One of the best ways to ensure your resume stands head and shoulders above the rest is through the strategic use of action words. These aren’t just fancy adjectives or buzzwords, but dynamic, action-oriented terms that can truly highlight your skills and experiences.
In this article, you’ll learn about:
Turn your application into a compelling narrative by using resume action words.
Action words, also known as action verbs, power words, or power adjectives, are the superheroes of your resume. If you’re wondering how to turn your experiences into a compelling professional narrative, this is where action words swoop in to save the day.
These adjectives and verbs are used to describe an action, result, or accomplishment. They illustrate your proactive attitude and potential, helping you move beyond the standard buzzwords that are all too common in resumes, and ultimately helping you catch a recruiter’s eye.
Now, let’s delve into how you can add these power-packed action words to your resume and make a stellar first impression with recruiters.
The words you use on your resume can make a significant difference in how you are perceived by potential employers. By using power words in your resume, you can present your achievements more compellingly.
Take a close look at these examples:
Managed a team of sales representatives.
The verb manage is often considered an overused word in resumes because it is a generic and vague term that lacks specificity and impact.
Many candidates use manage as a catch-all phrase to describe their responsibilities without elaborating on the details or displaying their achievements.
Orchestrated and led a top-performing sales team in exceeding targets by 150% in Q2.
This example demonstrates leadership, initiative, and success by providing concrete details about the achievements. It features the candidate’s ability to drive results and emphasizes their competence, making them a more attractive candidate to potential employers.
By simply using more descriptive language, you can bring life to seemingly mundane tasks and paint a picture of your capabilities, qualifications, and achievements.
Not only do power words make your resume more interesting to read, but they also leave a lasting impression and demonstrate a level of sophistication and professionalism.
Your ability to communicate effectively through your language choices showcases your writing skills and overall attention to detail.
When it comes to crafting a standout resume, the words you choose are paramount. However, not all words are created equal. It’s essential to use power words that are specific to the position you’re applying for, and that demonstrate your capabilities and experience.
One way to determine which power words to use is by carefully examining the job posting and identifying key responsibilities and requirements. Once you’ve done that, you can select power words from our comprehensive list that align with your achievements and expertise.
It’s best to choose words that can be measured by tangible achievements, such as “optimized sales revenue by 40%.” Avoid using subjective language like “I’m outstanding” or “I’m exceptional,” as this can make you come across as self-involved.
Instead, use precise and actionable language that features your skills and accomplishments.
In a revealing study by Gitnux, it was found that 75% of resumes are rejected by Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) because they lack the right format, content, or action words. Ensure you review the job ad before crafting your resume and include the power words you find there.
Another vital aspect to bear in mind is the preference for active voice over passive voice. But what exactly does this mean? It primarily involves the way you use verbs.
In an active voice sentence, the subject – you – performs the action. Conversely, in a passive-voice sentence, the subject is on the receiving end of the action.
Not only can passive sentences be more confusing but they also tend to be longer. Let’s illustrate this with an example:
The difference is clear – active sentences get right to the point and put you right at the center of the action.
Avoiding clichés and overused phrases on your resume can help make it more convincing and unique.
Here are some commonly overused words and phrases that you’ll want to avoid and replace with more specific and illustrative language:
Looking for a job involves crafting a resume that not only recounts your achievements but does so in a vibrant and compelling manner. To assist you with this, we’ve compiled a resume action word list of 360 items.
When adding them to your resume, you can typically omit the “I” at the beginning of each statement, leading to punchier, more concise sentences like:
“Acquired 37 new clients within a six-month timeframe” or “Administered medication to a ward of 20 patients.”
This approach not only saves space but also makes your resume more scan-friendly.
To simplify your word selection process, you’ll find them grouped in thematic categories, such as leadership, teamwork, and numeric-based accomplishments, to name a few.
Note that some words could be relevant to more than one category.
Does this mean you should use all 360 words in your resume? Certainly not!
However, this extensive selection ensures that you have a diverse array of choices to best illustrate your unique achievements and talents.
If any of the following power verbs are unfamiliar, look them up in a dictionary before using them in your resume. Misusing a word will hurt your credibility. In fact, using a word in the wrong context could do more harm than simply supplying one of the overused words listed above.
Lastly, don’t forget to look at the job ad and include the keywords you find there in your resume and cover letter. By doing this, you’ll avoid being automatically disqualified by Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).
Companies want to hire good leaders, especially for management positions. Instead of listing leadership as a skill or simply saying you’re an experienced leader, show them with resume power words!
You’ll notice that each of the words below requires a bit more information than does listing leadership as a skill. For example, what goals did you reach as a leader? What exactly did you manage?
Don’t just tell, show how with specific examples. Now, take a look at the following list of resume action words to effectively highlight your skills and experiences.
Example: Advised clients on investment opportunities and market trends, resulting in a 25% increase in portfolio returns and a 20% increase in client satisfaction ratings.
Example: Influenced company decision-making through data analysis and presentation, resulting in a 10% decrease in expenses.
Example: Resolved customer complaints in a timely and professional manner, resulting in a 95% satisfaction rate.
Being able to work as part of a group, getting along well with your coworkers, is important in a professional context. This is especially true in industries where collaborative projects are the norm.
Rather than just stating that you’re a team player, show it! Provide specific examples of how you rallied your group to success or played well with others despite challenges.
Look at the action verbs list below and pick the ones that best apply to your experience and the position you want to apply for:
Example: Collaborated with colleagues to streamline internal processes and enhance productivity, leading to a 20% reduction in project turnaround time.
Written and verbal communication skills are vital to many industries. You’ll notice that some of the words, such as “authored” and “corresponded” are more specific to written communication, while others imply active interaction with colleagues, vendors, and clients.
Review the following action verbs to use on your resume:
Example: Convinced a key client to renew their contract by demonstrating the value and ROI of our services, resulting in a revenue increase of $500,000.
Example: Promoted company products and services through effective marketing campaigns, resulting in a 30% increase in customer acquisition and a 20% boost in revenue.
Have you ever worked on a project from its inception to its completion? That’s quite an accomplishment. Were you the mastermind behind it?
If so, you should let the hiring manager in on all the details. Use the words below to explain.
Remember, though, that one action word per sentence is usually enough.
Example: Created a new company-wide training program, resulting in a 25% increase in employee productivity.
Example: Implemented a new inventory tracking system, resulting in a 20% decrease in product waste.
Example: Launched a successful social media campaign, resulting in a 30% increase in brand awareness.
Your job has no doubt involved a lot of diverse responsibilities. But if you write “responsible for” under every position you’ve held, your resume will sound redundant and boring.
Try including some of the words listed below. Be sure to include the details.For example, what techniques did you employ? What goals did you achieve?
Pick the action words to use on your resume from this list:
Example: Achieved a 25% increase in sales within the first quarter of employment.
Knowing how to find reliable information is almost as important as knowing how to do your job. Research is a highly sought-after skill in the workplace.
However, there are multiple ways to do research. Did your research involve scientific experimentation? Reading reference books? Conducting surveys? Interviewing famous people?
Using the powerful descriptive words below will help recruiters understand the exact details of your experience.
Example: Analyzed market trends and made recommendations for product development, resulting in a 30% increase in market share.
Example: Developed and implemented key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the success of marketing campaigns, resulting in a 20% increase in conversion rates and a 15% reduction in customer acquisition costs.
Hiring managers know good workplace environments are made of individuals who are willing to assist each other.
Let them know you’re that kind of person with one of the following power words.
Don’t forget to briefly explain how you helped and the good results that followed.
Example: Consulted with cross-functional teams, leveraging expertise in data analytics and market trends to develop strategic initiatives that resulted in a 20% increase in customer retention.
Make sure that the words you choose highlight your accomplishments and do not refer to negative consequences.
Example: Boosted website traffic by 50% through the implementation of a new content marketing strategy that focused on SEO optimization and targeted audience engagement.
Example: Improved customer retention rates by 15% through implementation of new policies and procedures.
Example: Revamped the company’s social media strategy by creating engaging content, resulting in a 75% increase in social media engagement and a 50% increase in lead generation.
Be specific by mentioning numbers and percentages to describe your experience.
Look at the following right-wrong examples to understand the difference:
Utilized advertising techniques to attract many new clients.
This is the example content
Notice the difference? While the wrong example leaves many questions open and lacks punch, the right example tells recruiters the complete story by providing specifics.
Below, you’ll find keywords to describe numerical figures.
Example: Raised revenue by 25% by implementing a new pricing strategy and conducting a comprehensive market analysis to identify new opportunities.
Only provide statistics and figures if you are authorized to do so. Most employers won’t mind if you say you increased their sales or reduced their expenses by a certain amount. But they may not want to reveal their annual gross income or specifics about prices and costs. Never include confidential or proprietary information in your resume.
You work hard at what you do, and you want to let the hiring manager know about it.
But instead of describing yourself as a “hard worker,” try the following adjectives for added effect.
Example: Created and implemented a meticulous quality control process that significantly reduced product defects by 50% within the first six months of implementation.
Consider these additional action adjectives related to innovative thinking and integrity to make a positive impact on employers.
Example: Devoted significant time and effort to building and nurturing strong client relationships, resulting in a client retention rate of 95% and increased referrals.
Making a strong impression through your resume requires the tactical deployment of power words. Here is a quick recap of how to do it:
Ready to update your resume to include action words? Try our resume builder to speed up the process. It is full of expert advice and on-the-go tips designed to get you the job you’re looking for.
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