Resume Action Verbs
Starting each bullet with a clear action verb makes your resume more direct and easier to scan. Use this list to find the right word for what you actually did.
Action verbs tell the reader what you did in a single word. "Led", "reduced" and "built" are clearer than "was responsible for" or "helped with". Choose the verb that most accurately describes your role. An honest, specific verb is better than an impressive one that overstates what you did.
Weak phrases to replace
| Instead of | Try |
|---|---|
| Responsible for | Managed, led, oversaw, ran, owned |
| Helped with | Supported, contributed to, assisted, collaborated on |
| Worked on | Built, developed, designed, produced, delivered |
| Was in charge of | Directed, supervised, coordinated, headed |
| Made better | Improved, streamlined, strengthened, upgraded |
| Did | Completed, executed, performed, carried out |
Leadership and management
- Led
- Managed
- Directed
- Supervised
- Coordinated
- Oversaw
- Mentored
- Coached
- Trained
- Delegated
- Hired
- Recruited
- Onboarded
- Mobilized
- Spearheaded
- Championed
- Chaired
- Headed
- Guided
- Unified
Achievement and improvement
- Achieved
- Exceeded
- Improved
- Increased
- Reduced
- Cut
- Saved
- Accelerated
- Boosted
- Expanded
- Grew
- Maximized
- Minimized
- Outperformed
- Streamlined
- Simplified
- Strengthened
- Transformed
- Upgraded
- Won
Creating and building
- Built
- Created
- Designed
- Developed
- Established
- Founded
- Implemented
- Introduced
- Launched
- Initiated
- Engineered
- Produced
- Prototyped
- Programmed
- Automated
- Configured
- Deployed
- Drafted
- Composed
- Illustrated
Analysis and research
- Analyzed
- Assessed
- Audited
- Calculated
- Compared
- Evaluated
- Examined
- Forecast
- Identified
- Investigated
- Measured
- Modeled
- Monitored
- Quantified
- Researched
- Reviewed
- Surveyed
- Tested
- Tracked
- Validated
Communication
- Presented
- Communicated
- Wrote
- Authored
- Edited
- Published
- Briefed
- Informed
- Explained
- Negotiated
- Persuaded
- Pitched
- Promoted
- Advocated
- Corresponded
- Facilitated
- Mediated
- Translated
- Documented
- Reported
Customer service and support
- Assisted
- Resolved
- Served
- Supported
- Advised
- Answered
- Welcomed
- Guided
- Handled
- Retained
- Troubleshot
- Escalated
- Educated
- Responded
- Accommodated
Organization and operations
- Organized
- Planned
- Scheduled
- Prioritized
- Processed
- Maintained
- Administered
- Allocated
- Arranged
- Catalogued
- Compiled
- Dispatched
- Filed
- Inspected
- Logged
- Ordered
- Prepared
- Recorded
- Standardized
- Stocked
Finance and sales
- Budgeted
- Reconciled
- Invoiced
- Audited
- Balanced
- Projected
- Secured
- Closed
- Generated
- Prospected
- Sourced
- Procured
- Upsold
- Converted
- Acquired
Teaching and healthcare
- Taught
- Instructed
- Tutored
- Differentiated
- Graded
- Assessed
- Cared for
- Administered
- Treated
- Triaged
- Charted
- Screened
- Counseled
- Rehabilitated
- Monitored
Before and after examples
- BeforeResponsible for training new employees.
- AfterTrained 15 new employees on safety procedures and the warehouse management system.
- BeforeHelped with the company website.
- AfterRedesigned the company website's product pages, increasing online inquiries by 30%.
- BeforeWorked on reducing costs.
- AfterRenegotiated 3 supplier contracts, saving $40,000 per year.
Tips for using action verbs
- Vary your verbs. Starting every bullet with "Managed" becomes repetitive
- Use the past tense for previous roles and present tense for your current role
- Pick the verb that reflects your real level of involvement. "Supported" is honest when you did not lead
- Follow the verb with specifics: what, how much and what changed
Put this into practice: build your resume free with ATS-friendly templates. No signup required.
Build My Resume — FreeFrequently asked questions
Should every bullet start with an action verb?
Yes, as a rule. It keeps bullets short, active and consistent.
Can I use the same verb twice?
Occasionally, but try not to repeat a verb within the same job or in consecutive bullets.
Are some verbs overused?
"Managed", "handled" and "responsible for" appear on many resumes. They are not wrong, but a more specific verb usually says more.
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