Resume action words this is a beginning list of action words often used in resumes to provide potential employers with a clear and specific impression of what resume writers have done and what they can do. The action words listed below will increase the strength and effectiveness of your resume and adding details will help an employer better understand how you performed your duties. When writing a resume, its important to avoid weak and passive verbs, stay away from business jargon or cliches, and watch out for tired words and phrases. Use present tense of verb for current rolesexperiences e. Use action words in short, clearly written phrases, complete sentences are not necessary. The the accomplishments on your resume should ultimately be targeted to address an employers needs. Action words for resumes northern illinois university. Weak, vague or overused verbs can actually diminish the excellent work you did at your last job. Imagine youre the hiring manager at a large company. Action words to use in your resume and interview answers 1. Set yourself apart with resume action words that describe your contributions.
Typically, they are action verbs but adjectives and some buzzwords are also considered good words for resumes. More than 300 resume action verbs to show prospective employers just how capable and qualified you are. Action words for resumes indiana university southeast. The following words may help with organizing and writing your resume action verb phrases. Boston college career center action verbs adapted, enlarged list inspired by employment development department of palo alto, ca management skills communication skills clerical or detailed skills administered analyzed assigned attained chaired contracted consolidated coordinated delegated developed directed. Below is a list of action verbs to assist you in describing your experiences and accomplishments. As you continue your research on what makes a professional resume, add your own additional action words that you find to the section below. Skills administered analyzed assigned attained chaired consolidated contracted coordinated delegated developed. When employers read resumes they look for words that precisely describe the writers accomplishments, because accom plishments predict potential.
Resume action words are also called resume power words. Resume action words are words you should use in your resume to describe your professional skills, tasks, and achievements at work in a short and powerful way. The ultimate resume word guide 843 action words detail results administered ensured negotiated specified approved updated arbitrated realized approved accomplished. Action words, or verbs, ignite an otherwise dull resume by setting your skills on fire giving your credentials authority and power. Follow the basic principles, adding in advanced components when appropriate. Action words help highlight your skills and engages the resume reader. The list is organized in sections to help you locate the best words. Frankly, the same tired old words hiring managers have heard over and overto the point where theyve lost a lot of their meaning and dont do much to show off your accomplishments. This is a beginning list of action words often used in resumes to provide potential employers with a clear and specific impression of what resume writers have. Think about your duties, responsibilities, and accomplishments as you read through these lists. Although it alone will not get you a job or internship, a good resume is an important element toward obtain. Increased student participation by 25% over a 6month period accomplished constructed ensured hastened minimized reduced losses achieved contributed excelled heightened modernized rejuvenated. Career strategy 55 whitney avenue, 3rd floor, new haven, ct, 06510 online at. To start this series from the beginning, read the introduction.
For example, words like accomplished, developed, managed, and handled describe what you have achieved. The importance of using action verbs for your resume. These days, employers want to know what you can achieve for their company simply utilizing job descriptions on your resume isnt enough. Resume action words are crucial parts of your resume if youre genuinely interested in getting that recruiter to take more than just a glance at it. For example, assisted faculty with a wide variety of duties is vague. Action words can be applied to various job functions administration, analysis, financial, communications, creative, management, research, teaching, and. After all, there are hundreds of applicants lined up who are qualified for the job. Transferable skills can transfer from position andor career to another. Communication solicited addressed specified advertised spoke arbitrated individualized articulated unified authored clarified collaborated communicated organization composed consulted contacted conveyed tutored convinced corresponded debated defined demonstrated described developed.
Resume action verbs yales office of career strategy. Use present tense verbs for current positions or activities and past tense verbs for those which are completed. Action verbs can be used to amplify both responsibilities and achievements, but when it comes to resumes, achievements always trump responsibilities. Resume action words, on the other hand, are incorporated to elevate your existing achievements and refine them better.
Power verbs for your resume getting results example. Ultimate list of resume action words indiana university. Keywords are used to match an applicant with an available job. Action words to use in your resume and interview answers. Action verbs to enhance your resume when promoting yourself, you must express your skills, assets, experience, and accomplishments in an active voice which is in an easy, straightforward and economical manner. Begin each descriptive section with an action verb. Creativity acted adapted applied brainstormed combined composed created customized designed developed directed displayed engineered drew. Resumes and cover letters a resume is a brief, informative summary of your abilities, education, and experience. In other words, think of your resume as a marketing tool that demonstrates how a product you meets the needs of a potential customer employer. Now lets take a step back and return to action verbs. A typical point in a resume will begin with an action word. Action words for engineering cornell engineering career center note. Its time to activate your resume with some action words.
Activated formed initiated opened adopted founded instituted originated began generated introduced started. The closer the keywords in a resume are to those in a job description, the better a candidates chances of being selected for a job. For example, assisted faculty with a wide vari ety of duties is vague. Approved detected lectured restored audited distributed maintained realized arranged diagnosed managed scheduled analyzed drew up maximized serviced assisted discovered narrowed set up. As your resume should be one page long, action words will really help say a great deal in fewer characters. Yale office of career strategy 55 whitney avenue, 3rd floor, new haven, ct, 06510 online at. But more importantly, using these words appropriately is the easiest way to get into the heart of any recruitment personnel. Activated formed initiated opened adopted founded instituted originated began generated introduced started established implemented launched undertook 2.
This list is intended to be a starting point and is not a complete listing. George rudy shutterstock action words are the verbs used on your resume that actively highlight your skills and experience and make your resume easier to read. These faulty word choices can undermine the strength and effectiveness of your resume. Avoid introductory phrases such as, duties included, responsible for. Sample action words below is a sample list of action words verbs to describe your accomplishments for resumes and covering letters. Action verbs list is part of a series called how to write a resume. Accomplishment, creative, communication, helping, instructional, leadership, organizationdetail, research, technical. Most resume bullet points start with the same words. Resume and cover letter action verbs the balance careers. Use the words below to help you create bullet points that clearly illustrate what you did, and why you did it well. When employers read resumes they look for words that precisely describe the writers accomplishments, because accomplishments predict potential. How to effectively use resume action words topresume.
Harvard university and harvard law school shifted to remote teaching and learning, as of monday, march 23. Leadership skills administered analyzed appointed approved assigned attained. Strong action verbs college of education university of. Instead, make a point of using powerful action verbs. It should highlight your strongest assets and skills, and differentiate you from other candidates seeking similar positions.
1366 1670 890 794 239 343 284 117 617 369 79 1401 626 854 1466 223 1124 1365 1090 72 782 1284 621 586 1667 1591 1455 1150 156 1486 1370 352 422 938