Include these Words in Your Resume, to Make the ATS Fall in Love with it

An applicant tracking system (ATS) is software for recruiters and employers to track candidates throughout the recruiting and hiring process. This software can come equipped with capabilities ranging from simple database functionality to a full-service suite of tools that makes it easy for businesses of any size to filter, manage, and analyze candidates.

Many companies typically feed our submitted resume to an ATS before it reaches the human recruiter.

99% of Fortune 100 companies use ATS. Using these ‘action verbs’ to describe your work will highlight your skills, experience and accomplishments in your resume with greater clarity and strength. It is advised you go through the companies’ website and include their keywords into your own resume, but here are some general purpose Action Verbs you can begin your sentences with to give them more power.

Photo by Sergey Zolkin on Unsplash

Action Verbs to show your Technical Skills

1. Developed
2. Executed
3. Assembled
4. Built
5. Designed
6. Conceptualized
7. Devised
8. Programmed
9. Solved
10. Computed
11. Created
12. Set up
13. Streamlined
14. Trained
15. Participated
16. Engineered
17. Repaired

Action Verbs to show your People Skills

1. Chaired
2. Coordinated
3. Delegated
4. Directed
5. Organized
6. Reorganized
7. Scheduled
8. Co-authored
9. Influenced
10. Mediated
11. Moderated
12. Negotiated
13. Persuaded
14. Recruited
15. Spoke
16. Wrote
17. Assisted
18. Guided
19. Oversaw
20. Instructed
21. Taught

Action Verbs to show your Analytics/Research skills

1. Analyzed
2. Evaluated
3. Recommended
4. Authored
5. Drafted
6. Proposed
7. Clarified
8. Collected
9. Critiqued
10. Diagnosed
11. Examined
12. Identified
13. Investigated
14. Reviewed
15. Summarized
16. Surveyed
17. Adapted
18. Audited
19. Balanced
20. Calculated
21. Researched
22. Verified

(Stronger) Action Verbs to show your Achievements

Naturally, every action verb is accompanied by an achievement. You can use these stronger action verbs for some work you are proud of in particular.

1. Accelerated
2. Achieved
3. Increased
4. Attained
5. Launched
6. Eliminated
7. Conceived
8. Expanded
9. Overcame
10. Convinced
11. Founded
12. Mastered
13. Innovated

Drop me a follow if you found it helpful! Feedback Appreciated!

Syed Affan - Medium

[1] To Boldly Go: Practical Career Advice for Scientists, by Peter S. Fiske