Chapter I. Selling Yourself on Paper
Action Words for Resumes
In presenting your skills, achievements, and prior jobs, use action power verbs.
Begin as many statements as possible with these power words. For example, "Operated a cash register and balanced the cash drawer at the end of my shift" is more effective than "Was a cashier."
Achieved | Educated | Monitored | |
Administered | Enabled | Motivated | |
Advised | Established | Negotiated | |
Analyzed | Evaluated | Obtained | |
Assembled | Examined | Organized | |
Assisted | Executed | Originated | |
Attained | Expanded | Persuaded | |
Balanced | Explained | Prepared | |
Built | Faciliated | Presented | |
Calculated | Focused | Preserved | |
Captured | Founded | Procured | |
Chaired | Generated | Proposed | |
Choreographed | Guarded | Publicized | |
Changed | Handled | Recommended | |
Clarified | Helped | Recorded | |
Collaborated | Hired | Recruited | |
Compiled | Identified | Reduced | |
Communicated | Implemented | Restored | |
Completed | Improved | Restructured | |
Conducted | Increased | Revised | |
Constructed | Influenced | Saved | |
Controlled | Informed | Served | |
Coordinated | Initiated | Scheduled | |
Copied | Inspired | Sold | |
Corrected | Interviewed | Solved | |
Created | Invented | Strengthened | |
Defined | Investigated | Stimulated | |
Delegated | Launched | Supervised | |
Demonstrated | Led | Taught | |
Designed | Lobbied | Trained | |
Developed | Maintained | Translated | |
Directed | Managed | Updated | |
Distributed | Marketed | Utilized | |
Drafted | Maximized | Verified | |
Edited | Modified | Wrote |