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59 Strong Resume Words | Action Words

Using powerful resume words is essential to make your resume stand out and grab a recruiter’s or hiring manager’s attention. According to The Ladders study,  you have just 7.4 seconds to impress a recruiter when they read your resume for the first time, so using the right words is crucial.

In this blog post, we share some action words, descriptors, and measurable goals to add to your resume. We also share additional resources to help you craft the ideal resume.  Strong Resume Words To Empress Recruiters

39 Action words to use on a resume to help make it more impactful

 Think of the verbs that describe what you did at your last job or internship. For example: “managed” or “organized.” If those words don’t come naturally to mind, try thinking about other ways of saying them (e.g., “planned,” “directed”).

Then, look for a verb that fits with them–for example, if one of your responsibilities was managing employees’ schedules and projects, then “directed” might be an appropriate choice here because it implies directing others towards achieving goals; however if another responsibility was overseeing budgets or spending limits then perhaps something like managed would work better since it’s more focused on controlling resources than directing others’ actions (although both could work depending on context). Here are some more action verbs to consider: 

  1. Achieved
  2. Coordinated
  3. Developed
  4. Implemented
  5. Led
  6. Managed
  7. Negotiated
  8. Organized
  9. Produced
  10. Resolved
  11. Supervised
  12. Trained
  13. Analyzed
  14. Communicated
  15. Designed
  16. Established
  17. Improved
  18. Innovated
  19. Motivated
  20. Researched
  21. Streamlined
  22. Succeeded
  23. Advised
  24. Collaborated
  25. Created
  26. Delegated
  27. Executed
  28. Generated
  29. Influenced
  30. Mentored
  31. Oversaw
  32. Planned
  33. Presented
  34. Reorganized
  35. Spearheaded
  36. Strategized
  37. Targeted
  38. Validated
  39. Yielded

20 Action words in a phrase form to use on a resume

  1. Led and/or Managed: Led or managed a team, project, or department to achieve specific goals.
  2. Improved: Improved a particular process, system, or outcome measurably.
  3. Increased/Decreased: Increased or decreased a specific metric, such as revenue, productivity, or expenses.
  4. Developed/Implemented: Developed or implemented a new system, process, or product.
  5. Collaborated: Collaborated with team members, stakeholders, or clients to achieve a specific goal.
  6. Achieved/Attained: Achieved or attained a specific goal or objective within a given timeframe.
  7. Streamlined: Streamlined a process or system to increase efficiency or reduce waste.
  8. Resolved: Resolved a particular issue or conflict to improve overall outcomes.
  9. Trained/Mentored: Trained or mentored team members to improve their skills and knowledge.
  10. Innovated: Innovated or introduced new ideas, products, or processes to improve outcomes.
  11. Coordinated: Coordinated cross-functional teams, events, or initiatives to achieve specific goals.
  12. Implemented: Implemented new policies, procedures, or initiatives to improve overall outcomes.
  13. Negotiated: Negotiated contracts, deals, or partnerships to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes.
  14. Researched: Conducted research or analysis to inform decision-making or improve outcomes.
  15. Standardized: Standardized processes, procedures, or systems to ensure consistency and quality.
  16. Monitored: Monitored progress, performance, or outcomes to ensure goals were being met.
  17. Spearheaded: Spearheaded a new project, initiative, or strategy to achieve specific goals.
  18. Developed: Developed new skills, processes, or systems to improve overall outcomes.
  19. Communicated: Communicated effectively with team members, stakeholders, or clients to achieve specific goals.
  20.   Analyzed: Analyzed data, trends, or market conditions to make informed decision

Important Tip | Replace “strong candidate” 

In addition to citing actions, you would need to use appropriate words to refer to yourself. If you find yourself using “strong candidate” repeatedly, consider substituting it for:

  1. Experienced professional
  2. Skilled job candidate
  3. Accomplished individual
  4. Talented applicant
  5. Expert in [Field/Industry]
  6. Proven performer
  7. Results-driven professional
  8. Highly qualified candidate
  9. Proficient and competent candidate
  10. Qualified applicant
  11. Demonstrated achiever
  12. Knowledgeable applicant
  13. Accomplished leader
  14. Capable and results-oriented candidate
  15. Exceptional candidate
  16. Well-versed professional
  17. Resourceful and innovative job seeker
  18. Strong and reliable applicant
  19. Skilled and experienced individual
  20. Highly motivated and dedicated candidate
  21. Goal-oriented professional
  22. Consistent performer
  23. Versatile and adaptable candidate
  24. Detail-oriented and organized applicant
  25. Dynamic and proactive individual
  26. Reliable and committed professional
  27. Confident and competent job candidate
  28. Goal-driven and achievement-oriented applicant
  29. Self-starter

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