ResumeAction words for resume points
The first word of each point sets its strength. "Responsible for" says you had a duty. "Reduced" says you did something.
How to use this list
Each point in your experience and projects should begin with a verb that says what you actually did. Choose the plainest word that is true. "Made" and "ran" are fine words. A grand verb on a small task, such as "spearheaded the filing of documents", sounds worse than a modest one. Use present tense for current work (handle, prepare) and past tense for earlier work (handled, prepared).
Do not start more than two points in a row with the same word. If you find "managed" five times, ask what you really did each time: scheduled, trained, checked, planned, approved.
Doing routine work accurately
Entered, recorded, updated, maintained, filed, processed, checked, verified, matched, reconciled, prepared, compiled, issued, dispatched, packed, sorted, scanned, typed, logged, tracked, scheduled, booked, billed, counted, labelled.
Example: Recorded 30 to 40 booking slips a day in the office register.
Making and building
Built, made, designed, developed, created, wrote, drafted, coded, programmed, assembled, fabricated, installed, constructed, drew, modelled, produced, composed, formulated, set up, configured, deployed, launched, published.
Example: Built a web app for booking library seats, used by about 200 students.
Improving things
Improved, reduced, cut, saved, raised, increased, shortened, simplified, speeded up, streamlined, reorganised, redesigned, upgraded, fixed, repaired, resolved, corrected, cleared, eliminated, automated, standardised, strengthened, tightened.
Example: Cut month-end closing from the 20th to the 7th.
Selling and dealing with customers
Sold, opened, won, closed, grew, expanded, promoted, demonstrated, pitched, negotiated, quoted, served, attended, advised, answered, handled, retained, renewed, collected, followed up, upsold, converted, generated, surveyed.
Example: Opened 45 new outlets in two years, of which 38 still order every month.
Working with money and numbers
Calculated, computed, analysed, audited, budgeted, forecast, estimated, costed, priced, invoiced, paid, deposited, balanced, closed, finalised, assessed, valued, tallied, measured, tested, sampled, inspected.
Example: Reconciled five bank accounts and 150 party ledgers every month.
Leading and organising people
Led, managed, supervised, coordinated, organised, planned, assigned, delegated, hired, recruited, interviewed, onboarded, trained, coached, mentored, guided, appraised, motivated, chaired, directed, oversaw, rostered.
Example: Trained three new salesmen on beat planning and the order app.
Teaching, explaining and communicating
Taught, explained, presented, demonstrated, instructed, tutored, lectured, briefed, reported, documented, translated, edited, proofread, summarised, corresponded, addressed, anchored, moderated, counselled, informed.
Example: Taught science to five sections of Classes 8 to 10, about 180 students.
Finding out and solving
Researched, studied, investigated, examined, identified, diagnosed, traced, discovered, found, compared, evaluated, reviewed, mapped, interviewed, observed, experimented, debugged, troubleshot, solved.
Example: Traced the cause of duplicate refunds and designed a key scheme that removed them.
Looking after things and people
Operated, ran, maintained, serviced, monitored, guarded, stocked, stored, cleaned, calibrated, lubricated, replaced, nursed, cared for, assisted, supported, administered, dispensed, attended, escorted, delivered.
Example: Assisted the maintenance team with weekly lubrication and belt checks on six machines.
Starting something
Started, founded, introduced, initiated, established, proposed, pioneered, piloted, originated, volunteered.
Example: Started a weekly experiment hour using low-cost materials.
Words to replace
| Instead of | Ask yourself | Write |
|---|---|---|
| Responsible for accounts | What did I do to the accounts? | Maintained, reconciled, finalised |
| Worked on a project | Which part was mine? | Designed the database; wrote the billing screen |
| Helped in recruitment | What exactly? | Screened resumes; scheduled interviews |
| Involved in sales | Did I sell? How much? | Sold, opened, collected |
| Handled various tasks | Name the two that matter. | Prepared bills and answered customer calls |
| Duties included teaching | Whom and what? | Taught mathematics to Classes 6 and 7 |
Honesty in verbs
A verb is a claim. "Led" means people followed your direction. "Designed" means the design was yours. "Managed" means you were accountable. If you assisted, write "assisted" and say with what. Interviewers probe verbs: "You say you led the migration. Tell me about a decision you made." The right verb is the one whose follow-up question you can answer comfortably.
After the verb comes the rest of the point: the task, the number and the result. The method is on the experience points page.
Questions people ask
What are action verbs in a resume?
Verbs that begin each experience point and say what you did, such as prepared, sold, built, trained and reduced.
Can I use the same action verb more than once?
Yes, but avoid starting several points in a row with the same word. Vary it by asking what you actually did each time.
Should I use impressive words like "spearheaded"?
Only if they are true and fit the size of the task. Plain, accurate verbs are more convincing.
More guides
Sample resumes
General guidance. This page gives general suggestions on writing a resume, reviewed in November 2026. Employers differ: if an advertisement or application form asks for a particular format or detail, follow it. Every name, employer and college in our examples is invented. Nothing here promises an interview or a job.