250+ Resume Verbs that Will Set Yours Apart From the Crowd

When applying for jobs, you want to have a resume that stands out. Keep in mind that hiring managers see the same resumes over and over. To get their attention, you should be creative with your resume and use resume verbs.

Replace common phrases with action verbs to make your resume stand out. It will improve readability and catch the attention of hiring managers. With these resume verbs, you will stand out and increase your chances of landing that dream job.

What exactly are resume verbs?

Resume verbs, also known as resume action verbs or “success verbs” as used by Ladders and Leet Resumes, are used to draw the reader’s attention to your responsibilities, skills, and performance. You can catch the hiring manager’s attention by using these verbs.

You use active language rather than passive language, which changes the overall tone of your resume. Replace any generic verbs in your resume with action verbs.

It may be difficult at first to find the right tone and words. To assist you, we’ve provided 250+ resume verbs to help you make your resume work for you.

While there are many different words described below, it’s possible that the word you’re looking for isn’t listed. Visit TheSaurus.com to find synonyms that accurately describe your situation.

How do you use resume action verbs to strengthen your writing?

You want to leave an impression on the hiring manager without blowing your own trumpet. You will use resume action verbs to draw attention and demonstrate results.

Use specific numbers to make your point more powerful. Communicate the additional revenue, time saved, or exact dollar amount saved to the company. You aren’t just a hard worker with good results; you led a project that increased revenue by X%.

These resume verbs are powerful, but only if used sparingly. Try to limit yourself to one resume action verb per bullet.

If you want to know what resume verbs they want to hear, look at the job description and see what words you can borrow from it.

Resume accomplishment verbs

When companies are looking for new employees, they want to know about your achievements. However, putting achiever or doer on your resume will not be enough.

What exactly have you accomplished? Have you ever been recognized as the best salesperson in your department? Did you improve the budgeting process and save 30% of your time?

Here are 47 accomplishment resume verbs:

The following are 47 accomplishment resume verbs:

1. Ramped up
2. Achieved
3. Attained
4. Accumulated
5. assumed the position
6. Enhanced
7. Granted
8. Bolstered
9. Emphasized
10. Merged
11. Transferred
12. Diminished
13. Supplied
14. Intuited
15. Traveled
16. Garnered
17. Enforced
18. Strived
19. Expanded
20. Augmented
21. Sped up
22. Completed
23. Formed
24. Grew
25. Advanced
26. Raised
27. Handled
28. Amplified
29. Bargained
30. Exceeded
31. Outscored
32. Retooled
33. Spearheaded
34. Ready
35. Reared
36. Attained
37. Sealed
38. Intensified
39. Broken
40. Displayed
41. Triggered
42. Prompted
43. Standardized
44. Shored up
45. Proceeded
46. Overtaken
47. Attacked

Words to Improve Your Resume

Putting on your resume that you improved a particular aspect of your job does not ring true with hiring managers. They want to know how your improvements will affect the company. Make use of numbers and percentages to make your point.

Here are 36 resume improvement words:

1. Allowed
2. Constructed
3. Preserved
4. Tailored
5. Excluded
6. Crafted
7. Identified
8. Enabled
9. Finished
10. Reinforced
11. Obtained
12. Managed
13. InstatedRisen
14. Instated
15. Decreased
16. Combined
17. Amended
18. Arranged
19. Accommodated
20. Whittled down
21. Streamlined
22. Reformed
23. Rebuilt
24. Rearranged
25. Filled
26. Overhauled
27. Overhauled
28. Resurrected
29. Stored
30. Shortened
31. Axed
32. Formalized
33. Upgraded
34. Advanced
35. Offered up

Resume leadership action verbs

Hiring managers want to know if you have any leadership qualities or experience when you apply for a job. Don’t say you’re in charge, but show them what you’ve done in the past.

What initiatives have you led? How many people have you coached? What is the size of your team?

Here are 46 leadership resume action verbs:

1. Espoused
2. Associated
3. Supplemented
4. Centered
5. Presided
6. Trumpeted
7. Monitored
8. Aligned
9. Fostered
10. Assigned
11. Differed
12. Guided
13. Trained
14. Authorised
15. Aided
16. Supported
17. Imposed
18. Affirmed
19. Completed
20. Projected
21. Finalized
22. Founded
23. Fomented
24. Steered
25. Recruited
26. Held
27. Utilised
28. Coached
29. Rallied
30. Driven
31. Maximized
32. Fomented
33. Supervises
34. Scheduled
35. Expected
36. Scheduled
37. Selected
38. Reoriented
39. Controlled
40. Reformed
41. Settled
42. Formed
43. Overseen
44. Managed
45. Secured
46. Trained

Recap teamwork action words

While all companies want to hire team players, putting team player on your resume isn’t something hiring managers look for. Instead of using that work, demonstrate your ability to collaborate with others.

Be as specific as possible, and use percentages and numbers whenever possible. Demonstrate how your team’s efforts helped the company save money or increase efficiency.

Here are the 30 best teamwork resume action words:

1. Recognized
2. Integrated
3. Mixed
4. Consolidated
5. Founder
6. Teamed up
7. Done
8. Attributed
9. Colluded
10. Codeveloped
11. Expanded
12. Accepted
13. Welcomed
14. Invigorated
15. Fashioned
16. Collected
17. Meshed
18. Sparked
19. Enlisted
20. Wedded
21. Fused
22. Taken part
23. Paired up
24. Guided
25. Backed
26. Partnered (up) (up)
27. Joined
28. Reunified
29. Did volunteer
30. Interweaves

Resume Communication Verbs

Any job that requires you to collaborate with others necessitates excellent communication skills.

Discuss your accomplishments to demonstrate your communication skills. Have you convinced the company to fund your project? Do your presented offers to clients result in a 20% increase in investment?

Here are 30 communication resume verbs:

1. Published
2. Informed
3. Crusaded
4. Colluded
5. Explained
6. Transmitted
7. Reassured
8. Correlates
9. Cautioned
10. Reviewed
11. Described
12. Evidenced
13. Invigorated
14. Described
15. Selected
16. Directed
17. Notified
18. Advised
19. Petitioned
20. Induced
21. Tempered
22. Traversed
23. Executed
24. Swayed
25. Displayed
26. Encouraged
27. Advertised
28. Checked
29. Talked
30. Educated

Resume problem-solving action words

Many jobs in many fields require problem-solving abilities. You want to show them a previous challenge you faced and how you overcame it.

Here are 30 problem-solving resume action words:

1. Prescribed
2. Informed
3. Adjusted
4. Assessed
5. Organized
6. Stopped
7. Marked
8. Captained
9. Summarized
10. Formed
11. Formed
12. Contacted
13. Fixed
14. Generated
15. Decrypted
16. Evidenced
17. Formed
18. Invented
19. Sent out
20. Implicated in
21. Orchestrated
22. Surpass
23. Molded
24. Concocted
25. Mentored
26. Integrated
27. Crafted
28. I made progress on
29. Functioned
30. Took up

Action verbs for research resume

Research abilities are required in some occupations. Don’t just say you did research to demonstrate your research skills. Make it useful by demonstrating the implications of your research.

Here are 30 research resume action verbs:

1. Progressed
2. Assessed
3. Reviewed
4. Gained
5. Inspected
6. Estimated
7. Confirmed
8. Unearthed
9. Explored
10. Investigated
11. Defined
12. Checked
13. Merged
14. Initiated
15. Explored
16. Cataloged
17. Initiated
18. Identified
19. Analyzed
20. Measured
21. Queried
22. Demonstrated
23. Gauged
24. Checked
25. Examined
26. Analyzed
27. Investigated
28. Examined
29. Monitored
30. Proven

Best creative resume words

Many occupations require creative abilities. Writing down your creative abilities is unlikely to get your resume noticed.

Highlight what you created and the impact it had on the organization. Have you outlined the company website, and conversions have increased by 5%? Have you written and edited the company newsletter?

Here are 33 creative resume words:

1. Thought up
2. Expressed
3. Envisioned
4. Theorized
5. Sculpted
6. Picked
7. Deduced
8. Illustrated
9. Drawn up
10. Updated
11. Formed
12. Created
13. Depicted
14. Envisaged
15. Inspired
16. Launched
17. Encouraged
18. Exacerbated
19. Devised
20. Designed
21. Started
22. Underlined
23. Generated
24. Rechecked
25. Authored
26. Reconfigured
27. Explored
28. Greenlighted
29. Schemed
30. Changed
31. Transcribed
32. Viewed
33. Authored