Action verbs turn a list of duties into a list of results. A bullet that starts with Resolved, Streamlined or Increased shows what you did and what happened, so a hiring manager sees your value fast.
Below is a list of action verbs and power words by category, 6 sets of resume bullets, and a free builder with three starting points. Use the tables to pick verbs, then make your own bullets and print or copy them.
AdvertisementThe people, employers and numbers in these examples are fictional. Replace them with your own true results.
Resume Action Verbs and Power Words by Category
| Category | Action verbs (past tense, for jobs you have left) | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Leadership | Led, Directed, Supervised, Coached, Mentored, Guided, Delegated, Oversaw, Spearheaded, Orchestrated, Motivated, Trained, Chaired, Fostered, Headed, Unified | Managers, team leads and trainers |
| Sales and customer service | Resolved, Advised, Advocated, Negotiated, Persuaded, Converted, Closed, Retained, Delivered, Expanded, Boosted, Generated, Outperformed, Won, Served | Sales, retail and support roles |
| Communication | Presented, Drafted, Wrote, Edited, Explained, Translated, Documented, Briefed, Corresponded, Collaborated, Facilitated, Informed | Any role that works with people |
| Administration and organization | Scheduled, Coordinated, Processed, Organized, Filed, Maintained, Prioritized, Prepared, Updated, Tracked, Reconciled, Logged, Arranged | Office, clerical and operations roles |
| Analysis and research | Analyzed, Evaluated, Audited, Investigated, Compiled, Forecasted, Interpreted, Assessed, Measured, Reviewed | Finance, data and quality roles |
| Technical | Built, Designed, Programmed, Configured, Deployed, Debugged, Automated, Tested, Upgraded, Troubleshot, Engineered | IT, engineering and skilled trades |
| Project and process | Launched, Implemented, Planned, Streamlined, Established, Executed, Initiated, Reorganized, Standardized, Piloted | Project, operations and improvement work |
| Results and growth | Increased, Reduced, Improved, Exceeded, Saved, Grew, Cut, Surpassed, Accelerated, Achieved, Earned, Decreased | Any bullet with a number |
| Care and service | Administered, Monitored, Assessed, Educated, Triaged, Charted, Comforted, Supported, Screened, Escorted | Health care, education and social services |
This verb list is a selection written for this page. The categories follow the ones Indeed and Jobscan use.
6 Sets of Resume Bullets With Action Verbs
Quick jump: Customer serviceNursingAdministrative assistantRetail salesManagerWarehouseFree resume bullet builder
Customer Service Resume Bullets With Action Verbs
• Delivered a 95% satisfaction score across about 60 contacts a day
• Streamlined a 9-minute call into a 7-minute call with a quick-answer guide
• Coached 6 new representatives a year on systems and call quality
• Documented 12 common fixes that cut repeat calls by 25%
Nursing Resume Bullets With Action Verbs
• Raised patient satisfaction on a 32-bed unit from 86% to 94% in 18 months
• Charted about 6 patients a shift with documentation errors under 1%
• Precepted 4 new nurses a year
• Reduced patient falls by 15% through hourly rounding
Administrative Assistant Resume Bullets With Action Verbs
• Processed about 80 invoices a month with 99% accuracy
• Organized 200 files into one searchable system and cut search time by 40%
• Prepared about 10 reports and presentations a month in Excel and PowerPoint
• Trained 3 new assistants a year
Retail Sales Resume Bullets With Action Verbs
• Increased personal sales 20% in one year, the best result on a team of 15
• Generated 11% add-on sales by asking about customer needs first
• Redesigned a display that lifted category sales by 15%
• Counted inventory for 3 departments with 99% accuracy
• Mentored 6 new hires on the register and product knowledge
Manager Resume Bullets With Action Verbs
• Directed a team of 40 and held weekly one-on-one meetings with 5 supervisors
• Improved on-time delivery from 91% to 98% with daily route reviews
• Cut staff turnover by 30% through better coaching and scheduling
• Negotiated a 10% lower rate with 2 vendors, saving $24,000 a year
• Grew annual sales 12% across 3 locations
Warehouse and Logistics Resume Bullets With Action Verbs
• Picked and packed about 150 orders a shift with 99.5% accuracy
• Operated a forklift for 6 years with zero lost-time incidents
• Reorganized 4 aisles and cut pick time by 18%
• Tracked inventory for 2,000 items with a weekly cycle count
• Trained 8 new associates on safety rules in their first week
Free Resume Bullet Builder
Step 1. Which result fits you?
Step 2. Which strength should show?
Step 3. Tap the lines to add. Keep each bullet to one or two lines.
Step 4. Click any text in the bullet list below and type or modify to make it yours.
Replace the numbers and details with your own true results. Start every bullet with a different action verb, and delete any bullet that does not fit.
My Resume Bullets
• Raised customer satisfaction from 86% to 94% in one year by answering every request within one business day
• Cut errors by 40% in four months with a new checklist and kept documentation errors under 1%
• Delivered 3 projects ahead of schedule for a team of 6 and met every deadline for 12 months
• Coached 6 new team members on systems and quality standards
• Increased on-time completion from 88% to 96% in 12 months
• Partnered with 3 departments to cut repeat errors by 25%
• Trained 6 new hires, and each reached full speed within a month
• Streamlined a 5-step process and saved the team 4 hours a week
• Reduced data entry errors by 25% with a new checklist
• Resolved about 20 escalated complaints a month without a refund
• Organized 200 files into one searchable system
• Negotiated a 10% lower rate with 2 vendors
• Documented 12 daily procedures for the team
• Prioritized about 30 tasks a day to meet every deadline
• Tracked weekly results and reported them to 4 managers
• Launched a customer survey that gathered 300 responses in 3 months
• Coordinated schedules for a team of 12
• Presented monthly results to a group of 15 leaders
To save your bullet list: press Ctrl+P (Windows) or Cmd+P (Mac) and choose Save as PDF. Only the bullet list prints. To copy it, select the text inside the bullet list and press Ctrl+C or Cmd+C.
The Formula for a Strong Bullet
| Part | What to write | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Action verb | A specific verb that starts the bullet | Resolved |
| What you did | The task or problem, in plain words | customer issues on the first contact |
| Measurable result | A number, such as a percent, count or time saved | 92% of customer issues |
Weak Phrases to Replace
| Weak phrase | Stronger version |
|---|---|
| Responsible for answering customer calls | Answered about 60 customer calls a day |
| In charge of 20 employees | Directed 20 employees |
| Duties included filing | Filed and scanned about 200 documents a week |
| Helped with scheduling | Scheduled about 25 meetings a week |
| Worked on a new filing system | Built a filing system that cut search time by 40% |
| Was given an award | Earned the top quality score on a team of 25 |
Overused Verbs and Better Swaps
| Overused verb | Try instead |
|---|---|
| Managed | Directed, Supervised, Oversaw |
| Led | Guided, Headed, Spearheaded |
| Created | Designed, Built, Drafted |
| Implemented | Launched, Introduced, Rolled out |
| Improved | Raised, Strengthened, Boosted |
| Achieved | Reached, Earned, Surpassed |
| Developed | Built, Established, Formulated |
| Resolved | Fixed, Settled, Cleared |
| Planned | Scheduled, Mapped, Organized |
| Assisted | Supported, Aided, Partnered with |
Which Tense Should You Use?
| Situation | Tense | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Your current job, ongoing work | Present | Coordinate weekly vendor meetings |
| Jobs you have left | Past | Coordinated weekly vendor meetings |
| Finished project in your current job | Past | Launched a customer survey in March |
| Within one job | Do not mix tenses in old jobs | Keep every bullet under a past job in past tense |
| Matching the posting | Match the tense of key terms | If the posting says train, an ATS may miss trained |
Mistakes to Avoid
- Repeating the same verb. Vary your wording.
- Starting with Responsible for. Start with a verb.
- Verbs without results. Add a number.
- Buzzwords. Skip Team player, Detail-oriented and Results-driven.
- Typos. Proofread twice.
Action Verb Checklist
Tick each item as you finish. Your bullets are ready when the counter reaches 10.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best action verbs for a resume?
Specific verbs that show what you did, such as Resolved, Streamlined, Coached, Increased and Reduced. Pick ones that match the job posting and your real work.
What are power words on a resume?
Power words are action verbs that show your skills and results. Indeed says they can help your resume stand out and turn duties into accomplishments.
Should I start every bullet with an action verb?
Yes. Indeed’s examples all open with a verb. Follow it with what you did and a measurable result.
What tense should I use?
Present tense for work you still do in your current job and past tense for jobs you have left. Use past tense for finished projects, even in your current job.
Can I use the same verb twice?
Avoid it when you can. Jobscan lists Managed, Led, Created, Implemented, Improved, Achieved, Developed, Resolved, Planned and Assisted as the most overused.
What should I use instead of ’responsible for’?
Start with a specific verb. Indeed and Jobscan both advise replacing it, for example ’In charge of 20 employees’ becomes ’Directed 20 employees’.
Do I need numbers in every bullet?
Not every one, but most. Indeed and Jobscan advise adding a percent, count or time saved. If you cannot find a number, estimate honestly or let the accomplishment speak for itself.
Will action verbs help me get past ATS?
Keywords in the job posting matter most. Jobscan says recruiters search applicant tracking systems with skills and qualifications from the posting, so mirror its wording when it is true for you.
Which verbs work for a nurse or a cashier?
Nurses can use Administered, Assessed, Educated and Charted. Cashiers can use Processed, Balanced, Resolved and Upsold. Match the verb to your actual duties.
How many action verbs should I use?
As many as you have bullets, but use each one once if possible. Spread them from your summary through your last job.
Conclusion
Strong verbs make a resume specific and easy to scan. Start each bullet with a different verb, add a number and match the tense to the job. Use the builder above to write your bullets today.
Related Reading
- Administrative assistant achievements for resume
- Data entry achievements and accomplishments for resume
- IT manager achievements for resume
- Clerical skills list for resume
Sources: Indeed Career Guide, 137 Action Verbs and Power Words To Use on Your Resume; A Guide to Choosing the Right Resume Tense. Jobscan, Resume Action Verbs: 500+ Words to Boost Your Bullet Points. The example bullets, people and numbers are fictional.