Best wording for resume: 185+ Action Verbs That’ll Make Your Resume Shine

185+ Action Verbs That’ll Make Your Resume Shine

Tasked with…

Responsible for…

Experience in…

Most resume bullet points start with the same tired old words hiring managers have read over and over—to the point where they’ve lost a lot of their meaning. They also don’t do much to show off your accomplishments, and instead tend to just communicate your job duties.

So let’s get a little more creative, shall we? Next time you update your resume, switch up a few of those common words and phrases with strong, compelling action verbs that will catch hiring managers’ eyes.

What are action verbs and how can you use them on your resume?

Action verbs convey doing—for example, “She walked to the door,” or, “The dog chased the ball.” On your resume, action verbs show readers you accomplished something at your past jobs, you weren’t just “responsible for” it. Instead you “streamlined” or “coordinated” or “executed” it. You got the job done and you achieved something in the process.

But be careful: Not all action verbs are as strong as others. For example, words like “led” or “handled” may have their place on a resume (sparingly), but don’t give the reader any details about how you did it. Did you lead by assigning work to a team; by creating a road map for a project; by organizing resources, people, and deadlines; or by doing some combination of the three?

No matter what duty or accomplishment you’re trying to show off, we’ve got just the resume action verb for you. Check out the list below, and get ready to make your resume way more exciting.

Action verbs for when you led a project

If you were in charge of a project or initiative from start to finish, skip “led” and instead try:

• Administered
• Arranged
• Chaired
• Coordinated
• Directed
• Executed
• Delegated
• Headed
• Managed
• Operated
• Orchestrated
• Organized
• Oversaw
• Planned
• Produced
• Programmed
• Spearheaded

Actions for when you envisioned and brought a project to life

And if you actually developed, created, or introduced that project into your company? Try:

• Built
• Charted
• Created
• Designed
• Developed
• Devised
• Founded
• Engineered
• Established
• Formalized
• Formed
• Formulated
• Implemented
• Incorporated
• Initiated
• Instituted
• Introduced
• Launched
• Pioneered
• Proposed

Action verbs for when you increased efficiency, productivity, profit, sales, revenue, or customer satisfaction (or reduced costs or time spent)

If you can show that your work boosted the company’s numbers in some way, you’re bound to impress. In these cases, consider:

• 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

Action verbs for when you changed or improved something

Did you bring your department’s invoicing system out of the Stone Age and into the 21st century? Talk about the amazing changes you made at your office with these words:

• 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

Action verbs for when you managed a team

While “managed” may have a place on your resume (especially if it’s a keyword), phrases like “Managed a team…” or “Managed employees…” are just reciting your job duties. Instead, you can show what an inspirational leader you were with terms like:

• Aligned
• Cultivated
• Directed
• Enabled
• Facilitated
• Fostered
• Guided
• Hired
• Mentored
• Mobilized
• Motivated
• Recruited
• Shaped
• Supervised
• Taught
• Trained
• Unified
• United

Action verbs for when you brought in partners, funding, resources, or clients

Were you “responsible for” a great new partner, sponsor, source of funding, or client? Try:

• Acquired
• Closed
• Forged
• Navigated
• Negotiated
• Partnered
• Pitched
• Secured
• Signed
• Sourced
• Upsold

Action verbs for when you supported customers

Because monitoring the phones, answering questions, or providing customer service really means you’re advising customers and meeting their needs, use:

• Advised
• Advocated
• Coached
• Consulted
• Educated
• Fielded
• Informed
• Recommended
• Resolved

Action verbs for when you did research or analysis

Did your job include research, analysis, or fact-finding? Mix up your verbiage with these words:

• 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

Action verbs for when you communicated

Was writing, speaking, lobbying, or otherwise communicating part of your gig? You can explain just how compelling you were with words like:

• Authored
• Briefed
• Campaigned
• Coauthored
• Composed
• Conveyed
• Convinced
• Corresponded
• Counseled
• Critiqued
• Defined
• Documented
• Drafted
• Edited
• Illustrated
• Lobbied
• Outlined
• Persuaded
• Presented
• Promoted
• Publicized
• Reviewed
• Wrote

Action verbs for when you oversaw or regulated

Whether you enforced protocol or managed your department’s requests, describe what you really did, better, with these words:

• Adjudicated
• Authorized
• Blocked
• Dispatched
• Enforced
• Ensured
• Inspected
• Itemized
• Monitored
• Screened
• Scrutinized
• Verified

Action verbs for when you achieved something

Did you hit your goals? Win a coveted department award? Don’t forget to include that on your resume, with words like:

• Attained
• Completed
• Demonstrated
• Finished
• Earned
• Exceeded
• Outperformed
• Overcame
• Reached
• Showcased
• Succeeded
• Surpassed
• Targeted
• Won

Regina Borsellino contributed writing, reporting, and/or advice to this article.

Updated 7/1/2022

300+ Action Verbs, Power Words & Synonyms for a Resume

What do people mean when they say “resume power words?” Does it have something to do with Power Rangers? Why use resume action words anyway?

Imagine that resumes are bottles of shampoo. And the poor recruiter goes through hundreds of lather, rinse, repeat every day. You need to stand out to get their attention! And this is where those resume words step in.

We’ve prepared a list of over 300 resume action words—now all you have to do is choose.

This list of resume action words provides:

• 310 resume action words grouped by keyword synonym.
• Easy-to-use lists of resume power words, organized to save you time.
• Separate lists of resume buzzwords and resume adjectives to make your work stand out.
• Expert tips to use the best resume verbs and other good resume words like a pro.

Want to save time and have your resume ready in 5 minutes? Try our resume builder. It’s fast and easy to use. Plus, you’ll get ready-made content to add with one click. See 20+ resume templates and create your resume here.

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1

Resume Action Words to Use Instead of Boring Words

Why use powerful resume words?

Well, pretend you’re hungry.

In front of you are 300 American cheese sandwiches on white bread.

Ho hum.

But then you see a turkey-bacon panini with thin-sliced avocado and a side of homemade curly fries.

Beside it sits a frosty mug of ice cold beer.

Resume power words make your resume stand out like that.

Bear in mind this isn’t a “how to fluff a resume” piece. It’s not a checklist of magic NLP phrases that will hypnotize the recruiter.

Use it to improve your writing, highlight strengths on your resume, and to help the employer understand why you should be the chosen one.

But you don’t want a phone-book-style list of 310 resume verbs, buzzwords, and adjectives. So—here are 10 individual lists.

After that are lists of resume buzzwords, resume adjectives, and how to find the best keywords for your resume.

Click to see each action verbs list below and jump to the right section:

Resume Action Words Lists

• “Team Player” Action Words
• “Leadership” Words for Resume
• “Responsible For” Synonyms
• “Communication” Power Words
• “Achiever” Action Words
• “Worked On” Action Words
• “Improved” Power Words
• “Researched” Synonyms
• “Creativity and Problem Solving” Words
• “Managed” Resume Verbs
• “Assist” Resume Verbs
• “Utilize” Resume Verbs

Want buzzwords, adjectives, or resume keywords to give your job search a fighting chance? Click any of the resume words lists below, or just scroll down.

Resume Buzzwords and Resume Adjectives

• List of Resume Buzzwords
• List of Resume Adjectives
• The Best Resume Keywords

Pro Tip: Picking power verbs for resume writing? Change it up. Use each one only once if you can help it.

Use powerful words and action verbs on your LinkedIn profile too. Want yours to really sing? See our guide: A LinkedIn Summary & Profile That Gets Jobs

2

How to Use Resume Power Words

Everybody knows how to use resume action words. Right?

The answer may surprise you.

The best resume words don’t describe you.

They describe the things you’ve done.

What are Resume Action Words?

Resume action words, also called resume power words, are words you should use in your resume to describe your professional skills, tasks, and achievements at work in a short and powerful way. Typically, they are action verbs but adjectives and some buzzwords are also considered good words for resumes. 

With action words:

• Responsible for becomes Improved…
• Worked with becomes Collaborated on a team that…
• In Charge Of becomes Directed 20 employees to…

Rather than describe your job, resume action verbs paint a vivid picture of your expertise and professional wins.

Why Do Good Resume Verbs Make Writing Stronger?

Resume action verbs make writing stronger for two reasons.

First, they zap the boring phrases hiring managers see hundreds of times daily.

Second, they guide you toward job-winning specifics. With action words, you didn’t just handle a responsibility. You slashed costs X% or drove time savings of X hours/week.

What Action Words to Use in a Resume

Avoid like the plague words that say, “I’m awesome, great, experienced, an expert, a hard worker.”

Those are “toot your own horn” words.

Instead, use resume words that say, “I’m about to show you how I’m awesome.”

The 310 resume words in this article do just that.

Use Exact Numbers with Your Resume Power Words

With any of the resume words below, add numbers.

Calculate the dollars saved, the revenue increased, the time reduced.

Then use good resume action verbs to introduce those numbers.

Example:

Implemented a new inventory system and slashed costs 20%.

Pro Tip: What’s even more powerful than great action words for a resume? Great referrals. Reach out to employees at the company and listen to them talk about their job.

Need achievements to pair with all those great resume action words? See our guide: Achievements to Put on a Resume – Complete Guide (+30 Examples)

3

Resume Action Words for “Team Player”

Employers hate seeing “team player” on a resume.

Yet, they want to hire team players.

See the problem?

You’ve got to show you’re a team player without saying it.

So, in your resume bullet points, display achievements. Show times you worked with others and got great results.

You cut costs, raised revenue, or found efficiencies. Give specific dollar amounts, hours per week, and percentages.

Lead off with the resume action verbs for collaborate below.

20 of the Best Resume Action Words for Team Player:

1. Acknowledged
2. Assimilated
3. Blended
4. Coalesced
5. Collaborated
6. Contributed
7. Diversified
8. Embraced
9. Encouraged
10. Energized
11. Gathered
12. Harmonized
13. Ignited
14. Joined
15. Melded
16. Merged
17. Participated
18. Partnered
19. United
20. Volunteered

Pro Tip: Use great action verbs for resume writing, but use them sparingly. One active power verb per bullet point sentence is plenty.

Want to fit your resume words to the job offer like a pair of yoga pants? See our guide: How to Personalize Your Resume to Match a Job Description (Examples)

4

Resume Power Words for “Leadership”

Hiring managers love leaders.

They can’t stand candidates who merely say they’re leaders.

How many team members were you in charge of? How many hours of training did you give? What projects did you spearhead?

There’s your proof. Showcase it in style with the resume power words for leadership below.

20 of the Best Resume Words for Leadership:

1. Authorized
2. Chaired
3. Cultivated
4. Delegated
5. Directed
6. Enabled
7. Executed
8. Facilitated
9. Fostered
10. Guided
11. Headed
12. Hosted
13. Inspired
14. Mentored
15. Mobilized
16. Operated
17. Orchestrated
18. Oversaw
19. Spear­headed
20. Trained

Pro Tip: Action verbs for resume use can backfire if you use them wrong. Make sure you fully understand the power words you use.

If adding resume words can help your chances, what other great tips are just around the corner? See our guide: 42 Amazing Resume Tips That You Can Use in 30 Minutes [Examples]

5

Resume Buzzwords

Trying to stand out with power words for your resume?

Make sure they’re the right ones.

Avoid resume buzz words.

This is a list of the most popular ones:

Overused Resume Buzz Words

• In Charge Of
• Excellent
• Go Getter
• Hard Worker
• Strategic Thinker
• Outside the Box
• Responsible For
• Expert
• Innovative
• Specialized In
• Creative
• Synergized
• Go To
• Results-driven
• Team Player
• Detail Oriented
• Focused
• Ninja
• Super
• Great

A CareerBuilder study of 2200 hiring managers found the common resume buzzwords hiring managers hate most.

What do they have in common? Most say you’re great, but don’t convey any actual information.

Use resume words you can hook achievements to instead.

Pro Tip: What if you land the interview, then they ask you to describe yourself in three words? Use resume action words to show how well you’ll fit the job.

Looking for resume buzzwords to use in a student resume? Want help making it 10x more effective? See our guide on the subject: Student Resume Sample & Complete Writing Guide [with 20+ Examples]

6

Resume Words for “Responsible For”

“Responsible for” is the sneakers-in-a-dryer of resume words.

Instead, say how you improved what you were responsible for.

Use these resume words to do it right:

20 of the Best Resume Action Words for Responsible For:

1. Accomplished
2. Acquired
3. Achieved
4. Acted As
5. Completed
6. Created
7. Executed
8. Finished
9. Forged
10. Made
11. Navigated
12. Negotiated
13. Operated
14. Partnered
15. Performed
16. Prepared
17. Produced
18. Secured
19. Succeeded In
20. Undertook

Pro Tip: It’s okay to use more common resume action verbs once in a while. Just avoid the most common power words whenever possible.

How many words should a resume be? Check our resources: Should a Resume Be One Page? How to Make It a Single Page [+Tips]

7

Good Resume Verbs for “Communication”

What hiring manager doesn’t love a good communicator?

Here’s a tip:

An applicant with good communication skills would never say, “I’m a good communicator. ”

She’d show it.

So—tout achievements your communication caused.

Did you negotiate deals 10% more effectively than others? Author the company newsletter?

Show it with the powerful resume words below.

20 of the Best Resume Words for Communication:

1. Advocated
2. Authored
3. Clarified
4. Composed
5. Consulted
6. Conveyed
7. Convinced
8. Corresponded
9. Defined
10. Explained
11. Fielded
12. Illustrated
13. Influenced
14. Informed
15. Mediated
16. Moderated
17. Negotiated
18. Promoted
19. Persuaded
20. Publicized

Pro Tip: Can’t find the right action verbs for resumes to describe your great achievement? Sometimes it’s best to let the accomplishment speak for itself.

Are you listing work experience the best way on your resume? Try this link: How to List Work Experience on Your Resume [+20 Examples]

8

Resume Power Words for “Achiever/Achieved”

Want to look incompetent?

Just put “Achiever” on your resume.

Want to look like Tony Stark with MS Office skills?

Use the strong resume words below to show exactly what you have achieved.

20 of the Best Resume Action Words for Achiever:

1. Accelerated
2. Accomplished
3. Advanced
4. Amplified
5. Boosted
6. Completed
7. Created
8. Delivered
9. Enacted
10. Enhanced
11. Expanded
12. Expedited
13. Generated
14. Improved
15. Lifted
16. Managed
17. Maximized
18. Outpaced
19. Produced
20. Stimulated

Pro Tip: Avoid over-flashy resume action verbs like “destroyed,” “smashed,” or “annihilated.” Use them only if you’re applying to the WWE.

Poor use of resume action words is a big mistake. The same is true for choosing tenses. See how to fix this: Resume Tense: Past or Present? What Voice?

9

The Best Resume Adjectives

Use those self-descriptive words on a resume:

• Insightful.
• Professional.
• Astute.
• Diligent.
• Reliable.
• A Self-starter.
• Motivated.
• Dynamic.
• Organized.
• Passionate.
• Meticulous.
• Thoughtful.
• Intelligent.
• Cutting Edge.
• Ingenious.
• Unique.
• Skilled.
• Competent.
• Devoted.
• Genuine.
• Attentive
• Dedicated.
• Determined.
• Sincere.
• Knowledgeable.
• Persistent.
• Disciplined.
• Honest.

Let’s not tiptoe.

Most people think the right adjectives for resume will impress the employer.

They won’t.

Have you ever seen It’s a Wonderful Life?

There’s a scene where a pipsqueak tells Donna Reed, “Nobody’d say anything to me about it because they all know what kind of guy I am.”

That’s exactly how “powerful” resume adjectives make you look.

They’re a bluff. A strutting rooster. A little guy beating his chest.

Theodore Roosevelt said, “Speak softly and carry a big stick.”

Your big stick is achievements. Ditch the flowery resume adjectives and cite jaw-dropping accomplishments. Use the resume words below.

Pro Tip: We’re not saying to use zero resume power words as adjectives. One or two in a resume can help paint your picture. But stick to a couple. They’re the wave crest, not the ocean.

What else can make your resume stand out aside from strong resume phrases and words? Using the best fonts. For more info see: Best Font for a Resume: What Size & Typeface to Use? [15+ Pro Tips]

10

Resume Words for “Worked On”

It’s not enough to tell employers what you worked on.

Thomas Andrews worked on designing the Titanic.

What exactly did you accomplish?

Don’t just say you worked on something. Say how many, how much, how often. Find the success. Give numbers. Show value.

To share those numbers, include these powerful resume words for “worked on” below.

20 of the Best Resume Action Words for Worked On:

1. Arranged
2. Compiled
3. Composed
4. Constructed
5. Created
6. Developed
7. Engaged In
8. Fashioned
9. Forged
10. Formulated
11. Made
12. Made Progress On
13. Operated
14. Organized
15. Perfected
16. Prepared
17. Pursued
18. Put Together
19. Set Up
20. Undertook

Pro Tip: Avoid passive verbs for resumes like “is,” “were,” and “was” when possible. Use active verbs instead.

Should you send a PDF or MS Word Doc resume? See our guide: Resume in PDF or Word: What is the Best Resume File Type?

When making a resume in our builder, drag & drop bullet points, skills, and auto-fill the boring stuff. Spell check? Check. Start building a professional resume template here for free.

Create my resume now

When you’re done, Zety’s resume builder will score your resume and tell you exactly how to make it better.

11

Resume Verbs for “Improved”

Did you make something skyrocket?

Showing it on a resume can get you hired.

But you can’t keep saying “I improved” over and over.

Mix it up with the resume words below.

20 of the Best Resume Action Words for Improved:

1. Boosted
2. Converted
3. Customized
4. Grew
5. Integrated
6. Lifted
7. Merged
8. Overhauled
9. Raised
10. Redesigned
11. Refined
12. Remodeled
13. Reorganized
14. Restructured
15. Revamped
16. Saved
17. Slashed
18. Streamlined
19. Strengthened
20. Updated

Pro Tip: Using action verbs for resumes to describe accomplishments? Try to match them to what the hiring manager needs. That’s easy to find—it’s in the job ad.

Besides resume verbs, what else should you put on your resume? See our guide: What to Put on a Resume to Make it Perfect [Tips & Examples]

12

Resume Power Words for “Researched”

Does the job description call for research skills?

Steer clear of generic resume phrases like, “Handled research duties and responsibilities.”

Focus instead on the effect your research had.

Did your analytical skills save money? Time? Earn commendations from management?

Use the resume verbs below to say that.

20 of the Best Resume Action Words for Researched:

1. Analyzed
2. Assessed
3. Audited
4. Calculated
5. Checked
6. Discovered
7. Examined
8. Explored
9. Identified
10. Inspected
11. Investigated
12. Mapped
13. Measured
14. Probed
15. Proved
16. Quantified
17. Studied
18. Surveyed
19. Tested
20. Tracked

Pro Tip

Not sure how to present your current position? Explore ideas for professional titles here: 450 Job Titles that Work on a Resume & Job Hunt [Current & Desired!]

13

Synonyms for “Creativity and Problem Solving”

Lots of jobs need creativity skills.

Saying, “I’m creative” on a resume proves you aren’t.

Use resume power words to show what you created.

Exactly what did you design? Did your creations win awards and commendations?

Did you go faster than your coworkers? Do it cheaper? Get higher customer reviews?

Use the resume words below to show that with a little zest.

20 of the Best Resume Action Words for Creativity and Problem-Solving:

1. Altered
2. Built
3. Corrected
4. Crafted
5. Designed
6. Determined
7. Devised
8. Drafted
9. Enhanced
10. Established
11. Fashioned
12. Fixed
13. Initiated
14. Invented
15. Overhauled
16. Patched
17. Piloted
18. Pioneered
19. Rebuilt
20. Resolved

Pro Tip: “Why should we hire you?” Have the right resume verbs ready. Back them up with numbers, and you’ll ace that common interview question with flying colors.

Can formatting help as much as action verbs for a resume? See our guide: Resume Format: How to Format a Professional Resume (Examples & Templates)

14

Strong Resume Words for “Managed”

You could just say your last job was in management.

That alone will show you’ve got experience.

But hiring managers love metrics.

So, think about what you achieved through managing employees.

The good resume words below will help.

20 of the Best Resume Action Words for Managing:

1. Aligned
2. Cultivated
3. Directed
4. Enabled
5. Facilitated
6. Fostered
7. Guided
8. Hired
9. Inspired
10. Mentored
11. Mobilized
12. Motivated
13. Recruited
14. Regulated
15. Shaped
16. Supervised
17. Taught
18. Trained
19. Unified
20. United

Pro Tip: Action words are a great addition to a CV too. A CV vs a resume may be two different documents, but both benefit from kicking the content up a notch.

Need some great resume keywords that look good on any resume? Want resume skills words that boost your interview odds? See our guide: 30+ Best Examples of What Skills to Put on a Resume (Proven Tips)

15

“Assist” Synonyms for a Resume

Not only assistant jobs require assisting.

Still, the word seems not strong enough to convey competence and trustworthiness.

Use the following synonyms instead to show your impact:

Top 15+ Resume Synonyms for Assist

1. Abet
2. Aid
3. Advance
4. Boost
5. Help
6. Counsel
7. Coach
8. Cooperate
9. Collaborate
10. Dispatch
11. Expedite
12. Endorse
13. Facilitate
14. Maintain
15. Promote
16. Reinforce
17. Support

You can also use these phrases when writing your cover letter. Find out how to format your cover letter the right way. Check our guide: Cover Letter Format: Templates & 20+ Samples

16

“Utilize” Synonyms for a Resume

This three-syllable word means the same thing as the word “use”.

Both have more powerful substitutes to use in a resume.

Take a look at the list below.

Best 10+ Resume Synonyms for Utilize

1. Apply
2. Adopt
3. Deploy
4. Employ
5. Exert
6. Handle
7. Mobilize
8. Operate
9. Promote
10. Put to Use
11. Restore
12. Revive
13. Specialize in

Is this your first time writing a resume? We have a tailor-made guide for you. Check: First Resume with No Work Experience: Samples and Expert Tips

Plus, a great cover letter that matches your resume will give you an advantage over other candidates. You can write it in our cover letter builder here. Here’s what it may look like:

Create my cover letter now

See more cover letter templates and start writing.

17

Resume Keywords

Resume keywords aren’t the same as action words.

Action words begin your bullet points.

They introduce achievements that convince the hiring manager to hire you.

You saved, slashed, raised, or developed something.

Resume keywords showcase your specific skills.

Need a list of good skills to put on a resume? The best ones are in the job offer.

Use the ones the employer is hungry for, and the Applicant Tracking Software will reward you.

• Use 25-30 resume keywords.
• Read the job offer carefully. Highlight any skills keywords the job requires.
• Don’t just use those keywords in your bullet points. Add resume action verbs to show how those skills helped the company.

What’s the most important resume keyword every application should contain? Find that and other key tips in our guide: Best Resume Keywords to Use: Step-by-Step Guide

Key Takeaway

Here’s a recap of resume action words and how to use them:

• Resume action verbs are words that introduce accomplishments. They describe job duties, but leave room for all-important metrics.
• Don’t ever simply say you’re skilled, a go-getter, or hardworking. Back it up with resume power words and concrete figures.
• Avoid resume buzzwords like “outside the box” or “innovative.” They’re the worst resume words because they come off like empty bragging.
• Use the 310 resume action verbs in this guide to make your resume more readable. They’ll also help you prove your worth and get a lot more interviews.

Do you have questions resume action words? Not sure how to use resume power words to get the best effect? Give us a shout in the comments! Let’s talk about phrases you love to hate and hate to love!

Frequently Asked Questions about Action Verbs and Resume Words

What are power words in a resume?

Power words are words and phrases that catch the reader’s attention. Power words in a resume are used to make the candidate’s job application stand out from others. Most powerful resume words are verbs. They can be used to describe actions, duties, and tasks from the candidate’s most relevant experience. For example, instead of writing “responsible for running internal projects”, the candidate can use a power word and write “coordinated internal projects” and make a better impression on the recruiter. This way, it’s easier for applicants to showcase the qualities that employers value.

What are good verbs for a resume?

The best resume verbs are action verbs. They describe activities that involved physical or mental actions and provided a significant result. Good verbs for resumes suggest that the action was successful, which automatically boosts the candidate’s qualifications. They are perfect for describing accomplishments and worth researching when learning how to write a good resume.

Here’s a sample action verb list:

• Accomplished
• Applied
• Audited
• Clarified
• Collaborated
• Conducted
• Constructed
• Coordinated
• Created
• Customized
• Decreased
• Delegated
• Demonstrated
• Developed
• Directed
• Eliminated
• Enhanced
• Established
• Evaluated
• Facilitated
• Forecasted
• Formulated
• Guided
• Helped
• Illustrated
• Implemented
• Initiated
• Maintained
• Managed
• Marketed
• Motivated
• Operated
• Performed
• Programmed
• Projected
• Represented
• Resolved
• Revitalized
• Simulated
• Supplied
• Supported
• Trained
• Upgraded
• Utilized
• Visualized
• Volunteered

What are good action words for a resume?

Action words in resumes are synonymous with action verbs. These words or phrases are best for describing achievements, work experience, as well as skills in a functional resume. Using resume action verbs helps to catch the recruiter’s attention and to stand out from other applicants.

Some examples of good action words for a resume include: administered, advocated, created, completed, demonstrated,  designed, enabled, estimated, facilitated, fixed, implemented, investigated, merged, managed, operated, overhauled, tested, transformed, utilized, updated.

You can find different categories of resume action words in this article:

• “Team Player” Action Words
• “Leadership” Words for Resume
• “Responsible For” Synonyms
• “Communication” Power Words
• “Achiever” Action Words
• “Worked On” Action Words
• “Improved” Power Words
• “Researched” Synonyms
• “Creativity and Problem Solving” Words
• “Managed” Resume Verbs
• “Assist” Resume Verbs
• “Utilize” Resume Verbs

What are resume buzzwords?

Resume buzzwords are verbs, nouns, and adjectives that can help the candidate to stand out from other applicants. They include action verbs for describing work experience, nouns that describe tasks and responsibilities, and personality adjectives that describe the candidate’s personal qualities and can be used during job interviews to talk about yourself.

While using buzzwords is encouraged, the candidates must do it right. Many resume buzzwords, such as “team player” or “passionate” are so overused that they became cliché, and can make a resume look bad. When writing a resume, it’s best to have a look at lists of useful resume buzzwords, as well as use a thesaurus to find synonyms whenever necessary. You can also easily improve your old resume by editing it and adding a few buzzwords here and there.

Click on the links below to find more resume words:

• List of Resume Buzzwords
• List of Resume Adjectives

Should a resume start with verbs?

It’s good practice to start some sentences in a resume with action verbs. While the candidate’s personal profile usually starts with a strong personality adjective, job title, or a strong resume headline, the description of work experience should start with action verbs. For example, instead of writing “I was responsible for designing the app user interface”, they might say: “Designed the app user interface”. It not only saves space. Such descriptions of candidates’ duties make a better impression on the recruiter.

340+ Resume Action Verbs & Power Words [For 2022]

Language matters in a resume.

Imagine this:

You’re a busy HR manager, and you read hundreds, even thousands, of resumes every day.

And every single one of them sounds the same.

“Responsible for”

“Critical Thinker”

“Team Player”

You’re bound to see these words on just about every single resume.

And guess what? They’re boring.

That’s where power words come in. They make your responsibilities and achievements really pop!

So, do you want your resume to really stand out? Use some of these 340+ action words:

In this guide, we’re going to cover:

• Why Power Words Matter
• How to use Resume Action Words [+Examples & Tips]
• 340+ Resume Action Verbs And Power Words [w/ Examples]
• Resume Power Adjectives
• Resume Buzzwords to Avoid

>>> Test our Beta version and try our courses for Free! <<<

Why Power Words Matter 

Power words help show off your top achievements in the best way possible.

Don’t believe us? Let’s compare an example with and without power words.

Correct Example

• Spearheaded company X’s content marketing operations.

Incorrect Example

• Responsible for content marketing at company X.

See the difference?

Both of these examples say exactly the same thing.

The main difference is that the second wording makes you seem a LOT more competent.

Pro Tip

Something to keep in mind – power words, action words, action verbs, and so on are synonyms. So, don’t be surprised to see that we use them interchangeably in this article!

Other than allowing you to stand out, action words can also be used to say one thing in different ways. We’ve seen way too many resumes that have “Responsible for” all over the place!

So, instead of:

Incorrect Examples:

• Responsible for managing company X’s Instagram account.
• Responsible for connecting with influencers in the niche.

You could say:

Correct Example

• Managed company X’s Instagram account.
• Connected with popular influencers in the niche.

In this article, we have conveniently grouped 340+ action words to help you upgrade your resume descriptions:

• Resume Power Words for Team Work and Communication
• Resume Action Words Management and Leadership Achievements
• Resume Power Words to Showcase your Creativity
• Resume Power Words for Problem Solving Accomplishments
• Resume Action Verbs for Research, Analysis, and Planning
• Resume Power Verbs for “Support”
• Resume Power Words to Use Instead of “Improved”
• Resume Power Words to Use Instead of “Responsible For”
• Resume Action Words to Use Instead of “Worked On”
• Resume Action Verbs that Mean “Use”
• Resume Power Adjectives

How to use Resume Action Words [+Examples & Tips]

Action words can really spice up your resume if done right.

Now, we’re going to explain all the do’s and don’t of using power verbs…

Which power words should you use? 

The type of power words you use will depend on the position you are applying for. 

Do a detailed scan of the job posting and single out the key responsibilities and requirements. 

Determine which of your abilities and experiences apply to those job requirements. 

Then, look for power words in our list that describe those achievements. 

Pretty straightforward, right?

Although the power words will be specific to the position you are applying for, there are some general rules to follow: 

• Choose resume power words that can be measured. This way you can follow the power word with a tangible achievement, for example: “enhanced customer base by 35%.”
• Don’t use subjective words. “I’m amazing at”, “I’m incredible at” aren’t as pleasing to hear as you might think. These statements make you appear self-involved, which recruiters find appalling. Don’t tell them you’re amazing, show them with a measurable power word!

How often should you use power words? 

Sadly, just like with anything good in life, action words will lose their value if you overdo it. Instead of power words, they’ll just look like sprinkled mambo-jumbo that doesn’t mean anything.

Also, your resume is swamped with power words, your hiring manager might get turned off and think you’re trying too hard. 

A good rule to follow is to not add more than one or two action verbs in a sentence. 

Use them appropriately and moderately. 

340+ Resume Action Verbs And Power Words [w/ Examples]

Resume Power Words for Teamwork and Communication

If your job was to give guidance or communicate information to a team, you:

• 1. Advised
• 2. Advocated
• 3. Clarified
• 4. Corresponded
• 5. Defined
• 6. Gathered
• 7. Ignited
• 8. Informed
• 9. Interpreted
• 10. Persuaded
• 11. Publicized

Example:

• Gathered external data for the project-planning personnel and advised on the implementation of capital projects. 

When you were part of a team:

• 12. Aided
• 13. Enabled
• 14. Encouraged
• 15. Facilitated
• 16. Fostered
• 17. Inspired
• 18. Supported
• 19. Collaborated

Example:

• Made a $6M merger through collaboration with an international team.

When you supervised a team: 

• 20. Guided
• 21. Evaluated
• 22. Instructed
• 23. Mentored
• 24. Motivated
• 25. Regulated
• 26. Taught

Example:

• Mentored 5 startup founders in the last 2 years.  

Resume Action Words for Management and Leadership Achievements

When you reach a goal:

• 27. Achieved
• 28. Attained
• 29. Strengthened
• 30. Initiated
• 31. Coordinated
• 32. Developed
• 33. Managed
• 34. Orchestrated

Examples:

• Coordinated data integrity within the company’s applicant tracking system. 
• Strengthened the sales and service culture through coaching and guidance. 

When you gave a different approach to solving a problem:

• 35. Implemented
• 36. Recommended
• 37. Overhauled
• 38. Improved
• 39. Streamlined 
• 40. Prioritized

Example:

• Improved and tuned networking equipment and overall computer network. 

When you worked with other people:

• 41. Motivated
• 42. Supervised
• 43. Delegated
• 44. Chaired

Example:

• Supervised and motivated a team of 5+ sales associates. 

Resume Action Words to Showcase your Creativity 

When you helped the company innovate or launch something new:

• 45. Conceptualized
• 46. Designed
• 47. Devised
• 48. Determined
• 49. Drafted
• 50. Formulated
• 51. Introduced
• 52. Initiated
• 53. Launched
• 54. Originated
• 55. Spearheaded

Example:

• Designed a new feature on a mobile equation solving app. 

When you worked on an established idea:

• 56. Adapted
• 57. Applied
• 58. Built
• 59. Condensed
• 60. Customized
• 61. Fashioned
• 62. Integrated
• 63. Modified
• 64. Patched
• 65. Piloted
• 66. Shaped
• 67. Revitalized

Example:

• Built the company sales processes ground-up.

When you introduced a finished project:

• 68. Displayed
• 69. Modeled
• 70. Launched
• 71. Performed
• 72. Pioneered

Example:

• Launched an e-commerce website to take the company business online. 

Resume Power Words for Problem Solving Accomplishments

When you worked with data, statistics or numbers: 

• 73. Audited
• 74. Budgeted 
• 75. Calculated
• 76. Converted
• 77. Crafted
• 78. Documented
• 79. Estimated
• 80. Inventoried
• 81. Programmed 
• 82. Projected 
• 83. Recorded
• 84. Verified

Example:

• Calculated monthly and quarterly investment forecasts.

When you corrected mistakes and errors:

• 85. Debugged
• 86. Diagnosed
• 87. Established
• 88. Fixed
• 89. Rectified
• 90. Lessened
• 91. Reconciled
• 92. Remodeled
• 93. Rebuilt
• 94. Upgraded
• 95. Corrected

Example:

• Debugged internal operating system issues, reducing company cost by 15%

When you kept company processes flowing seamlessly: 

• 96. Conserved
• 97. Maintained
• 98. Operated
• 99. Regulated
• 100. Refined
• 101. Simplified
• 102. Standardized

Example:

• Maintained design production under an extremely tight budget. 

Resume Action Verbs for Research, Analysis, and Planning

When you prepared or helped prepare an event:

• 103. Assembled
• 104. Conducted
• 105. Organized

Example:

• Organized meetings and handled all correspondence for the Scranton branch.

When you analyzed a new idea:

• 106. Experimented
• 107. Detected
• 108. Discovered
• 109. Measured
• 110. Mapped
• 111. Probed
• 112. Searched
• 113. Surveyed
• 114. Studied

Example:

• Surveyed and documented weekly performance reports on a new marketing strategy.

When you analyzed existing practices and ideas:

• 115. Analyzed
• 116. Assessed
• 117. Clarified
• 118. Checked
• 119. Examined
• 120. Explored
• 121.Evaluated
• 122. Investigated
• 123. Quantified
• 124. Reviewed
• 125. Tested
• 126. Tracked
• 127. Convert

Example:

• Converted data into actionable insight, boosting revenue by 5%

When you contributed to solving a problem:

• 128. Critiqued
• 129. Diagnosed
• 130. Identified
• 131. Invented
• 132. Proved
• 133. Solved

Example:

• Provided an extraordinary customer service experience, solved customer issues and upsold other products or services.  

Resume Power Verbs to Use For “Support”

When you were supportive of others through words: 

• 134. Advised
• 135. Answered
• 136. Clarified
• 137. Motivated
• 138. Collaborated
• 139. Fielded
• 140. Guided
• 141. Intervened
• 142. Referred
• 143. Resolved

Example:

• Motivated co-workers by rewarding positive behavior, encouraging optimism and stimulating teamwork.

When you were supportive of others through actions: 

• 144. Aided
• 145. Assisted
• 146. Contributed
• 147. Provided
• 148. Volunteered

Example:

• Volunteered in 3 non-profit social organizations.

When you taught others:

• 149. Coached
• 150. Counseled
• 151. Demonstrated
• 152. Educated
• 153. Informed 

Example:

• Consulted 5 startups that became successful scaleups in Europe and together received investments of over €28 million.

Resume Power Words to Use as a Replacement for “Improved”

Did you leave the company you worked for better than when you came in? 

That’s cool, but if you say you “improved” something four times in a row, it loses its impact.

Use the list below to mix it up:

• 154. Amplify
• 155. Boosted 
• 156. Converted
• 157. Customized
• 158. Elaborated
• 159. Grew
• 160. Integrated
• 161. Lifted
• 162. Merged
• 163. Overhauled
• 164. Raised
• 165. Redesigned
• 166. Refined
• 167. Remodeled
• 168. Reorganized
• 169. Restructured
• 170. Revamped
• 171. Saved
• 172. Slashed
• 173. Streamlined
• 174. Strengthened
• 175. Updated
• 176. Upgraded 

Example:

• Boosted the AdWords click-through rates (CTR) from 25% to 37% without additional costs, which increased monthly sales by $5,000. 

Resume Power Words to Use Instead of “Responsible for”

Using “responsible for” in a resume gets old fast. Instead, use these alternative verbs that *pop*:

• 177. Accomplished
• 178. Acquired
• 179. Achieved
• 180. Acted As
• 181. Completed
• 182. Created
• 183. Executed
• 184. Finished
• 185. Forged
• 186. Made
• 187. Navigated
• 188. Negotiated
• 189. Operated
• 190. Partnered
• 191. Performed
• 192. Prepared
• 193. Produced
• 194. Secured
• 195. Succeeded In
• 196. Undertook

Example:

• Navigated three simultaneous projects between 3 departments within the budget limit. 

Resume Action Words to Use Instead of “Worked On”

Most of your job descriptions will be describing things you contributed to. This makes it tough to be original and show value.

In this case, you should try to be as specific as possible by giving details about your accomplishments. 

Here’s a list to help you replace the overused “worked on” and show value:

• 197. Arranged
• 198. Compiled
• 199. Composed
• 200. Constructed
• 201. Created
• 202. Developed
• 203. Engaged In
• 204. Fashioned
• 205. Forged
• 206. Formulated
• 207. Made
• 208. Made Progress On
• 209. Operated
• 210. Organized
• 211. Perfected
• 212. Prepared
• 213. Pursued
• 214. Put Together
• 215. Set-Up
• 216. Undertook

Example:

• Created over 25 professional logos for companies in multiple industries, from small startups to large corporations.

Resume Action Verbs that Mean “Use” 

Instead of “utilize” or “use” replace them with these power words:

• 217. Apply
• 218. Adopt
• 219. Deploy
• 220. Employ
• 221. Exert
• 222. Handle
• 223. Mobilize
• 224. Operate
• 225. Promote
• 226. Profit by
• 227. Put to Use
• 228. Restore
• 229. Revive
• 230. Resort to
• 231. Specialize in

Example:

• Handled full sales cycle for the company’s three biggest clients.

Resume Power Adjectives [w/ Examples]

Power adjectives have the same function as power verbs, but instead, they are…you guessed it: adjectives.

Unlike power verbs, you can use power adjectives beyond describing Professional Experience.

In this section, we’ll cover how to use power adjectives in your resume summary, professional experience, and skills.

Then, we’re going to give you a complete list of the best power adjectives you can use in your resume.

Using Buzz Adjectives in the Resume Summary Section

The resume summary section is a short pitch to your prospective employer. You use it to summarize your most relevant experience, skills, and achievements.

When done right, adding some power adjectives can help your resume summary stand out.

Take a look at these examples:

Correct Example

• Caregiver with 5+ years of extensive experience. Recognized for providing heartfelt emotional support to clients. 

Incorrect Example

• Loving caregiver who has been working in an elderly home for 5 years. The perfect choice for delivering emotional support to clients.

The first example focuses on the candidate’s personal qualities, rather than her skills. Whereas the second example is professional and leaves a much more powerful impact. 

Want to know how to write the perfect summary for your resume?

Check out our complete guide, filled with professional examples and practical tips!

Using Power Adjectives in the Professional Experience Section

When you are describing your professional experience, power adjectives should be used sparingly. 

You already have plenty of action verbs in there, so don’t double down on the power words by adding an adjective. It’s either one or the other. 

Take a look at this example on how they can be strategically placed in a job description:

Correct Example

• Developed harmonious relationships with 70% of the patients, resulting in higher overall patient happiness.

Incorrect Example

• Developed relationships with 70% of the patients, resulting in overall patient happiness.

Using Power Adjectives in the Skills section

Don’t use power adjectives as a skill on their own. Don’t list “Intelligent” or “Professional” as a skill. Those are subjective personal traits.

Instead, use power adjectives only when they affirm your competency in another skill.

For example:

French and German vs Fluent in French and German 

Management skills vs Strong Management Skills 

The Best Power Adjectives [Divided by Category] 

Power Adjectives for Analytical Thinking

Are you constantly doing work that calls for putting your thinking hat on? 

This list is perfect for describing the detailed, calculating tasks you complete on a daily basis. 

They’re usually valuable for industries that require complicated critical thinking: IT, finance, telecommunications, engineering.  

• 232. Astute
• 233. Insightful
• 234. Methodical
• 235. Practical
• 236. Calculating
• 237. Intelligent
• 238. Meticulous
• 239. Shrewd
• 240. Complex
• 241. Investigative
• 242. Objective
• 243. Strategic
• 244. Discerning
• 245. Logical
• 246. Perceptive
• 247. Thoughtful

Power Adjectives for Creativity 

Use the adjective list below to describe creative work: 

• 248. Cutting-edge 
• 249. Imaginative 
• 250. Novel 
• 251. Sophisticated 
• 252. Elegant 
• 253. Ingenious 
• 254. Progressive
• 255. Unique 
• 256. First-class 
• 257. Innovative 
• 258. Revolutionary 
• 259. Unprecedented 
• 260. Groundbreaking 
• 261. Inventive 
• 262. Robust 
• 263. World-class

Power Adjectives for Productivity

• 264. Accomplished 
• 265. Economical 
• 266. Instrumental
• 267. Skilled 
• 268. Adept 
• 269. Expert 
• 270. Productive 
• 271. Skillful 
• 272. Advanced 
• 273. Fluent 
• 274. Proficient 
• 275. Strong 
• 276. Competent 
• 277. Ideal 
• 278. Profitable 
• 279. Superior 
• 280. Constructive 
• 281. Industrious 
• 282. Significant 
• 283. Qualified 
• 284. Cost-effective 
• 285. Influential 
• 286. Smooth 
• 287. Quality

Power Adjectives for Dedication

Recruiters love seeing genuine interest from a candidate. The words below are great for showing your dedication and high-spirits:

• 288. Committed
• 289. Devoted 
• 290. Genuine
• 291. Sincere 
• 292. Dedicated 
• 293. Earnest 
• 294. Keen 
• 295. Spirited 
• 296. Determined 
• 297. Energetic 
• 298. Passionate 
• 299. Wholehearted

Power Adjectives to Describe Hard Work

Are you a diligent and driven person? Are you prepared to pull up tiring all-nighters to complete important projects? 

Here are some adjectives that compliment your hard work: 

• 300. Alert 
• 301. Driven 
• 302. Motivated 
• 303. Thorough 
• 304. Attentive
• 305. Enterprising 
• 306. Persistent 
• 307. Tireless 
• 308. Concerted 
• 309. Focused 
• 310. Studious 
• 311. Vigorous

Power Adjectives to Describe You as Organized and Systematic

• 312. Businesslike
• 313. Detail-oriented
• 314. Smooth
• 315. Systematic 
• 316. Controlled 
• 317. Orderly 
• 318. Step-by-step 
• 319. Timely 
• 320. Detailed 
• 321. Precise 
• 322. Structured

Power Adjectives for Communication and Teamwork 

Being friendly, understanding and sociable are key qualities for anyone working in a team setting or with customers and clients on a daily basis. 

Use these words to help describe your skills:

• 323. Amiable
• 324. Cheerful 
• 325. Cooperative 
• 326. Personable 
• 327. Amicable 
• 328. Clear 
• 329. Cordial 
• 330. Pleasant 
• 331. Articulate 
• 332. Coherent 
• 333. Courteous 
• 334. Positive 
• 335. Calm 
• 336. Cohesive 
• 337. Diplomatic 
• 338. Respectful 
• 339. Charming 
• 340. Conscientious 
• 341. Harmonious 
• 342. Team-minded

Resume Buzzwords to Avoid 

Buzzwords are the opposite of power verbs.

They’re boring, overused, and hated by managers world-wide.

Here are some of the most popular buzzwords you should avoid:

Most Hated Buzzwords:

• Excellent 
• Go-Getter 
• Hard worker
• Strategic thinker
• Outside the box
• Responsible for
• Expert
• Innovative
• Specialized in
• Creative
• Synergized
• Go To
• Results-driven
• Team Player
• Detail Oriented
• Focused
• Ninja
• Super 
• Great
• In charge of 

Key Takeaways

Here’s everything we learned in this article:

• You can use power words to spice up your resume and add variety to your language. They are mostly verbs but can also be adjectives.
• To decide which power words to use, do a detailed scan of the job listing and identify the key responsibilities the employer is looking for. Your power words will be emphasizing how you have shown these traits. Be careful not to use more than one power word per sentence.
• Try using power verbs more often than power adjectives. It’s all about action!

Looking for more ways to improve your resume?

Suggested readings:

• How to Pick the Best Resume Format in 2022 [+ Examples]
• How to List Education On a Resume [13+ real-life examples]
• What’s the Best Resume Font, Size, and Format [for 2022]

13 Must-Have Words to Include In Your Resume

Steer clear of overused clichés. Misspelled words are immediate grounds for denial. Words like “rockstar” and “synergy” are so 2015.

We’ve all read about what not to include in a resume. After all, one of Glassdoor’s most popular articles, “21 Words to Never Include In Your Resume,” is bookmarked even by our staffers who want to gut-check before making resume faux pas. However, it’s time to talk about what works should be included in your resume.

Diction or word choice is important when it comes to drafting your resume, not just to ensure that your resume is reviewed positively by software, but also because you want to wow recruiters with your skills, competencies and relevant credentials.

“The words used show what level the candidates are at in their career,” says Susan Joyce, owner and operator of Job-Hunt.org, the guide for a smarter, safer job search. “If I picked up a resume for a C-suite candidate who chose vague descriptives, they would immediately be discredited. Some might think a candidate’s experience outweighs the actual text of a resume, but this is often not the case. If a hiring manager doesn’t see key indicators a candidate is qualified by appropriate word choice or diction at first glance, chances are, the resume will be eliminated before they are even considered.”

To help land your resume at the top of the pile, we tapped an expert panel of career coaches, resume writers and experts to ask, “What are the words you like to see on resumes?” Here’s what they had to say. Bookmark this article ASAP!

1. Numbers

“If you want to show that you’re results-oriented and hard-working, share the numbers. As they say, the proof is in the pudding,” says job coach Angela Copeland. “For example, rather than stating that you’re an ‘excellent digital marketer,’ prove it. Say something that reflects your actual results, such as, ‘Grew online sales and revenue by 200% in one year.’ Now, that’s impressive!”

2. “Redesigned”

For life & career coach Jenn DeWall, action verbs are a must on any resume. But not just any action verbs. She advises clients to include verbs that show leadership and transformation. “‘Redesign’ demonstrates problem-solving skills as well as the ability to think big picture and reduce process inefficiencies.”

3. “Launched”

If clichés are a no-no, simple yet powerful words are your go-tos, according to Glassdoor columnist Anish Majumdar. “Simple, practical words that denote responsibility have the most impact. Launched, solved, transformed and optimized are all examples of action verbs that make you look good without resorting to cliches.”

4. “Modernized”

According to master resume writer Jacqui Barrett-Poindexter, this word, along with “conceived and metamorphosed” are “like a switch, powering up the candidate’s story, showing how they’ve improved, envisioned and transformed their work environments, and therefore, gained revenue, customer growth, reputation, traction, etc. for their company. They empower and advance the candidate’s story!”

5. “Value” or “Valuable”

“These words show that the candidate is thinking about their own activities in terms of how they’ll improve the business,” says expert and author of Fearless Salary Negotiation Josh Doody. “Terms like ‘hard-working’ don’t do this because working hard doesn’t necessarily produce better results. But focusing on being productive, adding value and making progress show that the person is tuned in to improving the company, which almost always resonates with hiring managers. “

6. “Orchestrated”

“Anyone can say they ‘led’ a team. Instead, use verbs that really explain what happened in that specific task,” insists Joyce. “Consider the verb ‘orchestrated’ and how it shows, versus just telling, the hiring manager what was accomplished. Orchestrated, by definition, means to arrange and direct. The key is to make a resume better than any great piece of fiction by embracing the storytelling aspect and showing readers your true qualifications.”

7. Get specific

Rather than looking for the latest buzzword,  Joyce says job seekers are better off being specific in their resume. “It is really more about choosing words that accurately describe actions or goals that were met. In lieu of hard-working, consider saying what hard work was done, e.g. did a candidate work tirelessly to reach an impossible deadline? It is important to use verbs that really pinpoint what was accomplished, i.e. influenced, improved, achieved, etc. This way, there is no miscommunication about a candidate’s qualifications.”

8. “Create, led, managed”

“I like to look for candidates who have had a role in shaping something from idea all the way through execution,” says executive coach Kate O’Sullivan. “One of the main qualities I look for is someone who can take a vague idea or strategic goal and see it through to completion, rather than someone who executes on a plan that’s already been decided. Using these keywords will definitely signal that you’ve had a role in this higher level thinking, and will grab the attention of most hiring managers.”

9. Provide examples

“In general, it’s very hard to convince a resume reader that you possess various soft skills, e.g. team player, just by listing these on your resume,” says O’Sullivan. “If you put yourself in their shoes for a minute you will understand why. Most job seekers want to be desirable and so they list these in-demand skills. But just listing the skill doesn’t do anything to set you apart from the crowd. The most powerful thing you can do is give examples. If you want to show that you are a team player, you can talk about things like working on cross-functional teams, onboarding new hires or developing a cross-training program. By listing concrete accomplishments and projects, you are demonstrating you have these skills in a credible and believable way that will help set you apart.”

10. Be skimmable

Doody insists that a resume should be impactful while still skimmable, or able to easily be skimmed by recruiters and hiring managers. “I coach my clients to assume the hiring manager won’t even look at their resume until they’re already in the process of interviewing them,” says Doody candidly. “Hiring managers don’t sit down the day before an interview, pour a glass of wine and meticulously read through each resume they’re considering. Instead, they scramble to make it to the interview on time, open up the resume as the interview is starting and skim it to find things to talk about. “

11. “Spearheaded”

According to Copeland, a resume — and the job search in general — is not the time to be shy. “Use strong words that emphasize your level of involvement. This isn’t the time to minimize yourself or your contributions. If you were instrumental in a project, replace the word “helped” with the word “spearheaded.” Spearheaded, created and initiated all show that you took the lead and were not merely a participant in a project.

12. “Committed”

Show that you’re dedicated to your work, start to finish. This word, says DeWall, does just that. “If you disregard diction and word choice and think that they don’t carry any weight you’re wrong.  Managers can gauge aptitude, readiness and even your leadership skills from paper,” she adds.

13. Edit expertly

Reading and re-reading your resume is just the beginning of the editing process. Don’t believe us? Each of our experts weighed in on the importance of editing a resume. Here are a few of their insights:

“Word choice is incredibly important. You only have a limited amount of real estate on your resume, so every single word counts,” says O’Sullivan. “Focus on achievements, quantify where possible and make an effort to tailor your experiences to your target job. It’s more effective to talk about fewer projects and responsibilities more in-depth than to list every single thing you’ve ever done. Along these lines, concentrate on your most recent experience. Edit with the mindset of ‘Does this piece of information directly help sell my experience for this role?’ If not, take it off.”

“The easiest way to improve your choice of words is to read your resume out loud to yourself,” advises Copeland. “This can catch many of the potential issues before anyone else sees it. Then, ask a friend or family member who works in another industry to read it. If they find your resume to be confusing, consider updating the wording so that it’s more clear.”

“It’s not just about using the right words, it is equally about teasing out the nuances of your stories and then combining them in a way that is attractive to your target reader: recruiter, hiring manager, etc. ,” says Barrett-Poindexter. “You can use all the right ‘nouns and verbs’ that make a resume sing (on the surface), but without the right, focused stories, your resume will fall flat to the intended reader’s eyes and ears.”

“In addition to diction and word choice it’s important to be strategic and concise.  No one has time or energy to invest in a multi-page resume,” insists DeWall. “Make sure that you’re highlighting the most relevant and topical experience necessary for the position.”

50+ Resume Power Words to Boost Your Career [With Examples]

Resume power words are action-packed verbs you can use throughout your resume and cover letter. They let you present your skills in meaningful contexts and help you demonstrate the real-life impact of your achievements.

Here’s the best part—

This article is more than just a list of top 50 resume power words. Each item on the list is illustrated with an example that shows you how to use the word in context.

Plus, you’ll find a bunch of expert hints and actionable tips to help you write a job-winning resume. 

In this guide you’ll find:

• List of resume power words that will take your resume to the next level
• Tips on where to put power words for resume 
• Expert tips to use the best resume power words 

Let’s start with the list of resume power words for dedicated situations:

Customer Support

• Advised
• Educated
• Guided
• Informed
• Resolved

Achieving Results

• Attained
• Awarded
• Completed
• Exceeded
• Succeeded

Changing Something

• Modified
• Streamlined
• Refocused
• Simplified
• Updated

Managing a Team or Leading a Project

• Coordinated
• Executed
• Recruited
• Organized
• Trained

Communicating With Others

• Authored
• Corresponded
• Documented
• Edited
• Negotiated

Coming Up With an Idea

• Formalized
• Implemented
• Introduced
• Launched
• Pioneered

Making Something Better

• Accelerated
• Boosted
• Expanded
• Generated
• Improved

Researching Something

• Analyzed
• Discovered
• Examined
• Investigated
• Surveyed

Organizing Money or Other Resources

• Acquired
• Attracted
• Forged
• Secured
• Tightened

Others

• Assembled
• Counseled
• Explored
• Forecasted
• Inspired
• Measured
• Oversaw
• Promoted
• Reviewed
• Stimulated

1. Customer Support

The way businesses treat their customers and clients has far-reaching implications. That’s why finding top-class customer representatives is so vital.

Thanks to the resume power words below, your customer service experience will turn into a captivating story of success: 

• Advised
• Educated
• Guided
• Informed
• Resolved

Power Words for Resume in Action—Examples 

• Advised customers on 30+ personal finance products and effectively boosted NPS scores for new customers by up to 20% in a single quarter.

• Educated customers about the pros and cons of 20+ models of digital cameras that increased cross-selling rates by 15%.

• Expertly guided clients through the website’s booking system, which improved user satisfaction scores by 10%.

• Informed the store’s clientele about seasonal fashion trends and boosted cross-selling rates by 30% in Q4 2018.

• Resolved 300+ tickets in Q1 2019 in a record time that helped the company slash First Response Time metrics by 20%.

Expert Hint: Studies show that recruiters are likely to reject resumes that display signs of the so-called keyword stuffing. So, while it’s crucial for your resume to have the right resume keywords, you can’t simply put them on a list. They must appear in meaningful contexts, for example in your resume work experience section.

2. Achieving Something

Your achievements matter. So much so that they can become a make or break factor when trying to land an interview.

Use the power words below to reflect your achievements’ true impact: 

• Attained
• Awarded
• Completed
• Exceeded
• Succeeded

Resume Power Words in Action—Examples 

• Attained a score of 99% in a quarterly quality check for three consecutive quarters.

• Awarded Nurse of the Year in 2017 and 2018.

• Completed three extracurricular courses on project management and leadership.

• Regularly exceeded all sales goals by 10% at the minimum.

• Succeeded in implementing Agile methodology across the teams that boosted output by 300% YOY. 

Expert Hint: One way of attracting the recruiter’s attention is to pepper your resume with your achievements rather than responsibilities. How to tell them apart? Learn this formula by heart: Achievements = Responsibilities + Numbers. If you need more help, we have a dedicated guide on how to pick the best achievements for your resume.

3. Changing Something

Change can have many faces.

You can use the power words below in your resume to specify what kind of change you managed to bring about:

• Modified
• Streamlined
• Refocused
• Simplified + Standardized
• Updated/Upgraded

Power Resume Words in Action—Examples

• Modified existing procedures thereby decreased first response time by 30%.

• Streamlined document flow and saved up to $30K in overheads yearly.

• Refocused team efforts on feature refinement that boosted conversion rates by 2%.

• Simplified and standardized UX design workflow that saved the team up to 10 man-hours from sprint to sprint.

• Updated modem software and upgraded cabling that sped up Internet connectivity by 300%.

Expert Hint: Don’t pick resume power words at random. Studies show that over 98% of Fortune 500 companies use Applicant Tracking System (ATS) software. Therefore, the wording of your resume should be informed by the job offer itself. If you don’t know how to do it, read our guide on how to tailor your resume to a job offer.

4. Managing a Team or Leading a Project

Managing teams effectively requires you to do quite a number of things.

The resume power word list below will help you be more specific about what you can do: 

• Coordinated
• Executed

• Recruited / Hired

• Organized

• Trained

Power Words on a Resume in Action—Examples 

• Coordinated the efforts of three consulting agencies to minimize the risk at new product launch.

• Executed the company’s marketing strategy and achieved a 200% boost in all sales metrics.

• Recruited and hired a team of five experts and fully onboarded them in under a month.

• Organized the work of a 7-member product design team and conducted a workshop on cross-functional communication together with the IT team leader.

• Regularly trained 10+ team members on the latest trends and developments in the industry during weekly workshops.

Expert Hint: Resume power words can’t only appear in one section of your resume. In fact, you should distribute them throughout the entire document. The very first section in which they should start appearing is the resume profile section that tops your document.

5. Communicating With Others

Communication, both oral and written, is crucial to your workplace success.

Use the resume power words below to pinpoint what kind of communication you excel at:

• Authored
• Corresponded
• Documented
• Edited
• Negotiated

Resume Power Words and Phrases in Action—Examples

• Authored 200+ search engine optimized articles that brought in 1M+ new organic users in Q2 2019.

• Regularly corresponded with 10+ vendors to maintain good business relations, high quality of service, and competitive prices.

• Reviewed and documented 50+ procedures to reduce the bus factor.

• Edited over 200 pieces of content (both long- and short-form) for various media outlets, incl. blog posts, print magazine articles, press releases, and others.

• Negotiated terms of service with the Internet Service Provider, which lowered the costs by 30% while improving connection speeds up to 5x.

Expert Hint: Writing a resume is much easier if you have a good example you can base your own resume upon. Explore our library of over 50 resume examples for various professions and write yours in no time.

6. Coming Up With an Idea

There’s quite a number of words to say you created something. For example, built, designed, developed, devised, or engineered. They’re all good words and you can use them in a resume.

But—

The resume power words below will let you introduce a bit of variety:

• Formalized
• Implemented
• Introduced
• Launched
• Pioneered

Power Words for a Resume in Action—Examples

• Formalized 30+ HR procedures and created a wiki to share them and keep them up-to-date.

• Implemented a company-wide zero-waste policy that saved $30K on office supplies a year.

• Introduced the team to three new marketing automation tools that were adopted by two other teams in the following quarter.

• Launched a successful SaaS website that brought in 3,000+ monthly unique users after 6 months from launch.

• Pioneered Agile management in the company that boosted productivity by up to 200% after the first year of adoption.

Expert Hint: Recent studies show that up to 38% of the applicants send their resumes directly to the hiring managers. If you happen to be one of such applicants, throw in a couple of resume power words into your resume email as well.

7. Making Something Better

Beyond a shadow of a doubt, employees who are able to improve the way a company functions are in high demand.

Thanks to the resume power words below you’ll show the recruiter exactly what kind of improvement you’re able to offer:

• Accelerated / Advanced
• Boosted
• Expanded
• Generated
• Improved

Power Words for Your Resume in Action—Examples

• Accelerated the adoption of new safety procedures by organizing five workshops for a total of 150+ employees.

• Boosted sales figures 250% by establishing a solid network of professional contacts.

• Expanded the company’s portfolio by navigating through, and closing a successful M&A transaction worth $20M.

• Generated over $300K in revenue in Q1 2019 by bringing in a new client.

• Improved Trustpilot rating from 4.5 to 4.9 over the span of two quarters by offering top-class customer support.

Expert Hint: Your resume isn’t the only good place for using power words. Don’t forget to use them in your cover letter as well. In fact, studies reveal that about 50% of job seekers send a cover letter along with their resume.

8. Researching Something

According to research, problem-solving skills are in high demand among employers. Remember: finding the best solution always starts with a thorough understanding of the problem in question.

The resume power words below will help you demonstrate your proficiency in researching various issues as well as reaching conclusions:

• Analyzed
• Discovered / Identified
• Examined / Evaluated
• Investigated
• Surveyed

Power Words for Resume Skills in Action—Examples

• Analyzed and mapped complex business processes to discover five weak points that, once amended, allowed the company to save upwards of $200K quarterly.

• Identified and proposed solutions to a major production bottleneck that reduced the company’s capacity by ca. 5% on a monthly basis.

• Examined and evaluated risks involved in three multimillion-dollar acquisitions as part of deal teams.

• Investigated and recognized the most valuable customer segments and proposed 3 new marketing strategies based on the findings. 

• Surveyed 5,000+ respondents and after interpreting the results wrote up an article that attracted 100+ back-links in a single quarter.

Expert Hint: Putting your skills on display is just as important as highlighting your achievements on a resume. However, it’s not enough to simply list your top skills to impress the recruiter. What you need to do is pick the best skills for your resume and show them in meaningful professional contexts that demonstrate your real-life impact.

9. Organizing Money or Other Resources 

Every company values employees who know how to obtain the resources necessary to foster growth.

Use the resume power words below to show off your ability to get just what the company needs. And then some more:

• Acquired / Obtained
• Attracted
• Forged
• Secured
• Tightened

Power Words for Resume Writing in Action—Examples

• Acquired $500K in funding from a variety of donors by organizing media and PR campaigns.

• Attracted an angel investor that offered $100,000 in seed capital.

• Forged strong business relationships with 20+ experts as part of product endorsement efforts. 70% became ambassadors within six first months following product launch.

• Secured two new contracts that brought in over $300,000 in revenue in Q4 2018.

• Tightened cooperation with two marketing agencies and negotiated 6% lower rates for the new fiscal year.

10. Other Resume Power Words

Here’s the thing:

The lists of resume power words could go on indefinitely but it’s not the point because in resume writing quality comes before quantity.

That being said—

Here’s a couple of extra resume power words you may want to consider putting on your resume:

Top 10 Resume Power Words

• Assembled (e.g. a team of top specialists, etc.)
• Counseled (e.g. the management on doing something, etc.)
• Explored (e.g. opportunities for growth, etc.)
• Forecasted (e.g. risk, different scenarios, etc.)
• Inspired (e.g. the team to do something, etc.)
• Measured (e.g. the risk of doing something by means of…, etc.)
• Oversaw (e.g. the completion of something, the execution of something, etc.)
• Promoted (e.g. healthy lifestyle among coworkers, etc.)
• Reviewed (e.g. the company’s internal procedures, articles, etc.)
• Stimulated (e.g. growth, development, etc.)

And one more thing—

Use this proven formula to make the most of the resume power words on your document:

1. Choose the resume power word that best expresses what you did, e. g. Assembled…

2. Specify what exactly and throw in some numbers if applicable, e.g. …a team of three SEO experts…

3. Explain the whys and wherefores, e.g. …to boost organic traffic…

4. Show off the result and make sure to quantify it if you can, e.g. …and effectively brought in 500K new users in Q2 2019.

5. Here’s the result: Assembled a team of three SEO experts to boost organic traffic, and effectively brought in 500K new users in Q2 2019.

Expert Hint: If you don’t know how to use a resume power word in context and the dictionary definition doesn’t help you much, you may want to use a language corpus. Simply type in the word you want to check in the search box, and click on the context tab. What you’ll find there are real-life usage examples from a variety of sources, including written and spoken American English.

Do you have any questions about using resume power words? Maybe there are some other powerful resume words you’d like to share? We’re always happy to hear from you. Give us a shout out in the comments below!

These are the magic resume words that will land you the job

Grew, increased, augmented: The trick to writing the perfect resume for your desired job title is choosing the perfect resume words for your short, concise, bullet points.

In other words, making great verb choices without a thesaurus.

The structure for each bullet point on your list of accomplishments is a success verb plus specific numerical data regarding an accomplishment in your field or role, no matter if you are an HR business partner or an IT systems administrator. Which means that you’re in the market for 25 or so verbs.

 Finding the perfect resume words

Finding enough different verbs to say “I did it” in a clever way is often a struggle for professionals writing their resumes. Typical resume advice has focused on making sure that each verb is an active verb, but we’ve found two problems with this advice.

First, most Americans don’t work with active vs. passive verbs on a daily basis, so the concept is not entirely relevant to their lives. “Was shot out of a cannon,” for example, doesn’t count.

And, second, even the stable of active verbs includes some very bland duds that do nothing to help persuade a future employer.

The worst resume action verbs

My least favorite active verb is ‘managed,’ but there are others equally as tepid such as ‘established,’ ‘defined,’ and ‘performed.’

None of these are very good, even though they are active, because they don’t sell your future employer on what you are able to do, or what benefits you are able to bring to their team.

After all, white-collar employees by definition establish, manage, define and perform a wide variety of tasks. But were you any good at them? That’s the important fact that those in the staffing industry want to know.

Use success verbs for your resume accomplishments

Which makes it important that every bullet point in your resume includes a success verb, not just an active verb. Success verbs demonstrate success — something got better. Because you were there, something changed, something improved, something progressed.

Verbs such as increased, decreased, improved, reduced, are all success verbs. Explicitly forbidden are active verbs and phrases that are nonetheless static: “managed,” “my responsibilities included,” “hired to,” “was responsible for,” and so forth. Verbs that merely tell a fact rather than show you in a heroic light.

Look, we live in the United States of America in the 21st century. Of course, you were hired for your current job. You obviously didn’t inherit it from grandpa or get appointed to the role by the King.

And given the nature of the modern organization, if you’re a manager, of course, you’ve managed some number of fellow human beings. And of course, you were given a budget with which to do something interesting with those human beings in the service of the organization’s greater goals.

So when you begin a bullet point with empty non-achievements such as “I was hired, I managed and I was responsible for,” you are squandering the opportunity to showcase the benefits you brought to your boss and your company in your prior role.

These are the exact words you should use on your resume

Rather than leave you wondering what success verbs might be, I’m providing you a list of 25 success verbs you can use for the 25 bullets on your resume. Simplest would be to use these, and only these, verbs. Unless you have a good reason to expand your variety, the below success verbs can cover most bullets you can think of. Limiting your choices will save plenty of time and headache while ensuring a higher quality resume.

This might seem boring, but unless you are applying to be a thesaurus writer, no one looking at your resume will care how clever your success verbs are. The millions of hours lost each year to professionals like you looking up synonyms for “improved” is a complete waste of time.

Here, then, are all the success verb you should ever need:

1. Accelerated
2. Achieved
3. Added
4. Awarded
5. Changed
6. Contributed
7. Decreased
8. Delivered
9. Eliminated
10. Exceeded
11. Expanded
12. Gained
13. Generated
14. Grew
15. Improved
16. Increased
17. Introduced
18. Maximized
19. Minimized
20. Optimized
21. Produced
22. Reduced
23. Saved
24. Sold
25. Streamlined

Of course, it’s not enough to just have the verb. You need a specific numerical accomplishment, too…

Example: Increased bookings at the Baltimore, Maryland Marriott hotel threefold during the off season as an account manager.

*Disclosure: Ladders from time-to-time uses affiliate links. At no additional cost to you, we will receive a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

Compiling a resume: our advice to job seekers

In this article, we’ve rounded up top tips for writing the perfect resume. For simplicity, we have arranged the material into sections that are waiting for you when filling out the resume form on hh.ru.

A photo on a resume will always be a plus, even if the position does not involve communicating with people. A photo will personalize your resume, making it easier to spot, and making a response with a photo harder to miss or delete. But you need to choose a portrait for a resume critically: an unsuccessful photo can ruin everything. A professional portrait photo, businesslike and neutral, is best.

In the contacts section, pay attention to the mailbox – it must correspond to a professional status. The address [email protected] will emphasize the non-business approach to work. But [email protected] is already better. In general, there are a number of little things that can spoil the impression of a resume. More about them here.

Some job seekers include their home address on their resumes, right down to a specific apartment. It is enough to indicate the city or the nearest metro station, for example, “Mytishchi” or “the village of Mansurovo in the Kursk region.”

It is not necessary to include your desired salary on your resume, but if you do, employers will not come to you with inappropriate offers. Universal advice: write an amount 15-20% more than what you are earning now. This will make it possible to bargain without prejudice to their own interests. We talked more about how to determine the desired income in one of the articles.

Compare your expectations with the average salary in the market: look at vacancies, statistics by region and professional field. A salary that is overpriced by 40% or more will definitely scare away a recruiter. See how many jobs in your area are offering in your specialty and skill set.

An exception is the resume of top managers. Executive salaries are calculated differently in different companies, so specific expectations can scare employers away.

If you are not a beginner, then experience is the main part of the resume. Approach this section with particular care.

1. The experience should look like a whole, that is, without long breaks in a career. If there were breaks, then they should have explanations: maternity leave, doing business, freelancing, and so on. Read more about how to write about experience gaps in this article.
2. If you change jobs more than once a year, this will alert the employer. You have been promoted – write about it in one block.
3. Pay attention to the last three years of work, this is of interest to employers in the first place. About the initial stages of a career and about what happened more than 10 years ago, you can talk very briefly.
4. If the company is unknown in the market, indicate its type of activity. Not just Romashka LLC, but the Black Sea branch of the Arbatov office for harvesting daisies. The activities of the company can be briefly described in brackets or in a block of responsibilities.
5. In the title of the resume and headings, write job titles generally accepted on the market, it is not necessary to copy what is written in the work book, the main thing is the essence. For example, “commercial director” is better than the vague “head of direction.” “Project manager” looks more generic than “managing director of a business unit.” Employers will find such a resume faster through the search.
6. Never copy the list of responsibilities from job descriptions. Highlight the most important and write down in an understandable language, without clericalism. For example, “optimization of business processes” instead of “implementation of project activities to optimize business processes. ” Five to ten of the most key tasks will be enough.
7. In addition to job responsibilities, be sure to list your specific accomplishments and results (for example, “together with the IT department, developed corporate standards for business process control”).

Avoid general phrases like “was the hardest working employee in the department” – this is an opinion that cannot be verified, therefore it is not interesting to the employer. But “became the best employee of the department at the end of the year” is a useful line.

Sometimes job seekers describe work in a particular company as if they were writing a chapter from their own biography: “Here I started my career from lower positions, diligently seeking promotion” or “From a cursory acquaintance, you might think that the work was given to me easily, but in fact it was even vice versa”. These examples are the standard of how not to describe experience. The resume worked if the employer sorted through the experience in a few seconds and realized that this candidate was worth a closer look. And you can demonstrate enthusiasm in a cover letter.

All educational courses indicated in the summary must relate to professional activities. It is better to leave something out than to add dubious certificates – for example, about courses in massage – if this knowledge is not needed in the work.

It is always better to talk about the thorny path to the top at the interview. Therefore, you can skip studying at a technical school or vocational school if you have a higher education diploma in the same field.

Many applicants completely ignore this section, but in vain: often this is where the recruiter looks after getting acquainted with the experience and education of the candidate. Key skills are specific knowledge and skills that are directly related to work processes. For lawyers, this can be “Arbitration Courts” and “Corporate Law”, for a logistics manager “Working with Customs Authorities” and “Incoterms”, for a financier – “Statistical Analysis” and “Budgeting”, and so on.

The hh.ru system itself suggests the name of a particular skill, offering the shortest and most unified version – if possible, choose it.

Avoid the obvious: no need to write that you know Windows, Internet Explorer and use e-mail.

Job seekers often confuse skills with personality traits. So in the skills are “Responsibility” or “Punctuality”. We advise you to write about these qualities in the “About me” section and avoid platitudes. Instead of “Responsibility” and “Punctuality,” write “I am conscientious in completing tasks” and “I always meet the promised deadlines.” The essence of this will not change, but the wording will be remembered.

In some cases, you can indicate personal qualities that are not directly related to the profession – it can be good physical shape or sports achievements (“CCM in cross-country skiing”). The same applies to achievements in the intellectual sphere. If you are a city chess champion or have won a programming olympiad, this is interesting. If you’re just into reading, then no. Add only what will help you get a job.

But in most cases it is better not to indicate a hobby at all. The recruiter is not interested in it, and exotic activities (like esotericism and even yoga) can completely scare them away.

The final text of the summary should be a squeeze, from which everything that, in principle, can be removed without loss of meaning has been removed: introductory words, epithets, participles and participles, extra verbal adjectives and nouns.

Badly:

Was engaged in the organization of carrying out inventories in divisions belonging to the company. Carried out activities for the organization of tenders, in particular, the preparation of an extensive package of documents on this issue.


Better:

Taking stock of the departments of the company. Preparation of a package of documents for tenders.

The shorter and simpler the sentences, the better.

Insert marker words into your resume that a recruiter can use to find it through a search. For example, if you are an auditor and work with offshore companies, then your resume must include the word “offshore”.

Think about what keywords are related to your profession by imagining what terms the recruiter will use when searching for a resume. Use information from vacancies that interest you.

In the hh.ru system, the recruiter’s acquaintance with you always begins with a cover letter. It usually begins with a greeting phrase: “Hello! My name is Kondraty Stepanov and I was interested in your vacancy as a city mayor.”

In a new paragraph, briefly describe your achievements and main skills (“led a department”, “participated in projects”, and so on). This paragraph should not be longer than three or four sentences.

The third paragraph is the key to the recruiter’s heart. Write in it why you want to work for the company and why you think you are a suitable candidate. Try to avoid banal phrases like “I consider my work at your company as an opportunity for further development” – such phrases will make the recruiter suspect that you are copying the same cover letter for different vacancies.

Try to find information about the company on the Internet and indicate the fact of acquaintance with it already in the cover letter. A good example: “I was especially interested in your projects in telecom: I have been working in b2b sales for 4 years and constantly intersect with such clients.”

It is customary to end your resume with a phrase confirming your readiness to come for an interview: “Thank you for your attention and I will be glad to meet you to answer your questions!”.

When the work is finished, we advise you to carefully go through the text two or three times, correcting mistakes and editing not very successful phrases. Misprints in headings, company names and job titles will especially alert the employer.

If you want to show your resume to someone else, choose someone with experience as a recruiter – otherwise you are guaranteed to get a bunch of unnecessary advice. If you are considering several different positions – for example, “sales manager” and “head of sales” – write two different resumes.

Remember: every profession has its own characteristics. If lawyers are expected to have a perfect resume without a single mistake, then, for example, it is more important for accountants to indicate specific accounts and versions of 1C with which they worked. The differences between the “subcultures” of different professions do not allow us to make the only correct instruction for everyone. We have collected only general tips that apply to all job seekers.

Good luck in your job search!

TOP strong words for a successful resume in 2022

Your resume is full of such buzzwords as creative, sociable, easy to train, but recruiters are in no hurry to invite you for an interview?

This may well be due to certain words that you use in your resume to describe yourself.