The right resume action words can catch a hiring manager's attention and increase your chance of getting a job offer. Here are some great resume action word examples.
The Best Resume Action Words for This Year
Resume Action Words
The best resume is one that grabs a recruiter’s attention and demands to be read in full. Most hiring managers don’t just consider what you have done in the past; they take into account how you discuss your past. Job seekers who show passion and take ownership of their successes are sure to stand out from the crowd. In that vein, strong action verbs and power words could make all the difference to your job search.
What are Resume Action Words?
Resume action verbs are phrases and words that you can use to effectively communicate your skills and abilities. Unlike passive descriptions, action verbs are emotive and show that you have drive and ambition. These words and phrases can be used in any part of a resume or cover letter but will be most effective when they are utilized in a resume work experience section.
The benefits of using resume action verbs are:
- Increased resume impact
- Increased readability
- Higher chance of retaining a recruiter’s attention
Which Action Verbs are Best for a Resume?
When you start resume writing, you should look for opportunities to deploy appropriate action verbs. There is a range of action verbs that you can use in many different situations. Here are some common resume skills and job titles and example action verbs you can use to prove them:
Action verbs for skills:
1. Leadership Skills
- Delegated
- Planned
- Resolved
- Appointed
2. Analysis
- Quantified
- Gathered
- Formulated
- Observed
3. Communication Skills
- Arbitrated
- Mediated
- Presented
- Clarified
4. Problem-Solving
- Brainstormed
- Mind-mapped
- Streamlined
- Strengthened
5. Research Skills
- Determined
- Collected
- Compared
- Formulated
Action verbs for job titles:
1. Graphic Designer
- Conceptualized
- Designed
- Created
- Planned
2. Human Resources Manager
- Oversaw
- Planned
- Scheduled
- Assessed
- Set goals
3. Editor
- Critiqued
- Proofread
- Analyzed
- Corrected
- Furthered
4. Teacher
- Tutored
- Familiarized
- Explained
- Encouraged
5. Software Engineer
- Debugged
- Systematized
- Streamlined
- Computed
- Tested
These are just some action verbs that can be used on a resume. There are many action words and synonyms for all of the skills and achievements you might list on a resume. Whether you want to focus on creative skills or technical skills, considering online examples can be helpful in ensuring you get the right power words for your resume.
How to Choose the Right Action Words for Your Resume
When you use resume action words, it is important that they are appropriate for the job description that you are applying for. Here are the steps you can take to identify the correct action verbs for your resume:
-
Consider the job description.
Re-read the job description of the role that you want to apply for to identify the keywords and main requirements of the role. Once you have done this, identify which skills will be most needed to meet the needs of the role. For example, if the job description calls for teamwork, you will need great collaborative and leadership skills.
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Write a list of your key skills and achievements.
With the details of the job description in mind, make a list of your main skills and most notable achievements.
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Create a list of action words that reinforce your skills and accomplishments.
When you have your list of notable achievements and relevant skills, start formulating a list of actions that can support or prove your claims. For example, if you list creative skills or successful design projects, your actions and power words might include:
- Created
- Designed
- Planned
- Painted
- Presented
-
Generate synonyms.
Once you have a list of actions to support your skills and achievements, you should create a list of related action verbs and synonyms. Examples of action verbs and synonyms for creative skills like design projects include:
- Pioneered
- Shaped
- Displayed
- Composed
- Enlivened
Once you have this list in front of you, it is a matter of putting it to use in your resume. For example, you might state that you “Pioneered a design technique that increased average project speed by 10%” or “Created and displayed a composition that increased visitor footfall to the exhibit by 15%”. Finally, consider using a resume builder such as the ResumeNerd resume builder, which offers expert suggestions on how to describe your skills and achievements, as well as a large range of free templates to choose from.
