Best Action Words to Make Your Resume Stronger

How many action verbs should be in a resume?

The number of action verbs to include in a resume will also vary with the length and content of the document. The rule of thumb is to include action verbs in all the bullet points under the work experience and skills section. This suggests including at least 5 to 10 strong action verbs in a typical one-page resume to present your credentials in the best possible manner.

However, quality beats quantity. Instead of packing your resume with action verbs, use them selectively in the aim of featuring your experiences prominently. Use every verb to achieve something, to define your successes and contributions in a manner that will effectively carry the message to potential employers.

Aside from the usual action words such as managed, developed, maintained, and led, try to use the industry-specific words that will set you above the competition. For example, if you work in the tech sector, the words engineered, installed, maintained, or solved will give more depth to your work and area of specialization. Employing action words specific to the title of the job will also show that you give attention to details and adhere to the company requirements.

In addition, repeated action words in your resume will engage the reader's attention and give them a more dynamic picture of your abilities. Instead of repeating the same words over and over again, try varying them with synonyms or words from those same groups, which will help you to say the same thing in other words. This will not only be easier to read, it will also highlight your communications skills and knowledge of words, which in most professions are highly valued after. Keep in mind that your resume is usually the initial impression you give to a potential employer, and the accurate usage of action words can serve you well in getting that interview.

Smart Word Usage

Using active action verbs smartly can significantly elevate your resume. Avoid simple phrases like "worked on" or "responsible for" and use more power verbs for resumes that carry a sense of action and achievement. For instance, instead of "responsible for team management", write "led a team to a productivity increase of 20%".

In addition, using different levels of your vocabulary will keep your resume interesting. Repeating the same words will make your resume boring, so having good resume words at hand is beneficial. This not only indicates a mastery of words, but also displays your versatility and creativity.

List of the Best Resume Action Words for 2025

To assist you in making a great resume, the following is a list of action verbs for resume categorized by context, which are designed to interest hiring managers in 2025 so that your resume gets noticed.

Action Verbs for Technical Skills

You can use action verbs like developed, engineered, maintained, streamlined, and coordinated that convey precision and proficiency and demonstrate technical abilities. "Engineered a software solution that decreased processing time by 30%" is one such example that not only shows your competency but also the output of your work.

Action verbs for Achievements

Every resume, of course, needs to have achievements, and good action words like accomplished, exceeded, achieved, proved, and secured work great in defining your contribution. An example of the statement "secured a $500,000 research activity grant" not only defines the accomplishment but also mentions a dollar value, and it's even more exceptional in the deal.

Action verbs for when you Headed a Project

When describing your project management skills, action words like spearheaded, chaired, coordinated, executed, and overhauled can be used when writing about your ability to lead. For instance, "spearheaded a cross-departmental effort to increase communication and cooperation" emphasizes innovation and leadership ability.

Action verbs for when you Communicated

Communication skills are applicable in nearly any profession. Use words like articulated, presented, negotiated, mediated, and facilitated to show that you are effective at communicating. Something like "facilitated workshops that enhanced teamwork by 40%" not only shows your communication skills but also the quality of your work.

Ready to streamline your job search?

Explore tools like MaxOfJob to keep your applications organize!

Get Started

Action verbs for Problem Solving

Employers want candidates who can resolve challenges directly. Problem-solving ability can be defined in words and phrases such as resolved, diagnosed, innovated, referred, and streamlined . For example, "streamlined the inventory system, reducing errors by 25%" indicates that you have the ability to identify and implement solutions.

Action verbs for when you Sale Something

Sales positions need a specific set of skills, and the appropriate action words will accomplish the bulk of the work in demonstrating your achievement in this department. Try using words like generated, captured, boosted, designed, and closed. For example, "boosted sales by 15% in a market" is plain in indicating your sales ability and achievement.

Action verbs for when you Helping

For support or assistance jobs, action words like coached, mentored, assisted, served, and guided are highly useful. For instance, "mentored junior employees, and had a 30% increase in their performance" indicates that you care about the achievement of others.

Action verbs for Research & Analysis

In research and analysis, the use of action verbs specifically communicates your analysis potential. Action verbs like analyzed, evaluated, interpreted, clarified, and synthesized can best get your analysis ability across. "Analyzed market trends in informing strategic planning" demonstrates both your value added to organizational achievement as well as your analysis potential.

Conclusion

One of the most effective ways of impressing employers is through action verbs in your resume. You can bring your strengths, achievements, and contributions to notice in an impressive manner using powerful, evocative words. Our job tracker app simplifies your search by keeping all of your applications and CV versions in one location.

Action Verbs to Make Your Resume Better in 2025