Use These Action Verbs on Your Resume

What Is an Action Verb?

Think back to your last English class and remember that verbs are all action words. They show that something is being done. Words like jump, climb, and hike are good examples. On a resume, they tell someone what you’ve done in the past, are currently doing, and what you plan to do in the future. Effectively using the right action verbs will increase your odds of impressing the interviewer enough to hire you over someone else.

Best Action Verbs for a Resume

Built, Constructed, Created, Fabricated – If you’ve been involved in the creation process of a building, structure, or other project, use these words to define your part. If you have multiple past experiences in the same vein, alternate between them to keep your resume fresh and interesting.

Spearheaded, Led, Supervised, Guided – These are ideal verbs for those who have been in a leadership position on any type of construction, engineering, or environmental project. They speak to your position of authority, and your ability to successfully lead a group of workers.

Improved, Enhanced, Revitalized, Modernized – Let prospective employers know that you can take something old and make it new again with these types of words. Whether it’s a process, procedure, structure, or anything else that you’ve made better, use verbs like these to describe what you’ve done.

Augmented, Increased, Bolstered, Expanded – Employers are looking for forward thinkers with big ideas, and the ability to successfully bring them to fruition. These kinds of verbs explain, in vivid detail, that you’re capable of making something more than it was originally.

Recommended, Suggested, Initiated, Encouraged – These are fantastic words to describe your ability to offer great ideas that move the organization forward. Be sure to follow up with the way in which the ideas were incorporated and how they benefited the company, project, or team.

Analyzed, Investigated, Researched, Examined – The ability to understand and evaluate data is an attractive trait in a prospective employee. Action verbs like these shed light on your ability to take arbitrary information and turn it into actionable plans.

Invented, Programmed, Envisioned, Visualized – Innovative thinkers are the lifeblood of any successful company, and it’s no different for construction, engineering and environmental organizations. If you’re a forward thinker, let everyone who reads your resume know with these verbs.

As you can see, action verbs not only describe what you’re able to do, but they do so in a way that makes your abilities, and accomplishments, sound better to a future employer. While this is, in no way, a complete list of all of the action verbs that will make your resume stand out, it’s a good start. Look at your work history and get creative. After all, you’re trying to land a job you’ve always dreamed of in a field that’s full of competition. Sell yourself at every turn, and don’t discount even the smallest things. By using action verbs that aren’t commonly used, you’ll make your resume outshine every other one and impress even the toughest interviewer.

Michael DeSafey is a leading executive recruiter for professionals in the construction, engineering and environmental industries. He is currently the President of Webuild Staffing www.webuildstaffing.com . To learn more about Michael or to follow his blog please visit www.michaeldesafey.com