Stop using weak, passive language. Discover impactful action verbs, ATS-friendly keywords, and industry-specific terms to make your resume stand out.
Hiring managers see these cliché words thousands of times. Swap them for high-impact alternatives.
Responsible for
Chaired
Shows ownership and leadership rather than just passive duty.
Helped
Facilitated
Describes the specific action of making a process easier or possible.
Hard Worker
Exceeded Goals
"Hard worker" is subjective. Quantifying your output proves your work ethic.
Choose verbs that highlight your specific professional strengths.
See the dramatic difference a few power words and quantifiable metrics can make.
"Was responsible for making the sales team better."
"Mentored 5 junior sales reps, boosting overall team quota attainment by 22% in Q3."
"Helped with a project to upgrade the database."
"Spearheaded database migration project, reducing query load times by 400ms."
Applicant Tracking Systems scan for these specific keywords. Don't forget to include them.
Every bullet point on your resume should follow this proven structure.
Example
Directed a cross-functional team of 10 developers to launch the new mobile app, generating 50,000 downloads in month one.
Explore our extensive dictionary using different filters and categories.
Take this 50-question quiz to test your vocabulary knowledge.
1. What is a 'weak verb' in resume writing?
2. Which sentence is the best resume bullet point using a power adjective?
3. When describing a system rollout, which verb is best?
4. Which verb best describes combining multiple complex sources into one coherent document?
5. Which of the following is the strongest action verb to replace 'Looked into' on a research resume?
6. If you had to reduce the severity of a PR crisis, which verb is the most professional?
7. If you guided junior sales reps, which verb is the most professional choice?
8. What is a 'weak verb' in resume writing?
9. Which of the following is the strongest action verb to replace 'Responsible for' on a PMP resume?
10. What is the problem with using 'Assisted' on a tech resume?
11. Which verb/adjective pairing is best for a leadership role requiring conflict resolution?
12. Which adjective conveys the highest level of forward-thinking strategy for a CFO?
13. If you managed the purchasing of raw materials, which verb is the most professional to use?
14. If you trained community volunteers, which verb is the most professional choice?
15. Which of the following words should NEVER be used on a professional resume?
16. Why is 'Talked to' considered a weak verb on a client relations resume?
17. What is a 'weak verb' in resume writing?
18. When describing building a positive company culture, which verb is best?
19. If you want to describe your ability to understand and share the feelings of your clients, which adjective is best?
20. Which verb conveys the highest level of strategic control over a massive visual identity rollout?
21. Which verb conveys the highest level of authority during an emergency?
22. If you recovered a delayed project and got it back on track, which verb is highly effective?
23. If you were chosen from a large pool of applicants for an honor, which verb is the most professional to use?
24. Which of the following is the strongest action verb to replace 'Wrote' on a writing resume?
25. If you made a quick decision during a code blue, which adjective is the most professional choice?
26. Which verb conveys the highest level of strategic financial control over a portfolio?
27. Which sentence is the best closing for a cover letter?
28. Why is 'Handled' considered a weak verb on an efficiency resume?
29. What is the problem with using 'Handled' on a resume?
30. If you started a new project without being asked, which verb is the most professional to use?
31. If you shifted budget to handle an emergency, which verb is the most professional?
32. Which of the following words should NEVER be used on a professional resume?
33. Which sentence uses a passive voice, which should be avoided?
34. What is a 'weak verb' in resume writing?
35. What is the problem with using 'Assisted' on a customer service resume?
36. If you assigned urgency to 500 incoming daily tasks, which verb is highly effective?
37. When writing about a career change, which power word is effective?
38. If you assigned tasks effectively to save time, which verb is the most professional choice?
39. If you trained junior remote staff, which verb is the most professional choice?
40. Which sentence uses a passive voice, which should be avoided?
41. Which of the following words should NEVER be used on a professional resume?
42. Which sentence uses a passive voice, which should be avoided?
43. Why should professionals avoid the word 'Handled' when describing high-volume work?
44. Which adjective is the best replacement for the overused phrase 'Team player'?
45. Which sentence is the best resume bullet point to show attention to detail?
46. If you sent a technical bug to the engineering team, which verb is highly effective?
47. Which adjective conveys the highest level of financial impact for a project?
48. Which verb is best for showing that you successfully expanded an existing client's contract?
49. Why should you quantify your bullet points when using strategic action verbs?
50. What is a 'weak verb' in resume writing?
Resume words, often called action verbs or power words, are strong vocabulary choices used in a resume or CV to describe your skills, experiences, and accomplishments. Instead of saying 'did' or 'made', you use words like 'orchestrated', 'developed', or 'spearheaded' to make a stronger impact on recruiters.
Using action verbs makes your resume more dynamic and engaging. They clearly communicate your contributions and leadership abilities, helping you stand out to hiring managers. Strong verbs also paint a clearer picture of how you added value to your previous companies.
Some of the best resume power words include 'achieved', 'improved', 'managed', 'created', 'resolved', 'optimized', and 'initiated'. The best words are those that accurately describe your specific actions while showing positive results.
You should avoid overused, cliché buzzwords like 'go-getter', 'think outside the box', 'synergy', or 'results-driven'. Also, avoid weak passive verbs like 'was responsible for' or 'helped with', as they dilute the impact of your achievements.
Most companies use ATS software to scan resumes before a human ever reads them. These systems look for specific keywords related to the job description. By using industry-standard resume words and exact phrases from the job posting, you increase your chances of passing the ATS and reaching the interview stage.
