Resume Action Verb Finder
Search over a hundred action verbs, filter them by type of work, and click a word to copy it. Use them to replace weak openers on your resume.
How to use the finder
- Pick a category that matches your work, or search for a word such as build or manage.
- Click a verb to copy it, or copy the whole category.
- Paste it at the start of a bullet, then finish the sentence with what you did and what changed.
Choosing the right verb
- Match the action. Led and managed are different from coordinated or supported. Pick the one that describes your role honestly.
- Vary your openers. If four bullets in a row start with managed, mix in oversaw, ran or coordinated.
- Use past tense for finished jobs and present tense for your current role.
- Avoid inflated words. Spearheaded or pioneered should describe a real first, not routine work.
Example: from weak opener to action verb
Weak: Helped with customer emails.
Better: Answered 40+ customer emails a day and updated the help articles behind the most common questions.
Illustrative example. Use your own facts.
Better: Answered 40+ customer emails a day and updated the help articles behind the most common questions.
Illustrative example. Use your own facts.
Check your bullets after rewriting with the bullet point analyzer.
Frequently asked questions
How many action verbs should I use?
Use as many as you have bullets, and avoid starting more than two in a row with the same word.
Are action verbs important for ATS?
Software cares about the terms for skills and tools. Action verbs mainly help human readers see what you did, and they make bullets clearer.
Can I use present tense in an old job?
It is better to keep past tense for jobs you have left, so the reader can tell what is current.
Is the verb list complete?
No. It is a starting list of common, honest verbs. Choose the one that fits what you did.
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