What are action verbs for resumes?
When it comes to crafting the perfect resume, there are many things you need to consider.
One of the most crucial aspects is showcasing your skills, accomplishments, and experience in a way that catches the employers’ attention and makes a lasting impression.
Among others, an effective way to achieve this is by using action verbs.
Action verbs are powerful words that help convey your achievements and skills in a way that is both concise and impactful.
These are specific, vivid words that describe your past responsibilities in your professional experiences. By incorporating action verbs into your resume, you can make your resume more compelling and impressive.
In fact, studies show that using action verbs in your resume can increase your chances of landing an interview by 140%.
In this guide, we will explore the importance of action verbs for resumes and provide a comprehensive list of the best action verbs you can use in your resume.
- Why is using action verbs in resumes important?
- How can you use action verbs effectively in your resume?
- What are some resume action verb examples for different industries?
- What are some examples of action verbs for business and finance industries?
Why Use Action Verbs in Your Resume?
Action verbs help bring your resume to life by adding a sense of energy and excitement to your accomplishments. They help your resume stand out from the competition and show potential employers that you are a proactive, results-driven candidate.
Using action verbs in your resume also helps to streamline your writing by eliminating filler words and unnecessary phrases.
Given below are some additional benefits of using strong action verbs in your resume:
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Highlights your skills: By selecting verbs that align with the job you are applying for, you can demonstrate that you have the necessary skills to perform the job successfully. In other words, it emphasizes your skills and abilities.
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Improves your overall resume: Using action verbs in your resume helps make your resume seem more professional and seasoned. By choosing specific verbs that accurately describe your accomplishments, you can make your resume more effective and persuasive.
**What are some action words and power verbs that you can use in your resume in 2023?
How Can You Use Action Verbs Effectively in Your Resume?
To ensure that you use action verbs in your resume the right way, given below are some tips that you can follow:
Begin Your sentence with a Strong Action Verb
The first word of each bullet point on your resume specifically in the professional experience section, should be a strong action verb.
Instead of writing "worked on a project," try "created a project" or "implemented a project."
Action verbs like "created," "implemented," and "managed" can help grab the recruiter’s attention and communicate your accomplishments confidently.
Use Specific and Unique Action Verbs
Using generic action verbs like "did" or "made" won't help your resume stand out.
Instead, use precise and unique action verbs that demonstrate your skills and expertise. For example, instead of "I was part of a team," try "collaborated” “led” or “assisted”.
Not only does this approach help you reduce fluff in your resume, but it also helps you create a more impactful description of your abilities.
Tailor Your Verbs to the Job Description
When applying for a specific job, read the job description carefully to identify keywords and phrases that the employer has used in the listing.
You can then incorporate those action verbs and phrases into your resume. This will demonstrate your understanding of the job requirements and show the potential employer that you have the skills and experience they need.
Use Active Voice
Action verbs should be used in the active voice, which means that the subject of the sentence is performing the action.
This creates a sense of energy and confidence in your resume. Instead of writing "a project was completed by me," try "completed a project." Active voice makes your accomplishments stand out and shows that you are proactive and skilled.
Showcase Achievements and Results
Using action verbs to describe your achievements and results is a powerful way to demonstrate your value to potential employers.
Instead of simply listing your responsibilities, use action verbs to describe the specific outcomes and successes you've achieved.
You can do so by using the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method. This format will help you provide context for your accomplishments and demonstrate the impact you had in your previous roles.
Here’s how to use the STAR method:
- Situation: Describe the situation you were in.
- Task: Describe the task you were given.
- Action: Describe the action you took to complete the task.
- Result: Describe the result of your action.
For example, by using the STAR format, you can write “Implemented a new marketing strategy that targeted our ideal customers and increased company revenue by 20% in the first quarter.
Use Quantitative Data to Support Your Action Verbs
Quantitative data can help add credibility to your accomplishments and demonstrate the impact of your actions.
Use numbers, percentages, and other metrics to describe your achievements and results. For example, instead of writing "managed a team," write "managed a team of 10+ employees and achieved a 15% increase in productivity over six months."
Use Industry-Specific Action Verbs
Different industries have their own jargon and language. Whenever possible, use action verbs that are specific to your industry or job function.
This will demonstrate your expertise and understanding of the industry and help your resume stand out to potential employers.
Also Read: How to use resume buzzwords to enhance your resume?
Resume Action Verbs Examples
For your reference, listed below are some general and industry-specific examples of action verbs that you can use in your resume:
General Action Verbs
| Accomplished | Awarded |
| Completed | Created |
| Delivered | Earned |
| Exceeded | Generated |
| Implemented | Initiated |
| Innovated | Launched |
| Maximized | Optimized |
| Outperformed | Produced |
| Reduced | Resolved |
| Saved | Streamlined |
Sales Action Verbs
| Sales Accomplishments | Achieved |
| Exceeded | Generated |
| Increased | Maximized |
| Surpassed | Achieved |
| Closed | Conducted |
| Demonstrated | Developed |
| Exceeded | Increased |
| Negotiated | Prospected |
Business and Finance Action Verbs
| Analyzed | Budgeted |
| Calculated | Evaluated |
| Forecasted | Managed |
| Negotiated | Projected |
| Customer Service | Assisted |
| Communicated | Coordinated |
| Educated | Helped |
| Resolved | Responded |
Healthcare Action Verbs
| Administered | Assessed |
| Coordinated | Diagnosed |
| Educated | Monitored |
| Performed | Prescribed |
Marketing Action Verbs
| Analyzed | Conceptualized |
| Coordinated | Created |
| Designed | Executed |
| Launched | Marketed |
| Strategized | Orchestrated |
Also Read: What is the correct way to use keywords in your resume in 2023?
FAQs
- What are action verbs for resumes?
*Action verbs are powerful words that help convey your achievements and skills in a way that is both concise and impactful. These are specific, vivid words that describe your past responsibilities in your professional experiences
- Why should you use action verbs in your resume?
*Using action verbs in your resume adds energy and excitement to your accomplishments, helping you stand out from the competition and showing potential employers that you are proactive and results-driven. It also streamlines your writing by eliminating filler words and unnecessary phrases and highlights your skills while improving the overall effectiveness of your resume.
- How to use action verbs in your resume?
To create an impactful resume, start each bullet point in the professional experience section with a strong action verb that specifically describes your achievements. Use precise and unique action verbs that showcase your skills and expertise, and tailor them to the job description. Write in an active voice and use quantitative data to add credibility to your accomplishments. Additionally, use industry-specific action verbs whenever possible to demonstrate your expertise and understanding of the industry.
- What are some examples of resume action words?
Achieved, coordinated, created, developed, directed, facilitated, implemented, improved, increased, managed, oversaw, produced, resolved, spearheaded, streamlined, and trained are some action verb examples that you can use in your resume.
Wish to make a stellar resume using action verbs within minutes? Use Hiration’s ChatGPT powered resume builder with 24x7 chat support. You can also reach us at support@hiration.com if you have any questions.
