasks unique to your role and find action words that represent your ability to do that specific kind of work. Explore the words below to help you get started:

Read more: What Are Technical Skills?

Communications 

Communicating clearly with people inside and outside of your organization shows a potential employer that you know how to interpret and share information (and it also happens to be a valuable transferable skill ). Convey your communication abilities with words like:   

Read more: What Is Effective Communication? Skills for Work, School, and Life

Management/leadership  

Overseeing a team is a big responsibility. It means managing everything from personalities to deadlines. Detail your leadership abilities and impact with words like:  

Besides finding words that capture your responsibilities, it's important to also highlight what you’ve accomplished in your previous roles. The sections below detail more general impact as well as impact in specific areas.

General impact 

Tell a potential employer about the effect you’ve had with words that highlight how you changed something—a process or a task—and ideally created a better outcome: 

Budgeting impact 

When you’re responsible for budgeting, a potential employer likely wants to know two things: how did you save money and how did you increase profits? Find words that communicate how you achieved one or both:

Project impact 

Projects rely on timeliness, organization, and foresight. Show a potential employer how you impacted past projects—whether that meant contributing to its success or pushing it over the finish line—by choosing language that demonstrates problem solving and attention to detail:   

Customer impact 

Strong customer relationships are the backbone of a good business. Explain how you cultivated new relationships and improved existing relationships to call attention to your impact in this area:  

Tips for finding the best action words for you

The words listed above are just a starting point. Use the following tips to help you expand your resume vocabulary and find the best words possible to detail your past experience. 

1. Use a thesaurus. 

A thesaurus will give you a number of synonyms to use in place of stale or empty words. However, it’s a good idea to verify whether the word you’d like to use fully captures what you originally meant to say. For example, if you’re looking for words synonymous with managed , you’ll likely come across supervised , administered , and organized . But other synonyms, like handled or coped , might not be the best words to use because they don’t impart the leadership or strength of the original word.  

2. Avoid repeating words. 

It’s important that you don’t repeat the same words throughout your resume. Your resume should help tell your story—relying on the same language doesn’t let you express the variety, diversity, or growth of your experiences. 

3. Add an adverb to qualify your impact. 

Adverbs can help qualify your work, meaning that they express your impact in terms of degree—not data. While it’s not necessary to pair every action word with an adverb (or word that modifies a verb), it can be useful in places if you want to highlight a success. For example, instead of organized you can say successfully organized or proactively organized . 

Make your resume shine with Coursera

In addition to honing the way you describe your professional past on your resume, you can add to the credentials and technical skills you list on your resume by earning a Professional Certificate on Coursera. Learn valuable skills in areas like project management , UX design , data science , marketing analytics , and sales , with courses from top industry leaders like Google, Meta, IBM, and many more.  

Keep reading

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Coursera’s editorial team is comprised of highly experienced professional editors, writers, and fact...

This content has been made available for informational purposes only. Learners are advised to conduct additional research to ensure that courses and other credentials pursued meet their personal, professional, and financial goals.

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• Resume Help

300+ Action Verbs for a Resume to Make It Stand Out

Our customers have been hired by:

I’ve made a comprehensive resume, but it still sounds plain like 100 other resumes. Seems familiar?

Might be that it repeats some worn-out phrases that no longer serve your resume’s main purpose—standing out from other competitive resumes. Replace boring phrases and cliché words in your application with strong action verbs for a resume, and see how it changes.

In this guide:

• What are action verbs for a resume, and how to use them smartly.
• 300+ action verbs for a resume grouped by keyword synonym.
• Separate lists of resume adjectives to make your work stand out.

Want to save time and have your resume ready in 5 minutes? Try our resume builder. It’s fast and easy to use. Plus, you’ll get ready-made content to add with one click. See 20+ resume templates and create your resume here .

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Sample resume made with our builder— See more resume examples here .

Looking for other ways to improve your resume? Check these guides:

• Best Resume Keywords to Pass ATS Scans
• What Are Resume Buzzwords?
• Improve Your Resume Quickly: Instructions & Tips
• Best Resume Tips to Use in 2024
• What Are the Best Fonts for a Resume?
• Put These Skills on Your Resume: Skills Examples

Action Words: Resume Example

Matthew Lawson

Web Designer

801-456-7890

[email protected]

linkedin.com/in/matthew.lawson

Creative Web Designer with over 10 years of experience in website design. Enthusiastic about supporting DesignDazzle Studios in creating compelling websites with the best user experience by using strong expertise in user experience design. Increased conversion rate by 25% for a high-traffic website at WebWeave Creations by improving navigation.

WebWeave Creations, West Valley City, UT

June 2016–Present

Key Qualifications & Responsibilities

• Coordinating with the marketing team on the creation of blog posts, leading to a 30% increase in organic search traffic.
• Designing and developing a mothly average of 5 responsive website layouts using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
• Collaborating with clients to understand their vision and implement it.
• Utilizing user testing and feedback to make improvements to website functionality and design.

Key Achievement:

• Redesigned the company's main client's website, leading to a 25% increase in conversion rates within two months.

PixelPerfect Design Co., West Valley City, UT

January 2013–May 2016

• Managed multiple design projects for diverse industry clients.
• Collaborated with developers to create clean and efficient code.
• Assisted in the creation of a mobile-first responsive website design.
• Recognized for exceptional aesthetics in overall design.

Bachelor of Fine Arts in Web Design

University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT

August 2010–May 2014

Relevant extracurricular activities

• Web Design Club member
• Graphic design workshop participant.

Academic achievements:

• Graduated with a 3.8 GPA.
• Awarded "Best Senior Project" in Graphic Design.
• Graphic design
• Project management
• Client communication
• Team collaboration

Certifications

• Certified Professional Web Designer, WebProfessionals.org, 2016
• 2017, "Best Website Design," WebWeave Creations

Memberships

Member of the AIGA since 2014

• Presented a lecture on "The Importance of Website Aesthetics" at the AIGA 2017 National Conference, San Francisco.
• English—Native proficiency
• Running a local web design meet-up group.
• Writing a blog on the latest web design trends.

What Are Action Verbs?

Action verbs (or power words) are words you can use on your resume to describe your work activities and professional duties . These words have positive connotations and can highlight your initiative and strengths. You should use them to replace passive-sounding words such as “responsible for.”

People tend to minimize their own achievements . Instead of being proud of their successes, they say: “Oh, anyone could do that.” But in a resume, minimizing your accomplishments is a bad thing, and you should avoid it. 

Using weak words may make recruiters doubt your candidature. And that’s why you should replace all the phrases that downplay your role with resume power words. No more “assisted,” “was in charge of,” or “worked with.” Instead, say: “initiated,” “coordinated,” or “collaborated,” and see the impact.

260+ Action Verbs for a Resume

You don’t have to frantically browse through thousands of words to find the right ones. We’ve done that for you. Just click one of those categories and jump to the action verbs list you need:

• Team Player Action Verbs
• Leadership Words for Resume
• Responsible For Resume Words
• Communication Power Words
• Achiever Action Words

Worked On Action Verbs for a Resume

• Improved Power Words
• Researched Synonyms
• Creativity and Problem-Solving Words
• Managed Resume Verbs
• Assist Resume Action Verbs
• Utilize Resume Verbs

Pro Tip: Remember that you should use past tenses in a resume when describing your work activities from previous jobs. You can use the present form of resume action verbs to talk about the job you have at the moment.

Best Resume Action Verbs for Team Players

You don’t have to write “worked with 4 other team members on a project” over and over when presenting your work experience in your resume . Instead, use one of these resume action verbs to highlight your teamwork skills . How about “Partnered with team members” or “Contributed to a team project” instead?

Here’s a selection of resume words you can use to describe teamwork activities and collaboration skills :

• Acknowledged
• Assimilated
• Collaborated
• Contributed
• Diversified
• Participated
• Volunteered

Best Leadership Action Words for a Resume

Did you just use the word “led” for the fifth time in your job application? Replace it with “chaired team meetings.” It’s a small change but makes all the difference.

Use the following resume power words to highlight your leadership skills :

• Facilitated
• Mobilized 
• Orchestrated
• Spearheaded

Resume action verbs are great for describing achievements on a resume. See more: Examples of Accomplishments for a Resume

Resume Action Verbs to Use Instead of Responsible For

If you plan to describe your work history by saying, “I was responsible for carrying out various duties,” don’t do this. Instead, be specific and use good resume words to showcase your accomplishments.

Here’s a bunch of resume action verbs you can apply to describe your duties:

• Accomplished
• Succeeded In

Best Communication Action Words for a Resume

Communication skills are all the rage today. But if you type “Communicated with XYZ departments” multiple times, the word becomes empty. Instead, try power words. Say: “Consulted subject-matter experts to clarify the key aspects of the project” or “Informed project stakeholders about updates and milestones.”

The following resume action words are great for describing communication at work:

• Corresponded
• Illustrated

Achiever Action Words for a Resume

If you’re one of those high achievers that headhunters seek , your resume might be filled to the brim with the word “achieved.” Try using other words to replace it—they’ll also carry more concrete meaning, thus making your work profile more attractive.

See these resume words that can replace the verb “achieve”:

• Accelerated
• Stimulated 

“At my previous company, I worked on multiple projects.” Boring. How about being more specific? Replacing words devoid of meaning with resume action verbs not only sounds better but also helps save space on the document. And that’s the key to making a one-page resume .

These resume power words can replace the verb “work on”: 

• Constructed
• Made Progress On
• Put Together

When making a resume in our builder, drag & drop bullet points, skills, and auto-fill the boring stuff. Spell check? Check . Start building a professional resume template here for free .

When you’re done, Zety’s resume builder will score your resume and our resume checker will tell you exactly how to make it better.

Resume Power Words for Improved

If improving things is your specialty, you might end up repeating this word endlessly. Try using other resume verbs as opposed. For example, if you’re writing a resume for a UX designer , you can change “improved the app interface” to “redesigned the app interface.”

These action verbs for a resume can be used to replace the word “improve”:

• Reorganized
• Restructured
• Streamlined
• Strengthened

Best Resume Power Words for Researched

A scientist’s resume might turn out swarmed with the word “researched.” But you can use other strong resume words to show your analytical skills , and we’ve featured them on the action verbs list below. 

Here’s a collection of resume action words to use instead of “to research”:

• Investigated
• Tracked 

Power Words for a Resume to Describe Creativity and Problem-Solving

Maybe you’re an artist, a designer, an engineer, or a natural innovator. You create something all the time. But repeating this word makes it meaningless. Instead, say: “Drafted a mock design for a smartphone app,” “Built a prototype of an engine,” or “Designed a collection of 10 garments”.

Try these action verbs examples to highlight your creative skills and problem-solving activities :

• Established

Strong Action Verbs to Use Instead of Managed

Managers manage, and haters gonna hate. Don’t want a hiring manager reading your application to become one of those haters? Then replace the word “managed” with other good resume words that can help highlight management skills .

Change the word “manage” to one of these resume action verbs:

Resume Action Verbs to Replace Assist

Maybe you’re writing an assistant resume, and the word “assisted” just sounds natural. But after using it for the 5th time, it just sounds bad. Show what your job duties really involve by using a different resume word.

Here are 10+ resume power words to employ instead of “assist”:

Resume Power Words to Replace Utilize

At work, you might utilize various resources, methods, teams, approaches… But you could also substitute this word with a different one. For example, you can “apply a new method” instead of utilizing it.

Consider changing the word ‘utilize’ for the action verbs examples below:

• Specialized In

You can use resume power words to upgrade your LinkedIn profile, too. That’s just one of the ways to improve it. Learn more: How to Optimize Your LinkedIn Profile

Plus, a great cover letter that matches your resume will give you an advantage over other candidates. You can write it in our cover letter builder here.  Here's what it may look like:

See more cover letter templates and start writing.

Key Takeaways

Here’s a recap of resume words and how to use them: 

• Resume action verbs are words that introduce accomplishments. They describe job duties but leave room for all-important metrics.
• Communicated
• Coordinated
• Individualized
• Transmitted
• Don’t ever simply say you’re skilled, a go-getter, or hardworking. Back it up with resume power words and concrete figures.
• Action verbs for resumes can make your resume more readable. They’ll also help you prove your worth and get many more interviews.

Do you have questions about resume action words? Not sure how to use resume power words to get the best effect? Give us a shout in the comments! Let's talk about phrases to level up your resume wording.

About Zety’s Editorial Process

This article has been reviewed by our editorial team to make sure it follows Zety's editorial guidelines . We’re committed to sharing our expertise and giving you trustworthy career advice tailored to your needs. High-quality content is what brings over 40 million readers to our site every year. But we don't stop there. Our team conducts original research to understand the job market better, and we pride ourselves on being quoted by top universities and prime media outlets from around the world.

• https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ682722.pdf
• https://www.scirp.org/journal/paperinformation.aspx?paperid=71952

Frequently Asked Questions about Action Verbs and Resume Words

What are power words in a resume.

Power words are words and phrases that catch the reader’s attention. Power words in a resume are used to make the candidate’s job application stand out from others.

The most powerful resume words are verbs. They can be used to describe actions, duties, and tasks from the candidate’s most relevant experience . For example, instead of writing “responsible for running internal projects”, the candidate can use a power word and write “coordinated internal projects” and make a better impression on the recruiter. This way, it’s easier for applicants to showcase the qualities that employers value .

What are good verbs for a resume?

The best resume verbs are action verbs. They describe activities that involved physical or mental actions and provided a significant result. Good verbs for resumes suggest that the action was successful, which automatically boosts the candidate’s qualifications . They are perfect for describing accomplishments and worth researching when you're learning to write a good resume .

Here’s a sample action verb list: 

• Demonstrated
• Implemented
• Represented
• Revitalized

What are good action words for a resume?

Action words in resumes are synonymous with action verbs. These words or phrases are best for describing achievements, work experience, as well as skills in a functional resume . Using resume action verbs helps to catch the recruiter’s attention and to stand out from other applicants.

Some examples of good action words for a resume include: administered, advocated, created, completed, demonstrated, designed, enabled, estimated, facilitated, fixed, implemented, investigated, merged, managed, operated, overhauled, tested, transformed, utilized, updated.

You can find different categories of resume action words in this article:

• “Team Player” Action Words
• “Leadership” Words for Resume
• “Responsible For” Synonyms
• “Communication” Power Words
• “Achiever” Action Words
• “Worked On” Action Words
• “Improved” Power Words
• “Researched” Synonyms
• “Creativity and Problem Solving” Words
• “Managed” Resume Verbs
• “Assist” Resume Verbs
• “Utilize” Resume Verbs

What are resume buzzwords?

Resume buzzwords are verbs, nouns, and adjectives that can help the candidate to stand out from other applicants. They include action verbs for describing work experience, nouns that describe tasks and responsibilities, and personality adjectives that describe the candidate’s personal qualities and can be used during job interviews to talk about yourself .

While using buzzwords is encouraged, the candidates must do it right. Many resume buzzwords, such as “team player” or “passionate” are so overused that they became cliché, and can make a resume look bad . When writing a resume, it’s best to take a look at lists of useful resume buzzwords, as well as use a thesaurus to find synonyms whenever necessary. You can also easily improve your old resume by editing it and adding a few buzzwords here and there.

Should a resume start with verbs?

It’s good practice to start some sentences in a resume with action verbs. While the candidate’s personal profile usually starts with a strong personality adjective, job title, or a strong resume headline , the description of work experience should start with action verbs. For example, instead of writing “I was responsible for designing the app user interface”, they might say: “Designed the app user interface”. It not only saves space. Such descriptions of candidates’ duties make a better impression on the recruiter.

How to use action words in a resume?

Before you sit for your resume writing, read the job advertisement thoroughly. It often contains a whole host of hints to help you create a resume tailored to a specific job profile . When scanning the job ad, look particularly for key responsibilities, skills, and other requirements. Collate this information with your own experiences and abilities, and look for similarities. Then, find action words that describe such experiences and accomplishments accurately. While infusing your resume with action words, mind the right balance. Don’t try to stuff your resume with power words that finally make your document sound unnatural and stuck-up. One power word is fairly enough for one sentence, as it already gives it some extra boost.

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340+ Resume Action Verbs & Power Words [For 2024]

Language matters in a resume.

Imagine this:

You’re a busy HR manager, and you read hundreds, even thousands, of resumes every day.

And every single one of them sounds the same.

“Responsible for”

“Critical Thinker”

“Team Player”

You’re bound to see these words on just about every single resume.

And guess what? They’re boring.

That’s where power words come in. They make your responsibilities and achievements really pop!

So, do you want your resume to really stand out? Use some of these 340+ action words:

• Why Power Words Matter

How to use Resume Action Words [+Examples & Tips]

340+ resume action verbs and power words [w/ examples].

• Resume Power Adjectives
• Resume Buzzwords to Avoid

Why Power Words Matter 

Power words help show off your top achievements in the best way possible.

Don’t believe us? Let’s compare an example with and without power words.

• Spearheaded company X’s content marketing operations.
• Responsible for content marketing at company X.

See the difference?

Both of these examples say exactly the same thing .

The main difference is that the second wording makes you seem a LOT more competent.

Something to keep in mind - power words, action words, action verbs, and so on are synonyms. So, don’t be surprised to see that we use them interchangeably in this article!

Other than allowing you to stand out, action words can also be used to say one thing in different ways. We’ve seen way too many resumes that have “Responsible for” all over the place!

So, instead of:

• Responsible for managing company X’s Instagram account.
• Responsible for connecting with influencers in the niche.

You could say:

• Managed company X’s Instagram account.
• Connected with popular influencers in the niche.

In this article, we have conveniently grouped 340+ action words to help you upgrade your resume descriptions:

• Resume Power Words for Team Work and Communication
• Resume Action Words Management and Leadership Achievements
• Resume Power Words to Showcase your Creativity

Resume Power Words for Problem Solving Accomplishments

Resume action verbs for research, analysis, and planning.

• Resume Power Verbs for “Support”
• Resume Power Words to Use Instead of “Improved”
• Resume Power Words to Use Instead of “Responsible For”

Resume Action Words to Use Instead of “Worked On”

• Resume Action Verbs that Mean “Use”

Action words can really spice up your resume if done right.

Now, we’re going to explain all the do's and don’t of using power verbs...

Which power words should you use? 

The type of power words you use will depend on the position you are applying for. 

Do a detailed scan of the job posting and single out the key responsibilities and requirements. 

Determine which of your abilities and experiences apply to those job requirements. 

Then, look for power words in our list that describe those achievements. 

Pretty straightforward, right?

Although the power words will be specific to the position you are applying for, there are some general rules to follow: 

• Choose resume power words that can be measured . This way you can follow the power word with a tangible achievement, for example: “ enhanced customer base by 35%.”
• Don’t use subjective words . “I’m amazing at” , “I’m incredible at” aren’t as pleasing to hear as you might think. These statements make you appear self-involved, which recruiters find appalling. Don’t tell them you’re amazing, show them with a measurable power word!

How often should you use power words? 

Sadly, just like with anything good in life, action words will lose their value if you overdo it. Instead of power words, they’ll just look like sprinkled mambo-jumbo that doesn’t mean anything.

Also, your resume is swamped with power words, your hiring manager might get turned off and think you’re trying too hard. 

A good rule to follow is to not add more than one or two action verbs in a sentence.  

Use them appropriately and moderately. 

Resume Power Words for Teamwork and Communication

If your job was to give guidance or communicate information to a team, you:

• 2. Advocated
• 3. Clarified
• 4. Corresponded
• 6. Gathered
• 8. Informed
• 9. Interpreted
• 10. Persuaded
• 11. Publicized
• Gathered external data for the project-planning personnel and advised on the implementation of capital projects. 

When you were part of a team:

• 13. Enabled
• 14. Encouraged
• 15. Facilitated
• 16. Fostered
• 17. Inspired
• 18. Supported
• 19. Collaborated
• Made a $6M merger through collaboration with an international team.

When you supervised a team: 

• 21. Evaluated
• 22. Instructed
• 23. Mentored
• 24. Motivated
• 25. Regulated
• Mentored 5 startup founders in the last 2 years. 

Resume Action Words for Management and Leadership Achievements

When you reach a goal:

• 27. Achieved
• 28. Attained
• 29. Strengthened
• 30. Initiated
• 31. Coordinated
• 32. Developed
• 33. Managed
• 34. Orchestrated
• Coordinated data integrity within the company’s applicant tracking system. 
• Strengthened the sales and service culture through coaching and guidance. 

When you gave a different approach to solving a problem:

• 35. Implemented
• 36. Recommended
• 37. Overhauled
• 38. Improved
• 39. Streamlined 
• 40. Prioritized
• Improved and tuned networking equipment and overall computer network. 

When you worked with other people:

• 41. Motivated
• 42. Supervised
• 43. Delegated
• 44. Chaired
• Supervised and motivated a team of 5+ sales associates. 

Resume Action Words to Showcase your Creativity 

When you helped the company innovate or launch something new:

• 45. Conceptualized
• 46. Designed
• 47. Devised
• 48. Determined
• 49. Drafted
• 50. Formulated
• 51. Introduced
• 52. Initiated
• 53. Launched
• 54. Originated
• 55. Spearheaded
• Designed a new feature on a mobile equation solving app. 

When you worked on an established idea:

• 56. Adapted
• 57. Applied
• 59. Condensed
• 60. Customized
• 61. Fashioned
• 62. Integrated
• 63. Modified
• 64. Patched
• 65. Piloted
• 67. Revitalized
• Built the company sales processes ground-up.

When you introduced a finished project:

• 68. Displayed
• 69. Modeled
• 70. Launched
• 71. Performed
• 72. Pioneered
• Launched an e-commerce website to take the company business online. 

When you worked with data, statistics or numbers: 

• 73. Audited
• 74. Budgeted 
• 75. Calculated
• 76. Converted
• 77. Crafted
• 78. Documented
• 79. Estimated
• 80. Inventoried
• 81. Programmed 
• 82. Projected 
• 83. Recorded
• 84. Verified
• Calculated monthly and quarterly investment forecasts.

When you corrected mistakes and errors:

• 85. Debugged
• 86. Diagnosed
• 87. Established
• 89. Rectified
• 90. Lessened
• 91. Reconciled
• 92. Remodeled
• 93. Rebuilt
• 94. Upgraded
• 95. Corrected
• Debugged internal operating system issues, reducing company cost by 15%

When you kept company processes flowing seamlessly: 

• 96. Conserved
• 97. Maintained
• 98. Operated
• 99. Regulated
• 100. Refined
• 101. Simplified
• 102. Standardized
• Maintained design production under an extremely tight budget. 

When you prepared or helped prepare an event:

• 103. Assembled
• 104. Conducted
• 105. Organized
• Organized meetings and handled all correspondence for the Scranton branch.

When you analyzed a new idea:

• 106. Experimented
• 107. Detected
• 108. Discovered
• 109. Measured
• 110. Mapped
• 111. Probed
• 112. Searched
• 113. Surveyed
• 114. Studied
• Surveyed and documented weekly performance reports on a new marketing strategy.

When you analyzed existing practices and ideas:

• 115. Analyzed
• 116. Assessed
• 117. Clarified
• 118. Checked
• 119. Examined
• 120. Explored
• 121.Evaluated
• 122. Investigated
• 123. Quantified
• 124. Reviewed
• 125. Tested
• 126. Tracked
• 127. Convert
• Converted data into actionable insight, boosting revenue by 5%

When you contributed to solving a problem:

• 128. Critiqued
• 129. Diagnosed
• 130. Identified
• 131. Invented
• 132. Proved
• 133. Solved
• Provided an extraordinary customer service experience, solved customer issues and upsold other products or services. 

Resume Power Verbs to Use For “Support”

When you were supportive of others through words: 

• 134. Advised
• 135. Answered
• 136. Clarified
• 137. Motivated
• 138. Collaborated
• 139. Fielded
• 140. Guided
• 141. Intervened
• 142. Referred
• 143. Resolved
• Motivated co-workers by rewarding positive behavior, encouraging optimism and stimulating teamwork.

When you were supportive of others through actions: 

• 145. Assisted
• 146. Contributed
• 147. Provided
• 148. Volunteered
• Volunteered in 3 non-profit social organizations.

When you taught others:

• 149. Coached
• 150. Counseled
• 151. Demonstrated
• 152. Educated
• 153. Informed 
• Consulted 5 startups that became successful scaleups in Europe and together received investments of over €28 million.

Resume Power Words to Use as a Replacement for “Improved”

Did you leave the company you worked for better than when you came in? 

That’s cool, but if you say you “improved” something four times in a row, it loses its impact.

Use the list below to mix it up:

• 154. Amplify
• 155. Boosted 
• 156. Converted
• 157. Customized
• 158. Elaborated
• 160. Integrated
• 161. Lifted
• 162. Merged
• 163. Overhauled
• 164. Raised
• 165. Redesigned
• 166. Refined
• 167. Remodeled
• 168. Reorganized
• 169. Restructured
• 170. Revamped
• 172. Slashed
• 173. Streamlined
• 174. Strengthened
• 175. Updated
• 176. Upgraded 
• Boosted the AdWords click-through rates (CTR) from 25% to 37% without additional costs, which increased monthly sales by $5,000. 

Resume Power Words to Use Instead of “Responsible for”

Using “responsible for” in a resume gets old fast. Instead, use these alternative verbs that *pop*:

• 177. Accomplished
• 178. Acquired
• 179. Achieved
• 180. Acted As
• 181. Completed
• 182. Created
• 183. Executed
• 184. Finished
• 185. Forged
• 187. Navigated
• 188. Negotiated
• 189. Operated
• 190. Partnered
• 191. Performed
• 192. Prepared
• 193. Produced
• 194. Secured
• 195. Succeeded In
• 196. Undertook
• Navigated three simultaneous projects between 3 departments within the budget limit. 

Most of your job descriptions will be describing things you contributed to. This makes it tough to be original and show value.

In this case, you should try to be as specific as possible by giving details about your accomplishments. 

Here’s a list to help you replace the overused “worked on” and show value:

• 197. Arranged
• 198. Compiled
• 199. Composed
• 200. Constructed
• 201. Created
• 202. Developed
• 203. Engaged In
• 204. Fashioned
• 205. Forged
• 206. Formulated
• 208. Made Progress On
• 209. Operated
• 210. Organized
• 211. Perfected
• 212. Prepared
• 213. Pursued
• 214. Put Together
• 215. Set-Up
• 216. Undertook
• Created over 25 professional logos for companies in multiple industries, from small startups to large corporations.

Resume Action Verbs that Mean “Use” 

Instead of “utilize” or “use” replace them with these power words:

• 219. Deploy
• 220. Employ
• 222. Handle
• 223. Mobilize
• 224. Operate
• 225. Promote
• 226. Profit by
• 227. Put to Use
• 228. Restore
• 229. Revive
• 230. Resort to
• 231. Specialize in
• Handled full sales cycle for the company’s three biggest clients.

Resume Power Adjectives [w/ Examples]

Power adjectives have the same function as power verbs, but instead, they are…you guessed it: adjectives .

Unlike power verbs, you can use power adjectives beyond describing Professional Experience.

In this section, we'll cover how to use power adjectives in your resume summary, professional experience, and skills.

Then, we’re going to give you a complete list of the best power adjectives you can use in your resume.

Using Buzz Adjectives in the Resume Summary Section

The resume summary section is a short pitch to your prospective employer. You use it to summarize your most relevant experience, skills, and achievements.

When done right, adding some power adjectives can help your resume summary stand out.

Take a look at these examples:

• Caregiver with 5+ years of extensive experience. Recognized for providing heartfelt emotional support to clients. 
• Loving caregiver who has been working in an elderly home for 5 years. The perfect choice for delivering emotional support to clients.

The first example focuses on the candidate’s personal qualities, rather than her skills. Whereas the second example is professional and leaves a much more powerful impact. 

Want to know how to write the perfect summary for your resume?

Check out our complete guide, filled with professional examples and practical tips!

Using Power Adjectives in the Professional Experience Section

When you are describing your professional experience, power adjectives should be used sparingly. 

You already have plenty of action verbs in there, so don’t double down on the power words by adding an adjective. It’s either one or the other. 

Take a look at this example on how they can be strategically placed in a job description:

• Developed harmonious relationships with 70% of the patients, resulting in higher overall patient happiness.
• Developed relationships with 70% of the patients, resulting in overall patient happiness.

Using Power Adjectives in the Skills section

Don’t use power adjectives as a skill on their own. Don’t list “Intelligent” or “Professional” as a skill. Those are subjective personal traits.

Instead, use power adjectives only when they affirm your competency in another skill.

For example:

French and German vs Fluent in French and German 

Management skills vs Strong Management Skills 

The Best Power Adjectives [Divided by Category] 

Power adjectives for analytical thinking.

Are you constantly doing work that calls for putting your thinking hat on? 

This list is perfect for describing the detailed, calculating tasks you complete on a daily basis. 

They’re usually valuable for industries that require complicated critical thinking: IT , finance , telecommunications, engineering . 

• 232. Astute
• 233. Insightful
• 234. Methodical
• 235. Practical
• 236. Calculating
• 237. Intelligent
• 238. Meticulous
• 239. Shrewd
• 240. Complex
• 241. Investigative
• 242. Objective
• 243. Strategic
• 244. Discerning
• 245. Logical
• 246. Perceptive
• 247. Thoughtful

Power Adjectives for Creativity 

Use the adjective list below to describe creative work: 

• 248. Cutting-edge 
• 249. Imaginative 
• 250. Novel 
• 251. Sophisticated 
• 252. Elegant 
• 253. Ingenious 
• 254. Progressive
• 255. Unique 
• 256. First-class 
• 257. Innovative 
• 258. Revolutionary 
• 259. Unprecedented 
• 260. Groundbreaking 
• 261. Inventive 
• 262. Robust 
• 263. World-class

Power Adjectives for Productivity

• 264. Accomplished 
• 265. Economical 
• 266. Instrumental
• 267. Skilled 
• 268. Adept 
• 269. Expert 
• 270. Productive 
• 271. Skillful 
• 272. Advanced 
• 273. Fluent 
• 274. Proficient 
• 275. Strong 
• 276. Competent 
• 277. Ideal 
• 278. Profitable 
• 279. Superior 
• 280. Constructive 
• 281. Industrious 
• 282. Significant 
• 283. Qualified 
• 284. Cost-effective 
• 285. Influential 
• 286. Smooth 
• 287. Quality

Power Adjectives for Dedication

Recruiters love seeing genuine interest from a candidate. The words below are great for showing your dedication and high-spirits:

• 288. Committed
• 289. Devoted 
• 290. Genuine
• 291. Sincere 
• 292. Dedicated 
• 293. Earnest 
• 295. Spirited 
• 296. Determined 
• 297. Energetic 
• 298. Passionate 
• 299. Wholehearted

Power Adjectives to Describe Hard Work

Are you a diligent and driven person? Are you prepared to pull up tiring all-nighters to complete important projects? 

Here are some adjectives that compliment your hard work: 

• 300. Alert 
• 301. Driven 
• 302. Motivated 
• 303. Thorough 
• 304. Attentive
• 305. Enterprising 
• 306. Persistent 
• 307. Tireless 
• 308. Concerted 
• 309. Focused 
• 310. Studious 
• 311. Vigorous

Power Adjectives to Describe You as Organized and Systematic

• 312. Businesslike
• 313. Detail-oriented
• 314. Smooth
• 315. Systematic 
• 316. Controlled 
• 317. Orderly 
• 318. Step-by-step 
• 319. Timely 
• 320. Detailed 
• 321. Precise 
• 322. Structured

Power Adjectives for Communication and Teamwork 

Being friendly, understanding and sociable are key qualities for anyone working in a team setting or with customers and clients on a daily basis. 

Use these words to help describe your skills:

• 323. Amiable
• 324. Cheerful 
• 325. Cooperative 
• 326. Personable 
• 327. Amicable 
• 328. Clear 
• 329. Cordial 
• 330. Pleasant 
• 331. Articulate 
• 332. Coherent 
• 333. Courteous 
• 334. Positive 
• 336. Cohesive 
• 337. Diplomatic 
• 338. Respectful 
• 339. Charming 
• 340. Conscientious 
• 341. Harmonious 
• 342. Team-minded

Resume Buzzwords to Avoid 

Buzzwords are the opposite of power verbs.

They’re boring, overused, and hated by managers world-wide .

Here are some of the most popular buzzwords you should avoid:

• Hard worker
• Strategic thinker
• Outside the box
• Responsible for
• Specialized in
• Results-driven
• Team Player
• Detail Oriented
• In charge of 

Key Takeaways

Here’s everything we learned in this article:

• You can use power words to spice up your resume and add variety to your language. They are mostly verbs but can also be adjectives.
• To decide which power words to use, do a detailed scan of the job listing and identify the key responsibilities the employer is looking for. Your power words will be emphasizing how you have shown these traits. Be careful not to use more than one power word per sentence.
• Try using power verbs more often than power adjectives. It’s all about action!

Looking for more ways to improve your resume?

Suggested readings:

• How to Pick the Best Resume Format [+ Examples]
• How to List Education On a Resume [13+ real-life examples]
• What’s the Best Resume Font, Size, and Format [for 2024]

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150+ Action Verbs, Synonyms and Adjectives for Your Resume

by Hailey Brophy | Career Advice Expert

Last Updated: January 31, 2024

Table of contents

What are resume action words?

How to use resume action verbs to your advantage, resume words to showcase skills and accomplishments, 15 great resume synonyms, add interesting resume adjectives.

To get your resume through an applicant tracking system (ATS) and into the hands of a recruiter, it must contain not only the right keywords but also compelling resume action words. Here, learn more about resume action verbs and how they can boost your resume. We will cover the following topics:

• 150 resume action words to showcase skills and accomplishments
• Overused buzzwords on a resume (and better words to use)
• Frequently asked questions about action verbs.

Related Guides & Tips

• CV vs Resume: What’s the Difference Between the Two
• How to List Degrees on a Resume
• How to List an Unfinished Degree on a Resume
• How to Make a Canadian Resume (Format + Examples)
• How to Use Transferable Skills to Write a Resume
• What to Put on Resume

Resume action words describe the tasks you perform on the job. Also called resume power words, these words also describe the skills you use to get the job done.

It’s critical that you learn how to write a resume that utilizes compelling language to articulate your impact and get a recruiter’s attention. For a hiring manager who is reading dozens of resumes for a single job opening, reading resumes that use tired phrases like “responsible for” or “in charge of” gets dull. Instead, learn how to write a work experience section that uses eye-catching action words to stand out from the crowd and convince a potential employer to invite you for an interview. If you’re not sure where to start, check out the job listing and look for keywords that the employer uses to describe their ideal candidate. These keywords should inspire your word choice for your resume.

Choose from our premade resume templates and download your perfect resume today.

Choosing the right resume action words can make even the most mundane work tasks sound fresh and exciting. Pair them with data and numbers to show recruiters the impact of work. Here’s how:

Why do good resume action words strengthen your resume?

Using strong language through resume action words will make your application stand out from the competition. Busy recruiters can sometimes read hundreds of resumes in a single day, so ditch boring, overused resume words when writing your professional summary , skills section and work experience. Avoiding generic terms can help persuade a recruiter to take a closer look at your credentials and increase your chances of landing a job interview. Choosing the right action words for your resume is an excellent way to ensure you outshine the competition.

How data and numbers increase the power of strong resume action verbs.

Resume action words describe the tasks you perform and the skills you use daily. To make them shine, you’ll also want to show the impact your work has had on the company. This is where data and numbers can boost the impact of already strong resume action words.

Consider which of these statements paints a more vivid picture:

• “Responsible for answering phone calls and greeting customers.”
• “Succeeded in answering up to 50 incoming calls daily while greeting dozens of in-store customers and directing their inquiries to the appropriate salesperson.”

If you chose the second statement, you’d be correct. The second bullet point not only states the day-to-day responsibilities of the applicant — taking calls and greeting customers — but also gives employers a sense of the traffic volume the job seeker handles daily. The combination of strong action verbs and numerical figures paints a vivid picture of the applicant’s abilities and experience, clearly showing that this applicant has a strong ability to multitask effectively.

Choosing the right words to describe your skills and experience can be a bit overwhelming to some job seekers, but it doesn’t have to be. Below, we have provided a list of resume action words you can use to explain why you’re the right person for the role. A strong action verb is active rather than passive, showcasing the applicant’s initiative and impact. For more inspiration, or if you don’t find what you need on this resume action word list, look at our resume templates and resume examples to see how to do it properly.

Action verbs to explain work responsibilities:

• 1. Acted As
• 2. Executed
• 3. Negotiated
• 4. Accomplished
• 5. Completed
• 8. Navigated
• 9. Undertook
• 10. Operated
• 11. Created
• 12. Produced
• 13. Completed
• 14. Delivered
• 15. Managed

Words to showcase your interpersonal or soft skills:

• 1. Insightful
• 3. Attentive
• 4. Compassionate
• 6. Professional
• 7. Diligent
• 8. Dedicated
• 9. Self-starter
• 10. Knowledgeable
• 11. Curious
• 12. Persuasive
• 13. Reliable
• 14. Competent
• 15. Motivated

Action verbs that describe your communication skills:

• 1. Conveyed
• 2. Moderated
• 4. Authored
• 5. Informed
• 6. Presented
• 7. Persuaded
• 8. Explained
• 9. Illuminated
• 10. Outlined
• 11. Announced
• 12. Disseminated
• 13. Disclosed
• 14. Broadcasted
• 15. Circulated

Action verbs to highlight your technical skills:

• 1. Mastered
• 2. Accelerated
• 3. Fabricated
• 4. Developed
• 6. Assembled
• 8. Restored
• 9. Recovered
• 10. Standardized
• 11. Launched
• 12. Maintained
• 13. Calculated
• 14. Fine-tuned
• 15. Finalized

Action words that demonstrate your creativity and vision:

• 1. Conceived
• 5. Designed
• 6. Overhauled
• 7. Initiated
• 8. Spearheaded
• 10. Established
• 11. Invented
• 12. Envisioned
• 13. Reenvisioned
• 14. Piloted
• 15. Created

Action verbs that underscore management and leadership skills:

• 2. Assigned
• 3. Delegated
• 5. Mentored
• 8. Facilitated
• 10. Designated
• 11. Selected
• 12. Orchestrated
• 13. Planned
• 14. Coordinated
• 15. Directed

Action verbs for experience with finance and sales:

• 1. Negotiated
• 2. Increased
• 4. Accelerated
• 6. Conserved
• 9. Delivered
• 10. Yielded
• 11. Maximized
• 12. Improved
• 13. Generated
• 15. Delivered

Action verbs for when you improved something:

• 1. Reimagined
• 2. Clarified
• 3. Modernized
• 4. Restructured
• 5. Overhauled
• 6. Customized
• 8. Digitized
• 9. Integrated
• 11. Modified
• 12. Redesigned
• 13. Reorganized
• 14. Streamlined
• 15. Optimized

Action words for research and analysis skills:

• 1. Surveyed
• 3. Examined
• 5. Interpreted
• 6. Analyzed
• 7. Forecasted
• 8. Calculated
• 9. Assessed
• 10. Audited
• 11. Measured
• 12. Projected
• 14. Identified
• 15. Evaluated

Action verbs to describe collaboration:

• 1. Teamed up
• 2. Gathered
• 3. Participated
• 4. Volunteered
• 7. Interacted
• 8. Recruited
• 9. Assembled
• 10. Consulted
• 11. Cooperated with
• 12. Associated with
• 13. Allied with
• 14. Partnered with
• 15. Worked with

When building your resume, it is tempting to repeat certain words and phrases. After all, sometimes it feels impossible to avoid overusing common resume words like “managed,” “assisted,” “helped” and “led.”

To help you keep your resume readable and engaging, we’ve compiled a list of synonyms for “collaborate,” and other easy-to-overuse resume phrases. Even some of the strongest action verbs for resumes can wind up feeling robotic if they are used too much. So, to keep busy recruiters reading your resume content, concentrate on using engaging language to describe your skills and experience.

Avoid overused resume verbs and consider these resume synonyms instead:

When you describe yourself as a worker, what are the words that you use? Does the skills section of your resume say things like “talented,” “efficient,” or “ambitious?” These are all adjectives and they play a major role in how you use a resume to characterize yourself and your skills . Including soft skills in the skills section of your resume is important, but not all resume soft skills are created equally.

The adjectives listed above are overused resume words. Part of what makes an adjective overused is how frequently job seekers add them to their resume. It’s also very easy to recycle the same few resume adjectives over and over again throughout your resume. You may not notice as you’re writing, but the result is a repetitive reading experience that doesn’t sell your qualifications as effectively as it could.

The best resume is one that communicates your candidacy in a way that is clear, concise and professional. Check out our list of impactful resume adjectives to use alongside your resume action words and verbs!

Resume adjectives for efficient workers:

• 1. Methodical
• 3. Organized
• 4. Productive
• 5. Industrious
• 6. Studious
• 7. Detailed
• 8. Meticulous

Resume adjectives for creative workers:

• 1. Imaginative
• 2. Visionary
• 3. Artistic
• 4. Pioneering
• 5. Original
• 6. Innovative
• 7. Enthusiastic
• 9. Inventive

Resume adjectives for leadership:

• 1. Decisive
• 2. Accountable
• 3. Diligent
• 4. Diplomatic
• 5. Thorough
• 6. Attentive
• 7. Assertive
• 8. Confident
• 9. Adaptable

Resume adjectives for educators:

• 1. Motivated
• 3. Uplifting
• 4. Innovative
• 5. Imaginative
• 6. Communicative
• 7. Resilient
• 8. Stimulating
• 9. Respectful

What are some strong action words?

Strong action words are any verbs that help paint a picture for a potential employer. Steer clear of overused resume buzzwords like, “responsible for” and be creative. Choose from our list of resume action words above, or use an online thesaurus to breathe life into the language of your resume. For auto-generated text suggestions for strong action words, use a professional resume builder .

What are 3 roles of an action verb in a resume?

Action words have three main functions on a resume:

• They introduce interesting language that will compel a hiring manager to continue reading your resume.
• They show the impact your work has had for a past employer.
• They can help energize and elevate even the most common or mundane job responsibilities.

What are the top 5 tips for a resume?

When learning how to write a resume , follow these five tips:

• Include only the most relevant information for the role to which you are applying. Since resumes should be at most two pages, brevity and relevance are critical.
• Be sure to include a mix of both hard and soft skills. Technical skills are important but employers also look for candidates with skills like communication and collaboration since these competencies are difficult to teach.
• Use straightforward headers on your resume. It’s wise to stick to the basic sections, such as professional summary, work experience, skills and education to make it easy for recruiters to find what they are looking for.
• Use an easy-to-read resume template . Both applicant tracking systems and recruiters need to be able to easily scan your resume to determine whether you have the required skills and experience. A great template can help.
• Study resume examples for the job title you seek. To write a good resume, seeing examples of professionally written resumes will show you exactly what a strong resume should look like.

Was this information helpful? Let us know!

Hailey Brophy

Hailey Brophy is an experienced writer with a diverse career in digital publication. She is passionate about using her unique skills and experiences to help job seekers find the information that they need to succeed.

Read more articles by Hailey Brophy

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Are you looking for impactful resume action words and power verbs?

Correctly using relevant action words and power verbs can put you light years ahead in your job search.

If you write your experiences in the resume like the following, you need to read this guide:

• 'I am an excellent team player...'
• 'I was responsible for managing...'

Instead of these generic words, you must use resume power verbs to make your resume all the more compelling.

Resume power verbs are words that help grab the reader's attention by clearly communicating your skills and experience. It also improves the wattage of your bullet points and improves readability.

Our 2023 Guide to Resume Words, focusing on Action Verbs Examples, will provide a detailed roadmap to shift your resume from 'oh well' to 'wow.'

You will get clarity on the following FAQs related to resume action words and power verbs:

• What are power verbs or resume action words?
• Why action verbs are important for a resume?
• How to use action verbs on a resume?
• What are some resume power adjectives?
• 250+ example of power verbs in resume

What are Power Verbs or Resume Action Words?

Power verbs are action-based verbs with strong meaning in the English language compared to other verbs. If you use action words in a sentence, you become strong and confident.

In contrast, most resume bullet points start with the same words:

• "Responsible"
• "Managed"
• "Held," etc.

These words are used so much that it has lost their meaning for the recruiters. So, to grab the recruiter's attention, it's important to use resume power verbs in the bullet points.

Also Read: How many bullet points should you add to your resume in 2023?

Why are Action Verbs Important for a Resume?

Action verbs are important because they help you communicate your strengths and experiences to the recruiter in a strong voice.

Let's see two examples:

Which one do you think is the most effective?

Both the bullet points mean the same thing, but the first one is more impactful to the recruiters,

Given below are two examples of how to use action words on a resume:

Also Read: How to create a compelling work experience section in your resume?

How to Use Action Verbs on a Resume?

A good resume is much more than a list of jobs with corresponding dates – it's a marketing document to show off your strengths and get you the job.

One of the most important elements of your resume is the action verbs (words that describe actions) you use. Action verbs make up your experience description; each should be relevant, concise, and targeted to a specific job.

1. Which Power Words Should You Use?

When using power verbs in your resume, it is important to choose measurable and relevant words for the job. This way, you can pair the power verb with a tangible achievement, for example, enhanced marketing ROI by 35%.

Here's a step-by-step guide:

• Read the job description carefully, and identify the key responsibilities for the job
• Determine which skills of yours match the job description
• Look at power verbs to highlight these achievements in the resume

Also Read: What are some good resume synonyms for the word "teach"?

2. How Often Should You Use Power Words?

If you overdo the action verbs, then they will lose their value. The hiring manager might also think that you're trying too hard.

A general rule of thumb is to not use the same power verb in one "Work Experience" section twice.

3. Avoid Generic Resume Words

Generic action verbs are common on resumes. They don't make much of an impact. Instead, choose resume words representing a quantifiable achievement that is powerful, and dynamic, and show the employer how much of an impact you had on your previous company.

Also Read: How to say "innovative" in different ways on your professional documents?

4. Use Fresh Resume Action Verbs

Resumes are boring. You're not going to hook an employer with your vanilla resume and piles of text. That's why it's important to include the right words in your resume to make yourself stand out from the pack.

36 Fresh Resume Action Verbs Example

5. Avoid Passive Voice in Resume

We often unconsciously use the passive voice in resume writing, which can be difficult to detect. One simple way to tell the difference is to look at your verbs in the active voice. For example: If the verb in your sentence comprises two words ("was developed") or contains "to be" verbs such as "is," "are," and "were" (e.g., "were developed"), then you know the passive voice is at work.

By changing the passive voices to active voices, you will improve the readability of your resume.

Also Read: What skills should you include in your resume in 2023?

Kickass Resume Action Verbs to Replace Commonly Used Words

Strong resume words for 'planning' or 'strategic planning.'.

Additionally, check out this great resource for more action verbs around 'Strategic Planning'

Also Read: 10+ Strategic synonyms that will elevate your reusme

Good Resume Words for 'Managing.'

Also Read: 10+ Synthesize synonyms

Strong Resume Words for 'Organizing.'

Also Read: Synonyms for the word "build" that you can use in resumes and cover letters

Good Resume Words for 'Supervising' or 'Leadership.'

Also Read: 10 unique ways to say "teamwork" on a resume

Strong Resume Words for 'Executing' or 'Worked on' or 'Handled.'

Also Read: "Contribute" synonyms

Good Resume Words for 'Communication.'

Also Read: 10+ Synonyms for "motivate"

Strong Resume Words for 'Helping.'

Good resume words for 'creativity' or 'problem solving.', strong resume words for 'responsible for' or 'getting results', good resume words for 'team player'.

Also Read: Which keywords should you use in your resume in 2023?

Resume Buzzwords: 2023 List of Resume Verbs to Include and Avoid

Also Read: How to write a stellar resume in 2023?

What are Some Resume Power Adjectives?

Power adjectives are a more sophisticated way of listing your achievements and skills when compared with power verbs because, unlike power verbs, you can use power adjectives beyond describing Professional Experience.

This section will show you how to use power adjectives effectively in different resume sections.

Use Power Adjectives in Resume Summary

A resume summary is the first paragraph the recruiter sees in your resume. It’s used to grab the recruiter’s attention to read the whole resume.

And power adjectives can help you do that if you effectively add them to the resume summary.

• Certified Cybersecurity professional with 4+ years of extensive experience adept at providing meticulous leadership and network infrastructure support by ensuring all systems and databases are up-to-date.
• Certified Cybersecurity professional with 4+ years of experience adept at providing network infrastructure support by ensuring all systems and databases are up-to-date.

Power Adjective in Professional Experience Section

The professional experience section is the heart of the resume. And using power adjectives in a resume can help you hold the recruiter’s attention.

Also Read: What are some great examples of resume summaries for various job profiles?

Best Power Adjective for Resume

Given below are some power verbs which are categorized based on different soft skills:

Power Adjective for Creativity

Power adjective for productivity, power adjective for dedication, power adjective for hard work, power adjective for organization skills.

Also Read: How to use resume buzzwords the right way?

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top 20 resume power words.

What are Some Resume Buzz Words 2023 to Leave Off Your Resume?

You need to ensure that you’re not using popular Resume Buzz Words 2023 on your resume.

The resume already has limited space. So choose your words carefully to maximize the impact on recruiters.

Here are some Buzz Words 2023 to Leave Off Your Resume:

• Hard-working
• Responsible
• Team Player
• Result-driven
• Specialized
• Problem-solving

Why Do We Need to Add Power Verbs in a Resume?

When applying for a job, a candidate needs to appear confident and competent, so using power verbs helps you communicate your message more powerfully, confidently, and convincingly.

How to choose power verbs? Choose a power verb that describes your work most accurately. The aim is to convey what you’ve done in your previous jobs that led to measurable results.

Also Read: What are some of the best jobs for retired people?

Key Takeaways

To recap everything that we discussed till now:

• Action verbs for resume are different from resume keywords. The latter pertains to professional job skills which the recruiter is looking for. The former helps to realign your resume from responsibility-based to achievement-based.
• Simply stuffing your resume with action verbs will do you no good. It's always better to validate everything you say with quantifiable instances and achievements.
• If everyone's special, no one's special. Resume buzzwords come and go with each passing season, and it's critical to be aware of the trend. Our section on the 2023 Guide to Resume Keywords will give you an idea of which ones to use and which ones to avoid.
• Use our extensive compendium of action verbs for resume grouped by resume skills to revamp your resume!

Go to Hiration's ChatGPT-powered career platform which has 24/7 chat support and get professional assistance with all your job & career-related queries. You can also write to us at support{@}hiration{dot}com.

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Resume Worded   |  Career Strategy

Nursing action verbs and power verbs to use on your resume.

We've compiled the best action verbs you can use to showcase your Nursing experience.

You probably know that you need to start your resume's bullet points with action verbs. Why? Writing your bullet points this way tells recruiters exactly what you did and what actions you took on your job. In addition to technical skills and medical know-how, nurses need a lot of transferable skills — think qualities like leadership, communication, empathy, and resilience. The best way to show that you have these qualities is through your choice of action verbs. If you’re applying for an entry-level nursing assistant role, you might want to emphasize your ability to follow instructions and work as part of a team, so choose verbs like Assisted or Prepared. If you’re looking for a more senior role, highlight your leadership potential with verbs like Implemented or Oversaw.

Action Verbs To Show Your Nursing Experience:

• Collaborated
• Administered

For more resume advice from recruiters in this field, read the complete Nursing Resume Guide .

We've compiled a lot more action verbs by job titles below.

Nursing Action Verbs By Job

Choose the job title that's most relevant to you to get targeted action verbs.

• How to use action verbs
• Verbs for Respiratory Therapist Resumes      (e.g. Conducted, Developed, Performed, Rehabilitated & more)
• Verbs for Care Coordinator Resumes      (e.g. Managed, Collaborated, Assisted, Improved & more)
• Verbs for Occupational Therapist Resumes      (e.g. Instructed, Examined, Provided, Assessed & more)

Get a free resume review

• Sample resume examples

How To Use Action Verbs On Your Resume

To show you how to use these action verbs in your resume, see this infographic for reference. You'll note that each bullet point uses strong action verbs, with a specific description of the task that was accomplished.

Action Verbs For Respiratory Therapist Roles

Here are some strong Respiratory Therapist action verbs you can use to impress hiring managers:

• Rehabilitated
• Communicated

Relevant Examples Using Action Verbs

• Worked 1:1 with 43 clients to develop language, academic, social, and self-help skills through the implementation of individualized instruction and behaviour plans. .

• Provided PT services to 80+ patients with diverse therapeutic needs, including, coronary artery disease, stroke, and general reconditioning. .

Action Verbs For Care Coordinator Roles

A care coordinator needs to be a good manager/leader and good healthcare professional. Highlight both functions using strong action verbs. For example, using verbs like ‘led’ ‘coordinated’ and ‘trained’ are all strong action verbs that point to your leadership capabilities. 

Here is a list of action verbs to help you highlight the dualistic functions of your job. Using action verbs like these will show recruiters your balanced skill set and previous experience.

• Facilitated
• Coordinated
• Spearheaded
• Conceptualized

• Managed an average of 400 clinic referrals per month,providing case and disease management services to high-risk families such as children and adolescents diagnosed with autism and bipolar disorder..

• Facilitated the recovery of 10+ infants per shift, including those endangered by premature birth, defects; neurologic/renal/cardiac concerns; requiring advanced ventilation, & extracorporeal membrane oxygenation..

Action Verbs For Occupational Therapist Roles

Action verbs help effectively frame your accomplishments. They allow recruiters to skim through your resume and get an idea of your experience and capabilities. They are therefore an important part of your resume that you should pay particular attention to. As an occupational therapist, you should use action verbs that indicate your experience effectively performing the tasks required of you.

Here are some action verbs that are especially effective for your position. Use them to elevate your resume and catch recruiters’ attention.

• Improved quality of member care by 30% and lowered spending costs by 25% through proactively assessing root problems and initiating solutions using the best nursing practices within the health care team. .

• Worked the night shift as part of a rotating schedule, quickly adapting to different duties and responsibilities and acquiring a 95% satisfaction rate for efficiency, promptness, & care. .

Get a free resume review: Find out if your action verbs are strong enough.

To figure out if you're using the right verbs on your resume, you should upload it to the tool below. It'll analyze at each of your resume's bullet points and verbs, as well as 20+ key criteria hiring managers look for, and tell you if you have any big mistakes that need fixing.

Related Resume Examples

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