Action verbs for your resume: 30 strong verbs by type of work, with examples

A resume bullet is read in a second or two, and the first word decides what the reader thinks you did. “Responsible for” tells them a job title; “Cut”, “Trained” or “Opened” tells them an action. Careers services such as the UK's National Careers Service ask for short, specific lines instead of long descriptions, and a clear verb is the quickest way to get there.

The lists below are not meant to be copied as they are. They are a menu: pick the verb that is true for what you did, and finish the sentence with the object and, when you have one, the result.

Use the past tense for jobs you have left (“Managed”, “Trained”) and the present tense for your current job (“Manage”, “Train”). Do not write “I”: start with the verb and drop the subject.

Use one verb per bullet and avoid repeating the same one down the page. If you notice three “Managed” in a row, swap at least two for a more exact verb from the lists below.

• Led a team of waiters during weekend shifts and covered absences.
• Coordinated deliveries from three suppliers so the shelves were never empty.
• Organised the filing system and the shared calendar for a small office.
• Supervised the opening and closing routines of the shop.
• Scheduled staff rotas around busy periods.
• Delegated routine tasks to new colleagues and checked the result.

• Designed a new menu layout that was easier to read.
• Built a simple spreadsheet to track orders, replacing handwritten notes.
• Launched a weekly newsletter for the shop's regular customers.
• Simplified the order process by removing a duplicated step.
• Redesigned the product display near the entrance.
• Introduced a checklist that reduced forgotten items.

• Advised customers on products and sizes and handled returns politely.
• Resolved complaints on the spot, escalating only what I could not fix.
• Upsold accessories when they fitted what the customer needed.
• Welcomed guests and handled reservations by phone and email.
• Negotiated delivery dates with regular clients.
• Retained regular customers by remembering their preferences.

• Reconciled the daily cash register with the till report.
• Tracked stock levels and flagged shortages before they became a problem.
• Compared suppliers' prices and recommended the cheaper option.
• Audited invoices and corrected recurring mistakes.
• Forecast weekend demand from previous weeks' sales.
• Reported weekly results to the manager in a one-page summary.

• Trained new colleagues on the till and the opening routine.
• Mentored an apprentice during the first three months.
• Cared for patients on a general ward, following the care plan.
• Taught small groups and adapted exercises to each student's pace.
• Supported families through enrolment and paperwork.
• Assisted the manager with administrative tasks and correspondence.

Write the bullet first, in plain words, and then check whether a stronger verb from the list is accurate. Do not choose a verb and then invent the story.

Match the verbs in the job ad when they are true for you: automated screening tools look for those words, and so do recruiters. Our resume-by-profession skills page has the exact wording used for eleven common jobs.