Boost Your Career: 101 Resume Power Verbs — Unlock Success!

Resumes don’t have to be boring. Using key power verbs is a quick way to gain the hiring manager’s attention and captivate your audience. But how can you get it right?

In this guide, we will help you take your resume to the next level. We will be looking at the importance of using power verbs in your resume and where to put them. 

It doesn’t end there. 

We have also included the top 101 power words for your resume, separated by achievement type. 

Why should you use power verbs for your resume?

You don’t want to saturate your next resume with power verbs. No, instead, you need to be strategic about when, where, and how you use them. You might say that it’s something of an art form. If you don’t know where to start with using action verbs, you’ve come to the right place.

What are the benefits of power verbs in a resume? 

Before we deep-dive into the examples, let’s talk about why you need to use power verbs on your resume. You might think that these words simply waste space without adding much in the way of content. That is not the case. 

Here are some of the reasons that you need power verbs for your resume: 

Show that you take action

At the core, action verbs (or power verbs) are about you doing something. When you are writing a resume, you want to show the hiring manager that you are a doer rather than just a talker. 

When you include power verbs on your resume, you do just that. The hiring manager will instantly be able to see that you are a candidate who is not afraid to take the lead on tasks. 

Convey a level of confidence

Confidence could be your secret weapon when it comes to landing your next role. Hiring managers are always on the lookout for applicants that are sure of themselves. That is because these are the candidates who will hit the ground running when they are hired. 

So, how does using power verbs for your resume play into this? 

When you use these words in an application, it shows that you are confident in your abilities and expertise. You are the driving force.

Grab the reader’s attention

Hiring managers are extremely busy. One eye-scanning study found that these professionals spend just seven seconds reviewing each application. That means that you don’t have all that long to make the right first impression. Using captivating and engaging language is the key. If you can manage to ‘hook’ the reader from the first sentence, you’re onto a winner here. 

Stand out from the crowd

Whenever you send your resume to a recruiter, you are going up against a whole host of other candidates. Chances are, some of the other applicants will have strikingly similar skills and experience to you. 

This makes it imperative that you set yourself apart from the crowd! 

One of the ways is to use language that appeals to the hiring manager. Using power verbs for your resume is a simple way to elevate your application and get a competitive edge. 

Increase the reading experience

Writing an interview-winning resume is all about creating a smooth reading experience. Without power verbs, your resume will sound cold and sterile. The reader may well zone out of reading halfway through your document. Of course, you don’t want that. Taking the time to include some of the power verb examples we will share here could change the whole experience for them. 

Where to include power verbs on your resume 

Now that you know why you should be using power verbs for your resume, let’s talk about how you can get it right. There is plenty of room for you to slide some interesting action verbs into this document. 

However, you don’t want to fall into the trap of “word cramming” or using the verbs just for the sake of it. 

With that in mind, here are two key places to include these words: 

1. Resume summary  

Your resume summary is likely the first thing that a hiring manager will read. This short blurb sits at the top of your document and tells the reader what they can expect from you. It is similar to an elevator pitch, in that it has to be short, snappy, and get to the point. Including power verbs in this section will enhance your summary and make it more interesting for the hiring manager. 

2. Resume bullet points 

When you are writing the work experience section of your resume, you can use bullet points to show your achievements. This is the primary place where you will use power verbs for your resume. In some of these bullet points, you will be able to seamlessly include an action verb that boosts its readability. Consider editing your work experience section by using these words. 

The top power verb examples

If you are itching to enhance your resume, let’s take a look at some of the top power verb examples. We have split the list up by their achievement type to help you find what you need. 

Problem-solving power verbs for your resume

Did your achievement involve actions that resolved problems or fixed a crisis?  Did you locate problems that no one else in the company identified? Try these power verbs for your resume to better describe your accomplishment:

Productivity power verbs for your resume

Productivity is a highly sought after trait. Did your efforts hasten work on a project, increase the amount of work being done, or otherwise affect productivity in a positive way? These power verbs can help to add heft to that accomplishment:

Efficiency power verbs for your resume

Did your efforts somehow make the company or its employees more efficient so that everyone could achieve more while utilizing fewer resources? The following power words for your resume can be used to convey that message:

Management power verbs for your resume

Were you given an opportunity to demonstrate your management and/or leadership skills in a way that made a difference at your former employer’s company? These power words can be used to add greater weight to those accomplishments:

Achievement power verbs for your resume

Are you just looking for more powerful ways to describe your general accomplishments? Something that doesn’t just rely on the word “achieved” to describe an achievement, but instead paints a more vivid picture? 

We’ve got you covered. Try these power words on for size the next time you need to list your accomplishments:

Using strong action verbs for writing

Now you’ve seen the action word examples, how do you use them? 

Of course, you don’t want to just use power words at random. Instead, you should make sure that you select words that fit perfectly with the resume with the accomplishments you’re trying to describe.

At the same time, you should maximize your use of these types of words (oh yes, there are many others!) to ensure that your summary and resume bullet points make a lasting impression on the next hiring manager who reads them.

5 tips when using power words 

By this point, you may be ready to get started. However, there are a few final things that you need to keep in mind. Here are some tips for using power verbs on your resume: 

1. Start at the beginning. Use them at the beginning of each bullet to really catch the hiring managers' attention. You could scatter them in the middle or the end of the sentence, but ensure you make the initial impact by placing it first.

2. Use the right tense. If you're currently still employed, you can use the present tense instead of past tense. (e.g. "Manage" instead of "Managed").

3. Do your homework. Check the job description to see if they use any power verbs and include them in your resume as well.

4. Include some keywords. Don't forget to use other keywords within the bullets that relate to the job description and industry so your resume gets past an applicant tracking system.

5. Proofread before sending. Always remember to check your grammar and spelling. This is the worst mistake you can make on a resume.

This expert should make using power verbs for your resume a cinch. You can check out our long list of action word examples above and use the ones that best suit your expertise. 

From boring to memorable to employed

Power verbs can elevate your next resume. The important thing is to utilize words like these so that your resume is something more than just another boring recitation of unmemorable facts. When you use action verbs in your summary and for your resume bullet points, you can rest assured that your prospective employer will remember you. Work on your application now. 

Creating a head-turning resume packed with power verbs can be challenging. ZipJob’s professional resume writers can do the hard work for you. Get started today! 

Recommended reading: 

• Buzzwords Managers Hate To See On Your Resume

• Best and Worst Words To Use On A Resume

• 99+ Essential Keywords and Phrases for Impactful Resumes