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?
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.
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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? |
What to say instead of “managed”
- Advised
- Aligned
- Counseled
- Cultivated
- Directed
- Facilitated
- Guided
- Inspired
- Led
- Mentored
- Motivated
- Oversaw
- Recruited
- Regulated
- Shaped
- Spearheaded
- Supervised
- Taught
- Trained
What to say instead of “assisted”
- Accompanied
- Aided
- Bolstered
- Co-authored
- Collaborated
- Cooperated
- Coordinated
- Coproduced
- Enabled
- Furthered
- Handled
- Maintained
- Partnered
- Reinforced
- Served
- Supported
What to say instead of “accomplished”
- Achieved
- Advanced
- Amplified
- Attained
- Boosted
- Completed
- Delivered
- Finished
- Fulfilled
- Gained
- Generated
- Maximized
- Outpaced
- Produced
- Reached
- Realized
- Succeeded
What to say instead of “communicated”
- Acquainted
- Announced
- Answered
- Broadcasted
- Contacted
- Corresponded
- Disclosed
- Disseminated
- Distilled
- Explained
- Informed
- Interacted
- Liaised
- Related
- Reported
- Shared
- Stated
- Suggested
- Transferred
- Transmitted
What to say instead of “changed”
- Altered
- Edited
- Enhanced
- Expanded
- Improved
- Modified
- Overhauled
- Pioneered
- Refined
- Reorganized
- Replaced
- Restructured
- Revamped
- Revised
- Simplified
- Transformed
- Updated
- 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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