200+ Action Verbs for your CV

Lazy CVs are filled with descriptive adjectives and long-winded explanations. While you may be a “visionary leader who thinks outside the box,” you do not need to say so in these terms in your CV (and cover letter). You need more impressive action verbs for your CV.

Most CVs will be written in the past tense. The first-person personal pronoun “I” is commonly omitted for style reasons. Action verbs will be the first word in many sentences and bullet points.

Action verbs are therefore visible signposts as to what comes next.

Reading a commonly used action verb hints at a limp accomplishment.

Reading an unusual and descriptive action verb makes a hiring manager pay attention.

Don’t pack your CV with the most impressive action verbs without the accomplishments to back them up. Use an unusual action verb when you want an achievement to truly stand out.

Maybe deploy them 30-40% of the time. You don’t want to overwhelm the hiring manager, after all. They should marvel at your career stories rather than scratch their heads at the meaning of certain verbs.

Action verbs for your CV

Leadership

Preside, Head, Instruct, Nurture, Enforce, Merge, Direct, Recommend, Strengthen, Oversee, Shape, Coach, Approve, Predict, Merge, Spearhead, Orchestrate

Accomplishment

Hit, Produce, Further, Develop, Found, Maximise, Stimulate, Accelerate, Combine, Attain, Measure, Outperform, Showcase, Sustain, Target, Boost, Generate

Team

Establish, Moderate, Partner, Intervene, Participate, Explore, Establish, Contribute, Embrace, Encourage, Energise, Arrange, Join, Unite, Foster, Plan, Forge

Influencing

Debate, Define, Lecture, Reinforce, Transmit, Mediate, Articulate, Brief, Clarify, Elicit, Convey, Express, Persuade, Reinforce, Explain, Outline, Document

Projects

Execute, Plot, Engineer, Envision, Deploy, Control, Patch, Overhaul, Discover, Automate, Forecast, Contract, Evaluate, Consolidate, Control, Chart, Integrate

People

Mentor, Train, Sponsor, Enable, Facilitate, Hire, Empower, Assign, Unify, Supervise, Instil, Promote, Delegate, Appraise, Educate, Guide, Track

Customers

Counsel, Inform, Support, Update, Verify, Consult, Assist, Attract, Handle, Negotiate, Advise, Deliver, Conclude, Settle, Host, Interact, Resolve

Problems

Fulfil, Experiment, Identify, Detect, Estimate, Intercede, Rectify, Debug, Allocate, Address, Derive, Troubleshoot, Compare, Collect, Decipher, Log, Arbitrate

Improving

Adapt, Ignite, Transform, Expand, Launch, Construct, Critique, Exceed, Focus, Exceed, Champion, Enhance, Expand, Rebuild, Differentiate, Acquire, Reconcile

Research

Diagnose, Survey, Trace, Uncover, Undertake, Consider, Analyse, Check, Inspect, Examine, Screen, Steer, Quantify, Capture, Review, Scrutinise, Conduct

Organize

File, Regulate, Network, Upgrade, Authorise, Formulate, Ensure, Map, Administer, Modify, Customise, Remodel, Itemise, Maintain, Effect, Implement, Align

Creative

Craft, Spark, Storyboard, Visualise, Illustrate, Architect, Probe, Invent, Fabricate, Design, Draft, Inspire, Pilot, Fashion, Conceive, Draft, Author

One last thing to mention is that your CV should sound like you. If you wouldn’t use any of these action verbs in your everyday speech, go easy on their use. Sounding fancy for the sake of it can backfire – especially if you are no Shakespeare.

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This blog is shared with Job Seeker Duetists. 

Written by former recruitment ghostwriter Paul Drury (not AI).