250+ Resume Action Words & Resume Verbs for Strong Resumes

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:

• 250+ resume action words, listed by resume keywords.
• Easy alternatives to hard working synonyms, management synonyms, and more.
• Great lists of other resume buzzwords and resume adjectives.
• The best team player synonyms and improved action verbs for resumes.

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We’ve added resume action words lists for create, problem solving, lead, responsible for, communication, and research.

1. Resume Action Words That Stop the Yawns

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).

Resume Action Words Lists For:

• Hard Working Synonyms
• Management Synonyms
• Create Resume Verbs
• Team Player Synonyms
• Improved Resume Action Words
• Resume Words for Problem Solving [Synonyms]
• Synonyms for Lead
• Better Resume Words for Responsible For
• Achieve Action Verbs
• Resume Verbs for Communication
• Resume Action Verbs for Research

Need resume buzzwords, resume adjectives, or resume keywords?

These resume words can give a facelift to your job search:

Resume Buzzwords and Resume Adjectives

• Alternatives to Resume Buzzwords
• Resume Adjectives vs Verbs for Resumes

Expert Hint: Variety is key with resume action words. Use each of the verbs for resumes only once per document.

2. How to Use Resume Action Words

I already know how to use resume action words.

Wrong.

The best resume verbs don’t say you’re:

• Hard Working
• Creative
• A Team Player

They show it.

These resume action words samples lay it bare:

Resume action verbs—Examples

See that?

Both those resume action verbs examples say the same thing. The second uses powerful words and says it 10x better.

What Is an Action Verb?

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.

Why Should Action Verbs Be Used in Writing Resumes?

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:

3. Worked On (or Hard Working)

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.

Top 10 Resume Action Words for Hard Working:

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.

4. Management

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:

Top 10 Resume Action Words for Manage [Management Synonyms]

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.

5. Alternatives to Resume Buzzwords

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.

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.

6. Create

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:

Top 10 Resume Action Words for Created

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.

7. Team Player

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:

Top 10 Resume Action Words for Team Player:

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.

8. Resume Adjectives vs Verbs for Resumes

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.

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.

9. Improved

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:

Top 10 Resume Action Words for Improved:

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.

10. Problem Solving

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:

Top 10 Resume Action Words for Problem-Solving:

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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11. Lead

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.

Top 10 Resume Verbs for Leadership:

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.

12. Responsible For

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.

Top 10 Resume Action Words for Responsible For:

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.

13. Achieve

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.

Top 10 Resume Action Words for Achiever:

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.

14. Communication

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:

Top 10 Resume Words for Communication:

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.

15. Research

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.

Top 10 Resume Action Words for Researched:

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.

Key Points

To sum up resume action words:

• Resume action words show achievements. They don’t just say you did something. They show numbers that prove you rocked it.
• Don’t rely on resume adjectives like hard-working synonyms. Instead, use resume verbs that link to your accomplishments.
• Shun resume buzzwords like go-getter or excellent. Show what you did well with action verbs for resumes. Then let the employer decide.
• Pair resume action verbs with metrics. Did you raise revenue or save time or money? Say how much with good resume verbs to get the job.

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.