One of the biggest mistakes I see as a recruiter? Weak, repetitive, or vague action verbs.
Your bullet points should show what you accomplished — not just what you were “responsible for.” Strong action verbs instantly make your experience sound more confident, capable, and results-oriented.
That’s why I created this list of 300+ resume action verbs, organized by category for easy use. These verbs help your resume stand out to both ATS systems and human recruiters.
Why Action Verbs Matter (Recruiter POV)
Hiring managers skim resumes fast – sometimes in under 10 seconds. The right action verbs:
Make your accomplishments pop
Strengthen your professional tone
Help ATS match your resume to job descriptions
Show impact, not tasks
Make your resume feel alive and engaging
Let’s jump into the categorized lists.
1. Leadership & Management Action Verbs
Lead
Manage
Oversee
Supervise
Direct
Coordinate
Delegate
Mentor
Coach
Guide
Empower
Facilitate
Execute
Organize
Spearhead
Authorize
Enforce
Initiate
Develop
Build
Administer
Appoint
Champion
Head
Drive
2. Achievement & Results Action Verbs
Achieved
Improved
Increased
Boosted
Expanded
Reduced
Maximized
Enhanced
Strengthened
Elevated
Delivered
Surpassed
Exceeded
Completed
Optimized
Transformed
Revamped
Streamlined
Accelerated
Advanced
3. Communication Action Verbs
Communicated
Explained
Presented
Demonstrated
Advised
Negotiated
Collaborated
Influenced
Persuaded
Clarified
Informed
Updated
Moderated
Addressed
Promoted
Consulted
Corresponded
Advocated
Briefed
Engaged
4. Customer Service & Client Relations Action Verbs
Assisted
Supported
Resolved
Guided
Addressed
Listened
Advised
Responded
Handled
Delivered
Ensured
Improved
Encouraged
Connected
Retained
Educated
Helped
Advocated
Mediated
Calmed
5. Problem-Solving & Analysis Action Verbs
Analyzed
Identified
Researched
Monitored
Evaluated
Troubleshot
Diagnosed
Investigated
Tested
Assessed
Determined
Interpreted
Measured
Detected
Reviewed
Verified
Validated
Examined
Audited
Solved
6. Technical & Operations Action Verbs
Programmed
Built
Configured
Designed
Engineered
Implemented
Installed
Maintained
Operated
Upgraded
Tested
Optimized
Automated
Launched
Secured
Debugged
Deployed
Integrated
Customized
Updated
7. Sales, Marketing & Growth Action Verbs
Sold
Promoted
Marketed
Advertised
Generated
Closed
Converted
Attracted
Expanded
Increased
Drove
Captured
Leveraged
Positioned
Prospected
Negotiated
Influenced
Presented
Achieved
Boosted
8. Finance, Budgeting & Planning Action Verbs
Budgeted
Forecasted
Projected
Allocated
Audited
Balanced
Calculated
Estimated
Reduced
Reconciled
Evaluated
Reviewed
Increased
Saved
Analyzed
Measured
Managed
Monitored
Planned
Invested
9. Creative & Design Action Verbs
Designed
Created
Crafted
Developed
Produced
Edited
Illustrated
Conceptualized
Styled
Composed
Built
Enhanced
Refreshed
Revamped
Visualized
Innovated
Drafted
Directed
Photographed
Filmed
10. Organizational & Administrative Action Verbs
Organized
Scheduled
Coordinated
Updated
Filed
Processed
Documented
Arranged
Prepared
Tracked
Managed
Monitored
Executed
Maintained
Collected
Prioritized
Supported
Verified
Streamlined
Ordered
11. Teaching, Coaching & Training Action Verbs
Trained
Taught
Mentored
Coached
Guided
Developed
Educated
Facilitated
Presented
Inspired
Demonstrated
Prepared
Evaluated
Supported
Encouraged
Motivated
Assisted
Led
Instructed
Assessed
12. Innovation & Strategy Action Verbs
Developed
Planned
Designed
Launched
Formulated
Strategized
Created
Initiated
Innovated
Researched
Conceptualized
Positioned
Evaluated
Proposed
Introduced
Pioneered
Transformed
Forecasted
Streamlined
Implemented
13. Teamwork & Collaboration Action Verbs
Collaborated
Partnered
Supported
Contributed
Participated
Assisted
Coordinated
Unified
Joined
Encouraged
Helped
Networked
Combined
Interacted
Cooperated
Shared
Updated
Informed
Engaged
Brainstormed
14. Strong Power Verbs for Impact
These are the verbs recruiters LOVE:
Spearheaded
Orchestrated
Transformed
Elevated
Accelerated
Maximized
Amplified
Engineered
Architected
Championed
Revitalized
Optimized
Generated
Drove
Delivered
Achieved
Directed
Expanded
Negotiated
Executed
How to Use Action Verbs Effectively (Recruiter Tips)
✔ Start every bullet point with a verb ✔ Don’t repeat the same verb more than twice ✔ Pair verbs with results (“Improved tenant satisfaction by 30%”) ✔ Use verbs that reflect your level (entry-level vs leadership) ✔ Mix leadership, results, and technical verbs for balance
Final Thoughts: Strong Verbs Make a Strong Resume
Action verbs can completely transform a resume — especially when combined with measurable results and an ATS-friendly format.
If you want to save time creating a polished resume, ImpressResume.com offers modern, ATS-friendly resume templates and guides that make writing easier and faster.
