Here at CareerCloud, we write about resumes quite a lot. So over the years, we have found what works, and what doesn’t. One of the things that make resumes stand out is using different verbs to describe your accomplishments.
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Most Common Action Verbs
Here are the most common action verbs that hiring managers see on resumes on a daily basis:
- Oversaw
- Supported
- Achieved
- Wrote
- Researched
- Managed
- Changed or Improved
- Increased
- Saved
- Envisioned
- Led
207 Action Verbs To Make Your Resume Pop
We did a little digging on the synonyms, so you can substitute where applicable, and give whoever is scanning your resume a breath of fresh air. Remember that your previous positions are different from other applicants, so the verbs you use to describe those experiences scan, and should be different from.
Regardless of what skill or achievement you want to highlight, we have just the perfect resume action verb for you. Explore the action verbs wheel and list of action verbs below to make your resume pop.
Action verbs 1-12
You oversaw or regulated something.
If you oversaw or regulated a project or task, try one of these action verbs:
- Authorized
- Blocked
- Delegated
- Dispatched
- Enforced
- Ensured
- Inspected
- Itemized
- Monitored
- Screened
- Scrutinized
- Verified
Action verbs 13-21
You supported customers or staff.
If you served in a role where you supported customers or staff, try one of these action verbs instead:
13. Advised
14. Advocated
15. Arbitrated
16. Coached
17. Consulted
18. Educated
19. Fielded
20. Informed
21. Resolved
Action verbs 22-33
You had some sort of achievement.
If you are looking to highlight some sort of achievement, try one of these:
22. Attained
23. Awarded
24. Completed
25. Demonstrated
26. Earned
27. Exceeded
28. Outperformed
29. Reached
30. Showcased
31. Succeeded
32. Surpassed
33. Targeted
Action verbs 34-52
You wrote something.
Writing is a form of communication, and when you keep that in mind, you can stretch the word a lot farther. Try one of these words:
34. Authored
35. Briefed
36. Campaigned
37. Co-authored
38. Composed
39. Conveyed
40. Convinced
41. Corresponded
42. Counseled
43. Critiqued
44. Defined
45. Documented
46. Edited
47. Illustrated
48. Lobbied
49. Persuaded
50. Promoted
51. Publicized
52. Reviewed
Action verbs 53-72
You researched or analyzed something.
If you spent time researching and analyzing, here are some action verbs to try:
53. Analyzed
54. Assembled
55. Assessed
56. Audited
57. Calculated
58. Discovered
59. Evaluated
60. Examined
61. Explored
62. Forecasted
63. Identified
64. Interpreted
65. Investigated
66. Mapped
67. Measured
68. Qualified
69. Quantified
70. Surveyed
71. Tested
72. Tracked
Action verbs 73-92
You managed something.
“Managed” is one of the most used verbs on resumes. Here are some options to switch it up:
73. Aligned
74. Cultivated
75. Directed
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76. Enabled
77. Facilitated
78. Fostered
79. Guided
80. Hired
81. Inspired
82. Mentored
83. Mobilized
84. Motivated
85. Recruited
86. Regulated
87. Shaped
88. Supervised
89. Taught
90. Trained
91. Unified
92.United
Action verbs 93-118
You changed or improved something.
If you changed or improved something, here are some action verbs to use:
93. Centralized
94. Clarified
95. Converted
96. Customized
97. Influenced
98. Integrated
99. Merged
100. Modified
101. Overhauled
102. Redesigned
103. Refined
104. Refocused
105. Rehabilitated
106. Remodeled
107. Reorganized
108. Replaced
109. Restructured
110. Revamped
111. Revitalized
112. Simplified
113. Standardized
114. Streamlined
115. Strengthened
116. Updated
117. Upgraded
118. Transformed
Action verbs 119-136
You increased something.
“Increased” is another one of the most commonly used verbs on resumes. Here are some action verbs to use instead:
119. Accelerated
120. Achieved
121. Advanced
122. Amplified
123. Boosted
124. Capitalized
125. Delivered
126. Enhanced
127. Expanded
128. Expedited
129. Furthered
130. Gained
131. Generated
132. Lifted
133. Maximized
134. Outpaced
135. Stimulated
136. Sustained
Action verbs 137-145
You saved in some capacity (usually time or money).
If you saved in some capacity, here are some verbs to try:
137. Conserved
138.Consolidated
139. Decreased
140. Deducted
141. Diagnosed
142. Lessened
143. Reconciled
144. Reduced
145. Yielded
Action verbs 146-166
You were able to envision something.
If you were able to envision something, here are some verbs to use:
146. Administered
147. Built
148. Charted
149. Created
150. Designed
151. Developed
152. Devised
153. Founded
154. Engineered
155. Established
156. Formalized
157. Formed
158. Formulated
159. Implemented
160. Incorporated
161. Initiated
162. Instituted
163. Introduced
164. Launched
165. Pioneered
166. Spearheaded
Action verbs 167-178
You held a leadership position so you led.
If you served in a leadership position and led, here are some verbs to use:
167. Chaired
168. Controlled
169. Coordinated
170. Executed
171. Headed
172. Operated
173. Orchestrated
174. Organized
175. Oversaw
176. Planned
177. Produced
178. Programmed
Action verbs 179-188
Action verbs to demonstrate work ethic.
Here are ideas for action verbs to explain your work ethic:
179. Deciphered
180. Discerned
181. Drove
182. Enacted
183. Endeavored
184. Sharpened
185. Shattered
186. Sparked
187. Spearheaded
188. Steered
Action verbs 189-207
Finally, if you’re in a technical position you can try some of these verbs.
Here are some action verbs to try if you work in a technical position:
189. Architected
190. Automated
191. Coded
192. Deployed
193. Detected
194. Devised
195. Diagnosed
196. Discovered
197. Formulated
198. Installed
199. Launched
200. Networked
201. Planned
202. Programmed
203. Rewrote
204. Refined
205. Tested
206. Troubleshoot
207. Upgraded
Bottom Line
Hopefully, this list will help you as you begin to craft your resume. Remember that the people who do the interviewing are used to seeing the most common verbs (listed at the top), so it is in your best interest to try and find some substitutes.
If you need additional help with your resume, check out our guide to the best resume writing services.
