Make your Resume STAND Out with Action Verbs (Examples, Why they matter & how to use them)

Are you struggling to make your resume stand out? One of the simplest and most effective ways to make a good impression on potential employers is by using action verbs to describe your accomplishments rather than simply listing your job duties.

In this article, we’ll look at the importance, meaning and benefits of action verbs, why they’re necessary, and how you can use them to ensure your resume and cover letter rise to the top of the pile to help you land your dream job.  Whether you’re updating your resume or writing a cover letter, keep reading to discover the secrets of using action verbs and how you can start using them today!

What are Action Verbs?

In a resume or job application, action verbs are used to describe one's skills, experience, and achievements to grab the attention of potential employers and make the applicant stand out from other candidates.

Using action verbs in a resume has a greater impact than using non-action verbs.  Non-action verbs like "was responsible for", "assisted with", and "helped with" simply describe a duty without highlighting any achievements. This makes the resume appear bland and passive.

On the other hand, action verbs, such as "managed," “developed” "created," "achieved," and "increased," convey a sense of action, accomplishment, and impact.  They highlight the skills, abilities, and achievements of the candidate and demonstrate their value to potential employers.

Instead of saying:

Held weekly meetings for status updates

 Use action verbs to say:

 Spearheaded weekly meetings to effectively delegate tasks and check progress for meeting revenue goals. 

 Instead of saying:

 Daily looked at all social media accounts

 Use action verbs to say:

 Managed all social media accounts and increased followers by 20% in 6 months. 

 Benefits of Using Action Verbs in your Resume & Cover letter

Show Your Value to Employers

Your resume is a brief document to present yourself to an employer. And, since you’re working with such limited space in your resume, short descriptions are vital.  Action words make these descriptions resonate with the reader.  They help your resume tell the story of why you’re the best fit for the job.

Get your resume past the applicant tracking system (ATS)

Most resumes run through the applicant tracking system (ATS), which helps filter online job applicants before it goes to the recruiter.  The system scans for specific keywords or phrases they are looking for in candidates that they have put on the job description, so you want to ensure you have these keywords/power words to make it through.

Help you Stand Out among the Competition

Recruiters are looking through hundreds of applicants, trying to find the best candidates, and because of this, you have less than 6 seconds to grab the reader’s attention to select you as one of the candidates to interview.  Since you have limited time to catch the recruiter’s attention, you must use powerful action verbs relevant to your industry.

Strong, effective action words paint a picture of your experience and achievements and make your responsibilities and accomplishments sound more impactful.

How to Use Action Verbs in Your Resume & Cover Letter

 Study the Job Description (for positions you’re applying for)

Once you find a position or know the job’s you’re going to apply to, research and study the job description and pull out the keywords and skills they’re looking for.

 Then, look for powerful action verbs that align with your accomplishments and what they’re looking for and use them throughout your resume including in your job title, descriptions, bullet points listed for your accomplishments, and even throughout your cover letter. 

 Make sure to use words that sound natural for you and make sense for the skills or accomplishment you’re describing. 

 Be as specific as possible (Using Numbers and Action Verbs)

Also, remember to add results as often as possible. The combination of action words and specific results indicates that you know how to take initiative and get results.

Examples

Spearheaded a marketing campaign that resulted in a 30% increase in sales within six months.

Boosted sales revenue by 38% and exceeded goals

Pro Tip: Pretend there is an “I” at the beginning of every bullet point on your resume, which forces you to immediately use an action verb. 

Maintain Consistency

Use action verbs in the present tense when describing current roles, and past tense for previous positions.

Also, make sure you aren’t using the same words throughout your resume.

Use industry-specific verbs/Keywords

It’s important to use language that is specific to the industry you’re applying to and pay attention to the keywords listed in a job description.  Study the job description and pull out the keywords and skills that they’re looking for in a new hire. This will help hiring managers immediately identify relevant achievements.  For example, if you’re applying for a job in the financial industry, using verbs like “invested,” “audited,” or “calculated” will quickly show employers that you have the relevant skills, experience, and knowledge that they are looking for.

Examples of Industry Specific Action Verbs

Information Technology  

Fortified; Standardized; Repaired; Re-engineered; Deployed

Marketing & Communications
Transformed; Instituted; Facilitated; Identified; Empowered; Promoted; Influenced

Sales
Expedited; Delivered; Sustained; Capitalized; Outpaced

Education 
Advised; Advocated; Informed; Resolved; Encouraged; Moderated; Counseled; Served

Engineering
Calculated; Constructed; Programmed; Converted; Installed

Human Services
Assisted; Co-facilitated; Located; Referred; Intervened; Fielded; Determined

Healthcare
Admitted; Assessed; Counseled; Monitored; Prevented

 Final Thoughts

Don't let your modesty hold you back! When showcasing your skills and accomplishments on your resume, it's important not to sell yourself short. Many job seekers fall into the trap of simply listing their job duties, which can make them blend in with the rest of the crowd. But trust us; employers are looking for standout candidates who can bring something unique to the table.

 So don't be afraid to highlight your achievements and use powerful language that showcases your abilities.

You deserve to be proud of your accomplishments, and your resume should reflect that!

 And if you need some extra help, don't worry – we have resources to help you. If you’re ready to update or create your STAND OUT RESUME & Cover Letter check out our 24-Hour Resume Makeover for a comprehensive, step-by-step approach to improving your resume that even includes full sentences of action verbs by industry and WINNING resume templates so you’re one step closer to landing your DREAM job!

 You got this!

-Melody Joy