Using powerful verbs when writing your CV will help you to show off your skills and achievements. However, there are certain verbs that hiring managers encounter over and over again which causes them to lose their impact:
I led…
I managed…
I handled…
I was responsible for…
If you want to stand out from your competition, you’ll need to be a little more creative. We’ve got some powerful action words that will help you to make an impact and showcase your achievements.
If you took the lead on a project
Avoid “I led” and try one of these:
Coordinated
Executed
Headed
Operated
Organised
Oversaw
Planned
Produced
If you created and managed a project
As the brains behind a project who developed and implemented an idea, you could use:
Administered
Built
Created
Designed
Developed
Devised
Founded
Engineered
Established
Formulated
Implemented
Incorporated
Initiated
Introduced
Launched
Spearheaded
If you saved the company time or money
Employers love candidates who want to help their team operate more efficiently, so if you have experience doing this, highlight it with these verbs:
Conserved
Consolidated
Decreased
Deducted
Lessened
Reduced
Yielded
If you increased revenue, sales or customer satisfaction
Likewise, if you have boosted a company’s income in some way, you’re sure to impress potential employers. Consider using:
Accelerated
Achieved
Advanced
Boosted
Capitalised
Delivered
Enhanced
Expanded
Furthered
Gained
Generated
Improved
Lifted
Maximised
If you improved or updated something
If you’ve made some fantastic changes at your workplace, be sure to talk about them using words like these:
Centralised
Converted
Customised
Influenced
Integrated
Merged
Modified
Overhauled
Redesigned
Remodelled
Reorganised
Replaced
Restructured
Revamped
Revitalised
Simplified
Standardised
Streamlined
Strengthened
Updated
Upgraded
Transformed
If you managed a team
Instead of using standard verbs like “I led” or “I managed”, you can showcase your leadership skills with terms like:
Aligned
Cultivated
Directed
Facilitated
Fostered
Guided
Hired
Inspired
Mentored
Mobilised
Motivated
Recruited
Regulated
Shaped
Supervised
Trained
If you were responsible for bringing in a new partner/sponsor/funding source
These verbs will help you to show how you brought in a new partner:
Acquired
Forged
Negotiated
Partnered
Secured
If you offered excellent customer service
If you go above and beyond to support your customers, you could use:
Advised
Advocated
Coached
Consulted
Educated
Informed
Resolved
If you were involved in research
Have you been involved in conducting research or analysis? These verbs are worth using:
Analysed
Assembled
Assessed
Audited
Calculated
Discovered
Evaluated
Examined
Explored
Forecasted
Identified
Interpreted
Investigated
Mapped
Measured
Surveyed
Tested
Tracked
If you want to show off your communication skills
If communication is a big part of your role, these verbs will help you to show-off both your written and spoken communication skills:
Authored
Briefed
Campaigned
Composed
Conveyed
Convinced
Corresponded
Critiqued
Defined
Documented
Edited
Persuaded
Promoted
Publicised
Reviewed
If you oversaw or regulated
Be more specific about how you enforced a protocol or managed requests by using words like these:
Authorised
Blocked
Delegated
Dispatched
Enforced
Ensured
Inspected
Monitored
Screened
Scrutinised
Verified
If you achieved something great
Have you won an award for your work? Did you exceed your targets? You can talk about your achievements on your CV by using words like:
Attained
Awarded
Completed
Demonstrated
Earned
Exceeded
Outperformed
Reached
Showcased
Succeeded
Surpassed
Targeted
If you can incorporate some of these powerful verbs into your CV, you will show employers that you have the skills and experience to be successful in their company.
Bridgewater Resources build real, lasting relationships with our clients in order to help shape their businesses and we get to know our candidates’ personalities, skills and ambitions so we can find them a role that changes their lives for the better.
