Resume Action Words That Get You Hired (with Industry-Specific Examples)

Your resume is your personal marketing pitch, and every word matters. Strong, dynamic verbs will inject energy into your resume, helping you stand out from the competition while catching the hiring manager’s attention; however, it’s not just about using any action words—it’s about using the right ones for the job and industry you’re targeting. Here are some of the best action words you can use on your resume broken down by industry, along with examples you can use to make your resume shine.

Why Action Words Matter

Action words transform dull, passive descriptions into powerful, impactful statements. Take a look at these examples of passive and active statements:

• Passive: “Responsible for leading a project.”
• Active: “Directed and streamlined project execution, achieving a 20% efficiency boost.”

The active example not only sounds more confident but also highlights results.

Top Action Words for Every Industry

General and Cross-Industry

These action words are versatile and can enhance any resume, regardless of your field:

• Achieved
• Designed
• Implemented
• Streamlined
• Collaborated
• Generated

Example: “Implemented new scheduling system, reducing turnaround time by 15%.”

Technology and IT

Tech professionals need words that reflect innovation, technical expertise, and problem-solving:

• Engineered
• Developed
• Optimized
• Deployed
• Debugged
• Integrated

Example: “Engineered cloud-based solutions, increasing system scalability by 40%.”

Sales and Marketing

In sales and marketing, the focus is on driving revenue, influencing customer behavior, and building brand awareness:

• Boosted
• Generated
• Negotiated
• Promoted
• Maximized
• Secured

Example: “Secured $500K in new business by negotiating contracts with high-profile clients.”

Healthcare and Medical

For healthcare professionals, action words should convey patient care, collaboration, and precision:

• Administered
• Diagnosed
• Prescribed
• Facilitated
• Monitored
• Educated

Example: “Facilitated patient care for 25+ daily appointments, ensuring 95% satisfaction scores.”

Finance and Accounting

Finance roles require words that emphasize analytical skills, compliance, and measurable impact:

• Audited
• Forecasted
• Analyzed
• Managed
• Calculated
• Reduced

Example: “Analyzed budget discrepancies, reducing operational costs by 12% annually.”

Education and Training

If you’re in education, your resume should highlight teaching, curriculum development, and leadership:

• Taught
• Mentored
• Developed
• Instructed
• Evaluated
• Facilitated

Example: “Mentored 10+ new teachers, improving classroom management across the department.”

Creative Industries (Design, Media, Writing)

Creative professionals should emphasize their originality, problem-solving, and execution:

• Designed
• Composed
• Produced
• Curated
• Created
• Innovated

Example: “Designed promotional campaigns, increasing audience engagement by 25%.”

Management and Leadership

Leadership roles require action words that convey decision-making, strategy, and team growth:

• Directed
• Orchestrated
• Oversaw
• Empowered
• Streamlined
• Spearheaded

Example: “Spearheaded a cross-functional team of 15, delivering project results ahead of schedule.”

How to Incorporate Action Words on Your Resume

Start Bullet Points with Action Words

Every bullet point on your resume should start with a strong action verb. This immediately grabs the reader’s attention and sets the tone for the achievement. Check out these before and after examples:

• Before: “I was in charge of tracking inventory and improving warehouse operations.”
• After: “Optimized inventory tracking systems, increasing accuracy by 20%.”

Quantify Your Achievements

Pair action words with measurable results whenever possible to create a bigger impact. Here’s an example of a bullet point that includes action words and describes measurable results:

• “Generated $1M in annual revenue by developing targeted marketing strategies.”

Tailor Words to the Job Description

Mirror the language in the job listing to demonstrate alignment with the role. If a job posting emphasizes “leadership” and “collaboration,” use those terms where applicable.

Avoid Repetition

Mix up your action words to avoid redundancy. For example, instead of repeatedly saying “managed,” use “directed,” “coordinated,” or “oversaw.”

Action Words to Avoid

Certain words are overused, vague, or fail to convey specific actions. Avoid these whenever possible. To help you get on the right track, here are some examples of overused, vague, or otherwise weak words you should avoid:

• Helped: Replace this word with more specific actions like “collaborated” or “assisted.”
• Responsible for: Be direct—what did you do?
• Worked on: Use words like “executed,” “produced,” or “developed” instead.

Action words are more than just resume buzzwords—they’re your ticket to grabbing the hiring manager’s attention and telling a compelling story about your achievements. Powerful verbs can make all the difference when it comes to creating a resume that stands out in a crowded job market. So, set aside some time to review your resume, swap out any weak language, and let your accomplishments shine.