121 Resume Action Verbs That Make You Sound Like a Leader
Stop using 'responsible for' and 'helped with.' Here are powerful action verbs that show impact and get you noticed.
Your resume bullet points should start with strong action verbs, not weak phrases like “responsible for” or “helped with.”
The right verb shows confidence, initiative, and impact. The wrong verb makes you sound passive and forgettable.
Here are 121 action verbs organized by what you’re trying to communicate.
Leadership & Management
When you led people, projects, or initiatives:
Directed, Led, Managed, Supervised, Oversaw, Headed, Chaired, Coordinated, Orchestrated, Spearheaded, Guided, Mentored, Coached, Developed, Cultivated, Mobilized, United, Inspired
Example: “Led cross-functional team of 12 to deliver $2M product launch ahead of schedule”
Achievement & Results
When you accomplished something measurable:
Achieved, Exceeded, Surpassed, Outperformed, Delivered, Accomplished, Attained, Earned, Won, Secured, Captured, Gained
Example: “Exceeded quarterly sales targets by 34% for 6 consecutive quarters”
Creation & Development
When you built something new:
Created, Developed, Designed, Built, Launched, Established, Founded, Initiated, Introduced, Pioneered, Originated, Formulated, Devised, Constructed, Engineered
Example: “Designed automated reporting system that reduced manual work by 15 hours weekly”
Improvement & Optimization
When you made something better:
Improved, Enhanced, Optimized, Streamlined, Upgraded, Refined, Revamped, Modernized, Transformed, Revitalized, Strengthened, Accelerated, Maximized, Boosted
Example: “Streamlined onboarding process, reducing time-to-productivity from 6 weeks to 2 weeks”
Problem Solving & Analysis
When you figured things out:
Analyzed, Evaluated, Assessed, Diagnosed, Identified, Investigated, Researched, Examined, Reviewed, Audited, Resolved, Solved, Troubleshot, Addressed, Rectified
Example: “Identified root cause of recurring system failures, implementing fix that improved uptime to 99.9%”
Communication & Collaboration
When you worked with others:
Communicated, Presented, Negotiated, Collaborated, Partnered, Liaised, Facilitated, Mediated, Advocated, Persuaded, Influenced, Counseled, Consulted
Example: “Negotiated vendor contracts resulting in 22% cost reduction while maintaining service quality”
Growth & Expansion
When you increased something:
Grew, Increased, Expanded, Scaled, Extended, Amplified, Doubled, Tripled, Multiplied, Broadened, Elevated, Raised, Advanced
Example: “Grew customer base from 500 to 2,000 accounts within 18 months”
Reduction & Efficiency
When you decreased something (in a good way):
Reduced, Decreased, Cut, Lowered, Minimized, Eliminated, Consolidated, Simplified, Shortened
Example: “Reduced customer response time by 60% through implementation of automated ticketing system”
Financial Impact
When you affected the bottom line:
Generated, Produced, Saved, Recovered, Increased revenue, Decreased costs, Budgeted, Forecasted, Allocated
Example: “Generated $1.2M in new business through strategic account development”
Technical & Implementation
When you executed or implemented:
Implemented, Executed, Deployed, Integrated, Configured, Programmed, Automated, Migrated, Installed, Maintained, Administered, Operated
Example: “Implemented CRM system across 5 departments, training 50+ users”
Verbs to Avoid
These weak verbs diminish your impact:
| Avoid | Use Instead |
|---|---|
| Responsible for | Led, Managed, Oversaw |
| Helped with | Contributed to, Supported, Collaborated on |
| Worked on | Developed, Created, Executed |
| Was involved in | Participated in, Drove, Spearheaded |
| Assisted | Supported, Enabled, Facilitated |
| Did | [Be specific about what you actually did] |
| Handled | Managed, Processed, Resolved |
Quick Formula
Strong bullet point = Action Verb + What You Did + Measurable Result
Weak: “Responsible for managing social media accounts”
Strong: “Grew Instagram following from 5K to 50K in 12 months through strategic content calendar and influencer partnerships”
Pro Tips
Vary your verbs. Don’t start every bullet with “Managed” or “Led.”
Match verb tense. Current job = present tense. Past jobs = past tense.
Be specific. “Improved customer satisfaction” is weak. “Increased customer satisfaction scores from 72% to 91%” is strong.
Lead with your strongest verbs. Put high-impact language at the beginning where it gets noticed.
The Bottom Line
Strong verbs show you’re a doer, not just a participant. They demonstrate initiative, leadership, and measurable impact.
Swap out your weak verbs, and your resume instantly sounds more confident and compelling.
Improve your resume language automatically and see how AI rewrites your bullet points for maximum impact.