
Career Change Resume Examples for 2023 (+Templates & Tips)
You're about to change your career. Learn how to write a career change resume that will get you the dream job.
Resume words that add horsepower to any resume. This resume action words list is so well organized you can find the best resume verbs for your resume in your sleep.
Why is this resume action words list the last you’ll ever need?
Try this:
Get a stopwatch. Time yourself finding the perfect resume words in this list. Then do the same with other online lists of resume verbs.
This one’s ten times faster.
Why? It’s organized by category. The resume action words you need pop out like turkey timers.
This article will show you:
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We’ve added resume action words lists for create, problem solving, lead, responsible for, communication, and research.
Why use resume verbs? Pretend you’re car-shopping.
You read 50 ads for “car with four tires, steering wheel, and motor.”
Naptime.
Then you see Raven Black ‘67 Mustang Fastback with Windsor V8 and red leather interior.
Yep.
Resume action words can make your job search shine like that. Click below to see these resume action verbs lists (all in this article).
Need resume buzzwords, resume adjectives, or resume keywords?
These resume words can give a facelift to your job search:
Expert Hint: Variety is key with resume action words. Use each of the verbs for resumes only once per document.
I already know how to use resume action words.
Wrong.
The best resume verbs don’t say you’re:
They show it.
These resume action words samples lay it bare:
See that?
Both those resume action verbs examples say the same thing. The second uses powerful words and says it 10x better.
An action verb is a word that shows achievement. Why will it help your resume? Because it links to an accomplishment the boss will love.
Passive Verbs | Resume Action Verbs |
Responsible for | Improved |
In charge of | Directed |
Handled | Developed |
Use action verbs when writing resumes to show you can perform.
Anyone can use hard-working synonyms or team player synonyms. But that won’t get you hired.
What will?
Using resume action words to show you raised revenue X%, slashed costs $X, or saved X hours a year.
Here’s a list of most telling synonyms to most worn-out resume words along with less obvious alternatives:
I’m hard working.
Says every applicant who didn’t get the job.
Don’t use hard-working synonyms.
Use resume action words that show results.
Say what percent, how much, how many.
Then you won’t need another word for worked.
The resume words below will help you say it right.
1. Arranged
2. Composed
3. Created
4. Developed
5. Engaged In
6. Formulated
7. Organized
8. Prepared
9. Put Together
10. Set Up
Less obvious but harder to use:
Compiled, Constructed, Composed, Fashioned, Forged, Made Progress On, Made, Perfected, Pursued, Undertook.
Expert Hint: Why do the resume verbs above get jobs? Because they show specifics about how your work helped your employer.
Don’t say, I managed...
And—
Don’t use management synonyms.
Instead, say what you managed.
Use action verbs for resumes that prove success with numbers.
These action words prove your managerial skills on the resume:
1. Directed
2. Enabled
3. Facilitated
4. Guided
5. Inspired
6. Mentored
7. Supervised
8. Trained
9. Taught
10. Unified
Less obvious but harder to use:
Aligned, Cultivated, Fostered, Hired, Mobilized, Motivated, Regulated, Recruited, Shaped, United.
Expert Hint: Are you a great manager? Use one of the great resume action words above to list accomplishments that show how great.
Here’s a tip:
Don’t use resume buzz words.
Use resume action words instead.
Here are the resume buzzwords hiring managers can’t stand. That’s according to a CareerBuilder survey of 2000+ employers.
They all say, “I’m great,” but don’t give evidence.
Worn-Out Resume Buzzwords | Better Alternatives |
Creative | Created... |
Detail Oriented | Spotted... |
Excellent | Improved... |
Expert | Delivered... |
Focused | Refined... |
Go Getter | Accomplished... |
Go To | Trusted By... |
Great | Increased... |
Hard Worker | Achieved... |
In Charge Of | Directed... |
Innovative | Developed... |
Ninja | Installed... |
Outside the Box | Created... |
Responsible For | Managed... |
Results-driven | Raised... |
Specialized In | Handled... |
Strategic Thinker | Designed... |
Super | Slashed... |
Synergized | Collaborated With... |
Team Player | Participated In... |
Expert Hint: The more you try to impress with resume adjectives, the less impressed they’ll be. Use resume words that show your feats and you’ll turn heads.
So you’re creative?
Don’t say it.
Saying you’re creative is like saying you’re handsome.
It’s embarrassing.
So—
Don’t struggle to find another word for create.
Instead, show what you created and let the boss judge.
These action verbs for resumes will do it for you:
1. Brainstormed
2. Composed
3. Crafted
4. Drafted
5. Drew
6. Illustrated
7. Invented
8. Originated
9. Piloted
10. Redesigned
Less obvious but harder to use:
Animated, Conceived, Devised, Enlivened, Fashioned, Imagined, Improvised, Innovated, Photographed, Pioneered.
Expert Hint: Any of the resume action words above let you add proof. Just use the word to start a sentence, then add numbers.
I’m a team player.
Really?
I’m 9-foot-3.
Don’t believe me? Here’s a picture.
Show proof with resume action words, and you won’t need team player synonyms.
Let these resume words start you off:
1. Collaborated
2. Contributed
3. Encouraged
4. Energized
5. Gathered
6. Joined
7. Merged
8. Partnered
9. Participated
10. United
Less obvious but harder to use:
Assimilated, Acknowledged, Blended, Coalesced, Diversified, Embraced, Harmonized, Ignited, Melded, Volunteered.
Expert Hint: Resume verbs work great, but don’t overdo it. Use no more than one of the action verbs per bullet point.
I’ll be blunt.
Resume adjectives won’t get the job.
They say, “I work hard! I’m enthusiastic! I’m smart!” (And I deserve respect!)
Avoid resume adjectives like raw uranium.
Instead—
Use verbs for resumes that prove you’re all those things.
Resume Adjectives | Say Instead |
Astute | Sighted... |
Competent | Constructed... |
Cutting Edge | Devised |
Dedicated | Formed... |
Determined | Discovered... |
Devoted | Worked to... |
Disciplined | Forged |
Genuine | Rated by customers as... |
Honest | Trusted with... |
Ingenious | Invented... |
Insightful | Noticed... |
Intelligent | Solved... |
Knowledgeable | Trained... |
Meticulous | Caught... |
Persistent | Accomplished... |
Self-Starter | Initiated... |
Sincere | Received kudos for... |
Skilled | Achieved... |
Expert Hint: You can use one adjective per resume. Put it at the beginning of your resume profile (professional summary, resume objective, or summary of qualifications). Then prove it with action verbs for resumes throughout.
Did you nail your numbers? Surpass your targets?
Say that on your resume and employers will take note.
But improved gets tired fast.
Don’t hunt for another word for improved.
Instead, show what you improved with these resume words:
1. Boosted
2. Customized
3. Grew
4. Merged
5. Redesigned
6. Raised
7. Reorganized
8. Slashed
9. Saved
10. Updated
Less obvious but harder to use:
Converted, Integrated, Lifted, Overhauled, Remodeled, Refined, Restructured, Revamped, Strengthened, Streamlined.
Expert Hint: When you use action words for resumes to show professional achievements and awards, do it right. Pick accomplishments that fit the job offer’s requirements.
Are you a problem solver?
Then solve the problem of how to say that on a resume.
Like this:
Use resume action words that show what you have solved.
You don’t need problem solving synonyms.
You need these resume verbs instead:
1. Built
2. Crafted
3. Corrected
4. Drafted
5. Established
6. Enhanced
7. Fixed
8. Invented
9. Resolved
10. Rebuilt
Less obvious but harder to use:
Altered,Determined, Designed, Devised, Fashioned, Initiated, Overhauled, Piloted, Patched, Pioneered.
Expert Hint: Start a bullet point effectively with any of the resume action verbs above. Then say what you built, fixed, or patched. Say how many, how often, and how much. Then you won’t need problem-solving synonyms.
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Leadership skills for resumes aren't about words.
It’s actions.
So—show that with action verbs for resumes.
Show what you led. How many, and what they did.
Then you don’t need a synonym for lead or another word for led.
Check the resume words list below.
1. Authorized
2. Directed
3. Delegated
4. Executed
5. Enabled
6. Guided
7. Headed
8. Mentored
9. Oversaw
10. Trained
Less obvious but harder to use:
Cutivated, Chaired, Fostered, Facilitated, Hosted, Inspired, Mobilized, Operated, Orchestrated, Spearheaded.
Expert Hint: Don’t use resume action words if you don’t understand them. Used wrong, powerful words are a red flag for incompetence. Learn about other common resume mistakes here.
Don’t put “responsible for” on a resume.
And—
Don’t use another word for responsible for either.
Remember the Deepwater Horizon oil spill?
Someone was responsible for that.
Show success instead with strong resume words.
1. Achieved
2. Created
3. Completed
4. Executed
5. Finished
6. Made
7. Negotiated
8. Operated
9. Produced
10. Succeeded In
Less obvious but harder to use:
Accomplished, Acquired, Acted As, Forged, Navigated, Partnered, Prepared, Performed, Secured, Undertook.
Expert Hint: Using common resume verbs won’t kill your chances. But—use strong action verbs whenever you can.
You’re barking up the right tree.
Saying you achieved things in your resume will get respect.
But you can’t repeat that word 20 times.
And even using another word for achieved won’t help.
To get interviewed, show what you achieved.
Use these resume action words to show accomplishments and get the job.
1. Accomplished
2. Boosted
3. Created
4. Completed
5. Delivered
6. Expanded
7. Generated
8. Improved
9. Maximized
10. Managed
Less obvious but harder to use:
Accelerated, Advanced, Amplified, Enacted, Enhanced, Expedited, Lifted, Outpaced, Produced, Stimulated.
Expert Hint: The resume words above all let you list what you achieved. Tack on metrics with numbers to make the hiring manager’s hair stand up.
How many times can you say communicated on a resume?
Not many.
And please don’t say, “I’m a good communicator.”
Prove your communication skills, with %, $, and other metrics.
These action verbs for resumes can help:
1. Advocated
2. Clarified
3. Consulted
4. Convinced
5. Conveyed
6. Defined
7. Explained
8. Informed
9. Negotiated
10. Persuaded
Less obvious but harder to use:
Authored, Composed, Corresponded, Fielded, Influenced, Illustrated, Moderated, Mediated, Promoted, Publicized.
Expert Hint: Use the resume action words above to show what you communicated. Then say what positive effect it had on the company.
Are you a “highly skilled researcher?”
Show, don’t tell.
Did your research save $25,000 or 30 employee hours?
Use the resume verbs below to say that.
1. Analyzed
2. Audited
3. Checked
4. Discovered
5. Explored
6. Identified
7. Explained
8. Identified
9. Surveyed
10. Tested
Less obvious but harder to use:
Assessed, Calculated, Inspected, Investigated, Measured, Mapped, Probed, Quantified, Studied, Tracked.
Expert Hint: Resume keywords aren’t the same as action words for resumes. They’re job-specific words like product strategy or vendor management. You’ll find them in the job ad.
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Expert Hint: When should you use a resume, and when is it better to use a curriculum vitae? It depends. CV and resume actually have a different meaning across languages. Read about the difference between a resume and a CV.
To sum up resume action words:
Need more advice for using the right resume words? Check out this list of power words. Wondering which resume verbs are best? Leave a comment. We’re happy to reply.
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