Action verbs
- Action verbs make the resume come alive.
- If you are doing a scannable resume, carefully chosen nouns are also important. See Career Development's "Scannable Resume" document for more information.
- The following is a list of frequently used action verbs (the words in BOLD are the most commonly used words).
- Try to use a variety of action verbs rather than repeating the same few.
- Choose the words that most appropriately describe your responsibilities:
| Accelerated |
Edited |
Renegotiated |
Represented |
| Accomplished |
Educated |
Reorganized |
Researched |
| Achieved |
Effected |
Managed |
Reshaped |
| Acquired |
Eliminated |
Manufactured |
Resolved |
| Activated |
Employed |
Marketed |
Responded to |
| Addressed |
Enabled |
Mastered |
Restored |
| Administered |
Encouraged |
Mobilized |
Revamped |
| Advanced |
Energized |
Modified |
Reviewed |
| Advised |
Enforced |
Monitored |
Revised |
| Advocated |
Engineered |
Motivated |
Revitalized |
| Allocated |
Enhanced |
Negotiated |
Revived |
| Analyzed |
Envisioned |
Nominated |
Satisfied |
| Anticipated |
Established |
Normalized |
Saved |
| Applied |
Estimated |
Obtained |
Scheduled |
| Appointed |
Evaluated |
Officiated |
Secured |
| Appraised |
Examined |
Operated |
Selected |
| Appreciated |
Exceeded |
Ordered |
Served |
| Approved |
Executed |
Organized |
Serviced |
| Aspired |
Exercised |
Oriented |
Set up |
| Arranged |
Exhibited |
Originated |
Settled |
| Assessed |
Expanded |
Overcame |
Shaped |
| Assigned |
Experienced |
Overhauled |
Showed |
| Attained |
Extended |
Oversaw |
Simplified |
| Audited |
Extracted |
Officiated |
Solved |
| Avoided |
Facilitated |
Operated |
Sparked |
| Broadened |
Finalized |
Ordered |
Specified |
| Budgeted |
Financed |
Organized |
Sponsored |
| Built |
Forecasted |
Oriented |
Stabilized |
| Calculated |
Formulated |
Originated |
Staffed |
| Captured |
Formalized |
Overcame |
Standardized |
| Centralized |
Founded |
Overhauled |
Started |
| Clarified |
Framed |
Oversaw |
Stimulated |
| Collaborated |
Fulfilled |
Participated |
Streamlined |
| Combined |
Generated |
Perceived |
Strengthened |
| Commanded |
Governed |
Perfected |
Stretched |
| Completed |
Guided |
Performed |
Structured |
| Composed |
Handled |
Piloted |
Studied |
| Conceived |
Headed |
Pinpointed |
Substantiated |
| Concluded |
Helped |
Pioneered |
Succeeded |
| Conducted |
Hired |
Placed |
Suggested |
| Connected |
Identified |
Planned |
Summarized |
| Consolidated |
Implemented |
Pleased |
Supervised |
| Constructed |
Improved |
Popularized |
Supported |
| Consulted |
Improvised |
Prepared |
Surpassed |
| Contributed |
Increased |
Presented |
Surveyed |
| Controlled |
Induced |
Presided |
Sustained |
| Converted |
Influenced |
Prevented |
Tailored |
| Cooperated |
Initiated |
Processed |
Taught |
| Coordinated |
Innovated |
Procured |
Terminated |
| Corrected |
Inspected |
Produced |
Tested |
| Created |
Inspired |
Programmed |
Tightened |
| Cultivated |
Installed |
Projected |
Traded |
| Decentralized |
Instituted |
Promoted |
Trained |
| Decided |
Instructed |
Prompted |
Transacted |
| Decreased |
Insured |
Propelled |
Transferred |
| Defined |
Integrated |
Proposed |
Transformed |
| Delegated |
Intensified |
Proved |
Translated |
| Delivered |
Interpreted |
Provided |
Trebled |
| Demonstrated |
Interviewed |
Published |
Trimmed |
| Designated |
Introduced |
Purchased |
Tripled |
| Designed |
Invented |
Re-established |
Uncovered |
| Detailed |
Invested |
Realized |
Undertook |
| Determined |
Investigated |
Reconciled |
Unified |
| Devised |
Judged |
Recognized |
Used |
| Directed |
Justified |
Recommended |
Utilized |
| Discovered |
Keyed |
Recruited |
Verified |
| Displayed |
Keynoted |
Redesigned |
Widened |
| Distinguished |
Launched |
Regulated |
Withdrew |
| Distributed |
Led |
Reinforced |
Won |
| Documented |
Lightened |
Rejected |
Worked |
| Doubled |
Liquidated |
Related |
Wrote |
| Earned |
Located |
Reported |
|
Useful Phrases: The following phrases may help you organize your accomplishment statements for both resumes and employment correspondence. When choosing the phrase that best describes the situation, read it over once or twice in the context of the sentence to be certain that the selection is correct, and that the phrase reads well.
- Acted/Functioned as...
- Consistently...
- Company engaged in...
- Contracted/Subcontracted by... to...
- Covered assigned territory consisting of...
- Demonstrated expertise in...
- Extensively trained in...
- Extensively involved in...
- Ensured maximum/optimum/minimum...
- Exceeded by...
- Honored as...
- Initially employed to/Joined organization to...
- Interacted heavily with...
- More than . . . years' extensive/Diverse experience in...
- Newly established company/Entity engaged in...
- Proven track record of/in...
- Provided technical assistance to...
- Promoted to...
- Promoted from... to...
- Reported to/Reported directly to...
- Specialized in...
- Selected as/Elected to...
