You probably already know that action verbs are essential to creating a resume with specific, measurable and outcome focussed content, but are all action verbs created equally? We think the answer is no.

Some action verbs like managed, used, completed, and assisted are overused and vague. Not only are they tired, but they also don’t do a great job of helping hiring managers and recruiters understand what you have done, what you’ve accomplished and the value you have brought to previous teams and organisations.

With hiring managers reportedly spending only 6-10 seconds to decide if you are someone they want to know more about, every word, and its meaning counts.

We’ve compiled a list of action verbs that will elevate your resume. When combined with quantified information, you are guaranteed to have a winning bullet point that showcases your skills with clarity and confidence. If you’re not sure how to write a resume that highlights your unique skills and experience, speak to us. We’re the Australian experts in resumes and we’d love to help you land the perfect next job.

The best active verbs for resumes

When you achieved a goal

1. Accomplished
2. Assembled
3. Chaired
4. Championed
5. Controlled
6. Coordinated
7. Delivered
8. Developed
9. Directed
10. Drove
11. Executed
12. Headed
13. Initiated
14. Managed
15. Orchestrated
16. Organized
17. Oversaw
18. Planned
19. Produced
20. Spearheaded
21. Steered
22. Strengthened

 When you brought an idea to life

1. Built
2. Created
3. Conceptualised
4. Conceived
5. Designed
6. Developed
7. Devised
8. Founded
9. Engineered
10. Established
11. Formed
12. Formulated
13. Founded
14. Ideated
15. Implemented
16. Incorporated
17. Initiated
18. Introduced
19. Launched
20. Modelled
21. Originated
22. Pioneered
23. Secured
24. Sparked

 When you changed or improved something

1.  Adapted
2. Converted
3. Customized
4. Merged
5. Modified
6. Optimised
7. Overhauled
8. Redesigned
9. Refined
10. Refocused
11. Reorganized
12. Replaced
13. Restructured
14. Revamped
15. Revitalized
16. Simplified
17. Streamlined
18. Updated
19. Upgraded
20. Transformed

When you championed growth

1. Acquired
2. Accelerated
3. Achieved
4. Advanced
5. Amplified
6. Boosted 
7. Enhanced
8. Expanded
9. Furthered
10. Gained
11. Generated
12. Grew
13. Improved
14. Increased
15. Lifted
16. Maximised

When you solved a problem

1. Critiqued
2. Corrected
3. Debugged
4. Diagnosed
5. Identified
6. Invented
7. Proved
8. Rectified
9. Recommended
10. Reconciled
11. Solved

When you brought people or activities together

1. Aligned
2. Centralised
3. Co-authored
4. Collaborated
5. Cooperated
6. Contributed
7. Enabled
8. Encouraged
9. Facilitated
10. Forged
11. Fostered
12. Inspired
13. Integrated
14. Partnered
15. Participated
16. Shaped
17. Supported
18. Teamed up

When you supported or taught others

1. Advised
2. Advocated
3. Arbitrated
4. Answered
5. Clarified
6. Coached
7. Consulted
8. Counselled
9. Demonstrated
10. Educated
11. Fielded
12. Informed
13. Intervened
14. Motivated
15. Referred
16. Resolved

 When you supervised a team

1.  Coached
2. Cultivated
3. Directed
4. Empowered
5. Evaluated
6. Fostered
7. Guided
8. Hired
9. Inspired
10. Instructed
11. Led
12. Mentored
13. Mobilized
14. Motivated
15. Recruited
16. Supervised
17. Taught
18. Trained 

When you use your creativity

1. Authored
2. Brainstormed
3. Briefed
4. Communicated
5. Conceptualised
6. Curated
7. Derived
8. Designed
9. Drafted
10. Edited
11. Illustrated
12. Imagined
13. Influenced
14. Intensified
15. Modelled
16. Proofread
17. Prototyped
18. Published
19. Researched
20. Strategised
21. Storyboarded
22. Translated
23. Visualised
24. Wrote

When you worked with data or numbers

1. Audited
2. Budgeted 
3. Calculated
4. Converted
5. Crafted
6. Documented
7. Estimated
8. Inventoried
9. Programmed 
10. Projected 
11. Recorded
12. Verified

When you used your analysis or research skills

1.  Analyzed
2. Assembled
3. Assessed
4. Audited
5. Calculated
6. Checked
7. Detected
8. Deciphered
9. Discerned
10. Discovered
11. Evaluated
12. Examined
13. Experimented
14. Explored
15. Evaluated
16. Forecasted
17. Identified
18. Interpreted
19. Investigated
20. Mapped
21. Measured
22. Qualified
23. Quantified
24. Reconciled
25. Reviewed
26. Searched
27. Studied
28. Surveyed
29. Tested
30. Tracked

When you used your technical skills

1. Advanced
2. Architected
3. Analysed
4. Automated
5. Coded
6. Deployed
7. Installed
8. Networked
9. Programmed
10. Rewrote
11. Refined
12. Tested
13. Troubleshoot
14. Upgraded

 When you communicated

1. Authored
2. Briefed
3. Campaigned
4. Co-authored
5. Composed
6. Conveyed
7. Convinced
8. Corresponded
9. Counselled
10. Critiqued
11. Defined
12. Documented
13. Edited
14. Illustrated
15. Instructed
16. Lobbied
17. Persuaded
18. Presented
19. Promoted
20. Publicized
21. Reviewed
22. Spoke

When you achieved something or were awarded

1.  Attained
2. Awarded
3. Completed
4. Demonstrated
5. Earned
6. Exceeded
7. Outperformed
8. Reached
9. Showcased
10. Succeeded
11. Surpassed
12. Targeted             
13. Won

When you monitored and controlled something

1. Authorized
2. Blocked
3. Delegated
4. Dispatched
5. Enforced
6. Ensured
7. Inspected
8. Itemized
9. Monitored
10. Screened
11. Scrutinized
12. Verified

When you found efficiencies and cost savings

1.  Conserved
2. Consolidated
3. Decreased
4. Lessened
5. Reduced
6. Saved
7. Slashed
8. Yielded

 If you would like help to create a resume that showcases your skills and experience, speak to us. We’re the Australian experts in resumes.