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Top 10 Action Words For Your English Resume

Choosing the right words for your resume is essential. Employers will often read hundreds of resume from job applicants. Your resume is your first contact with a potential employer. Using the right language is vital to make your resume stand-out.

Action words are verbs you can use to describe your skills and will help you create a positive impression.

Here are 10 action words you can use in your resume, with a definition of each word, and an example from a sales manger’s resume.

Verbs that emphasize your achievements

1. Achieve

Meaning: To successfully complete a goal or get a good result in something.

Example: Achieved a 25% increase in sales.

2. Improve

Meaning: To make something better.

Example: Improved user-friendliness of the customer database.

3. Resolve

Meaning: To solve a problem.

Example: Resolved customer complaints.

Verbs associated with creative skills

4. Develop

Meaning: To advance a skill or to make something.

Example: Developed a new advertising campaign for the local radio station.

5. Devise

Meaning: to design or invent something.

Example: Devised a special offer to sell unwanted stock.

Verbs that demonstrate your ability to work as part of a team

6. Assist

Meaning: To give help or support.

Example: Assisted in the preparation of end of year accounts.

7. Communicate

Meaning: To share information with others.

Example: Communicated with Spanish suppliers.

8. Liaise

Meaning: To speak to someone in order to work with them.

Example: Liaised with the delivery department to ensure customers received their orders.

Verbs for management jobs

9. Trained

Meaning: To teach someone the skills of a particular job.

Example: Trained new staff to deal with customer inquiries.

10. Led

Meaning: To be in charge of people or a situation.

Example: Managed a team of ten staff in a busy sales department of an office supplies company.

Of course, the verbs you’ll choose depends on the type of job you apply for. Before you write your resume, find adverts (on the internet or newspapers) for jobs that interest you. Identify the skills that candidates should have. Then think of examples of when you used these skills in previous positions. Using examples will help persuade the employer you are a strong candidate for the job.