Resume action verbs that improve ATS ranking

If you have ever sent out dozens of resumes and heard nothing back, you are not alone. Many job seekers do not realize that their resume may never even reach a human. Before a hiring manager reads your resume, it usually passes through a computer system called an Applicant Tracking System.

The words you use on your resume can make the difference between getting an interview or being filtered out. In this guide, we will talk about resume action verbs — what they are, why they matter for ATS, and which ones you should use for different types of jobs.

What is an ATS and Why does it Matter?

An ATS is software that companies use to collect and sort job applications. When you submit your resume online, the ATS scans it for certain words and phrases. If your resume does not contain the right words, it may get rejected automatically — even if you are a great fit for the job.

One of the most important things the ATS looks for is action verbs. These are strong, active words that describe what you did in your past jobs. They show the ATS (and later, the human recruiter) that you are a doer, not just someone who had a job title.

What are Action Verbs?

Action verbs are words that describe an action. On a resume, they are used at the start of bullet points to describe what you accomplished or contributed.

Using the right action verbs helps your resume in two main ways:

1. It signals relevance to the ATS — many job descriptions use specific verbs, and matching those verbs improves your ATS score.
2. It impresses human readers — once your resume gets past the ATS, strong verbs make your experience sound more compelling.

For more advice on choosing the right words for your resume, check out resume keywords to get interviews

The Connection between Action Verbs and ATS Ranking

ATS systems are designed to match your resume against a job description. They look for:

1. Keywords — specific words that appear in the job posting
2. Skills — both hard skills (like “Python” or “Excel”) and soft skills (like “communication”)
3. Action verbs — words that show how you used your skills

When you use the same action verbs that appear in the job description, your resume scores higher. For example, if a job posting says “collaborate with cross-functional teams,” using the verb “collaborated” in your resume will help your score.

You can learn more about how to do this effectively by checking this guide on how to include keywords from job postings

Common Mistakes people make with Resume Verbs

Before we get into the best action verbs, let us talk about what NOT to do.

1. Using Weak or Vague Verbs

Words like “helped,” “worked on,” “assisted,” or “did” are too vague. They do not tell the ATS or the reader anything specific about what you contributed.

1. Using Passive Language

Saying “was responsible for” or “duties included” makes you sound passive. Employers want people who take initiative.

1. Repeating the Same Verb

Using “managed” for every bullet point gets repetitive.

1. Ignoring the Job Description

Many people write one resume and send it everywhere. This is a big mistake. Always look at the job description and try to use similar verbs to what they use.

The Best Resume Action Verbs by Category

Here is a large list of powerful action verbs organized by the type of work they describe. Pick the ones that best match your experience and the jobs you are applying for.

Leadership and Management Verbs

If you have led teams, managed projects, or been in charge of something, use these verbs:

1. Led — Led a team of 10 engineers to launch a new product.
2. Directed — Directed daily operations for a 50-person department.
3. Managed — Managed a $2 million annual budget.
4. Supervised — Supervised onboarding for new hires.
5. Oversaw — Oversaw quality control processes across three locations.
6. Coordinated — Coordinated between marketing and sales teams.
7. Delegated — Delegated tasks to team members based on skills and workload.
8. Mentored — Mentored junior staff on best practices.
9. Guided — Guided the company through a major software transition.
10. Chaired — Chaired weekly project update meetings.
11. Spearheaded — Spearheaded the company’s first remote work policy.
12. Championed — Championed diversity initiatives across departments.

These verbs are especially useful if you are applying for management or senior-level roles. You can also find great ATS-friendly professional resume templates designed for leadership roles.

Communication and Collaboration Verbs

Jobs today almost always require teamwork and communication. Use these verbs to show those skills:

1. Presented — Presented quarterly results to senior leadership.
2. Communicated — Communicated project updates to stakeholders weekly.
3. Collaborated — Collaborated with design and engineering teams on product launches.
4. Negotiated — Negotiated supplier contracts that saved 15% annually.
5. Facilitated — Facilitated cross-departmental workshops.
6. Authored — Authored internal training documentation.
7. Drafted — Drafted proposals for new client partnerships.
8. Reported — Reported findings to C-suite executives.
9. Liaised — Liaised between clients and internal teams.
10. Advised — Advised leadership on marketing strategy.
11. Persuaded — Persuaded stakeholders to adopt a new CRM system.
12. Translated — Translated complex technical data into simple reports.

To learn more about showcasing communication skills on your resume, read HipCV’s guide on top communication skills to master.

Achievement and Results Verbs

These verbs show that you did not just do your job — you excelled at it. ATS systems love seeing impact, and so do hiring managers.

1. Achieved — Achieved 120% of sales quota for three consecutive quarters.
2. Exceeded — Exceeded customer satisfaction targets by 20%.
3. Increased — Increased website traffic by 40% in six months.
4. Reduced — Reduced operational costs by $500,000 annually.
5. Improved — Improved employee retention rate from 70% to 90%.
6. Boosted — Boosted conversion rates through A/B testing.
7. Saved — Saved 200 hours per year by automating reporting.
8. Won — Won three industry awards for outstanding customer service.
9. Surpassed — Surpassed annual targets by 30%.
10. Maximized — Maximized team output by restructuring workflows.
11. Delivered — Delivered projects on time and within scope.

To learn how to write bullet points that highlight results with numbers, see how to craft Impact-driven resume bullet points with data

Analysis and Problem-Solving Verbs

These verbs are great for technical roles, research positions, and anyone who works with data or strategy.

1. Analyzed — Analyzed customer behavior data to identify trends.
2. Assessed — Assessed risks associated with new market entry.
3. Diagnosed — Diagnosed software bugs affecting 10,000+ users.
4. Evaluated — Evaluated vendor proposals and selected the best option.
5. Identified — Identified inefficiencies in the supply chain.
6. Investigated — Investigated the root cause of recurring system failures.
7. Researched — Researched competitor strategies to inform product roadmap.
8. Forecasted — Forecasted quarterly revenue based on sales pipeline data.
9. Interpreted — Interpreted survey results to guide product decisions.
10. Tested — Tested new software features before deployment.
11. Audited — Audited financial records for accuracy and compliance.

Creative and Design Verbs

If you work in design, marketing, writing, or content creation, these verbs are for you:

1. Designed — Designed a new brand identity that increased recognition by 35%.
2. Created — Created social media content that grew followers by 50K.
3. Developed — Developed a new onboarding experience for app users.
4. Built — Built a content strategy from the ground up.
5. Produced — Produced video content for YouTube and Instagram.
6. Crafted — Crafted email campaigns with a 45% open rate.
7. Illustrated — Illustrated product guides used by 10,000+ customers.
8. Conceptualized — Conceptualized a rebrand that won a design award.
9. Curated — Curated content for the company blog and newsletter.
10. Launched — Launched a new product line with a full marketing campaign.
11. Revamped — Revamped the company website to improve UX.
12. Wrote — Wrote copy for landing pages that increased sign-ups by 25%.

Technology and IT Verbs

These are especially important for software developers, IT professionals, data analysts, and engineers:

1. Developed — Developed a mobile app with 500,000+ downloads.
2. Programmed — Programmed automated scripts to reduce manual work by 60%.
3. Engineered — Engineered a cloud migration that improved uptime by 99.9%.
4. Implemented — Implemented a new security protocol across all servers.
5. Deployed — Deployed software updates with zero downtime.
6. Automated — Automated data pipelines, saving 15 hours per week.
7. Integrated — Integrated third-party APIs into existing systems.
8. Maintained — Maintained legacy code while building new features.
9. Optimized — Optimized database queries to reduce load time by 40%.
10. Configured — Configured network infrastructure for 500+ users.
11. Debugged — Debugged critical issues in production environments.
12. Architected — Architected a microservices system that scaled to 1M users.

Sales and Business Development Verbs

Use these verbs if you work in sales, account management, or business growth:

1. Sold — Sold enterprise software solutions to Fortune 500 companies.
2. Closed — Closed $3M in new business in one fiscal year.
3. Grew — Grew the client base from 50 to 200 accounts.
4. Prospected — Prospected new leads through cold outreach and networking.
5. Retained — Retained 95% of accounts year over year.
6. Upsold — Upsold premium packages, increasing average contract value by 20%.
7. Pitched — Pitched new products to potential enterprise clients.
8. Secured — Secured a $500K partnership deal with a major retailer.
9. Expanded — Expanded market presence into three new regions.
10. Cultivated — Cultivated long-term relationships with key accounts.
11. Converted — Converted free trials into paying customers at a 35% rate.
12. Drove — Drove revenue growth by 40% in 18 months.

Training and Education Verbs

If you have trained staff, taught students, or created learning materials, use these:

1. Trained — Trained 30 new employees on company systems.
2. Coached — Coached sales reps to improve close rates by 25%.
3. Educated — Educated customers on product features during onboarding.
4. Developed — Developed a 12-week training curriculum for new hires.
5. Instructed — Instructed 200 students in advanced mathematics.
6. Facilitated — Facilitated workshops on leadership and communication.
7. Evaluated — Evaluated employee performance and provided feedback.
8. Assessed — Assessed learning outcomes and adjusted curriculum accordingly.
9. Designed — Designed e-learning modules for remote teams.
10. Empowered — Empowered employees with skills to advance in their careers.

How to Use Action Verbs Strategically

Knowing the verbs is one thing. Using them well is another. Here are some tips:

Match Verbs to the Job Description

Read the job posting carefully. If they say “develop strategies,” use “developed” in your bullet points.

Start Every Bullet Point With a Verb

Never start a bullet point with “I” or with a noun. Always start with an action verb. This is one of the most important resume formatting rules.

Add Numbers When You Can

Action verbs are more powerful when combined with numbers. Instead of “Improved customer service,” say “Improved customer satisfaction scores by 30% over six months.”

Do Not Stuff Keywords

Using too many keywords or repeating verbs unnaturally can hurt you. The ATS may flag your resume as spam, and a human reader will notice that it sounds strange. Write naturally but strategically.

Verbs to Avoid on Your Resume

Some verbs are so overused or weak that they barely register with ATS systems or impress recruiters. Here are some to replace:

Building a Resume That Works for ATS

Using great action verbs is just one piece of the puzzle.

Here are some quick tips:

1. Use a clean, simple format. Avoid tables, text boxes, and images.
2. Save your resume as a PDF or Word document, depending on what the job posting asks for.
3. Use standard section headers like “Work Experience,” “Education,” and “Skills.”
4. Include both the full form and abbreviation of terms (e.g., “Search Engine Optimization (SEO)”).

If you want to see how other professionals have formatted their resumes, check out resume examples and resume samples.

Using AI to Improve Your Resume Action Verbs

Today, there are tools that can help you pick the right verbs and keywords for your resume. AI-powered resume builders can scan your resume against a job description and suggest improvements.

However, you should be careful about relying too heavily on AI. It is important to make sure your resume still sounds like you and accurately represents your experience.

For tips on using AI wisely, read:

1. how to use AI in resume writing
2. Common mistakes when using AI resume builders

You can also try HipCV’s AI resume builder to get smart suggestions based on your experience and target role.

Final Tips Before You Submit

Before you send your resume, run through this quick checklist:

1. Does every bullet point start with a strong action verb? Go through each line and replace weak verbs.
2. Did you match verbs from the job description? Pull out 5–10 key verbs from the posting and make sure they appear in your resume.
3. Have you included numbers and results? Quantify as many bullet points as possible.
4. Is your formatting clean and ATS-friendly? Avoid fancy graphics and unusual layouts.
5. Have you proofread everything? Spelling errors can hurt your ATS score and make a bad impression.

If you want to avoid the most common resume pitfalls, check out this guide on resume mistakes that could cost you a job.

Conclusion

Your resume is your first impression. In today’s job market, it has to impress a computer before it ever reaches a person. By using strong, relevant action verbs, you give your resume the best chance of passing through ATS filters and landing in front of a real recruiter.

Remember: the right verb is not just about sounding good. It is about communicating clearly, showing your impact, and matching the language of the job you want.

Start by picking five or ten verbs from this guide that best describe your work. Then rewrite your bullet points using those verbs, and tailor them to match the job description every time you apply.