Resume Action Verbs

A resume helps you present yourself to the prospective employer. While using your resume as a tool to fight the opponents in the job market, you put forth many skills and activities taken up by you at your work place, and during your academics or internship. The way you mention these skills or responsibilities makes a huge difference. Here 'action verbs' come into picture. There are certain resume action verbs that boost your resume by presenting your responsibilities and skills effectively. To know how to use these verbs in your resume, you must know what action verbs are.

What are action verbs?

These are words that portray action, an activity taken place, or an activity undertaken by you. In a resume, when you mention a list of skills and responsibilities in bullet points, it might not prove to be effective. On the other hand, when you justify how you use your skills using these action verbs, it is easily noticed and is more effective.

How to use action verbs?

When you write your job responsibilities or responsibilities undertaken during your academic years, action verbs can be used
List 4-5 responsibilities you wish to mention in your resume under the particular job title or role
In each sentence, there is a main verb. For example 'Working as a Team Lead, I managed my team, maintained team records, and motivated my team for achieving their targets'. In this sentence, the main verbs are 'managed, maintained and motivated'.
For using action verbs the sentence will be refromed by omitting the first person usage, and beginning the sentence with the correct action verb, for example - Managed a team of 12; Motivated the team towards achieving targets', etc. Here your action is mentioned, you contribution in the work is mentioned; thus, making the sentence more effective.

To help you understand the usage of these verbs, we have jotted down a list of action verbs as per different job profiles, and would discuss the same with a few examples.

Clerical Skills:
Some positions like Administrative Assistant, Accountant, etc., need to possess certain clerical skills. Their work responsibilities are such that these skills are used in their work routine. Action verbs help to put forth the same effectively. A few examples are as follows:
- Arranged - Arranged meetings amongst department heads
- Compiled - Compilation of employee details
- Implemented - Implemented computerized accounting methods
- Organized - Organized conferences and events in the organization
- Screened - Screened the email received via home page
- Monitored - Monitored the muster, and employee in and out timings
- Prepared - Prepared annual reports
- Processed - Processed data using Data Mining tools
- Executed - Executed disciplinary rules as ordered by the School Chief
- Collected - Collected information using the primary survey method
- Validated - Validate applications received in the accounts department
Some other verbs are -
Approved
Cataloged
Dispatched
Inspected, etc.
Communication skills:
Some jobs need exceptionally good interpersonal and communication skills, such as that of a Spokesperson, Marketing personnel, Trainer, etc. In these cases, it is essential to project your responsibilities wherein you have used your communication skills. A few examples are as follows -
- Addressed - Addressed the audiences at the Entrepreneur Summit
- Promoted - Promoted services of Taj Presidency successfully
- Directed - Directed employees, as per the plan of action
- Negotiated - Negotiated for my client with vendors
- Interpreted - Interpreted the reports and communicated the same
Some other examples are -
Edited
Wrote
Authored
Mediated
Influenced
Lectured
Publicized, etc.
Research Skills:
To work as an Analyst, or to plan the strategies of the organization, one requires specific research skills, and in a resume, these skills need to be highlighted effectively. A few examples are as follows:
- Diagnosed - Diagnosed patients
- Inspected - Inspected processes of the plant
- Examined - Examined the quality of products
- Analyzed - Analyzed data collected in the survey
- Formulated - Formulated new research techniques
Some other examples are -
Extracted
Examined
Interviewed
Reviewed, etc.
Management Skills:
Management skills are highly important in the professional work environment. One might not work at the management position, but still he/she has to manage his/her work, and thus make use of management skills.
- Supervised - Supervised the packaging unit
- Assigned - Assigned responsibilities
- Coordinated -Coordinated with clients and the manufacturing unit of the organization
- Achieved - Achieved targets set for the team
- Planned - Planned promotional activities
- Scheduled - Scheduling and organizing team activities
Some other examples are -
Chaired
Delegated
Oversaw
Strengthened
Recommended
Administered, etc.
Creative Skills:
Creative skills are a must for jobs like authors, actors, designers, animators, etc. Their work totally depends on the creative skills they use. A list of action verbs for such skills is as follows -
Conceptualized - Conceptualized the advertisement campaign for Wine Tree
Designed - Designed costumes for J. Paul's show
Performed - Performed at the International Ballet Event
Acted - Acted in Bay Watch
Directed - Directed Food Tech, Sliced, etc.
In a similar way, one can use action verbs and put forth one's skills and abilities. The examples given above makes it very clear that by starting a sentence with an action verb, one can put forth his/her skill or responsibility effectively.
A few more action verbs that you can use for your resume are given in the table below.

Audited Assessed Motivated Initiated

Balanced Assisted Revitalized Translated

Budgeted Counseled Evaluated Reconciled

Projected Guided Instructed Invented

Computed Represented Coached Integrated

Use these action verbs and make your resume more impactful and effective.