101 Power Verbs For Your Resume

For many people who are struggling to compose their resumes, the advice they receive from experts in the field can be an invaluable aid. Sometimes, though, certain terms can lead to confusion. One of those is the oft-used term “power verbs” – which we often advise applicants to use in their resume bullet points. Power verbs are powerful and compelling verbs that conjure images of action – and they can quickly capture any hiring manager’s attention.

Here are the top 101 power words for your resume, separated by achievement type.

Problem Solving Verbs

Did your achievement involve actions that resolved problems or fixed a crisis?  Did you locate problems that no one else in the company identified? Try these power verbs to better describe your accomplishment:

• Alleviated

• Analyzed

• Brainstormed

• Debugged

• Deciphered

• Detected

• Diagnosed

• Engineered

• Formulated

• Investigated

• Recommended

• Remedied

• Remodeled

• Repaired

• Revitalized

• Revived

• Solved

Productivity Verbs

Did your efforts hasten work on a project, increase the amount of work being done, or otherwise affect productivity in a positive way? These power verbs can help to add heft to that accomplishment:

• Accelerated

• Added

• Advanced

• Amplified

• Augmented

• Boosted

• Enlarged

• Expanded

• Expedited

• Extended

• Finalized

• Gained

• Generated

• Grew

• Improved

• Increased

• Integrated

• Maximized

• Multiplied

• Produced

• Rejuvenated

• Renovated

• Restored

• Targeted

Efficiency Verbs

Did your efforts somehow make the company or its employees more efficient so that everyone could achieve more while utilizing fewer resources? The following power words can be used to convey that message:

• Appraised

• Audited

• Balanced

• Calculated

• Compiled

• Computed

• Conserved

• Consolidated

• Converted

• Dispensed

• Dispersed

• Hastened

• Modernized

• Quantified

• Reconciled

• Reduced

• Revamped

Management Verbs

Were you given an opportunity to demonstrate your management and/or leadership skills in a way that made a difference at your former employer’s company? These power words can be used to add greater weight to those accomplishments:

• Authorized

• Delegated

• Directed

• Enforced

• Guided

• Headed

• Hired

• Mentored

• Mobilized

• Monitored

• Navigated

• Orchestrated

• Organized

• Planned

• Recruited

• Regulated

• Supervised

• Trained

• Unified

• United

• Verified

Achievement Verbs

Are you just looking for more powerful ways to describe your general accomplishments? Something that doesn’t just rely on the word “achieved” to describe an achievement, but instead paints a more vivid picture? Try these power words on for size the next time you need to list your accomplishments:

• Attained

• Built

• Coached

• Collaborated

• Delivered

• Demonstrated

• Earned

• Excelled

• Facilitated

• Fulfilled

• Influenced

• Inspired

• Introduced

• Invented

• Launched

• Orchestrated

• Outperformed

• Realized

• Secured

• Showcased

• Succeeded

• Surpassed

Making the most of these words

Of course, you don’t want to just use power words at random. Instead, you should make sure that you select words that fit perfectly on your resume with the accomplishments you’re trying to describe.

At the same time, you should maximize your use of these types of words (oh yes, there are many others!) to ensure that your resume bullet points make a lasting impression on the next hiring manager who reads them.

5 quick tips to keep in mind when using power verbs

1. Use them in the beginning of each bullet to really catch the hiring managers' attention. You could scatter them in the middle or the end of the sentence but ensure you make the initial impact by placing it first.

2. If you're currently still employed, you can use the present tense instead of past tense. (e.g. "Manage" instead of "Managed").

3. Check the job description to see if they use any power verbs and include them in your resume as well.

4. Don't forget to use other keywords within the bullets that relate to the job description and industry so your resume gets past an applicant tracking system.

5. Always remember to check your grammar and spelling. This is the worst mistake you can make on a resume.

The important thing is to utilize words like these so that your resume is something more than just another boring recitation of unmemorable facts. When you remember to use these 101 power verbs for your resume bullet points, you can rest assured that your prospective employer will remember you.

Good luck with your job search!

Related posts:

• Buzzwords Managers Hate To See On Your Resume

• Best and Worst Words To Use On A Resume