Download Action Words

Action Words
Be Specific!
Avoid general expressions like “Duties included” or “Responsible for” because they do not tell an
employer what you did effectively. Replace weak verbs (e.g. worked, helped, assisted) with a skillspecific verb. Leave out unimportant details and incorporate verbs that demonstrate a purposeful
accomplishment.
Communication
Addressed
Briefed
Clarified
Communicated
Concluded
Consulted
Contacted
Conveyed
Convinced
Critiqued
Debated
Demonstrated
Discussed
Educated
Explained
Expressed
Greeted
Highlighted
Influenced
Informed
Interacted
Interpreted
Negotiated
Persuaded
Presented
Promoted
Publicized
Questioned
Referred
Reinforced
Specified
Spoke
Suggested
Summarized
Translated
Welcomed
Diagnosed
Extracted
Foresaw
Identified
Investigated
Measured
Remodeled
Repaired
Researched
Resolved
Summarized
Surveyed
Synthesized
Composed
Conceptualized
Created
Designed
Engineered
Fabricated
Formalized
Formulated
Founded
Established
Illustrated
Launched
Pioneered
Demonstrated
Diminished
Earned
Eliminated
Ensured
Established
Exceeded
Excelled
Expanded
Finalized
Generated
Improved
Increased
Initiated
Outpaced
Reached
Realized
Received
Showcased
Succeeded
Surpassed
Targeted
Problem Solving
Alleviated
Analyzed
Compared
Deciphered
Detected
Creativity
Assembled
Brainstormed
Built
Charted
Collaborated
Getting Results
Accomplished
Achieved
Added
Advanced
Attained
Boosted
Completed
Contributed
Last update: July 2016
www.utsc.utoronto.ca/aacc
Quantitative / Analytical
Accounted for
Analyzed
Approximated
Audited
Balanced
Budgeted
Calculated
Checked
Compiled
Compounded
Computed
Converted
Corrected
Counted
Dispensed
Earned
Enumerated
Estimated
Financed
Grossed
Marketed
Maximized
Multiplied
Profited
Qualified
Quantified
Rated
Recorded
Tabulated
Totaled
Counseled
Eased
Elevated
Enabled
Enhanced
Enriched
Familiarized
Guided
Intervened
Motivated
Prevented
Provided
Relieved
Served
Supported
Empowered
Encouraged
Evaluated
Facilitated
Fostered
Graded
Inspired
Instructed
Mentored
Regulated
Stimulated
Strengthened
Supervised
Trained
Tutored
Helping
Aided
Accommodated
Advised
Alleviated
Coached
Teaching
Accelerated
Assessed
Corrected
Critiqued
Developed
Discovered
Describing the Work Cycle
Planning
Anticipated
Commissioned
Determined
Developed
Devised
Drafted
Forecasted
Generated
Outlined
Prepared
Prioritized
Strategized
Executing
Organizing
Adjusted
Allocated
Altered
Arranged
Cataloged
Collected
Filed
Scheduled
Supplied
Updated
Administered
Applied
Displayed
Handled
Implemented
Operated
Performed
Processed
Produced
Transacted
Let’s Brainstorm! Did you:
 Lead a project?
 Create and execute an
idea?
Last update: July 2016
 Increase efficiency?
 Make improvements?
 Manage a team?
 Research?
 Solve a problem?
 Communicate?
www.utsc.utoronto.ca/aacc