by The Muse Editors with contributions by Regina Borsellino (Original Blog Post, Updated 5/13/2025)
Action verbs are key to developing an effective and impressive resume, and the power of action verbs lies in their ability to demonstrate the skills, experiences and accomplishments that you can offer to a potential employer. When writing your resumes, strive to use strong action verbs that highlight a variety of skills, and avoid reusing verbs. Get creative! Reframe your bullet points to showcase a diverse set of skills throughout your document.
If you are having trouble finding new and different action verbs, check out this list compiled by The Muse Editors designed to make your resume stand out.
Action Verbs for When You…
- Administered
- Arranged
- Chaired
- Coordinated
- Directed
- Executed
- Delegated
- Headed
- Managed
- Operated
- Orchestrated
- Organized
- Oversaw
- Planned
- Produced
- Programmed
- Spearheaded
- Built
- Charted
- Created
- Designed
- Developed
- Devised
- Founded
- Engineered
- Established
- Formalized
- Formed
- Formulated
- Implemented
- Incorporated
- Initiated
- Instituted
- Introduced
- Launched
- Pioneered
- Proposed
- Accelerated
- Achieved
- Advanced
- Amplified
- Boosted
- Capitalized
- Conserved
- Consolidated
- Decreased
- Deducted
- Delivered
- Enhanced
- Expanded
- Expedited
- Furthered
- Gained
- Generated
- Improved
- Increased
- Lifted
- Maximized
- Outpaced
- Reconciled
- Reduced
- Saved
- Stimulated
- Sustained
- Yielded
- Centralized
- Clarified
- Converted
- Customized
- Digitized
- Integrated
- Merged
- Modernized
- Modified
- Overhauled
- Redesigned
- Refined
- Refocused
- Rehabilitated
- Remodeled
- Reorganized
- Replaced
- Restructured
- Revamped
- Revitalized
- Simplified
- Standardized
- Streamlined
- Strengthened
- Transformed
- Updated
- Upgraded
- Aligned
- Cultivated
- Directed
- Enabled
- Facilitated
- Fostered
- Guided
- Hired
- Mentored
- Mobilized
- Motivated
- Recruited
- Shaped
- Supervised
- Taught
- Trained
- Unified
- United
- Acquired
- Closed
- Forged
- Navigated
- Negotiated
- Partnered
- Pitched
- Secured
- Signed
- Sourced
- Upsold
- Advised
- Advocated
- Coached
- Consulted
- Educated
- Fielded
- Informed
- Recommended
- Resolved
- Analyzed
- Assembled
- Assessed
- Audited
- Calculated
- Compiled
- Discovered
- Evaluated
- Examined
- Explored
- Forecasted
- Identified
- Interpreted
- Interviewed
- Investigated
- Mapped
- Measured
- Modeled
- Projected
- Qualified
- Quantified
- Reported
- Surveyed
- Tested
- Tracked
- Visualized
- Authored
- Briefed
- Campaigned
- Coauthored
- Composed
- Conveyed
- Convinced
- Corresponded
- Counseled
- Critiqued
- Defined
- Documented
- Drafted
- Edited
- Illustrated
- Lobbied
- Outlined
- Persuaded
- Presented
- Promoted
- Publicized
- Reviewed
- Wrote
- Adjudicated
- Authorized
- Blocked
- Dispatched
- Enforced
- Ensured
- Inspected
- Itemized
- Monitored
- Screened
- Scrutinized
- Verified
- Attained
- Completed
- Demonstrated
- Finished
- Earned
- Exceeded
- Outperformed
- Overcame
- Reached
- Showcased
- Succeeded
- Surpassed
- Targeted
- Won
