214 Unique Action Verbs to Power Up Your Resume

Let’s be honest—you probably didn’t think much about your resume wording when writing it. The idea of adding action verbs might have just slipped your mind, and that’s totally normal.

A lot of job seekers don't realize how much impact these power words can have. But think about it: hiring managers go through countless resumes, and buzzwords like “detail-oriented” or “team player” pop up everywhere, making them dull and forgettable. Action verbs, however, can really make your resume stand out by highlighting your initiative and achievements. So, why not enrich your resume vocabulary with these powerful words?

In this guide, we’ll go through:

• What action verbs are, why they matter, and when to use them.
• Which action verbs can boost your resume and catch a recruiter’s eye.
• Choosing power words for your resume grouped by top job titles, industries, and organizations.
• Describing skills with active verbs.
• Hundreds of examples to choose from for your own resume, CV, cover letter, letter of interest, and interview.

What are resume action verbs?

Recent neuroscience findings show that action verbs can actually activate the parts of our brain involved in those actions. For example, reading the word "kick" might light up the brain areas related to kicking.

This fascinating connection suggests that inserting strong action verbs into your resume can vividly highlight your skills and achievements, making them more impressive to hiring managers. Just as these words stimulate your brain, they can also make your resume stand out and resonate more with potential employers.

So, let's dive into why action verbs are a game-changer for your resume and how to use them to your advantage.

Тop 20 action words used by Enhancv customers

To help you craft a resume that stands out, here are 20 powerful action verbs tested by Enhancv customers who managed to land their dream jobs just two months after starting to use our resume-building app.

Why do action verbs matter?

Hiring managers sift through a mountain of resumes when deciding who to bring on board, spending an average of just a few seconds on each one. This makes it crucial to grab their attention quickly. To stand out, you need to use the most impactful language you’re capable of.

Action verbs can make your resume language shine, immediately increasing your chances of getting an interview call by underscoring your skills and qualifications. They enhance the impression you leave on hiring managers. While your GPA and basic credentials matter, employers are more interested in the results you've achieved. By incorporating unique action verbs, you can easily introduce your quantified successes. For example:

Whether you're a high school student or a seasoned professional, the right power words can support your application. However, it's important to be honest about your achievements. Knowing which action verbs to use can make the difference between looking impressive and appearing mediocre or dishonest.

How to use action verbs in a resume: 5 simple rules

Ready to create a job-winning resume? Here are some key tips to use action verbs strategically and amplify your application:

• Study the job description: Tailor your resume to the specific position you're applying for by studying the job description carefully. What keywords do they use to list the skills and responsibilities required? Now, try to match the same keywords from the job posting on your resume (no lying, of course). This shows the hiring manager you have the relevant experience and can meet their needs.
• Be specific about your achievements: Don’t just tell recruiters you did something—show them! Use numbers and specific results to highlight your successes. For example, instead of saying “Increased monthly blog visits,” say “Magnified monthly blog visits from 100,000 to 2 million in a year.” This not only sounds impressive but also provides concrete evidence of your impact. Here’s another hint — opt for action verbs that can be easily measured.
• Avoid overused action verbs: You don’t want your resume to look and sound like everyone else’s. Generic words like “managed,” “led,” “worked on,” and “participated” are so common they’ve become white noise to recruiters. Instead, opt for more specific and dynamic verbs that will grab attention and stand out.
• Use active voice: Active voice makes your accomplishments clearer and more impactful, implying agency and proactivity. Start each bullet point in your experience section with a power verb to ensure you’re underlining your result-driven approach. For example, say “Developed a new training program that boosted employee productivity by 20%,” instead of “A new training program was developed.”
• Consider high-register synonyms: To elevate your resume game, replace common action verbs with their French/Latin/Greek-origin synonyms. (Instead of saying "Analyzed data," you could say "Scrutinized data"). They convey a higher level of sophistication and expertise. Sometimes, opening the thesaurus to find the right substitutes for common action verbs can add a touch of sophistication to your resume.

How to include action verbs in your resume sections [examples & tips]

The right resume language can transform your resume into a compelling story of your career path. Let’s explore how you can sprinkle action verbs across various sections of your resume to make every sentence pop and every bullet point shine.

Resume summary

The resume summary sits prominently at the top of your resume, right below the header. It provides a concise overview of your career, highlighting your key skills and accomplishments. To avoid turning it into a monotonous list, start every sentence with an action verb. This approach makes your personal statements more dynamic and impactful.

Here’s a good example from a CTO resume:

Work experience

The work experience section is where power verbs truly shine. Each bullet point under your job titles should begin with an action verb to clearly and concisely convey your responsibilities and accomplishments. For example:

• Managed a team of 10 developers to deliver projects on time.
• Implemented a new software solution that increased efficiency by 20%.
• Partnered with 15 people from cross-functional teams to drive product innovation.

The same tips can be applied to a projects section if you decide to create one. Just remember to list verbs in the past tense for previous roles and the present tense if the job is ongoing.

Here’s an example of action verbs in an experience section:

Skills section

Action verbs are excellent for describing your skills. While technical proficiency is often listed in a separate skill section for easy skimming by recruiters, it's not advisable to present soft skills in a bulleted list. Instead, support them with concrete examples of how you've applied these skills to make them credible. It's best to integrate them throughout different parts of your resume.

For example:

By using power verbs to describe your skills, you provide context, making it easier for hiring managers to understand your strengths.

Enhancv’s staple sections

Enhancv offers unique sections like “My Time,” “Strengths,” and “Most Proud Of” to help your resume stand out. In these distinctive sections, action verbs can add depth and clarity. For example:

• In “My time,” explain how you balanced multiple responsibilities.
• In “Strengths,” describe how you honed analytical skills through coursework.
• In “Most proud of,” highlight a significant and job-relevant milestone you achieved.

Using action verbs in these custom sections provides a more comprehensive view of your capabilities and personality.

Action verbs for the 25 most in-demand jobs in the US

In early 2024, U.S. News evaluated jobs across various industries based on median salary, predicted growth, unemployment rate, work-life balance, and stress level to rank the top ones of the year.

Let's examine these jobs individually and list the action verbs that job-seekers in each occupation can use on their resumes.

Actuary resume action verbs

If financial risk assessment or data analysis is your specialty, here's how to highlight your expertise on your resume with powerful action verbs.

Data scientist resume action verbs

Here are some examples of power verbs that will make your data skills shine.

Dental hygienist resume action verbs

Below are the most suitable words for a dental hygienist resume.

Financial manager resume action verbs

If you thrive in money matters, your financial manager resume needs these words:

Genetic counselor resume action verbs

As the healthcare industry grows, genetic counselors are in high demand. They dig into family history and genetic issues to guide treatment decisions.

To highlight your skills as a genetic counselor on your resume, use these action verbs:

Industrial psychologist resume action verbs

For those wanting to amplify their interpersonal and problem-solving skills on their resume, here’s a list that will get you started:

Information security analyst action verbs

Here are some suitable and non-cliched action verbs for a cyber security analyst's resume:

IT manager resume action verbs

If you're aiming to highlight your expertise as an IT Manager, here are some powerful action verbs to showcase your skills and achievements on your resume:

Lawyer resume action verbs

Below are some impactful action verbs to use on your lawyer resume to emphasize your legal expertise and accomplishments.

Management analyst resume action verbs

Management analysts, or consultants, help organizations operate more efficiently through careful planning and studies. Integrate these words into your resume to describe the results of your decision-making:

Marketing manager resume action verbs

Marketing managers can find inspiration in the following list of power verbs:

Mechanical engineer resume action verbs

If mechanical engineers are ever at a loss for words, here’s a list that will help them communicate their strengths on a resume:

Healthcare operations manager resume action verbs

If you’re in healthcare and medical services, the words below can boost your resume:

Nurse anesthetist resume action verbs

The expected job growth for this position is 8.9%. Get ready to optimize your resume with strategic word choices.

Nurse practitioner resume action verbs

There will be over 100,000 job openings for nurses by 2032. Be ready to stand out from the competition with a well-written resume.

Occupational therapist resume action verbs

If you want your showcase your therapeutic skills on your resume, get inspiration from the list of suggestions below:

Operations research analyst resume action verbs

If analytics, mathematics, and computer science are part of your daily responsibilities, here are some suggestions to help you build an effective operations analyst resume.

Orthotist and prosthetist  resume action verbs

Advances in medical and manufacturing technology have improved the accessibility of orthotic and prosthetic devices, leading to increased adoption and demand for these services. To build your prosthetist resume, choose the right verbs to introduce your responsibilities and accomplishments at work.

Physician assistant resume action verbs

Physician assistants are appreciated for their clinical and diagnostic skills. These can be highlighted with the help of strong action verbs on your resume.

Sales manager resume action verbs

Sales managers are valued for their leadership and strategic abilities. Emphasize these skills on your resume by using impactful action verbs.

Software developer resume action verbs

In competitive fields like IT, you need to stand out. Use this list of action verbs to create a tech resume that’s both ATS- and recruiter-friendly.

Speech pathologist resume action verbs

For these professionals, precise communication skills are key. Use this list of action verbs to effectively showcase your expertise and catch the attention of employers.

Statistician resume action verbs

Here’s a list of power verbs that can enrich a statistician’s resume.

Veterinarian resume action verbs

Vets can make their resumes more engaging and easier to read by using dynamic and varied verbs like those from the list below.

Web developer resume action verbs

Web developers need good action verbs for their resumes to effectively convey their technical skills, project achievements, and contributions to potential employers.

Now that we’ve covered some of the most popular jobs in the US, let’s explore the power words for industry-specific resumes.

Action verbs for top organizations and sectors

You're probably wondering what the best action words for a resume are. The answer depends on the context in which you use them. In this section, we’ll provide a list of impactful action verbs tailored to enhance resumes for top companies and universities. Many of these organizations periodically release their own lists of key action verbs. If you want recruiters from these organizations to notice you, pay attention to the words they emphasize in their recommendations. Make sure these same keywords are included in your application documents.

Google resume action verbs

For a Google resume, which typically emphasizes innovation, collaboration, and technical expertise, you can use the following words to highlight your skills and achievements:

Tesla resume action verbs

For those of you looking for a job at Tesla, we’ve created a list of action verbs that highlight innovation, technical expertise, problem-solving skills, and the ability to work in a fast-paced, cutting-edge environment.

Fortune 500 resume action verbs

For resumes targeting Fortune 500 companies, it’s important to use action verbs that highlight your leadership, innovation, and ability to drive results. Here are some impactful action verbs suitable for such resumes:

Big 4 resume power verbs

If you’re looking for a job in any of the Big 4 accounting and consulting firms (Deloitte, PwC, EY, and KPMG), it's important to use action verbs that demonstrate your analytical skills, client service, and project management abilities. Here are some suggestions:

Harvard resume action verbs

Harvard Law School and Harvard Business School have made their action verbs lists publicly available, but here’s a summary that will help you prove your leadership, strategic thinking, and academic excellence.

Action verb list for the University of California

For resumes and cover letters targeting the University of California system, including various campuses like UC Berkeley, UCLA, and UC San Diego, it's important to use action verbs that demonstrate your academic excellence, research capabilities, leadership, and community involvement. Here are some examples:

Strong action verbs for construction resumes

Struggling to highlight your construction skills effectively? Use these powerful verbs to make your resume stand out:

Resume action verbs for the education sector

If you need to showcase your teaching or academic expertise, these action verbs will help you effectively communicate your strengths:

Action verbs to describe financial services

Highlight your analytical and strategic planning skills with these action verbs to make your resume impressive and detailed.

Healthcare action verbs for a resume

Enhance your healthcare resume by emphasizing your problem-solving and patient-care skills with these action verbs:

Information technology action verbs

Need to show off your IT skills with flair? These action verbs will help you set yourself apart in the tech industry:

The best action verbs for the manufacturing industry

Demonstrate your precision and efficiency skills with these action verbs:

Retail sector power verbs

Introduce your customer service and sales skills into your resume with these action verbs to make a great first impression:

Transportation and logistics action verbs

Your organizational and logistical planning skills can be even described with some of these power verbs:

Utilities and energy action verbs

Recruiters expect to see some of these verbs in an engineering-related resume:

Action verbs for specific skills

When you're crafting your resume, it's essential to use language that accurately reflects your skills and accomplishments. Also known as skill verbs, these are specifically chosen to highlight your expertise and abilities in various areas. However, the problem here is that they don't sit well when merely listed. They need to be illustrated or quantified to show their real impact.

Here are some guidelines to keep in mind when doing that:

• Be specific: Choose verbs that precisely describe what you did. For instance, instead of saying "Worked on a project," say "Designed a prototype." Specific verbs make your achievements more tangible and impressive.
• Match verbs to your skills: For example, if you want to underline your leadership, use verbs like "Directed" or "Orchestrated" instead of just “Led”. The synonyms are in the same semantic field, which will not only enrich the content but will also help you optimize your resume for applicant tracking systems and increase its visibility in search results.
• Show impact: Use verbs that demonstrate the impact of your work. Words like "Improved," "Optimized," or "Enhanced" can show how you made a difference in your previous roles.
• Vary your verbs: Avoid repeating the same verbs. Mix it up with different words that convey similar actions to keep your resume interesting and dynamic.
• Match the job description: Always tailor your verbs to match the job you're applying for. If the job description emphasizes certain skills or tasks, use similar verbs to underscore your relevant experience.

Now, let’s dive into the various ways you can underline your skills on a resume.

Action words to emphasize analytical thinking

Analytical thinking is one of the most common skills listed on resumes, but to make it truly stand out, it's crucial to provide concrete evidence. Choose any of the verbs below when talking about your data-driven mindset.

Action verbs for partner acquisition and partnership development

These action verbs are essential for roles in business development, sales, and partnership management, as they highlight your ability to acquire clients, secure funding, and develop strategic partnerships.

Best resume power words for research skills

The following group is crucial for roles in academia, scientific research, and data analysis, as it emphasizes your ability to conduct thorough investigations and contribute valuable insights to your field.

Resume action words for problem-solving

From management and C-level positions to customer service and consulting, problem-solving is a great asset for an impressive range of resumes. Find some inspiration for which action verbs to use here:

Resume action verbs for teamwork and communication

Here are 20+ action verbs to effectively showcase teamwork and communication skills on your resume and avoid sounding too vague or generic.

Power verbs for project and product management skills

Using powerful action verbs on your resume can significantly enhance the presentation of your project and product management skills. They can help you quantify your accomplishments, providing concrete evidence of your contributions. Look at the examples below:

Resume power words to use when describing results and achievements

The suggested words below matter because potential employers want to know about the impact you’ve made in your previous roles. Use them generously, regardless of your occupation or level of experience.

Resume action verbs to describe tasks and responsibilities

Action verbs can help convey your accountability and the extent of your duties. Here’s what you can say when you mean “responsible for”:

10 action verbs to avoid on a resume and why

As if crafting a resume isn’t challenging enough, choosing the right action verbs can make it even more frustrating. However, there’s a general agreement among recruiters that some verbs are so overused that they’ve lost their impact. They make you sound vague and forgettable, which is the opposite of what you want to be when looking for a job.

To help you navigate word choice, here are 10 common action verbs to avoid and what to use instead:

Power verbs vs power adjectives

Power adjectives and power verbs are two equally important tools in your resume-writing arsenal. While power verbs clearly articulate your actions and accomplishments, power adjectives add depth and detail, making those actions even more impressive.

For instance, instead of just saying "Led a team," you can say "Led a dynamic, high-performing team," which gives a richer, more vivid picture of your role. Using strong adjectives alongside verbs not only highlights your skills but also makes your contributions stand out more effectively to recruiters. This strategic use of language makes your resume highly engaging and memorable.

For more tips on how to master this, be sure to read our detailed article on integrating power adjectives into your resume.

Should I use action verbs in cover letters and interviews? 

Action verbs aren’t just for your resume (or CV). They’re equally impactful in cover letters, letters of interest, and interviews.

Including strong action verbs in these contexts helps you convey a proactive, results-driven professional persona. For example, in a cover letter, you might say, "I spearheaded a project that increased sales by 20%," which immediately grabs attention. In an interview, describing how you "orchestrated a successful team initiative" makes your experiences sound more dynamic and engaging.

This varied language not only enhances the storytelling aspect of your professional journey but also creates a holistic view of your capabilities. Research shows that varied and vivid language increases engagement and retention, making your story more memorable to hiring managers. By consistently using action verbs across all professional communications, you reinforce your competencies and leave a lasting impression.

Key takeaways

If you feel like you're ready to get the gist of how to make your resume truly shine, here are the main insights:

• Action verbs make your resume more dynamic and engaging: They help to articulate your skills, achievements, and responsibilities clearly.
• Choosing the right action verbs can significantly impact how your resume is perceived: By avoiding generic terms and using specific, impactful words, you stand out to hiring managers.
• Use action verbs to illustrate and quantify your achievements: This makes your contributions more tangible and impressive.
• Tailor your action verbs to match the job description: This shows that you have the relevant experience and can meet the employer's needs.
• Incorporate action verbs across various sections of your resume: From the resume summary to work experience and skills, power verbs can enhance every part of your resume.
• Avoid overused action verbs: Common words like "managed," "led," and "worked on" can become white noise to recruiters.
• Enhance your language with high-register synonyms: This adds a touch of sophistication and can help optimize your resume for applicant tracking systems.
• Use action verbs in cover letters and interviews: They help convey a proactive, results-driven professional persona and enhance your storytelling.