I find that when my clients write about themselves, whether it be in a resume, cover letter or networking email, they frequently get stumped on how to describe their accomplishments. We too often default to over-used terms like “spearheded” or “led”. Use this help verb list to change up your language and make your experience stand out.

If you want to talk about how you were in charge of a project or initiative, try using these action packed verbs: Chaired | Coordinated | Headed | Operated | Orchestrated | Organized | Oversaw | Planned | Produced

If you feel like you’ve brought a project to life, and something was truly your brainchild, try using the verbs below instead of the typical “spearheaded”: Built | Created | Designed | Developed | Devised | Founded | Engineered | Established | Formalized | Formed | Formulated | Implemented | Initiated | Introduced | Launched | Pioneered

Did you help improve profitability or EBITDA? That’s great! Hiring managers love candidates who understand the importance of profitability versus growth and know how to operate cost-efficiently! Try talking about what you did using these verbs: Conserved | Consolidated | Decreased | Deducted | Diagnosed | Identified | Lessened | Reconciled | Reduced | Yielded

Did you boost company results based on a a measurable metric? Think efficiency, sales, client satisfaction, new customer acquisitions, profit margins or other internal key performance indicators… Consider describing what you accomplished these words: Accelerated | Achieved | Advanced | Amplified | Boosted | Delivered | Enhanced | Expanded | Expedited | Generated | Improved | Maximized

Did you change something in the office, or come up with a new idea? Talk about the amazing changes you made at your office with these words: Centralized | Clarified | Customized | Influenced | Integrated | Merged | Modified | Overhauled | Redesigned | Refined | Refocused | Reorganized | Restructured | Revamped | Revitalized | Standardized | Streamlined | Strengthened | Updated | Upgraded | Transformed

Were you an inspiration manager? Voted best team lead? Showcase your love of managing others with verbs like… Cultivated | Directed | Enabled | Facilitated | Fostered | Guided | Hired | Inspired | Mentored | Motivated | Recruited | Shaped | Supervised | Taught | Trained | Unified
Did your employer gain a new partner, sponsor, client or investor all due to your efforts? Nice work! Describe it using these hard hitting words: Acquired | Forged | Navigated | Negotiated | Partnered | Secured

Are you a client relations specialist or do you love sitting on the phone all day answering questions and resolving issues? Describe your experience with the following vocabulary: Advised | Advocated | Coached | Consulted | Educated | Fielded | Informed | Resolved
Is your job focus on research and analysis? Mix up your verbiage with these words: Analyzed | Assessed | Audited | Calculated | Discovered | Evaluated | Examined | Explored | Forecasted | Identified | Interpreted | Mapped | Measured | Qualified | Quantified | Surveyed | Tested | Tracked

Perhaps writing, speaking, content generation and other forms of communication was your main responsibility. Explain just how compelling you were with words like: Authored | Briefed | Campaigned | Co-authored | Composed | Conveyed | Convinced | Corresponded | Counseled | Critiqued | Defined | Documented | Edited | Illustrated | Lobbied | Persuaded | Promoted | Publicized | Reviewed

Did you hit your goals? Win a coveted department award? Don’t forget to include that on your resume, with words like: Attained | Awarded | Completed | Demonstrated | Earned | Exceeded | Outperformed | Reached | Showcased | Succeeded | Surpassed | Targeted

I hope this post helps you kickstart your resume revamp! If you haven’t yet subscribed to my email list, do so now and I’ll immediately send you my 11 page guide on how to make your resume the best it’s ever been. It includes loads of examples from real resumes on how to take your experience from good to great.

If you need further help, drop me a line and let’s connect over a call to see how we can partner together!