500+ Strong Action Verbs to Make Your Resume Stand Out in 2025

Listing your skills is often overhyped. Many components, like keywords, bullet points, section titles, etc., contribute to a successful resume, one of the most important being action verbs for a resume.

Action Verbs Generator

Find strong action verbs for resume writing.

Generated Output

Spearheaded the end-to-end development of a scalable web application, improving user engagement by 35% and reducing load times by 50%.

Orchestrated cross-functional collaboration between engineering, product, and QA teams, resulting in a 25% faster release cycle and zero critical bugs post-launch.

Why Action Verbs Matter on Your Resume

Employers might have seen hundreds or even thousands of the same boring words that every candidate uses in their resume. Who even proceeds with the boring stuff, even if it is worth it?

💭 Imagine this scenario:

You have got a job offer and you tell your friend, 'I got a job'. And to the other friend, you say, 'I secured the job offer by solving 9 complex problems out of 10 and demonstrating my expertise.'

The second statement is stronger and leaves a high impression on the second friend, whereas the first person might take it as a general statement, seeing that everyone gets a job at some point in their life.

So, how you frame your achievements is how the recruiters perceive your talent. In the example above, verbs like 'secured', 'solving', and 'demonstrating' added more to the positive impact, which is exactly what your resume should do - leave a strong impact on the recruiters.

Your resume's first and critical job is to get you noticed. And for that, the secret weapon is using power verbs for a resume. Are these so-called power verbs really powerful?

Well, yes! Understand why these resume action words are crucial:

Highlight Your Skills Accurately

Powerful action verbs convey your skills more properly than generic words. Consider this:

Without a Strong Action Verb: 'Worked on customer issues'

With A Strong Action Verb: 'Resolved 30+ customer issues per week, maintaining a 92% satisfaction rate.'

The power verbs here, i.e., 'resolved' and 'maintaining', work greatly to convey what you actually did, instead of just listing out. This pulls the recruiter into thinking you can actively work on the growth of their company.

Showcase Ownership

Action verbs in a resume show that you actually worked on the development and were results-oriented. They convey that instead of just involving, you actually owned your work and excelled at it.

1. 'Helped with coding for developing a secure payment gateway'.
2. I'Developed and deployed a secure payment gateway, reducing payment failures by 90%.'

The 2nd sentence utilizes the strong action verbs, 'developed', and 'deployed', and makes a strong statement reflecting that you are the doer of the work and its achiever. But the 1st sentence is slightly basic and is not able to throw light on your part in the achievement.

Grab Recruiter's Attention

Recruiters see a lot of vague words like 'did', 'worked', 'responsible', etc. Your resume will fail to engage him if you use the same. Strong action verbs tell the recruiter that you are unique and will engage him or her.

Some strong action verbs for reference are:

Engineered
Deployed
Reduced
Collaborated
Debugged
Automated, etc.

Make Your Accomplishments Stand Out

Even if you highlight the same skills as other candidates do, the recruiter will prefer you if you use resume action words because these action verbs will reflect your confidence and help your resume stand out.

Consider,

1. Worked on a mobile app development

2. Led a cross-functional team to develop a mobile app that resulted in 50% higher user engagement.

How to Use Action Verbs Effectively

Start the bullet point, especially in the achievements section, with a strong action verb. Pick a suitable and matching strong action verb for the point and write the bullet point.

Tailor Verbs to The Job Description

Identify the keywords from the job description and use similar relevant action verbs. Use action verbs that align with the job requirements.

If you use the relevant verbs, then the recruiter will understand that your skills align with the job description. It is recommended to use the action verbs that are related to the job demands.

Pair Action Verbs With Measurable Results

Your resume action word should be followed by its objective, and then by metrics. Achievements should be quantified with numbers to show the real impact of your work.

For example, 'Led a team of 10 to successful completion of a project that increased sales by 82%.'

Avoid Overused or Weak Action Verbs

Your resume is nothing unique if the same action verbs as other candidates, describing your achievements. Powerful action words for resumes are those that are unique and strong.

Choose Industry-Relevant and Modern Verbs

Use modern verbs that align with your industry. For example, in the software industry, power verbs like 'coded', 'deployed', and 'automated' are used.

You can use 'launched', 'branded', and 'analysed' for marketing. This shows you are current.

Grab Recruiter's Attention

Make Your Accomplishments Stand Out

Resume Action Verbs by Category

Management and Leadership Skills

Leadership Power Verbs For Resume

Led
Headed
Executed
Governed
Arranged
Ensured
Orchestrated
Reduced

Management Action Verbs For a Resume

Accomplished
Managed
Organised
Authorised
Administered
Completed
Enhanced
Coordinated
Supervised
Streamlined
Implemented
Monitored
Evaluated
Sustained
Eliminated

Mentoring Action Verbs For a Resume

Aided
Counseled
Mentored
Guided
Trained
Volunteered
Coached
Advised
Supported
Tutored
Empowered

1. Spearheaded a cross-functional team of 15 to lead a project that increased sales by 65%.
2. Implemented an innovative strategy that improved work efficiency by 90%.
3. Mentored 10+ trainees and improved their individual performance by 25%.

Project Management and Organisational Skills

Action Verbs For a Resume For Organising

Structured
Organised
Arranged
Scheduled
Aligned
Optimized
Streamlined
Prioritized
Integrated
Linked
Classified
Combined
Listed

Action Verbs For Planning

Planned
Developed
Designed
Mapped
Formulated
Estimated
Scoped
Initiated
Programmed
Allocated
Strategized

Action Verbs For a Resume For Leading

Led
Enforced
Inspired
Mobilized
Governed
Championed
Delegated
Oversaw
Encouraged
Motivated

1. Scheduled weekly stakeholder meetings to improve the performance tracking and alignment to requirements.
2. Scoped and estimated resource needs for a $150K project.
3. Delegated the tasks to the team members based on their capabilities, improving the efficiency by 75%.

Communication and Interpersonal Skills

Speaking Power Verbs For A Resume

Presented
Addressed
Lectured
Convinced
Counseled
Illustrated
Pitched
Communicated
Explained
Mediated
Responded
Outlined

Writing Power Verbs For a Resume

Authored
Composed
Created
Coauthored
Briefed
Documented
Published
Curated
Proofread
Drafted
Edited

Negotiation Power Verbs For A Resume

Closed
Negotiated
Mediated
Finalized
Convinced
Advocated
Resolved
Secured
Facilitated
Collaborated

1. Addressed client issues properly in weekly calls, improving the client satisfaction rate by 10%.
2. Composed weekly newsletter that reached 2000+ subscribers in 2 weeks.
3. Negotiated vendor contracts that reduced the supply costs by 12%.

Financial, Analytical, and Data Skills

Financial & Accounting Action Verbs For a Resume

Budgeted
Invested
Valuated
Forecasted
Assessed
Projected
Controlled
Funded
Taxed
Accounted

Analytical Power Verbs For a Resume

Analyzed
Interpreted
Identified
Validated
Reviewed
Optimized
Reported
Evaluated
Modeled
Diagnosed

Quantifying Verbs For a Resume

Achieved
Maximized
Minimized
Boosted
Drove
Measured
Reduced
Expanded
Increased
Decreased
Improved

Numbers and Data Action Verbs For a Resume

Tabulated
Calculated
Quantified
Estimated
Aggregated
Compared
Summarized
Derived

1. Assessed financial risks and proposed mitigation strategies that reduced exposure by 15%.
2. Reviewed workflows and optimised them, resulting in the reduction of redundancy by 20%.
3. Estimated the overall budget for every project, increasing the efficient completion of projects within budget.

Creative and Design Skills

Crafted
Designed
Illustrated
Customized
Displayed
Shaped
Styled
Innovated
Revamped
Sketched
Prototyped
Visualized
Produced
Sculpted
Devised
Fashioned
Generated

1. Designed the brand logo, which was used in 70+ market assets, improving the popularity of the brand by 35%.
2. Visualised data dashboards promoting quicker decision-making, reducing time by 5%.
3. Styled over 100+ product images, increasing the customer click-through rates.

Research and Analytical Thinking Skills

Action Words For a Resume For Research Skills

Researched
Examined
Explored
Collected
Investigated
Surveyed
Probed

Problem-Solving Action Words For a Resume

Troubleshot
Resolved
Engineered
Fixed
Streamlined
Upgraded
Mitigated
Rectified

Critical Thinking Action Verbs For a Resume

Formulated
Assessed
Predicted
Prioritized
Justified

1. Surveyed 200+ users to improve the user interface.
2. Resolved over 100+ customer complaints and increased customer satisfaction rates by 45%.
3. Assessed product performance using A/B testing, increasing the click-through-rates.

Technical and IT Skills

Built
Tested
Constructed
Automated
Developed
Coded
Debugged
Architected
Monitored
Optimized
Installed
Operated
Maintained
Programmed

1. Built a custom integration between Amazon's internal tools and Slack, enhancing team productivity by 15%.
2. Developed a machine learning model with increased prediction accuracy by 15%.
3. Improved software stability by 65% by debugging 300+ system errors.

Teaching, Training, and Mentoring Skills

Guided
Mentored
Coached
Trained
Encouraged
Motivated
Inspired
Facilitated
Fostered
Strengthened
Counseled
Demonstrated
Explained
Delivered
Enriched
Enhanced
Elevated
Oriented
Advanced

1. Coached new sales interns, increasing their conversion rates by 35%.
2. Counselled 20+ members on career development, improving satisfaction rates by 325.
3. Fostered the trainee's learning and performance through optimised and strategic mentoring.

Administrative, Office, and Detail-Oriented Roles

Filed
Scheduled
Sorted
Scanned
Recorded
Maintained
Organised
Processed
Compiled
Documented
Verified
Tracked
Prepared
Served

Action Verbs For Operational Support

Executed
Operated
Managed
Handled
Supported
Responded
Coordinated

Action Verbs to Highlight Organisational Support

Controlled
Ordered
Allocated
Catalogued
Prepared
Organised
Arranged
Updated

1. Scheduled and managed 20+ meetings for a month, reducing the conflicts.
2. Tracked inventory supplies, reducing overstock by 35%.
3. Scanned client records, increasing the document accessibility by accessibility by 50%.

Customer Service and Support Skills

Customer Service Action Verbs

Served
Assisted
Delivered
Supplied
Backed
Escalated
Informed
Advised
Attended
Guided
Aided
Reinforced
Administered
Rendered
Engaged

1. Served over 100 customers weekly and improved customer satisfaction by 25%.
2. Supplied detailed product guidance, contributing to $10000 in upsells.
3. Reduced repeat queries by 40% by informing customers about policy changes.

Stronger Alternatives to Common Resume Verbs

Instead of using common resume verbs, use stronger alternatives to stand out from other candidates.

Instead of "Managed", use…

Directed
Oversaw
Administered
Executed
Orchestrated

Instead of "Helped", use…

Assisted
Supported
Strengthened
Facilitated
Enabled
Contributed

Instead of "Created", use…

Built
Formulated
Generated
Developed
Crafted
Engineered

Instead of "Led", use…

Spearheaded
Drove
Commanded
Headed
Guided
Chaired

Instead of "Worked on", use…

Participated in
Implemented
Delivered
Administered
Contributed to
Cultivated

Action Verbs to Show Specific Achievements

Resume Action Words For Increasing Revenue, Efficiency, Growth

Boosted
Accelerated
Expanded
Elevated
Gained
Increased
Scaled
Optimized

Resume Action Verbs For Cutting Costs, Solving Problems

Eliminated
Reduced
Minimized
Prevented
Curbed
Decreased
Solved

Resume Action Words For Launching New Projects or Products

Ideated
Architected
Launched
Deployed
Initiated
Activated
Devised

Action Verbs For Improving Processes And Systems

Streamlined
Optimized
Refined
Polished
Upgraded
Enriched
Amplified

Action Verbs for Entrepreneurial and Startup Experience

Founded
Cofounded
Launched
Built
Pioneered
Helmed
Forged
Acquired
Multiplied
Raised
Innovated
Transformed
Recruited
Empowered

Action Verbs for Career Changers and Freelancers

Adapted
Leveraged
Translated
Applied
Balanced
Delivered
Transformed
Connected
Coordinated
Multi-tasked
Consulted
Designed
Completed
Integrated

Action Verbs for Students and Recent Graduates

Contributed
Implemented
Researched
Learned
Volunteered
Engaged
Coordinated
Practiced
Explored
Presented
Applied
Developed

Real Examples of Action Verbs in Resume Bullet Points

Management and Leadership

Facilitated meetings across different departments to make sure strategies for products were harmonised.
Increased productivity by 25% and oversaw the team's performance metrics every week.
Created new systems for task management that ensured workflow was preserved as well as reducing project delivery time by 50%.

Research

Analysed customer behaviour trends using Excel and SQL, resulting in an increase in the conversion rate by 50%.
Interpreted results from 1000+ surveys to understand the user requirements.
Investigated project delivery time delays and proposed a workflow that reduced the delivery time by 87%.

Technical

Optimised the performance of a web application using Google Cloud Run, which boosted concurrent users by 27%.
Built containerised web servers, load balancers, and DNS using Docker.
Engineered a responsive UI using React.js, improving mobile usability scores by 25%.

Creative

Crafted 25+ blogs for a startup website in a month, boosting user traffic by 50%.
Illustrated designs for ads for the client's marketing materials, increasing the click-through rate by 36%.
Designed a user-centric mobile interface in Figma and earned a 4.8-star rating.

Marketing

Executed a Google Ads campaign that generated 700+ leads.
Improved sales by 65% through the implementation of a targeted digital strategy.
Transformed underperforming PPC campaigns, boosting ROI by 40% through keyword optimisation.

Posted by

Rohith

Rohith, Co-Founder of ResumeUp.AI, with a decade of experience in the software industry and having conducted over 500+ interviews as a hiring manager, shares his personal experiences, success stories, and tips to help job seekers optimize their resumes and land their dream job.

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Frequently asked questions

What are weak action verbs to avoid?

Weak action verbs may not convey your accomplishments effectively. Certain action verbs are used by many candidates, and the recruiters do not want to see the same verbs everywhere. Some of the basic power verbs that you can avoid in a resume are:

Did
Made
Helped
Worked
Involved
Tried
Got
Used
Dealt with
Went
Took part in, and similar action verbs.

What are the strongest action verbs to use?

The action verbs you should use in your resume should align with your profession or the achievement that you are trying to highlight.

Some of the strong action verbs you can use based on the skill are, for highlighting technical skills, you can use 'built', 'engineered', 'programmed', 'developed', 'upgraded', etc.

To highlight problem-solving skills, you can use 'resolved', analysed', 'refined', streamlined', 'implemented', etc.

To highlight leadership skills, 'spearheaded', 'directed', 'created', and to highlight data-driven results, you can use 'evaluated', 'monitored', 'assessed', etc.

Should I use different action verbs for different industries?

Yes, action verbs that you use in your resume change based on your industry and the skill or achievement that you are highlighting. Different industries require different skills.

For example, for the engineering industry, you can use ‘designed’, ‘automated’, ‘developed’, programmed, etc. For the finance industry, action verbs are ‘analysed’, ‘budgeted’, ‘streamlined’, ‘reduced, ‘forecasted’, etc.

For the marketing industry, you can use ‘launched’, ‘negotiated’, ‘marketed’, ‘promoted’, ‘converted’, etc. For the education industry, you can use ‘mentored’, ‘instructed, ‘coached’, ‘guided, ’ etc.

How often should I repeat an action verb on a resume?

You should avoid repeating the same action verb in your resume. The utmost limit can be two times, but even if possible, try to just use the verb once.

If you want to convey the same point and there is a situation where you have to use the same action verb, then try to use another unique action verb that has the same impact and is equally strong to represent your point.

For example, if you had to repeat 'led', 'managed', 'created', you can try using alternatives like 'initiated', 'spearheaded', 'developed', 'orchestrated', etc.