Action Verbs

Categorized List of Action Verbs
Categorized List of Action Verbs
This categorized list contains only a few action verbs you can use to compose concise, persuasive, reader-centered resumes, cover letters, or other types of workplace documents. The examples are illustrations that overview the uses of action verbs in professional writing.

The link above takes you to a sample resume containing action verbs.

Communication Skills
Negotiated price reductions of up to 30% with key suppliers
Interpreted financial information from the companyís annual report
Translated all relevant company information into three different languages
Other words: Advocated, Clarified, Corresponded, Encouraged, Interpreted, Negotiated, Persuaded, Presented, Publicized, Solicited, Spoke, Translated

Creative Skills
Created an interior design layout for a 500 square foot retail venue
Introduced a new method of navigating through the A Software Program
Presented a new research project to the managers at the location
Other words: Acted, Applied, Composed, Created, Established, Founded, Improvised, Introduced, Navigated, Originated, Presented

Data / Financial Skills
Computed and recorded inventory valuation on a monthly basis
Documented inventory counts at the end of each working day
Verified the amount owed to the creditor in the Accounts Payable account
Other words: Adjusted, Allocated, Budgeted, Compared, Computed, Counted, Documented, Estimated, Forecasted, Inventoried, Invested, Predicted, Projected, Quantified, Recorded, Retrieved, Verified

Helping Skills
Assisted customers with choosing appropriate products
Trained new employees in the plant through demonstration techniques
Volunteered in the nursing home every weekend to serve the community
Other words: Aided, Assisted, Built, Demonstrated, Facilitated, Familiarized, Helped, Performed, Represented, Solved, Supported, Trained, Upheld, Volunteered, Worked

Management / Leadership Skills
Administered a variety of surveys to collect data about the employees
Implemented a safety communication program to promote safety awareness
Recommended an alternative solution to one of the company's problems
Other words: Achieved, Administered, Assigned, Attained, Challenged, Coordinated, Decided, Delegated, Established, Executed, Handled, Headed, Implemented, Incorporated, Intervened, Launched, Led, Managed, Mediated, Motivated, Organized, Oversaw, Planned, Prioritized, Recommended, Scheduled, Supervised, United

Efficiency Skills
Eliminated unnecessary cost of each unit of production
Maximized profits by 15% during the month of July
Heightened the level of employee moral through program incentives
Other words: Accelerated, Allocated, Boosted, Centralized, Downsized, Edited, Eliminated, Enhanced, Expanded, Expedited, Heightened, Lessened, Leveraged, Maximized, Merged, Optimized, Outlined, Outsourced, Prevented, Prioritized, Reorganized, Reduced, Revised, Simplified, Standardized, Stream-lined, Synthesized, Systematized, Upgraded

Research Skills
Examined a new mechanism that may reduce sickness on the campus
Identified a major defect in a microscopic organism last month
Surveyed a group of Purdue students with regard to Product A
Other words: Analyzed, Collected, Compared, Controlled, Detected, Diagnosed, Evaluated, Examined, Gathered, Identified, Investigated, Located, Measured, Organized, Reported, Replicated, Researched, Reviewed, Searched, Surveyed, Wrote

Teaching Skills
Defined a new product strategy and discussed how it would be implemented
Instructed Department B on how to reduce inventory and raise net sales
Prepared a tutorial manual for an English class last semester
Other words: Aided, Advised, Clarified, Communicated, Defined, Developed, Encouraged, Evaluated, Facilitated, Fostered, Guided, Helped, Incorporated, Informed, Initiated, Instructed, Lectured, Prepared, Supported, Supervised, Stimulated, Taught

Technical Skills
Assembled an entire computer programming simulation for my CPT course
Designed a new form of Widget C for a manufacturing facility
Programmed three new computer programs tailored for a network system
Other words: Analyzed, Assembled, Built, Calculated, Computed, Conducted, Designed, Devised, Engineered, Maintained, Operated, Programmed, Reengineered, Remodeled, Transmitted

Sources/References:

Rosalie Maggio, How to Say It, Webster's Thesaurus.