How to use this list
- Start every bullet with a verb. Never "responsible for", "helped", "assisted", "worked on" or an -ing word.
- Present tense for your current job (Lead), past tense for earlier jobs (Led).
- Don't repeat the same opening verb within one job.
- The verb must be true: write "supported" rather than "led" if you supported.
Leadership and management
Led · Directed · Supervised · Coached · Mentored · Delegated · Mobilized · Recruited · Trained · Onboarded · Motivated · Oversaw · Spearheaded · Championed · Unified · Empowered · Appointed · Inspired · Cultivated · Assembled
Example: Coached 8 new associates through a structured onboarding plan, lifting their first-quarter sales by 20%.
Results and improvement
Increased · Reduced · Cut · Saved · Grew · Accelerated · Improved · Streamlined · Optimized · Boosted · Doubled · Eliminated · Shortened · Lowered · Raised · Exceeded · Achieved · Delivered · Generated · Recovered
Example: Cut invoice processing time from 5 days to 2 by automating approvals in the accounting system.
Projects and operations
Planned · Scheduled · Coordinated · Executed · Launched · Implemented · Managed · Organized · Prioritized · Sequenced · Dispatched · Completed · Handed over · Commissioned · Standardized · Allocated · Forecast · Procured · Tracked · Controlled
Example: Scheduled weekly crews across 12 sites, reducing idle time by 15% through earlier access checks.
Communication and relationships
Presented · Negotiated · Persuaded · Liaised · Collaborated · Partnered · Advised · Consulted · Facilitated · Mediated · Reassured · Influenced · Briefed · Corresponded · Wrote · Edited · Translated · Represented · Aligned · Engaged
Example: Negotiated renewal terms with 40 suppliers, reducing annual costs by $120,000.
Analysis and problem-solving
Analyzed · Assessed · Audited · Calculated · Diagnosed · Evaluated · Investigated · Measured · Modelled · Researched · Tested · Validated · Identified · Mapped · Benchmarked · Reconciled · Quantified · Reviewed · Surveyed · Verified
Example: Reconciled 3 years of billing records, recovering $48,000 in unbilled services.
Customer service and sales
Clarified · Resolved · De-escalated · Retained · Upsold · Cross-sold · Answered · Advocated · Served · Satisfied · Converted · Closed · Prospected · Qualified · Renewed · Welcomed · Supported · Followed up · Recommended · Educated
Example: Retained at-risk customers with plan changes within policy, saving 30 cancellations a month.
Technical and creative
Built · Designed · Developed · Engineered · Programmed · Configured · Automated · Integrated · Migrated · Deployed · Maintained · Upgraded · Drafted · Illustrated · Produced · Prototyped · Documented · Secured · Troubleshot · Installed
Example: Automated weekly reporting in Power BI, saving the team 6 hours a week.
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Which verbs should I avoid?
Weak openers such as responsible for, duties included, helped, assisted with, worked on and involved in. They describe presence, not achievement.
Can I use the same verb twice?
Across different jobs, yes. Within one job, vary them so a recruiter scanning the left edge sees a range of strengths.
Do action verbs help with ATS?
Indirectly. Systems search for skills and job terms, not verbs, but strong verbs make the bullets around those keywords convincing to the person who reads them next.