Hiring managers often look at dozens of resumes to fill just one position, and the words you use can help set you apart. Below, we cover why resume action words are essential and provide examples of words to use in each resume section.
Why Action Verbs Are Essential for a Standout Resume
The average number of applications per hire for positions filled in Q4 of 2023 was 72, and for some roles, that number can easily reach over 100. To get the job — or even an interview request — your resume needs to highlight your skills and qualifications in an engaging way. That’s where resume action words come in.
Action verbs detail what you did in your previous roles, going beyond the basic phrasing of “responsible for” or “worked.” Using action verbs on your resume can help you improve readability by creating an engaging and dynamic tone, and it can help you get through applicant tracking systems (ATS) by emphasizing relevant keywords.
How Action Verbs Enhance Key Resume Sections
Resume action words for the work experience section
When writing your resume, using powerful verbs in the work experience section transforms monotonous job duties into exciting and compelling accomplishments. Potential action words for this resume section include:
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Resumes action words for skills and competencies
While skills and competencies are often listed as nouns, adding action verbs to these sections can show the impact these have on your position in the company. Strong resume words to use in the soft skills and technical skills sections include:
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Resume action words for the summary or objective
The summary or objective statement is the first thing a hiring manager reads when reviewing your resume, so it’s important to use strong verbs that convey your career goals and highlight your unique qualifications. Examples include:
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Top Resume Action Verbs by Category
The correct action words for a resume can change depending on the industry and the type of role you’re seeking. Below, we’ve provided examples of strong action verbs highlighting different skills.
Leadership and management verbs
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Creative and solution-seeking verbs
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Communication and collaboration verbs
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Sales and marketing verbs
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Project management and organization verbs
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Using Strong Synonyms for Common Action Words in a Resume
When choosing action words for a resume, it’s essential to vary the language to ensure it doesn’t come across as templated, repetitive, or vague. Examples of commonly overused words include “responsible for,” “led,” “handled,” or “worked.” Instead, choose strong resume words such as “coordinated,” “facilitated,” “executed,” or “implemented” to show the impact of your actions and add variety and depth to your resume.
A thesaurus can help you choose more specific verbs. It can also help to look through the job description or resume examples and templates to find synonyms that more accurately reflect your responsibilities.
How To Use Resume Action Verbs To Optimize for Applicant Tracking Systems
Importance of resume action verbs in applicant tracking systems optimization
ATS scan resumes and prioritize those that are a strong match for the must-have qualifications and specific keywords. Using solid and job-relevant verbs on your resume increases its ATS compatibility.
Matching resume action verbs to job descriptions
Look through the job description and highlight the keywords and verbs. The job duties list is an excellent place to start. Here, you can find strong resume words that are already important to the position and company to integrate into your document.
Avoiding overstuffing keywords
While the more industry-relevant keywords you have, the higher the ATS may score your resume, staying consistent with resume action verbs is also important. Your resume should still read naturally and be concise and clear so a hiring manager can quickly understand it.
Resume Examples With Strong Action Words
Results-driven marketing manager with over five years of experience leading digital marketing campaigns and optimizing strategies for both B2B and B2C businesses. Proven ability to enhance brand visibility, foster team collaboration, and generate actionable data-driven insights. Adept at executing digital initiatives that drive business growth and improve customer engagement. Seeking to apply marketing expertise to further elevate brand strategies in a forward-thinking company.
Key Skills- Digital Marketing Strategy
- SEO & PPC Optimization
- Brand Management
- Campaign Performance Analytics
- Content Creation & Strategy
- Team Leadership & Collaboration
- Marketing Automation & Tools
- Customer Segmentation & Targeting
Marketing Manager
ABC Corporation | June 2020 – Present
- Spearheaded a cross-functional team to execute a digital marketing campaign, boosting website traffic by 30% and increasing lead generation by 25% in the first quarter.
- Directed a comprehensive rebranding initiative, revamping visual identity and messaging across all digital channels, resulting in a 20% increase in customer engagement.
- Optimized PPC campaigns, reducing ad spend by 15% while maintaining a consistent ROI of 5:1.
- Cultivated relationships with key influencers and media outlets, amplifying brand awareness by 40%.
- Coordinated monthly performance reviews with senior leadership to deliver actionable insights and adjust strategies accordingly.
Digital Marketing Specialist
XYZ Agency | March 2017 – May 2020
- Developed and implemented SEO strategies that increased organic search traffic by 50% year-over-year.
- Analyzed customer data to create targeted email marketing campaigns, resulting in a 15% improvement in open rates and a 10% increase in conversion rates.
- Engineered automated social media posts and campaigns, saving 10 hours per week in content management.
- Mentored junior marketing staff, providing ongoing training in content creation and analytics tools.
Bachelor of Science in Marketing
University of XYZ | Graduated May 2016
Detail-oriented and proactive software developer with 4+ years of experience in designing and maintaining scalable web applications. Proficient in Python, Java, and SQL, with a strong ability to solve complex problems and optimize system performance. Passionate about creating user-focused solutions and contributing technical expertise to a dynamic development team. Seeking to apply skills in coding and software design to enhance the development of innovative products at a growth-focused tech company.
Key Skills- Python, Java, and SQL Programming
- Web Application Development
- RESTful API Development
- Database Design & Optimization
- Problem-Solving & Troubleshooting
- Code Review & Quality Assurance
- Agile Development & Scrum
- Automation & Testing (Selenium, Jenkins)
Software Developer
Tech Solutions Inc. | May 2021 – Present
- Engineered a new customer-facing feature that improved user satisfaction scores by 20% within 6 months of deployment.
- Streamlined the backend codebase, reducing server response time by 25%, which enhanced application performance.
- Collaborated with product managers and designers to create a responsive web application used by over 10,000 active users monthly.
- Revamped the login system using OAuth2, increasing security and reducing unauthorized access by 40%.
- Led weekly code reviews and mentored junior developers, improving overall code quality across the team.
Junior Software Developer
Innovatech Solutions | July 2018 – April 2021
- Developed multiple RESTful APIs to support client applications and integrate third-party services.
- Monitored application performance and resolved bugs, reducing production error rates by 15%.
- Implemented automated testing scripts using Selenium, which reduced testing time by 30%.
- Created detailed technical documentation to facilitate knowledge sharing across development teams.
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
University of ABC | Graduated May 2018
Key Takeaways:
- Strong action verbs: Each resume example incorporates action verbs like “Spearheaded,” “Optimized,” “Engineered,” “Mentored,” and “Revamped” to demonstrate proactive roles, leadership, and significant accomplishments. These words help show impact and results dynamically.
- Impact and metrics: Both examples highlight specific outcomes of the actions taken (e.g., “boosted website traffic by 30%,” “reduced server response time by 25%”), showing the quantifiable impact of each action.
- Clear focus on results: The action verbs are paired with measurable results to highlight the significance of each accomplishment and how it contributed to organizational goals.
By using powerful action verbs, these examples create a dynamic and engaging narrative that stands out to hiring managers, ensuring that the candidate’s skills and contributions are highlighted effectively
Frequently Asked Questions About Using Action Verbs for Resumes
Can action verbs on a resume replace technical skills?-
Strong resume words, like action verbs, complement technical skills and highlight their impact, but they shouldn’t replace them entirely. Job descriptions often list technical skills as must-have competencies, so these include these separately to ensure the hiring manager identifies your resume as a good fit.
How do I avoid repeating the same action verbs on a resume?+
Varying your word choice on your resume is important, as is keeping descriptions concise and relevant. Using the same words over and over can make your resume repetitive and lead to a lack of engagement from the hiring manager. Try not to use the same action verb twice. A thesaurus or other resume examples from the same industry can give you ideas for different words to include.
What if my role could have been more action-oriented?+
You don't have to be in an action-oriented role to use action words on your resume. Action verbs highlight your achievements and can be especially beneficial for entry-level employees with basic job duties. For example, "assisted guests with inquiries to ensure satisfaction" is more specific and powerful than "helped customers."
Can I use industry-specific jargon?+
Including some industry-specific terms to increase ATS optimization can be helpful, but balance these with powerful, precise action verbs. Having a mixture of both improves your resume's relevance and readability.
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