140 Active Words to Use in Resume to Grab Recruiter's Attention

Knowing active words to use in resume will spice up your CV and get you a higher chance of getting an interview with the hiring manager.

Let's start with statistics.

For each job position, a recruiter receives an average of 250 resumes. Consequently, the recruiter only spends an average of 5-20 seconds looking at one CV.

You need to grab the recruiter's attention within those first seconds, or you'd be out of the picture.

The first impression is essential.

There are several ways that you can do to stand out from the other candidates and land your dream job. One of them is by using active words.

We are going to look at some examples of active words to use in your resume and how they can help you.

What are Active Words?

Related to your resume or CV, active words are words that describe what you have done or are doing. They are typically action words or verbs.

But why active words? There is some evidence to suggest that people generally prefer active verbs to passive verbs, especially in written communication. Active verbs convey a sense of directness and clarity, and they can help to make sentences more concise and engaging. Passive verbs, on the other hand, can make sentences longer and less direct, which can make them less appealing to readers.

For example, a study by Jennifer Lombardo - a professor of marketing at Rowan University - published in the Study.com states that Impactful writing in business usually consists of action verbs. Other research has also suggested that active verbs can make written communication more reader-friendly and easier to understand.

With most resumes, the recruiters are more likely to have read similar things over and over. They will skim reading the hundreds of resumes they receive every day. So they will be more attracted to something different, something that is attention-grabbing. That's where active words come in.

Your resume you should add active words to give clarity and a detailed job description in order to make a strong resume.

How Can Active Words Help You?

Using active words or verbs like "coordinated" or "managed" in your resume shows the readers (the recruiters) that you're not only "responsible for your job", but you also achieved something or showing accomplishment in the process or in the past job. So, action verbs help you to spice up your resume.

You can also communicate that you are a motivated and driven individual. You'll also be able to show that you are proactive and have the initiative in the past job. A study by Finances Online even mentioned that using action verbs for a resume can increase your chances of getting an interview by 140%.

Instead of using repetitive words in your resume or making long sentences that won't capture attention or interest, make shorter sentences with action verbs. Because they have more impact and are a persuasive language tool that allows you to be concise.

Action verbs also make for easy skim-reading. Most recruiters won't spend much time on each resume. And if your resume is filled with active words, the recruiter will find what they're looking for more effective and will prompt them to spend more time reading through your skills and past job description.

What Should You Include As Active Words In Your Resume?

Because active words represent an action, they'll help the hiring manager to picture you in the role. You can use them to further describe your soft skills, analytical skills, and other relevant skills.

If you use strong action verbs, it will help the hiring manager to visualize you doing the job duties you're applying for. In other words, you give them a concept of how you'll be doing on the job. And of course, to be able to do this, you need to choose the right words. For example, if you've had many achievements during your past work, you can use the action verb, "achieved".

Sometimes in your resume, you put a lot of repetitive words such as "also" or "in addition". If you use action verbs to show your achievements and responsibility in past jobs, you will give your resume a greater flow. One of the goals of using action verbs in your resume is to make your employer read and understand every bullet point you place. It also has the power that other words don't. A resume with action verbs stands out from the other applicants.

Using the right action verbs on your resume effectively to accurately showcase your abilities, skills, and achievements. They will also help steal your future employers' eyes from other job seekers.

Some examples of active words that you may want to include in your resume are “managed,” “developed,” and “created.”

Examples of Action Verbs and Power Words to Use

For management and leadership

1. Advised

2. Advocated

3. Clarified

4. Corresponded

5. Defined

6. Gathered

7. Ignited

8. Informed

9. Interpreted

10. Persuaded

11. Publicized

Example: Gathered external data for the project-planning personnel and advised on implementing capital projects.

For staff and part of a team

12. Aided

13. Enabled

14. Encouraged

15. Facilitated

16. Fostered

17. Inspired

18. Supported

19. Collaborated

For supervisors

20. Guided

21. Evaluated

22. Instructed

23. Mentored

24. Motivated

25. Regulated

26. Taught

Ex: Mentored 20 startup founders in the last 5 years.

For achievements

27. Achieved

28. Attained

29. Strengthened

30. Initiated

31. Coordinated

32. Developed

33. Managed

34. Orchestrated

Ex: Coordinated data integrity within the company’s applicant tracking system. Strengthened the sales and service culture through coaching and guidance.

For having different approaches when solving problems

Use resume action words like:

35. Implemented

36. Recommended

37. Overhauled

38. Improved

39. Streamlined

40. Prioritized

Ex: Improved networking equipment and overall computer network.

For innovating or launching something new

Use powerful resume verbs like the following:

41. Conceptualized

42. Designed

43. Devised

44. Determined

45. Drafted

46. Formulated

47. Introduced

48. Initiated

49. Launched

50. Originated

51. Spearheaded

Ex: Designed a new feature on a mobile equation-solving app.

For establishing an idea

Use action verbs for resume like these words:

52. Adapted

53. Applied

54. Built

55. Condensed

56. Customized

57. Fashioned

58. Integrated

59. Modified

60. Patched

61. Piloted

62. Shaped

63. Revitalized

For working with data and numbers

Use resume power words like these:

64. Audited

65. Budgeted

66. Calculated

67. Converted

68. Crafted

69. Documented

70. Estimated

71. Inventoried

72. Programmed

73. Projected

74. Recorded

75. Verified

For correcting mistakes and errors

Use resume power words like

76. Debugged

77. Diagnosed

78. Established

79. Fixed

80. Rectified

81. Lessened

82. Reconciled

83. Remodeled

84. Rebuilt

85. Upgraded

86. Corrected

Ex: Upgraded internal operating system, reducing company cost by 18%

Verbs instead of "responsible for"

87. Accomplished

88. Acquired

89. Achieved

90. Acted As

91. Completed

92. Created

93. Executed

94. Finished

95. Forged

96. Made

97. Navigated

98. Negotiated

99. Operated

100. Partnered

101. Performed

102. Prepared

103. Produced

104. Secured

105. Succeeded In

106. Undertook

Ex: Navigated three simultaneous inter-department projects without exceeding the assigned budget.

For replacing "worked on" and the synonyms

Use the following action verbs:

107. Arranged

108. Compiled

109. Composed

110. Constructed

111. Created

112. Developed

113. Engaged In

114. Fashioned

115. Forged

116. Formulated

117. Made

118. Made Progress On

119. Operated

120. Organized

121. Perfected

122. Prepared

123. Pursued

124. Put Together

125. Set-Up

Ex: Created over 30 professional logos for companies in multiple industries with various sizes.

Instead of overusing the word "utilize" or "use"

Optimize your resume with these words:

126. Apply

127. Adopt

128. Deploy

129. Employ

130. Exert

131. Handle

132. Mobilize

133. Operate

134. Promote

135. Profit by

136. Put to Use

137. Restore

138. Revive

139. Resort to

140. Specialize in

Be "Active" In Your Job Search to Show Value

Choosing the active voice instead of the passive voice in your resume can make a significant difference in how well your application is received by potential employers and applicant tracking systems. By choosing the most active and relevant keywords for your industry and job goals, you can show employers that you are a motivated and driven individual looking to take action and achieve results.

You can increase your chances of getting noticed, landing job interviews, and ultimately grabbing the job you want.

Review your current resume. Remember to incorporate action verbs naturally and avoid keyword stuffing, as this can hurt rather than help your chances. With a little research and careful consideration, you can effectively use action words to grab the attention of recruiters and take the next step in your career.