Categorized List of Action Verbs
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Categorized List of Action Verbs
This categorized list contains only a few action verbs you can use to compose concise, persuasive, reader-centered resumes, cover letters, or other types of workplace documents. The examples are illustrations that overview the uses of action verbs in professional writing.
The link above takes you to a sample resume containing action verbs.
Communication Skills
- Negotiated price reductions of up to 30% with key suppliers
- Interpreted financial information from the companyís annual report
- Translated all relevant company information into three different languages
Other words: Advocated, Clarified, Corresponded, Encouraged, Interpreted, Negotiated, Persuaded, Presented, Publicized, Solicited, Spoke, Translated
Creative Skills
- Created an interior design layout for a 500 square foot retail venue
- Introduced a new method of navigating through the A Software Program
- Presented a new research project to the managers at the location
Other words: Acted, Applied, Composed, Created, Established, Founded, Improvised, Introduced, Navigated, Originated, Presented
Data / Financial Skills
- Computed and recorded inventory valuation on a monthly basis
- Documented inventory counts at the end of each working day
- Verified the amount owed to the creditor in the Accounts Payable account
Other words: Adjusted, Allocated, Budgeted, Compared, Computed, Counted, Documented, Estimated, Forecasted, Inventoried, Invested, Predicted, Projected, Quantified, Recorded, Retrieved, Verified
Helping Skills
- Assisted customers with choosing appropriate products
- Trained new employees in the plant through demonstration techniques
- Volunteered in the nursing home every weekend to serve the community
Other words: Aided, Assisted, Built, Demonstrated, Facilitated, Familiarized, Helped, Performed, Represented, Solved, Supported, Trained, Upheld, Volunteered, Worked
Management / Leadership Skills
- Administered a variety of surveys to collect data about the employees
- Implemented a safety communication program to promote safety awareness
- Recommended an alternative solution to one of the company's problems
Other words: Achieved, Administered, Assigned, Attained, Challenged, Coordinated, Decided, Delegated, Established, Executed, Handled, Headed, Implemented, Incorporated, Intervened, Launched, Led, Managed, Mediated, Motivated, Organized, Oversaw, Planned, Prioritized, Recommended, Scheduled, Supervised, United
Efficiency Skills
- Eliminated unnecessary cost of each unit of production
- Maximized profits by 15% during the month of July
- Heightened the level of employee moral through program incentives
Other words: Accelerated, Allocated, Boosted, Centralized, Downsized, Edited, Eliminated, Enhanced, Expanded, Expedited, Heightened, Lessened, Leveraged, Maximized, Merged, Optimized, Outlined, Outsourced, Prevented, Prioritized, Reorganized, Reduced, Revised, Simplified, Standardized, Stream-lined, Synthesized, Systematized, Upgraded
Research Skills
- Examined a new mechanism that may reduce sickness on the campus
- Identified a major defect in a microscopic organism last month
- Surveyed a group of Purdue students with regard to Product A
Other words: Analyzed, Collected, Compared, Controlled, Detected, Diagnosed, Evaluated, Examined, Gathered, Identified, Investigated, Located, Measured, Organized, Reported, Replicated, Researched, Reviewed, Searched, Surveyed, Wrote
Teaching Skills
- Defined a new product strategy and discussed how it would be implemented
- Instructed Department B on how to reduce inventory and raise net sales
- Prepared a tutorial manual for an English class last semester
Other words: Aided, Advised, Clarified, Communicated, Defined, Developed, Encouraged, Evaluated, Facilitated, Fostered, Guided, Helped, Incorporated, Informed, Initiated, Instructed, Lectured, Prepared, Supported, Supervised, Stimulated, Taught
Technical Skills
- Assembled an entire computer programming simulation for my CPT course
- Designed a new form of Widget C for a manufacturing facility
- Programmed three new computer programs tailored for a network system
Other words: Analyzed, Assembled, Built, Calculated, Computed, Conducted, Designed, Devised, Engineered, Maintained, Operated, Programmed, Reengineered, Remodeled, Transmitted
Sources/References:
Rosalie Maggio, How to Say It, Webster's Thesaurus.
