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I had an interview yesterday and the first thing they said on the phone was: “Wow! I love your CV.” Patrick
I love the variety of templates. Good job guys, keep up the good work! Dylan
My previous CV was really weak and I used to spend hours adjusting it in Word. Now, I can introduce any changes within minutes. Absolutely wonderful! George
Expert Hint: Variety is key with CV action words. Use each of the verbs for CVs only once per document.
2. How to Use CV Action Words
I already know how to use CV action words.
Wrong.
The best CV verbs don’t say you’re:
Hard Working
Creative
A Team Player
They show it.
These CV action words samples lay it bare:
CV action verbs—Examples
Good Example (uses active words for CVs)Software engineer with 6+ years of experience. Directed team that received 2017 Bossie Award for cloud computing. Collaborated with cross-functional teams to raise customer retention 28%. Invented new security protocols that slashed breaches 73%.Bad Example (uses CV adjectives)Hard-working software engineer with excellent management skills. Strong team-player and extremely creative developer.
See that?
Both those CV 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 CV? Because it links to an accomplishment the boss will love.
Passive Verbs
CV Action Verbs
Responsible for
Improved
In charge of
Directed
Handled
Developed
Why Should Action Verbs Be Used in Writing CVs?
Use action verbs when writing CVs 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 CV 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 CV 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 CV action words that show results.
Say what percent, how much, how many.
Then you won’t need another word for worked.
The CV words below will help you say it right.
Top 10 CV Action Words for Hard Working:
1. Arranged
2. Composed
3. Created
4. Developed
5. Engaged In
6. Formulated
7. Organised
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 CV 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 CVs that prove success with numbers.
These managerial action words for CVs will help:
Top 10 CV 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, Mobilised, Motivated, Regulated, Recruited, Shaped, United.
Expert Hint: Are you a great manager? Use one of the great CV action words above to list accomplishments that show how great.
5. Alternatives to CV Buzzwords
Here’s a tip:
Don’t use CV buzz words.
Use CV action words instead.
Here are the CV 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.
CV Buzzwords and Action Verbs
Worn-Out CV 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...
Specialised In
Handled...
Strategic Thinker
Designed...
Super
Slashed...
Synergized
Collaborated With...
Team Player
Participated In...
Expert Hint: The more you try to impress with CV adjectives, the less impressed they’ll be. Use CV 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.
Expert Hint: Start a bullet point with any of the CV 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.
The ResumeLab builder is more than looks. Get specific content to boost your chances of getting the job. Add job descriptions, bullet points, and skills. Easy. Improve your CV in our CV builder now.
Nail it all with a splash of colour, choose a clean font, highlight your skills in just a few clicks. You’re the perfect candidate and we’ll prove it. Use the ResumeLab builder now.
11. Lead
Leadership isn’t about words.
It’s actions.
So—show that with action verbs for CVs.
Show what you led. How many, and what they did.
Then you don’t need a synonym for lead or another word for led.
Expert Hint: CV keywords aren’t the same as action words for CVs. They’re job-specific words like product strategy or vendor management. You’ll find them in the job ad.
Double your impact with a matching CV and cover letter combo. Use our cover letter builder and make your application documents pop out.
Want to try a different look? There’s 18 more. A single click will give your document a total makeover. Pick a cover letter template here.
Expert Hint: When should you use a CV, and when is it better to use a curriculum vitae? It depends. CV and CV actually have a different meaning across languages. Read about the difference between a CV and a Resume.
Key Points
To sum up CV action words:
CV action words show achievements. They don’t just say you did something. They show numbers that prove you rocked it.
Don’t rely on CV adjectives like hard-working synonyms. Instead, use CV verbs that link to your accomplishments.
Shun CV buzzwords like go-getter or excellent. Show what you did well with action verbs for CVs. Then let the employer decide.
Pair CV action verbs with metrics. Did you raise revenue or save time or money? Say how much with good CV verbs to get the job.
Need more advice for using the right CV words? Check out this list of power words. Wondering which CV verbs are best? Leave a comment. We’re happy to reply.
Tom Gerencer is a career advice writer and a resume expert at ResumeLab. Tom has been featured on BBC News, NBC, The Economist, Business Insider, Fast Company, and dozens of other outlets. His insights, commentary, and articles reach over a million readers every month. With inside knowledge of key industry players and in-depth research, Tom helps job seekers with advice across all professions and career stages. Tom holds a degree in English from Colby College.
A CV job description is a CV section where you list your professional experience, usually in reverse-chronological order. It means you start with your most recent position and proceed backwards. Each entry should contain 3-6 bullet points. It is recommended to include 10-15 years of work history on your CV.