Check my resume

Resume action verbs: pick the right one for each line

Start each resume line with a verb that says what you actually did. Find your kind of work below, pick a verb, then finish the line with what you did, a number and what changed.

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A simple formula for each line

Action verb + what you did + a number + what changed. For example: Reduced report preparation time from two days to one by building an Excel template. Use only numbers that are true and that you can explain in an interview.

Building and making

For products, code, designs, documents and processes you created.

  • Built
  • Developed
  • Designed
  • Created
  • Launched
  • Implemented
  • Automated
  • Set up
  • Drafted
  • Produced
  • Configured
  • Engineered

Leading and organising

For teams, events, projects and schedules you ran.

  • Led
  • Managed
  • Coordinated
  • Organised
  • Supervised
  • Mentored
  • Trained
  • Planned
  • Scheduled
  • Directed
  • Delegated
  • Onboarded

Improving and fixing

For anything that became faster, cheaper, clearer or more reliable.

  • Improved
  • Reduced
  • Streamlined
  • Simplified
  • Optimised
  • Resolved
  • Fixed
  • Upgraded
  • Standardised
  • Cut
  • Strengthened
  • Restructured

Analysing and researching

For data, reports, audits and investigations.

  • Analysed
  • Evaluated
  • Investigated
  • Audited
  • Forecasted
  • Mapped
  • Tracked
  • Measured
  • Compared
  • Identified
  • Modelled
  • Reviewed

Selling and communicating

For customers, stakeholders, content and campaigns.

  • Negotiated
  • Presented
  • Pitched
  • Persuaded
  • Wrote
  • Published
  • Promoted
  • Advised
  • Closed
  • Handled
  • Responded to
  • Collaborated with

Achieving and delivering

For results, targets and recognition.

  • Achieved
  • Delivered
  • Exceeded
  • Won
  • Secured
  • Generated
  • Grew
  • Completed
  • Earned
  • Surpassed
  • Attained
  • Raised

Questions

Should every line start with a different verb?

Try to avoid repeating the same verb many times in one job. Pick the verb that is most accurate for each line, not the most impressive one.

Which tense should I use?

Use past tense for earlier jobs and present tense for the role you hold now. Keep it consistent within each job.

What if I have no numbers?

Describe the scope instead: how many people, how often, which tools, or what the work was for. Never invent a number.

These lists are editorial suggestions. They help you word your own work and are not a prediction of any hiring decision.