When you’re looking for a job, you want your resume to stand out from the crowd. To pop. To catch the attention of recruiters.

A key element in a successful resume is using powerful action words to describe your skills and accomplishments. These action words make your resume more engaging and demonstrate your capabilities and potential to employers.

If you want to make your resume shine and catch the notice of hiring managers, here are 150+ resume action words you can use to highlight your achievements.

Looking for some creative inspiration for your resume? Check out these resume ideas and resume summary ideas. 

What are resume action words?

Resume action words are powerful verbs and phrases that describe your skills, accomplishments, and experience. These words make your resume stand out by highlighting your achievements in a way that’s clear and impactful. They give employers a better understanding of what you bring to the table and can help you demonstrate your potential as a candidate.

Resume action words also bring a sense of confidence to your resume. They demonstrate that you’re an active and driven individual who takes initiative and is results-oriented. By using action words, you can show employers that you’re more than just a list of job duties. You’re a dynamic and capable professional.

How to choose the right action words for your resume

When choosing action words for your resume, it’s important to consider the specific job you’re applying for. Think about the skills and qualities that are necessary for the role and use action words that showcase those attributes.

Additionally, try to vary your word choice and avoid using the same verbs repeatedly when making your CV. This will keep your language fresh and engaging for potential employers.

Comprehensive list of resume action words

Now that we covered what resume action words are and how to choose the right ones for your resume, here is a comprehensive list of action words to choose from.

Action words for when you launched something 

  • Initiated 
  • Established 
  • Pioneered 
  • Created 
  • Developed 
  • Formed 
  • Implemented 
  • Introduced 
  • Designed 
  • Generated 
  • Executed 
  • Spearheaded 
  • Produced 
  • Deployed 
  • Organized 

Action words for when you accomplished something 

  • Achieved 
  • Attained 
  • Completed 
  • Exceeded 
  • Delivered 
  • Earned 
  • Realized 
  • Reached 
  • Fulfilled 
  • Accomplished 
  • Overcame 
  • Succeeded 
  • Resolved 
  • Surpassed 
  • Executed 

Action words for when you communicated 

  • Presented 
  • Negotiated 
  • Advised 
  • Consulted 
  • Explained 
  • Informed 
  • Promoted 
  • Collaborated 
  • Articulated 
  • Advocated 
  • Briefed 
  • Facilitated 
  • Corresponded 
  • Mediated 
  • Publicized 

Action words for when you were responsible for a project 

  • Managed 
  • Led 
  • Directed 
  • Supervised 
  • Oversaw 
  • Coordinated 
  • Delegated 
  • Administered 
  • Operated 
  • Planned 
  • Controlled 
  • Guided 
  • Organized 
  • Executed 
  • Headed 

Action words for when you solved a problem

  • Analyzed 
  • Evaluated 
  • Investigated 
  • Diagnosed 
  • Troubleshot 
  • Improved 
  • Initiated 
  • Implemented
  • Researched 
  • Resolved 
  • Optimized 
  • Innovated 
  • Streamlined 
  • Identified 
  • Rectified 

Action words for when you impacted the company’s bottom line

  • Increased  
  • Reduced  
  • Boosted  
  • Saved  
  • Cut  
  • Enhanced  
  • Maximized  
  • Minimized   
  • Grew   
  • Streamlined   
  • Optimized   
  • Revamped    
  • Contributed to 
  • Strengthened 
  • Accelerated 

Action words for when you demonstrated skills

  • Adapted 
  • Applied 
  • Innovated 
  • Developed 
  • Utilized  
  • Practiced 
  • Mastered  
  • Acquired  
  • Demonstrated   
  • Showcased  
  • Explored 
  • Expanded 
  • Designed 
  • Engineered 
  • Refined 

Action words for when you worked with a team

  • Collaborated  
  • Interacted  
  • Coordinated   
  • Engaged    
  • Partnered   
  • Participated   
  • Fostered  
  • Communicated  
  • Contributed to
  • Assisted 
  • Supported 
  • Unified 
  • Represented 
  • Mentored 
  • Encouraged 

 Action words for when you managed time and resources

  • Prioritized
  • Scheduled
  • Budgeted
  • Managed
  • Met
  • Efficiently Utilized
  • Optimized 
  • Streamlined
  • Multitasked
  • Negotiated
  • Monitored 
  • Tracked 
  • Delegated 
  • Leveraged  
  • Allocated 

Action words for when you created something 

  • Designed 
  • Developed 
  • Created 
  • Built 
  • Established 
  • Generated 
  • Initiated 
  • Crafted 
  • Produced 
  • Formulated 
  • Engineered 
  • Conceived 
  • Composed 
  • Invented 
  • Constructed 

Action words for when you did research or analysis 

  • Analyzed 
  • Researched 
  • Evaluated 
  • Investigated 
  • Assessed 
  • Interpreted 
  • Examined 
  • Synthesized 
  • Identified 
  • Explored 
  • Collected 
  • Compiled 
  • Measured 
  • Quantified 
  • Discovered 

How to create the perfect resume with Picsart

Wondering how to create a resume in the first place? Picsart makes the process simple to help you save time and get professional results. You have the option of getting started from scratch with our resume maker or using one of our professionally designed resume templates. 

Customize each template to your heart’s content, making it unique to you and your skills. You can change the resume fonts, colors, images, and every other element of the resume. The key is to make your resume unique to you and your skills. Think about how you can make your resume stand out in a sea of resumes. 

Conclusion

Your resume is a reflection of who you are and what you’ve accomplished in your professional career. And unless you’re just getting started, you’ve probably accomplished quite a bit! Using action words in your resume is a great way to showcase your achievements and make them stand out to potential employers. 

 

So don’t be afraid to sum up your skills and accomplishments in a powerful way. It could be the key to landing your dream job!