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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:

  1. Charted
  2. Designed
  3. Devised
  4. Engineered
  5. Instituted
  6. Launched
  7. Pioneered
  8. 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:

  1. Conserved
  2. Consolidated
  3. Decreased
  4. Lessened
  5. Reconciled
  6. Reduced
  7. 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.

  1. Accelerated
  2. Achieved
  3. Amplified
  4. Boosted
  5. Capitalized
  6. Delivered
  7. Enhanced
  8. Expanded
  9. Gained
  10. Generated
  11. Improved

 

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

What you want to say: You changed or improved something

  1. Clarified
  2. Converted
  3. Customized
  4. Influenced
  5. Integrated
  6. Modified
  7. Overhauled
  8. Redesigned
  9. Refined
  10. Rehabilitated
  11. Restructured
  12. Revamped
  13. Revitalized
  14. Simplified
  15. Standardized

 

Example: Restructured the guidelines for software development.

What you want to say: You managed a team

  1. Aligned
  2. Enabled
  3. Facilitated
  4. Fostered
  5. Guided
  6. Hired
  7. Inspired
  8. Mentored
  9. Recruited
  10. Collaborated
  11. Shaped
  12. 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

  1. Acquired
  2. Forged
  3. Navigated
  4. Negotiated
  5. Partnered
  6. Secured

Example: Secured the firm’s biggest clients.

 

What you want to say: You supported costumers

  1. Advised
  2. Advocated
  3. Arbitrated
  4. Assisted
  5. Consulted
  6. Educated
  7. Fielded
  8. Informed
  9. Resolved

 

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

What you want to say: Your work involved research

  1. Analyzed
  2. Assembled
  3. Assessed
  4. Audited
  5. Calculated
  6. Discovered
  7. Evaluated
  8. Examined
  9. Explored
  10. Forecasted
  11. Identified
  12. Interpreted
  13. Investigated
  14. Mapped
  15. Measured
  16. Qualified
  17. 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

  1. Authorized
  2. Blocked
  3. Delegated
  4. Dispatched
  5. Enforced
  6. Ensured
  7. Inspected
  8. Itemized
  9. Monitored
  10. Screened
  11. Scrutinized
  12. Verified

 

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

What you want to say: You achieved your goals

  1. Attained
  2. Awarded
  3. Completed
  4. Demonstrated
  5. Earned
  6. Exceeded
  7. Outperformed
  8. Reached
  9. Showcased
  10. Succeeded
  11. Surpassed
  12. Targeted

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

 

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