Resume Action Verbs

Action Verbs and "power words" can provide your resume power and direction. When employed strategically throughout your resume, action verbs can help you resume stand out from the competition. Conversely, when overused, or used improperly, action verbs can make a resume seem like a bunch of fluff -- without substance. Use action verbs when and where they are needed, but don't over use them. Also, make sure to backup any assertion or claims you make in your resume with detailed experience that demonstrates your skill and ability. Below we provide a comprehensive list of action verbs to consider using in your resume and cover letters.

Management skills	Communication skills	Clerical or detailed skills
administered analyzed assigned attained chaired contracted consolidated coordinated delegated developed directed evaluated executed improved increased organized oversaw planned prioritized produced recommended reviewed scheduled strengthened supervised	addressed arbitrated arranged authored corresponded developed directed drafted edited enlisted formulated influenced interpreted lectured mediated moderated motivated negotiated persuaded promoted publicized reconciled recruited spoke translated wrote	approved arranged catalogued classified collected compiled dispatched executed generated implemented inspected monitored operated organized prepared organized prepared processed purchased recorded retrieved screened specified systematized tabulated validated

Research skills	Technical skills	Teaching skills
clarified collected critiqued diagnosed evaluated examined extracted identified inspected interpreted interviewed investigated organized reviewed summarized surveyed systematized	assembled built calculated computed designed devised engineered fabricated maintained operated overhauled programmed remodeled repair solved trained upgraded	adapted advised clarified coached communicated coordinated developed enabled encouraged evaluated explained facilitated guided informed initiated instructed persuaded set goals stimulated

Financial skills	Creative skills	Helping skills
administered allocated analyzed appraised audited balanced budgeted calculated computed developed forecasted managed marketed planned projected researched	acted conceptualized created designed developed directed established fashioned founded illustrated instituted integrated introduced invented originated performed planned revitalized shaped	assessed assisted clarified coached counseled demonstrated diagnosed educated expedited facilitated familiarized guided referred rehabilitated represented