207 Action Verbs To Make Your Resume Pop

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Table Of Contents

Here at CareerCloud, we write about resumes quite a lot. So over the years, we have found what works, and what doesn’t. One of the things that make resumes stand out is using different verbs to describe your accomplishments.

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Most Common Action Verbs

Here are the most common action verbs that hiring managers see on resumes on a daily basis:

  • Oversaw
  • Supported
  • Achieved
  • Wrote
  • Researched
  • Managed
  • Changed or Improved
  • Increased
  • Saved
  • Envisioned
  • Led

207 Action Verbs To Make Your Resume Pop

We did a little digging on the synonyms, so you can substitute where applicable, and give whoever is scanning your resume a breath of fresh air. Remember that your previous positions are different from other applicants, so the verbs you use to describe those experiences scan, and should be different from.

Regardless of what skill or achievement you want to highlight, we have just the perfect resume action verb for you. Explore the action verbs wheel and list of action verbs below to make your resume pop.

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Action verbs 1-12

You oversaw or regulated something. 

If you oversaw or regulated a project or task, try one of these action verbs:

  1. Authorized
  2. Blocked
  3. Delegated
  4. Dispatched
  5. Enforced
  6. Ensured
  7. Inspected
  8. Itemized
  9. Monitored
  10. Screened
  11. Scrutinized
  12. Verified

Action verbs 13-21

You supported customers or staff.

If you served in a role where you supported customers or staff, try one of these action verbs instead:

13. Advised

14. Advocated

15. Arbitrated

16. Coached

17. Consulted

18. Educated

19. Fielded

20. Informed

21. Resolved


Action verbs 22-33

You had some sort of achievement.

If you are looking to highlight some sort of achievement, try one of these:

22. Attained

23. Awarded

24. Completed

25. Demonstrated

26. Earned

27. Exceeded

28. Outperformed

29. Reached

30. Showcased

31. Succeeded

32. Surpassed

33. Targeted


Action verbs 34-52

You wrote something.

Writing is a form of communication, and when you keep that in mind, you can stretch the word a lot farther. Try one of these words:

34. Authored

35. Briefed

36. Campaigned

37. Co-authored

38. Composed

39. Conveyed

40. Convinced

41. Corresponded

42. Counseled

43. Critiqued

44. Defined

45. Documented

46. Edited

47. Illustrated

48. Lobbied

49. Persuaded

50. Promoted

51. Publicized

52. Reviewed


Action verbs 53-72

You researched or analyzed something. 

If you spent time researching and analyzing, here are some action verbs to try:

53. Analyzed

54. Assembled

55. Assessed

56. Audited

57. Calculated

58. Discovered

59. Evaluated

60. Examined

61. Explored

62. Forecasted

63. Identified

64. Interpreted

65. Investigated

66. Mapped

67. Measured

68. Qualified

69. Quantified

70. Surveyed

71. Tested

72. Tracked


Action verbs 73-92

You managed something.

“Managed” is one of the most used verbs on resumes. Here are some options to switch it up:

73. Aligned

74. Cultivated

75. Directed

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76. Enabled

77. Facilitated

78. Fostered

79. Guided

80. Hired

81. Inspired

82. Mentored

83. Mobilized

84. Motivated

85. Recruited

86. Regulated

87. Shaped

88. Supervised

89. Taught

90. Trained

91. Unified

92.United


Action verbs 93-118

You changed or improved something. 

If you changed or improved something, here are some action verbs to use:

93. Centralized

94. Clarified

95. Converted

96. Customized

97. Influenced

98. Integrated

99. Merged

100. Modified

101. Overhauled

102. Redesigned

103. Refined

104. Refocused

105. Rehabilitated

106. Remodeled

107. Reorganized

108. Replaced

109. Restructured

110. Revamped

111. Revitalized

112. Simplified

113. Standardized

114. Streamlined

115. Strengthened

116. Updated

117. Upgraded

118. Transformed


Action verbs 119-136

You increased something.

“Increased” is another one of the most commonly used verbs on resumes. Here are some action verbs to use instead:

119. Accelerated

120. Achieved

121. Advanced

122. Amplified

123. Boosted

124. Capitalized

125. Delivered

126. Enhanced

127. Expanded

128. Expedited

129. Furthered

130. Gained

131. Generated

132. Lifted

133. Maximized

134. Outpaced

135. Stimulated

136. Sustained


Action verbs 137-145

You saved in some capacity (usually time or money).

If you saved in some capacity, here are some verbs to try:

137. Conserved

138.Consolidated

139. Decreased

140. Deducted

141. Diagnosed

142. Lessened

143. Reconciled

144. Reduced

145. Yielded


Action verbs 146-166

You were able to envision something.

If you were able to envision something, here are some verbs to use:

146. Administered

147. Built

148. Charted

149. Created

150. Designed

151. Developed

152. Devised

153. Founded

154. Engineered

155. Established

156. Formalized

157. Formed

158. Formulated

159. Implemented

160. Incorporated

161. Initiated

162. Instituted

163. Introduced

164. Launched

165. Pioneered

166. Spearheaded


Action verbs 167-178

You held a leadership position so you led.

If you served in a leadership position and led, here are some verbs to use:

167. Chaired

168. Controlled

169. Coordinated

170. Executed

171. Headed

172. Operated

173. Orchestrated

174. Organized

175. Oversaw

176. Planned

177. Produced

178. Programmed


Action verbs 179-188

Action verbs to demonstrate work ethic.

Here are ideas for action verbs to explain your work ethic:

179. Deciphered

180. Discerned

181. Drove

182. Enacted

183. Endeavored

184. Sharpened

185. Shattered

186. Sparked

187. Spearheaded

188. Steered


Action verbs 189-207

Finally, if you’re in a technical position you can try some of these verbs.

Here are some action verbs to try if you work in a technical position:

189. Architected

190. Automated

191. Coded

192. Deployed

193. Detected

194. Devised

195. Diagnosed

196. Discovered

197. Formulated

198. Installed

199. Launched

200. Networked

201. Planned

202. Programmed

203. Rewrote

204. Refined

205. Tested

206. Troubleshoot

207. Upgraded

Bottom Line

Hopefully, this list will help you as you begin to craft your resume. Remember that the people who do the interviewing are used to seeing the most common verbs (listed at the top), so it is in your best interest to try and find some substitutes.

If you need additional help with your resume, check out our guide to the best resume writing services.