- What are action verbs?
- 5 reasons to use a list of action verbs in a resume
- How to improve your resume with a list of action verbs
- Best list of action verbs to add in a resume
The first step to job hunting is writing a resume that will grab the recruiter’s attention and earn you a position in the interview rounds.
However, to ensure that the resume is unique and powerful, a list of action verbs can come in handy.
Confused? Don’t worry we have you covered.
In this blog, we will take you through everything about action verbs and the importance of action verbs in a resume.
So, let’s get started!
What are action verbs?
Action verbs play a great role in making your resume from boring to awesome by jazzing it up!
To begin with, action verbs are single words used to describe actions, tasks, movements, etc of a person in a sentence.
We use action verbs in our everyday conversations, but when it comes to writing a resume these single words hold a lot of importance.
With this let’s get on with why a list of action verbs can transform your resume into a great one.
5 reasons to use a list of action verbs in a resume
We all know the cardinal rule of keeping our resume short, crisp, and compact and not more than 2 pages.
Action verbs are the unique key to make this cardinal rule happen seamlessly while writing a resume.
Here are a few reasons why a list of action verbs can make your resume stand out in the crowd.
Takes up less space
Given that action verbs are single words, they take up a lot less space.
Not only does this make the resume look clean, it also makes the sentences crisp and easy to understand..
For instance, if you want to include your managerial skills, you can write “Supervised a team of 10 recruits” instead of writing “I managed a team of 10 people.”
While writing a resume, begin all your sentence with a list of action verbs to draw attention directly to your strength and experience.
After all, that is what you want to do, get your resume noticed.
Helps to be specific
Action verbs in a resume hits the bull's eye directly.
Now if we take the former example, and you want to highlight your managerial skills, any day “Supervised/ Mentored a team of 10” will attract more attention than “I managed a team of 10” or “I was in charge of handling 10 recruits under my guidance.”
The simple reason being when you begin with the specific action word like supervised/mentored, you highlight your managerial capabilities without wasting much word space.
Increases your chance of getting noticed
When you begin your statements with the right action verbs, it attracts the recruiter easily to your resume as the first word of the sentence is the characteristic you want to highlight.
However, do remember to use the list of action verbs that are relevant to the keywords mentioned in the job description.
Take for example, if the job description states of looking for someone in a supervisory position, make it a point to use the keyword supervising in your resume as it catches the recruiter’s attention faster.
Can help your resume stand out
Remember, there’s a great line of great competition racing for the same job position and an equally high stack of resumes for the recruiter to go through.
So, make sure to use a list of action verbs that are unique and also avoid repeating the same action verbs in a resume.
Leaves a greater impact
One of the major reasons for using action verbs in a resume is because it adds life to the resume.
As mentioned before, you want your resume to stand out from the pile of already existing resumes and leave a lasting impression on the recruiter.
While writing a resume remember that it is the first step to grab the recruiter’s attention.
So, highlight your strengths and achievements using a list of action verbs to add more power to your sentences.
How to improve your resume with a list of action verbs
Now that we understand the importance of using action verbs in a resume, let’s find out how we can use a list of action verbs to improve a resume.
Add stronger action verbs in a resume
There lies a fine line of difference between a decent and a great resume.
Reviewing the list of action verbs you use in it can help in improving your resume.
So, how do you make your regular resume into a spectacular one?
Once you are done writing a resume, go through it thoroughly and ask yourselves these following questions,
- Is the word used correctly in the sentence?
- Will it leave a strong impact on the reader?
- Is the word used in the sentence justifies the achievement you wish to highlight?
- Can there be a better way to highlight the achievement?
Keep asking yourselves these questions until you are completely satisfied with the answers you get.
Remember, the resume is your gateway to the interview round so take your time in writing a resume that is perfect.
Avoid repeating the same list of action verbs
Once your resume successfully grabs the recruiter’s attention, you want to make sure he goes through it completely.
The best way to do so is to avoid repetition of the same action verbs in resumes.
Reconsider the meaning of the sentences
When writing a resume always add weightage to each word that you write.
If you type a word that doesn’t fit into the sentence, it can leave a negative impact on the recruiter, or even worse lead to rejection.
Therefore, always proofread your resume at least 3-4 times to ensure that it is error-free and the list of action verbs used are in tandem with the sentences.
In case of confusion, you can always ask for help from your family members and trusted friends.
Best list of action verbs to add in a resume
Here is a list of action verbs you can use while writing a resume.
1. If you led a project
- Orchestrated
- Operated
- Programmed
- Executed
- Chaired
- Headed
- Oversaw
- Developed
2. If you came up with a project idea
- Devised
- Administered
- Designed
- Engineered
- Developed
- Formalized
- Pioneered
- Initiated
3. If you helped in the growth of sales, revenue, etc
- Capitalized
- Amplified
- Generated
- Improved
- Enhanced
- Maximized
- Expedited
- Accelerated
4. If you brought about changes
- Customized
- Modified
- Integrated
- Influenced
- Restructured
- Transformed
- Updated
- Upgraded
5. If you managed a team
- Directed
- Facilitated
- Guided
- Mentored
- Mobilized
- Supervised
- Trained
- Taught
We hope that you will use the list of action verbs while writing a resume and create a great resume to impress!
All the best!