90 Powerful Action Verbs for Resumes

You’re working on your resume, and you’ve arrived at the bullet points. You know, the part where you summarize the responsibilities of your previous positions.

Uhh...why didn’t anybody tell you this was so hard? 

Nobody should know better than you what you did all day. But, putting those duties into words that sound impressive is way more challenging than you bargained for.

Well, that’s where action verbs for resume building come into play.

What are action verbs?

To put it simply, an action verb is a single word that describes what you did. If you remember any grammar lessons from your school days, you might be thinking, “Wait...isn’t a verb already an action word? So then what’s an action verb? Isn’t that redundant?”

We’ll spare you a major grammar lecture, but it’s important to remember that a verb can also describe a feeling. For example, “Juanita angered easily.” 

In that sentence, “angered” is the verb. But it describes something Juanita felt, rather than something she did.

So, with that in mind, an action verb describes — you guessed it — an action (rather than an emotion). 

Action verbs will describe what responsibilities you handled in your past roles. Choosing the right ones helps you avoid weak or passive language and presents you as the qualified and confident candidate that you are.

Stand out from your competition: 90 different action verbs for your resume

Whew! That’s a big job for just a single word. Fortunately, this guide can help you and your resume rise to the occasion.

Below, we’re breaking down some of the most common and tired resume verbs and suggesting a bunch of alternatives.

Use them to revamp your resume, explain your skills and experiences, and achieve the job of your dreams.

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Pop quiz: we used three powerful action verbs in that one sentence alone — can you spot them?

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What to say instead of “managed”

Maybe you were the point person on a big project. Or, perhaps you led the charge for an entire team or department. Here are some verbs that are a little more inspiring than “managed.”

1. Advised 
2. Aligned
3. Counseled 
4. Cultivated 
5. Directed
6. Facilitated
7. Guided
8. Inspired
9. Led
10. Mentored
11. Motivated
12. Oversaw
13. Recruited
14. Regulated
15. Shaped
16. Spearheaded
17. Supervised
18. Taught
19. Trained

What to say instead of “assisted”

You wouldn’t go so far as to say you were the one in charge, but you definitely played a key part in completing a project or achieving a goal. Use these to summarize your involvement without taking all of the credit.

20. Accompanied
21. Aided
22. Bolstered
23. Co-authored
24. Collaborated
25. Cooperated
26. Coordinated
27. Coproduced 
28. Enabled
29. Furthered
30. Handled
31. Maintained
32. Partnered 
33. Reinforced
34. Served 
35. Supported

What to say instead of “accomplished”

There have been plenty of times in your career when you’ve reached an objective or demolished a benchmark. Use these verbs to get that point across — you go-getter, you.

36. Achieved
37. Advanced
38. Amplified
39. Attained
40. Boosted
41. Completed
42. Delivered
43. Finished
44. Fulfilled 
45. Gained
46. Generated 
47. Maximized
48. Outpaced
49. Produced
50. Reached
51. Realized
52. Succeeded

What to say instead of “communicated”

Communication is key. But, would a skilled communicator really use this same old verb over and over again? Probably not. Switch things up with some of the below verbs.

53. Acquainted
54. Announced
55. Answered
56. Broadcasted
57. Contacted
58. Corresponded
59. Disclosed
60. Disseminated
61. Distilled
62. Explained
63. Informed 
64. Interacted
65. Liaised
66. Related
67. Reported
68. Shared
69. Stated
70. Suggested
71. Transferred
72. Transmitted

What to say instead of “changed”

You aren’t content with the status quo and are always finding ways to make processes, systems, and projects better. The below verbs will help you summarize your passion for constant improvement.

73. Altered
74. Edited
75. Enhanced
76. Expanded
77. Improved
78. Modified
79. Overhauled 
80. Pioneered
81. Refined
82. Reorganized
83. Replaced
84. Restructured
85. Revamped
86. Revised
87. Simplified
88. Transformed
89. Updated
90. Upgraded

Do’s and don’ts of using action verbs on your resume

There’s no shortage of action verbs to make your resume pop. But, you can’t just cherry pick a word and expect it to do all of the hard work for you. There are a few more action verb-related do’s and don’ts you should be aware of. 

1. Do be honest

As always, honesty is the best policy. “Spearheaded” is an impressive word, but it should only be used when you were actually the one forging the path — and not just chipping in or taking directions. Make sure you select the right word for your responsibilities, and not just the one that sounds the best.

2. Don’t be repetitive

Have you ever seen a resume that looks like this?

• Managed a team of four video producers
• Managed the schedule for the team and all freelancers
• Managed project timelines for the completion of promotional videos

That’s pretty repetitive, right? Don’t keep using the same word over and over again. Switch things up so that each bullet seems fresh. 

Don’t worry — that’s what the above list is here for. Pull a few from the “managed” section, and you could transform those bullets to:

• Led and mentored a team of four video producers
• Oversaw the schedule for the team and all freelancers
• Aligned project timelines for the completion of promotional videos

That’s better, isn’t it? 

3. Do remember verb tense

Time for another quick grammar reminder — verb tense matters. You should use past tense for previous jobs, and present tense for any current roles you have.

So, sticking with our previous example, these verbs are in the past tense and should be used if you’ve already left this position:

• Led and mentored a team of four video producers
• Oversaw the schedule for the team and all freelancers
• Aligned project timelines for the completion of promotional videos

But, these are those same verbs in the present tense. These should be used if you’re still currently working that job:

• Lead and mentor a team of four video producers
• Oversee the schedule for the team and all freelancers
• Align project timelines for the completion of promotional videos

Whenever you update your resume, make sure you double-check your verb tense. You can’t just change the end date for a previous position — you need to change your verbs too.

4. Don’t use “responsible for” 

This is another mistake that’s common with resume bullet points — starting every single bullet point with “responsible for.”

That’s not only weak language, but it’s also unnecessary. Recruiters and hiring managers already know you were responsible for the things you’re listing — that’s why they’re on your resume.

So, avoid this cliché phrase at all costs. You’re better off opting for some of the action verbs we listed above.

Action verbs for resumes — small words that make a big difference

Your verb choice on your resume might seem like a small and inconsequential detail. But, selecting the right words can make all the difference.

Refer to the list of action verbs we’ve pulled together here, and you’ll present yourself as a confident, qualified, and capable candidate — and maybe even end up at the top of the coveted “to be interviewed” pile.

Refining your skills is another great way to stand out from the competition in your job search. Try our range of soft skills courses and enjoy other soft skills resources to help you boost your resume today.

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