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Actions speak louder than words, as the saying goes, and on a resume, the same is true of verbs: action verbs speak louder than weak, cliched, or tired ones.
Action verbs (sometimes called dynamic verbs) are what start off each bullet point on your resume. They describe your strengths, abilities, skills, talents, experiences, and accomplishments in past and present jobs in clear, concrete ways that make your resume stand out to hiring managers. They create a detailed picture of your work experience and skills, and they establish a confident tone for your resume.
By contrast, weak verbs don’t show much. They are vague and ambiguous. They downgrade the significance of your experience and achievements. They are likely to cause the hiring manager to move on to another resume, discarding yours.
After years of reviewing resumes, I have compiled a short list of weak verbs and phrases to stay away from: Worked with, Responsible for, Experienced, Tried, Does, Made, Watched. There are also verbs that are perfectly fine but overused: Assisted, Led, Oversaw, Utilized.
The good news is that if you Google “action verbs for your resume,” you will discover numerous lists. Some are generic, some describe particular professions, and others are divided into categories describing various soft skills. Below, I’ve identified some of the more useful categories for GC students with some selected samples grouped under the field or area they apply to best. (I’ve put them all in past tense because most of the jobs on your resume were in the past, but if you are writing a bullet point of a present job, remember to use present tense.)
These lists are also useful for varying your use of action verbs on your resume. You never want to use two action verbs in a row, and you should try not to use the same action verb more than twice throughout your resume. If you are having trouble coming up with the exact word that you’re looking for, try Thesaurus.com for a list of synonyms. Finally, these types of action verbs can be very useful in writing cover letters, as well.
Research
Analyzed, Assessed, Appraised, Calculated, Compiled, Developed, Evaluated, Examined, Identified, Surveyed
Communications
Articulated, Briefed, Cited, Clarified, Conveyed, Demonstrated, Described, Disclosed, Edited, Facilitated, Formulated, Informed, Presented, Promoted, Proposed, Specified
Organizational
Administered, Arranged, Catalogued, Classified, Coordinated, Generated, Monitored, Recorded
Improved or Changed Something
Achieved, Advanced, Adapted, Affected, Augmented, Enriched,Expanded, Expedited, Optimized, Overhauled, Redesigned, Restructured, Revamped, Revitalized, Streamlined
Managerial/Leadership
Assigned, Determined, Directed, Executed,Formed, Founded, Implemented, Prioritized, Recommended, Represented, Scheduled, Sponsored, Supervised
Technical
Calculated, Designed, Engineered, Operated, Programmed, Repaired
Creative/Entrepreneurial
Authored, Conceived, Conceptualized, Composed, Designed, Developed, Devised, Established, Formed, Formulated, Initiated, Introduced, Invented, Launched, Marketed, Originated, Produced
Teaching
Coached, Designed, Enabled, Encouraged, Evaluated, Explained, Facilitated, Guided, Informed, Initiated, Instructed, Motivated, Stimulated
Miscellaneous Useful Action Verbs
Adapted, Advised, Attained, Built, Calculated, Collaborated, Displayed, Enhanced, Expedited, Negotiated, Strengthened, Volunteered
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