Table of Contents
Quick Answer
The fastest way to upgrade your resume.
If you want your Sales or Business Development resume to stand out, eliminate weak, passive phrases like "Responsible for sales" and "Worked with clients".
Instead, use powerful, revenue-driving action verbs like Closed, Generated, Negotiated, and Scaled. These words show initiative, ownership, and results. Below, you'll find 160+ action verbs categorized by sales and BD domains, along with 50 real-world resume bullet point examples you can copy today.
Word Profile
What Hiring Managers Look for in Resume Language.
| Target Role | Sales Representative / BD Manager |
| Key Competencies | Prospecting, Closing, Negotiation, Account Growth, Pipeline Management |
| Weak Verbs to Avoid | Helped, Worked, Did, Was responsible for, Handled, Called |
| Ideal Verb Tense | Past tense for previous jobs; Present tense for current role. |
| ATS Optimization | High Impact |
Why Replace Weak Verbs?
The problem with passive language on a resume.
Sales and BD professionals are hired to drive revenue and expand market presence. When you use phrases like "Was responsible for managing accounts," you are describing a job description, not your financial impact. Hiring managers want to know what you achieved with that responsibility. Action verbs prove you are a closer, not just an order taker.
The Passive Trap
"Was responsible for managing a sales territory."
This tells the recruiter what you were supposed to do, not if you hit quota or grew revenue.
The Active Fix
"Expanded a sales territory, closing $1.2M in new business and exceeding quota by 15%."
This shows ownership, action, and a quantified positive outcome.
Word Grid
A complete visual directory of action verbs. Click any word to explore its definition.
Prospecting & Lead Generation
Pitching & Presenting
Closing & Sales Execution
Revenue & Quota Management
Account Management & Retention
Strategy & Business Development
Closing & Sales Execution Verbs
When you need to prove you can seal the deal and drive revenue.
Closed
Finalized a lucrative business agreement or sale.
- Closed $1.5M in new ARR within the first fiscal quarter.
- Closed enterprise-level SaaS contracts with a 95% win rate.
- Closed 40+ mid-market deals, contributing to 30% of regional revenue.
Secured
Obtained something valuable, like a contract or client.
- Secured a $500k annual contract with a Fortune 500 retail client.
- Secured exclusive vendor partnerships across three major international markets.
- Secured renewal agreements for 98% of at-risk accounts.
Negotiated
Reached an agreement through discussion and compromise.
- Negotiated multi-year service level agreements (SLAs) yielding a 15% margin increase.
- Negotiated pricing tiers with enterprise clients, preserving 100% of the pipeline.
- Negotiated terms with external vendors to reduce customer acquisition cost (CAC) by 12%.
Finalized
Completed the last steps of a sales agreement.
- Finalized 25 enterprise software contracts totaling $3.2M in Q4 revenue.
- Finalized onboarding paperwork and compliance checks for 50+ new accounts.
- Finalized cross-functional alignment between sales and product delivery teams.
Converted
Turned a prospect into a paying customer.
- Converted 30% of free-trial users into paid subscribers through targeted follow-up campaigns.
- Converted 15 inbound leads per month into closed-won opportunities.
- Converted cold outreach into a $250k initial pilot program.
Contracted
Formally agreed to terms via a legal contract.
- Contracted $2M in new business across the healthcare and finance sectors.
- Contracted annual recurring revenue (ARR) growing by 22% year-over-year.
- Contracted strategic reseller agreements in the EMEA territory.
Won
Successfully acquired a deal or account against competitors.
- Won a highly competitive bid against 3 rival vendors for a $1M contract.
- Won the 'President’s Club' award for achieving 150% of annual quota.
- Won back 5 churned accounts by introducing a new product feature set.
Persuaded
Convinced a prospect to adopt a solution.
- Persuaded hesitant clients to adopt premium tiers, increasing upsell revenue by 18%.
- Persuaded the buying committee to approve a $200k software upgrade.
- Persuaded decision-makers to transition from legacy systems to our cloud platform.
Pitched
Presented a product or service to a prospective buyer.
- Pitched a customized SaaS solution to the C-suite of 50+ target accounts.
- Pitched new marketing strategies to the executive board, securing $100k in campaign funding.
- Pitched product demonstrations at 3 major industry trade shows.
Demonstrated
Showed how a product or service functions to highlight value.
- Demonstrated the ROI of the enterprise platform to 200+ prospects via weekly webinars.
- Demonstrated product capabilities to technical buyers, reducing the sales cycle by 10 days.
- Demonstrated value propositions that directly led to a $750k closing.
Account Management & Client Success Verbs
Demonstrating your ability to build trust, retain clients, and grow relationships.
Retained
Kept an existing client from churning or canceling.
- Retained 95% of the existing client base during a major pricing restructure.
- Retained $4M in at-risk revenue by implementing proactive success check-ins.
- Retained key enterprise accounts by mediating a complex service-level dispute.
Renewed
Extended an existing contract or agreement.
- Renewed $5M in annual software licenses with a 98% success rate.
- Renewed expired contracts by launching an automated email drip campaign.
- Renewed high-value accounts while upselling premium support packages.
Nurtured
Developed relationships over time to encourage future sales.
- Nurtured 500+ cold leads into a qualified pipeline of $2M over 6 months.
- Nurtured relationships with key decision-makers at 20 target Fortune 500 companies.
- Nurtured dormant accounts, generating $300k in unexpected Q3 renewals.
Fostered
Encouraged the development of strong client partnerships.
- Fostered strategic partnerships with 3 global integration agencies, driving 40 new referrals.
- Fostered long-term trust with enterprise clients, resulting in a 25% expansion in ARR.
- Fostered a culture of consultative selling within the junior sales team.
Partnered
Collaborated strategically with clients or internal teams.
- Partnered with the marketing team to align sales outreach with product launches.
- Partnered with external channel resellers to penetrate the Latin American market.
- Partnered with key accounts to co-develop customized integration solutions.
Liaised
Communicated between clients and internal departments.
- Liaised between enterprise clients and the engineering team to resolve critical API bugs.
- Liaised with the legal department to streamline the contract approval process by 5 days.
- Liaised with product managers to translate client feedback into new features.
Advised
Offered expert guidance to clients regarding solutions.
- Advised C-level executives on digital transformation strategies, closing $1.2M in deals.
- Advised mid-market clients on optimal software configurations to maximize their ROI.
- Advised the sales director on territory realignment based on market data analysis.
Onboarded
Integrated new clients into the company's systems or processes.
- Onboarded 40+ new enterprise clients within the first 90 days of acquisition.
- Onboarded strategic accounts, ensuring a seamless transition from sales to customer success.
- Onboarded new sales representatives, reducing ramp-up time by 2 weeks.
Resolved
Solved a client's problem or dispute effectively.
- Resolved a complex billing dispute, preserving a $250k annual contract.
- Resolved technical escalations by directly coordinating with the IT support team.
- Resolved objections regarding implementation timelines, accelerating the deal close by 2 weeks.
Supported
Assisted clients or team members to achieve a goal.
- Supported the junior sales team in closing $500k in pipeline deals.
- Supported key accounts during the software migration phase, preventing potential churn.
- Supported product development by providing raw, quantitative data from 100+ client interactions.
Revenue & Quota Achievement Verbs
Showing you can hit targets, manage margins, and drive financial growth.
Generated
Produced or created new revenue or leads.
- Generated $2.5M in new business revenue within the first fiscal year.
- Generated 150+ qualified meetings per quarter through targeted outbound campaigns.
- Generated a 300% return on investment (ROI) for clients through optimized ad spend.
Drove
Propelled a metric, team, or process forward forcefully.
- Drove a 40% increase in inbound lead conversion through strategic A/B testing.
- Drove $5M in net-new pipeline by restructuring the territory alignment.
- Drove the adoption of a new CRM system across a 50-person sales floor.
Maximized
Made the best possible use of resources or accounts.
- Maximized revenue per user (ARPU) by strategically bundling premium features.
- Maximized the lifetime value (LTV) of 20 key enterprise accounts.
- Maximized sales team efficiency by implementing automated lead-scoring workflows.
Scaled
Grew a process, team, or revenue exponentially.
- Scaled the outbound sales team from 5 to 15 representatives in 6 months.
- Scaled customer acquisition efforts into 3 new international territories.
- Scaled monthly recurring revenue (MRR) by 200% over 18 months.
Exceeded
Surpassed a given target or quota.
- Exceeded the annual sales quota of $1M by 135%, achieving $1.35M in revenue.
- Exceeded quarterly KPIs for new client acquisition by 20%.
- Exceeded the benchmark for customer satisfaction scores (CSAT) across a 50-account portfolio.
Surpassed
Went beyond expectations or targets.
- Surpassed the regional revenue goal by $400k in Q3.
- Surpassed the previous year's booking record by 18%.
- Surpassed competition by capturing 60% of the local market share.
Yielded
Produced a specific financial result or return.
- Yielded a 25% profit margin increase through strategic vendor renegotiations.
- Yielded $1M in expansion revenue through targeted account-based marketing (ABM).
- Yielded a 15% reduction in customer churn through proactive outreach.
Accelerated
Sped up a sales cycle or growth trajectory.
- Accelerated the average sales cycle from 90 days to 45 days via streamlined demos.
- Accelerated revenue growth in the Midwest territory by 30%.
- Accelerated the onboarding process for new strategic partners.
Booked
Officially recorded revenue or signed contracts.
- Booked $4.5M in total contract value (TCV) across Q3 and Q4.
- Booked 50 new enterprise licenses at an average deal size of $25k.
- Booked $800k in upsell and cross-sell revenue for the fiscal year.
Outperformed
Performed better than peers or previous benchmarks.
- Outperformed 20 peers to win the 'Top Closer' award for three consecutive quarters.
- Outperformed the national average for client retention by 12%.
- Outperformed revenue targets despite a major market downturn.
Objection Handling & Retention Verbs
Proving you can navigate pushback, solve problems, and prevent churn.
Overcame
Successfully dealt with a problem or client objection.
- Overcame pricing objections by demonstrating a 200% ROI over 3 years.
- Overcame technical hurdles by coordinating a custom proof-of-concept (POC).
- Overcame budget freezes by offering flexible, phased payment terms.
Mitigated
Reduced the risk of client churn or lost deals.
- Mitigated churn risk for 15 at-risk accounts by implementing customized success plans.
- Mitigated revenue loss during the pricing transition by grandfathering legacy clients.
- Mitigated competitive threats by creating targeted battlecards for the sales team.
Defended
Protected existing accounts from competitors.
- Defended a $2M renewal contract against an aggressive competitor undercutting price.
- Defended key accounts by ensuring continuous value delivery and quarterly reviews.
- Defended market share in a highly saturated territory against 3 rival firms.
Reclaimed
Recovered lost or churned clients.
- Reclaimed 4 churned enterprise accounts, resulting in $500k in recovered ARR.
- Reclaimed lost pipeline by re-engaging 'no-decision' prospects with new case studies.
- Reclaimed 20% of canceled subscriptions through a targeted win-back email campaign.
Recovered
Regained lost revenue or saved a failing deal.
- Recovered a stalled $300k deal by re-pitching the value proposition to new stakeholders.
- Recovered $150k in unpaid invoices by negotiating extended payment plans.
- Recovered 3 critical accounts from the verge of churning to competitors.
Salvaged
Saved a problematic situation or relationship.
- Salvaged a highly tense client relationship after a major product outage.
- Salvaged a misaligned software deployment by offering free premium support.
- Salvaged 50% of the projected pipeline loss after a budget cut.
Navigated
Steered a complex deal or client issue to success.
- Navigated a multi-stakeholder buying committee to close a $1M enterprise deal.
- Navigated complex procurement processes to expedite contract finalization.
- Navigated a sudden shift in client leadership, ensuring deal continuity.
Addressed
Dealt with a client concern or product issue.
- Addressed security compliance concerns by facilitating a technical Q&A with the CISO.
- Addressed user adoption hurdles by providing customized training webinars.
- Addressed negative feedback by directly revising the account management strategy.
Troubleshot
Identified and resolved technical objections during the sales cycle.
- Troubleshot API integration concerns during the POC, securing a $250k contract.
- Troubleshot data migration issues for a transitioning enterprise client.
- Troubleshot reporting discrepancies, ensuring the client trusted the platform's analytics.
Rectified
Fixed a mistake or service failure for a client.
- Rectified a billing error for a top-tier client, preserving a $1M annual contract.
- Rectified misaligned deliverables by restructuring the implementation timeline.
- Rectified a communication breakdown between the client and the support team.
Pipeline & Forecasting Verbs
Showing you can manage the sales cycle and accurately predict revenue.
Forecasted
Predicted future sales revenue and pipeline health.
- Forecasted Q3 pipeline with 95% accuracy, enabling precise resource allocation.
- Forecasted $10M in annual recurring revenue for the upcoming fiscal year.
- Forecasted market shifts, prompting a strategic pivot in product positioning.
Projected
Estimated future metrics or revenue trends.
- Projected a 30% increase in deal size by moving to value-based pricing.
- Projected quarterly growth rates for the VP of Sales based on historical data.
- Projected the ROI of a new marketing channel, securing $50k in test funding.
Expedited
Sped up a specific phase of the sales cycle.
- Expedited the legal review process for a key $500k contract.
- Expedited product demonstrations by utilizing pre-configured sandbox environments.
- Expedited the closing phase by directly engaging the client's CFO.
Synchronized
Aligned sales activities with other departments or client timelines.
- Synchronized the product launch timeline with the enterprise sales pipeline.
- Synchronized outreach efforts between the SDR and AE teams to increase bookings by 20%.
- Synchronized contract renewals with the client's annual budgeting cycle.
Prioritized
Ranked accounts or tasks to maximize revenue output.
- Prioritized high-value accounts in the CRM, leading to a 25% increase in large deals.
- Prioritized inbound leads using an automated scoring system, boosting conversion by 15%.
- Prioritized cross-sell opportunities within the existing book of business.
Targeted
Selected specific prospects or markets for outreach.
- Targeted 50 Fortune 500 companies with a highly personalized ABM campaign.
- Targeted a new vertical market, generating $1M in untapped pipeline within 6 months.
- Targeted specific buyer personas, improving email open rates by 40%.
Scheduled
Arranged meetings, demos, or follow-ups.
- Scheduled 30+ product discovery calls per week for the senior account executives.
- Scheduled weekly check-ins with at-risk clients to ensure satisfaction.
- Scheduled contract review meetings with legal teams to prevent bottlenecks.
Mapped
Charted out a territory, account structure, or sales process.
- Mapped the organizational chart of 100 target accounts to identify key decision-makers.
- Mapped the sales process from lead generation to close, reducing friction by 20%.
- Mapped regional territories to evenly distribute inbound lead flow.
Structured
Organized complex deals or pricing models.
- Structured a multi-year, multi-tier pricing agreement for a global enterprise client.
- Structured the commission plan to heavily incentivize new business acquisition.
- Structured a pilot program that transitioned seamlessly into a $300k annual contract.
Aligned
Brought different parties into agreement on a deal.
- Aligned the client's business goals with the platform's technical capabilities.
- Aligned internal sales and marketing teams to ensure consistent messaging.
- Aligned contract terms with both parties' legal requirements, closing the deal in 14 days.
50 Resume Bullet Point Examples
Real-world examples of how to use these verbs on your resume.
Closing & Revenue Generation
- Closed $1.5M in new ARR within the first fiscal quarter, exceeding quota by 25%.
- Generated $2.5M in net-new business revenue by penetrating an untapped healthcare vertical.
- Drove a 40% increase in inbound lead conversion through targeted A/B testing.
- Booked $4.5M in total contract value (TCV) across Q3 and Q4.
- Exceeded the annual sales quota of $1M by 135%, achieving $1.35M in revenue.
- Surpassed the regional revenue goal by $400k in Q3 through aggressive outbound prospecting.
- Yielded $1M in expansion revenue through targeted account-based marketing (ABM).
- Accelerated the average sales cycle from 90 days to 45 days via streamlined demos.
- Outperformed 20 peers to win the 'Top Closer' award for three consecutive quarters.
- Scaled monthly recurring revenue (MRR) by 200% over 18 months in the Mid-Atlantic region.
Prospecting & Pipeline Management
- Sourced 50+ qualified meetings per quarter through strategic cold calling and LinkedIn outreach.
- Prospected 200+ target accounts, generating a robust pipeline of $3M.
- Targeted 50 Fortune 500 companies with a highly personalized ABM campaign.
- Mapped the organizational chart of 100 target accounts to identify key decision-makers.
- Generated 150+ qualified meetings per quarter through targeted outbound campaigns.
- Prioritized high-value accounts in the CRM, leading to a 25% increase in large deals.
- Cultivated 500+ cold leads into a qualified pipeline of $2M over 6 months.
- Forecasted Q3 pipeline with 95% accuracy, enabling precise resource allocation.
- Projected a 30% increase in deal size by moving to value-based pricing.
- Expedited the legal review process for a key $500k contract by directly engaging the client's CFO.
Account Management & Client Success
- Retained 95% of the existing client base during a major pricing restructure.
- Renewed $5M in annual software licenses with a 98% success rate.
- Nurtured relationships with key decision-makers at 20 target Fortune 500 companies.
- Partnered with external channel resellers to penetrate the Latin American market.
- Onboarded 40+ new enterprise clients within the first 90 days of acquisition.
- Resolved a complex billing dispute, preserving a $250k annual contract.
- Supported key accounts during the software migration phase, preventing potential churn.
- Defended a $2M renewal contract against an aggressive competitor undercutting price.
- Reclaimed 4 churned enterprise accounts, resulting in $500k in recovered ARR.
- Rectified a billing error for a top-tier client, preserving a $1M annual contract.
Pitching & Negotiation
- Persuaded hesitant clients to adopt premium tiers, increasing upsell revenue by 18%.
- Pitched a customized SaaS solution to the C-suite of 50+ target accounts.
- Demonstrated the ROI of the enterprise platform to 200+ prospects via weekly webinars.
- Negotiated multi-year service level agreements (SLAs) yielding a 15% margin increase.
- Finalized 25 enterprise software contracts totaling $3.2M in Q4 revenue.
- Converted 30% of free-trial users into paid subscribers through targeted follow-up campaigns.
- Contracted $2M in new business across the healthcare and finance sectors.
- Won a highly competitive bid against 3 rival vendors for a $1M contract.
- Advised C-level executives on digital transformation strategies, closing $1.2M in deals.
- Liaised between enterprise clients and the engineering team to resolve critical API bugs.
Objection Handling & Strategy
- Overcame pricing objections by demonstrating a 200% ROI over 3 years.
- Mitigated churn risk for 15 at-risk accounts by implementing customized success plans.
- Navigated a multi-stakeholder buying committee to close a $1M enterprise deal.
- Addressed security compliance concerns by facilitating a technical Q&A with the CISO.
- Troubleshot API integration concerns during the POC, securing a $250k contract.
- Salvaged a highly tense client relationship after a major product outage.
- Recovered a stalled $300k deal by re-pitching the value proposition to new stakeholders.
- Aligned the client's business goals with the platform's technical capabilities.
- Structured a multi-year, multi-tier pricing agreement for a global enterprise client.
- Synchronized contract renewals with the client's annual budgeting cycle.
ATS Optimization Tips
How to ensure your action verbs actually reach human eyes.
Use Standard Section Headings
Don't get creative with titles like 'Sales Journey' or 'Deal History.' Stick to 'Experience,' 'Education,' and 'Skills' so the ATS knows where to find your action verbs and quotas.
Avoid Tables and Columns
ATS software reads left-to-right, top-to-bottom. If you put your revenue numbers in a side column or a table, the ATS might read them out of order or skip them entirely. Use a single-column layout.
Pair Verbs with Exact Keywords
Action verbs are great, but ATS looks for nouns too. Pair them: 'Closed $1M in SaaS sales using Salesforce' is stronger than just 'Closed $1M in sales.'
Save as a PDF or DOCX
Unless the application specifically asked for Word, save as a PDF to lock in your formatting. Ensure the PDF is text-based, not a scanned image, so the ATS can read your verbs and metrics.
Professional Writing Tips
How to frame your bullet points for maximum impact.
Drop the Pronouns
Resumes use 'implied first-person.' Never use 'I,' 'my,' or 'we.' Start directly with the action verb.
❌ I closed $1M in new sales.
✅ Closed $1M in new sales.
Use the XYZ Formula
Google famously recommends this formula for resumes: 'Accomplished [X] as measured by [Y], by doing [Z].' Put your action verb at the very beginning of [Z].
✅ Generated $1.2M in new ARR (X), measured by Salesforce dashboards (Y), by orchestrating a targeted outbound campaign to Fortune 500 clients (Z).
Keep Tense Consistent
If you are describing a past job, every bullet point should start with a past-tense verb (Closed, Generated, Negotiated). For your current job, use present tense for ongoing duties (Close, Generate, Negotiate) and past tense for completed projects.
❌ Close 50 deals per quarter. Manage a $5M pipeline.
✅ Closed 50 deals per quarter. Manage a $5M pipeline.
Don't Overinflate
Be honest about your role. If you only passed a lead to the senior AE, don't say you 'Closed' the deal. Use accurate verbs like 'Sourced,' 'Qualified,' or 'Supported.' Hiring managers will dig into your claims during the interview.
LinkedIn Profile Examples
How to translate these verbs to your LinkedIn profile.
1. The LinkedIn Headline
Don't just write 'Account Executive.' Use action-oriented language to show what you do and the value you bring.
Weak Headline:
Account Executive at TechCorp
Strong Headlines:
Senior Account Executive | Closing Enterprise SaaS Deals | Scaling ARR
Business Development Manager Spearheading Market Expansion & Negotiating Strategic Partnerships
2. The "About" Section
Write in the first person here. Weave your action verbs into a narrative about your sales philosophy.
"I am a results-driven Business Development Manager specializing in B2B SaaS. Over the past 6 years, I have generated $5M in net-new revenue and nurtured a pipeline of 500+ enterprise prospects. My core strength is negotiating complex contracts and retaining key accounts, ensuring I consistently exceed quota by 120%..."
3. The Experience Section
You can copy your resume bullet points directly here, but you don't need to be as strict about omitting 'I'. Still, starting with an action verb looks cleaner.
• Closed $1.5M in new ARR within the first fiscal quarter.
• Accelerated the average sales cycle from 90 to 45 days via streamlined demos.
• Retained 95% of the existing client base during a major pricing restructure.
Common Resume Mistakes
Avoid these frequent pitfalls when writing your resume.
Responsible for sales in the Midwest.
✓ Directed the Midwest territory, closing $1.2M in new business and exceeding quota by 15%.
Explanation: "Responsible for" is passive and describes a duty. Use strong action verbs to show what you actually achieved.
Tip: Highlight the revenue outcome, not just the territory assignment.
Helped clients with their software needs.
✓ Advised 50+ enterprise clients on software integrations, closing $500k in upsells.
Explanation: "Helped" is a weak verb that diminishes your contribution. It leaves hiring managers wondering how much you actually sold.
Tip: Use words like Advised, Consulted, or Onboarded.
Worked on improving the sales pipeline.
✓ Generated 150+ qualified meetings per quarter, building a $2M robust pipeline.
Explanation: "Worked on" is vague and lacks metrics. It doesn't tell the recruiter if you succeeded or failed.
Tip: Always attach a quantifiable metric to your action verb.
Was tasked with managing key accounts.
✓ Managed a portfolio of 20 key accounts, growing ARR by 30%.
Explanation: "Was tasked with" sounds like you were forced to do it. It lacks ownership and leadership.
Tip: Use authoritative verbs like Managed, Directed, or Nurtured.
Led a deal that made the company money.
✓ Negotiated a $1M enterprise contract, yielding a 25% profit margin.
Explanation: "Made the company money" is unprofessional and unquantified. Use precise business language and exact numbers.
Tip: Use terms like Generated, Yielded, or Drove revenue.
Assisted the sales team with lead generation.
✓ Sourced 500+ qualified prospects, directly contributing to $1.5M in closed revenue.
Explanation: "Assisted" makes you sound like an observer rather than a driver. Even if you were junior, own your specific contribution.
Tip: Use Sourced, Prospected, or Qualified.
Did account management for enterprise clients.
✓ Nurtured 15 enterprise accounts, achieving a 98% renewal rate.
Explanation: "Did" is the weakest verb in the English language. It tells the reader nothing about your methodology.
Tip: Use Nurtured, Retained, or Managed for account contexts.
Handled objections from prospects.
✓ Overcame pricing objections by demonstrating 200% ROI, closing 40% of stalled deals.
Explanation: "Handled" is overly casual for a sales resume. It fails to show strategic problem-solving skills.
Tip: Use Overcame, Navigated, or Resolved.
Put together pitch decks for the VP.
✓ Structured customized pitch decks for C-level executives, securing $2M in funding.
Explanation: "Put together" is a colloquial phrasal verb. Resumes require formal, professional terminology.
Tip: Use Structured, Developed, or Designed.
Looked after the sales cycle.
✓ Accelerated the sales cycle from 90 to 45 days by implementing streamlined demo processes.
Explanation: "Looked after" is passive and immeasurable. Use specific metrics and formal verbs.
Tip: Use Accelerated, Expedited, or Drove.
Correct vs. Incorrect Examples
Before and after resume bullet points.
Weak / Passive
Responsible for closing new deals.
Strong / Active
Closed $1.5M in new business revenue within the first fiscal quarter.
Weak / Passive
Worked with the marketing team to get leads.
Strong / Active
Partnered with marketing to align outreach, generating 150+ qualified meetings.
Weak / Passive
Helped keep clients from leaving.
Strong / Active
Retained 95% of the existing client base during a major pricing restructure.
Weak / Passive
In charge of negotiating contracts.
Strong / Active
Negotiated multi-year SLAs yielding a 15% margin increase.
Weak / Passive
Talked to prospects about the software.
Strong / Active
Pitched a customized SaaS solution to the C-suite of 50+ target accounts.
Weak / Passive
Made the sales process faster.
Strong / Active
Accelerated the average sales cycle from 90 days to 45 days via streamlined demos.
Weak / Passive
Looked after vendor relationships.
Strong / Active
Negotiated vendor contracts, yielding a $30k cost savings for the fiscal year.
Weak / Passive
Changed the pricing strategy for the region.
Strong / Active
Restructured the regional pricing model, boosting average deal size by 20%.
Weak / Passive
Dealt with a big client objection.
Strong / Active
Overcame pricing objections by demonstrating a 200% ROI over 3 years.
Weak / Passive
Did training for the new CRM.
Strong / Active
Facilitated hands-on CRM training sessions for 50+ sales reps, reducing ramp-up time.
🎮 Mini Quiz
Test your knowledge with these interactive questions.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to common questions.
Why are action verbs so important on a Sales and Business Development resume?
Action verbs demonstrate ownership and impact. In sales, you are the driver of revenue. Passive phrases like 'was responsible for' make you sound like an order taker. Verbs like 'Closed' or 'Generated' show you take charge and deliver financial results.
Should I use the same action verb multiple times on my resume?
It's best to avoid repeating the same verb in close proximity. If you used 'Generated' in one bullet point, use 'Drove' or 'Booked' in the next. Variety keeps the reader engaged and shows off a broader vocabulary.
What tense should action verbs be in?
For past jobs, use the past tense (e.g., Closed, Generated, Negotiated). For your current job, use the present tense for ongoing duties (e.g., Close, Generate, Negotiate) and past tense for completed projects or specific closed deals within that role.
How many action verbs should I use per bullet point?
Typically, one strong action verb per bullet point. The formula is: [Action Verb] + [Task/Activity] + [Metric/Result]. For example: 'Generated $2.5M in new business revenue, exceeding quota by 25%.'
Will using these action verbs help me get past ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems)?
Yes. ATS software scans resumes for specific keywords. While it heavily looks for hard skills (e.g., 'Salesforce,' 'Cold Calling,' 'SaaS'), using strong action verbs alongside those skills ensures your resume reads as a highly relevant match for sales roles.
Is it okay to use 'Managed' on a Sales resume?
Yes, but it is very common. 'Managed' is a bit generic. It's better to use more descriptive verbs like 'Directed,' 'Scaled,' or 'Grew' to stand out from the hundreds of other resumes that just say 'Managed territory.'
What if I wasn't the top closer, but an SDR or BDR? Can I still use strong verbs?
Absolutely. If you didn't close the final deal, you still led the prospecting phase. Use verbs like 'Sourced,' 'Qualified,' 'Nurtured,' or 'Generated' to accurately describe your specific contribution to the pipeline without overstating your role.
Should I include metrics and numbers with my action verbs?
Yes. In sales, an action verb without a metric is just a claim. 'Exceeded quota' is okay. 'Exceeded quota by 135%, closing $1.35M in new business' is a proven achievement. Always try to quantify your impact with revenue, percentages, or volume.
What is the difference between a weak verb and a strong verb?
A weak verb describes a state of being or a passive duty (e.g., 'was,' 'had,' 'helped,' 'worked'). A strong verb shows a specific, decisive action that resulted in a change (e.g., 'Negotiated,' 'Closed,' 'Scaled').
Can I use these action verbs in my LinkedIn profile?
Yes, your LinkedIn profile is an extension of your resume. Using strong sales action verbs in your 'Experience' section makes your profile more attractive to recruiters and hiring managers searching for top sales talent.
Quick Reference
A cheat sheet for your resume writing.
Formula: [Action Verb] + [Sales Activity] + [Revenue/Quota Metric]
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