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:
Gatheredexternal 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?
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!
Andrei combines academic knowledge with over 10 years of practical experience to help job seekers navigate the challenges of resumes, interviews, and career growth. Through the Novorésumé Career Blog, he offers actionable advice to simplify and ace the job search process.
