114 action verbs to describe your performance!

Speaking about the things you have accomplished or your duties at work isn’t always easy, whether it be to your boss when asking for a raise, to display on your LinkedIn or simply to revamp your CV. It seems everyone is simply using the same tired phrases such as “led a team of engineers to achieve results” or “provided support for clients”. There’s nothing wrong with these verbs, but that doesn’t mean they’re the best suited for what you mean! Using a wide variety of what we call “buzz words” or “action words” can make a difference on how you’re perceived by colleagues and even potential employers.

What you want to say: You led a project

Action Verbs:

1. Chaired
2. Controlled
3. Coordinated
4. Executed
5. Oversaw

Example: Oversaw several projects to completion.

What you want to say: You conceived a project

Action Verbs:

6. Charted
7. Designed
8. Devised
9. Engineered
10. Instituted
11. Launched
12. Pioneered
13. Spearheaded

Example: Spearheaded development of new distribution scheduling system that saved 25% in labour costs in first year after deployment.

What you want to say: You saved the company time and/or money

Action Verbs:

14. Conserved
15. Consolidated
16. Decreased
17. Lessened
18. Reconciled
19. Reduced
20. Yielded

Example: Lessened the financial costs of the company’s biggest project over 2 years.

What you want to say: You increased efficiency, sales, revenue etc.

21. Accelerated
22. Achieved
23. Amplified
24. Boosted
25. Capitalized
26. Delivered
27. Enhanced
28. Expanded
29. Gained
30. Generated
31. Improved

Example: Achieved year-on-year growth in account revenues through consistent sales performance.

What you want to say: You changed or improved something

32. Clarified
33. Converted
34. Customized
35. Influenced
36. Integrated
37. Modified
38. Overhauled
39. Redesigned
40. Refined
41. Rehabilitated
42. Restructured
43. Revamped
44. Revitalized
45. Simplified
46. Standardized

Example: Restructured the guidelines for software development.

What you want to say: You managed a team

47. Aligned
48. Enabled
49. Facilitated
50. Fostered
51. Guided
52. Hired
53. Inspired
54. Mentored
55. Recruited
56. Collaborated
57. Shaped
58. Supervised

Example: Collaborated with the graphic design team to implement new brand guidelines across marketing materials company-wide.

What you want to say: You brought in clients and/or investors

59. Acquired
60. Forged
61. Navigated
62. Negotiated
63. Partnered
64. Secured

Example: Secured the firm’s biggest clients.

What you want to say: You supported costumers

65. Advised
66. Advocated
67. Arbitrated
68. Assisted
69. Consulted
70. Educated
71. Fielded
72. Informed
73. Resolved

Example: Assisted costumers in selecting merchandise and services best suited to their needs.

What you want to say: Your work involved research

74. Analyzed
75. Assembled
76. Assessed
77. Audited
78. Calculated
79. Discovered
80. Evaluated
81. Examined
82. Explored
83. Forecasted
84. Identified
85. Interpreted
86. Investigated
87. Mapped
88. Measured
89. Qualified
90. Quantified

• Example: Analyzed internal operations and helped to identify areas where the company could improve efficiency and profitability.

What you want to say: You enforced regulations

91. Authorized
92. Blocked
93. Delegated
94. Dispatched
95. Enforced
96. Ensured
97. Inspected
98. Itemized
99. Monitored
100. Screened
101. Scrutinized
102. Verified

Example: Monitored a team 5+ business analysts while working on several projects.

What you want to say: You achieved your goals

103. Attained
104. Awarded
105. Completed
106. Demonstrated
107. Earned
108. Exceeded
109. Outperformed
110. Reached
111. Showcased
112. Succeeded
113. Surpassed
114. Targeted

Example: Achieved client retention rate of 95% over a five-year period.

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