What are action verbs ….and why should I use them in my résumé?
Action verbs are words that express an action. The first word of each experience bullet point on your résumé should typically be a strong action verb. Strong action verbs can:
Highlight your relevant skills, experience and accomplishments
Clarify the nature of your capabilities and contributions
Convey confidence
Make you stand out as a unique candidate
Integrating them into your résumé will paint a more vivid picture of your skills and accomplishments.
References
Columbia University (n.d.) 200+ Action Verbs to Spice Up Your Resume. Columbia University. https://www.careereducation.columbia.edu/resources/200-action-verbs-spice-your-resume
Doan, D (2024, July 23) Maximize Your Impact: 205 Action Verbs to Use on Your Resume. HubSpot. https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/action-verbs-for-resume
Fennell, A. (n.d.) 57 strong adverbs to add to your resume in 2024. StandOutCV. https://standout-cv.com/usa/resume-adverbs
Georgetown University (n.d.) Actions Verbs. Georgetown University. https://careercenter.georgetown.edu/major-career-guides/resumes-cover-letters/action-verbs/
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (n.d.) Resume action verbs. Massachusetts Institute of Technology. https://capd.mit.edu/resources/resume-action-verbs/
McGill University (n.d.) Action Verbs. McGill University. https://www.mcgill.ca/caps/files/caps/guide_actionverbs_category.pdf
No author (2023, May 2) How to Use Resume Action Verbs the Right Way in 2023? Hiration. https://www.hiration.com/blog/action-verbs/
No author (n.d.) Most Effective Action Verbs to Use on Your Resume. Resume Worded. https://resumeworded.com/action-verbs
No author (2023, December 18) 240+ Resume Action Verbs with Examples. Resumeway. https://www.resumeway.com/blog/resume-action-verbs/
Protsenko, K. (n.d.) Types of Adverbs in English. Promova Grammar. https://promova.com/english-grammar/different-types-of-adverbs-in-english#adverbs_of_degree
The Muse editors (2024, February 29) 185+ Action Verbs to Make Your Resume Stand Out in 2024. The Muse. https://www.themuse.com/advice/185-powerful-verbs-that-will-make-your-resume-awesome
University of Iowa (n.d.) Power Verbs. University of Iowa. https://careers.uiowa.edu/sites/careers.uiowa.edu/files/2022-01/powerverbs%20%281%29.pdf
Wellesley Career Education (n.d.) Action Verbs for Resumes. Wellesley Career Education. https://www.wellesley.edu/careereducation/sites/careereducation/files/Action_Verbs.pdf
York University (n.d.) Action verbs. York University. https://careers.yorku.ca/files/2017/05/Action-Verbs.pdf?x80908