There's a reason your resume isn't getting callbacks.
It's not your experience. It's your words.
Most people write bullets like this:
"Responsible for handling customer accounts"
The people landing interviews write bullets like this:
"Managed 50+ enterprise accounts, growing portfolio revenue by 35% YoY"
Same experience. Completely different impact. The difference? Power words.
Average resume scan time
Strong verbs help you win those 6 seconds
Source: Eye-tracking study, 2018
Power words are the action verbs and descriptors that transform bland job descriptions into compelling achievements. They're the difference between "did stuff" and "delivered results."
This guide gives you 200+ power words—organized by category, so you can find exactly the right word for every bullet.
What You'll Get
- 200+ power words organized by category
- Where to use each type of power word
- Before/after examples showing the transformation
- Industry-specific power word recommendations
- Words to avoid (that make you look generic)
Why Power Words Matter
Recruiters scan, they don't read. In 6 seconds, they're looking for proof you can do the job.
Power Words Do This ✅
- Grab attention immediately
- Show ownership and impact
- Create vivid mental images
- Help with ATS keyword matching
- Make achievements memorable
Weak Words Do This ❌
- Blend into the background
- Sound passive and generic
- Read like a job description
- Get filtered by ATS
- Make you forgettable
Power Words by Category
Leadership & Management
Use these when you've led teams, projects, or initiatives:
Led, Directed, Managed, Supervised, Oversaw, Headed, Chaired, Orchestrated, Spearheaded, Pioneered, Mentored, Coached, Guided, Trained, Developed, Delegated, Coordinated, United, Mobilized, Championed
Example
Weak: Responsible for a team of 5 people
Strong: Directed cross-functional team of 5, delivering 12 projects under budget
Achievement & Results
Use these to highlight what you accomplished:
Achieved, Accomplished, Attained, Delivered, Exceeded, Surpassed, Outperformed, Earned, Won, Captured, Secured, Completed, Succeeded, Realized, Produced, Generated, Drove, Yielded, Netted, Gained
Example
Weak: Met sales goals
Strong: Exceeded quarterly sales targets by 145%, generating $2.1M in new revenue
Creation & Development
Use these when you've built something new:
Created, Built, Developed, Designed, Established, Launched, Initiated, Introduced, Founded, Formulated, Constructed, Engineered, Devised, Originated, Invented, Produced, Assembled, Composed, Crafted, Shaped
Example
Weak: Made a new training program
Strong: Designed comprehensive training program adopted by 200+ employees company-wide
Improvement & Optimization
Use these when you've made things better:
Improved, Enhanced, Increased, Boosted, Elevated, Strengthened, Maximized, Optimized, Refined, Upgraded, Revitalized, Transformed, Modernized, Streamlined, Accelerated, Advanced, Amplified, Expanded, Extended, Heightened
Example
Weak: Helped improve customer satisfaction
Strong: Elevated customer satisfaction scores from 72% to 94% through process redesign
Reduction & Efficiency
Use these when you've cut costs, time, or waste:
Reduced, Decreased, Cut, Lowered, Minimized, Eliminated, Consolidated, Simplified, Shortened, Saved, Curtailed, Diminished, Lessened, Trimmed, Slashed, Downsized, Merged, Condensed, Compressed, Economized
Example
Weak: Reduced expenses
Strong: Slashed operational costs by $200K annually through vendor renegotiation
Analysis & Problem-Solving
Use these when you've investigated or solved problems:
Analyzed, Evaluated, Assessed, Examined, Investigated, Diagnosed, Identified, Discovered, Determined, Resolved, Solved, Troubleshot, Debugged, Detected, Uncovered, Interpreted, Researched, Calculated, Measured, Surveyed
Example
Weak: Found problems with the system
Strong: Diagnosed critical security vulnerability, preventing potential $1M+ breach
Communication & Influence
Use these when you've communicated, persuaded, or presented:
Presented, Communicated, Conveyed, Articulated, Illustrated, Persuaded, Influenced, Convinced, Negotiated, Collaborated, Briefed, Advised, Counseled, Educated, Informed, Authored, Published, Documented, Reported, Corresponded
Example
Weak: Gave presentations to executives
Strong: Presented quarterly strategy to C-suite, securing $5M budget approval
Technical & Specialized
Use these for technical achievements:
Programmed, Coded, Engineered, Integrated, Configured, Implemented, Deployed, Migrated, Automated, Architected, Modeled, Prototyped, Tested, Debugged, Optimized, Customized, Standardized, Systematized, Digitized, Virtualized
Example
Weak: Worked on database issues
Strong: Architected distributed database serving 10M+ queries daily with 99.9% uptime
Financial & Business
Use these for business and financial impact:
Budgeted, Forecasted, Projected, Allocated, Financed, Negotiated, Procured, Purchased, Audited, Reconciled, Leveraged, Capitalized, Monetized, Commercialized, Marketed, Positioned, Branded, Strategized, Pivoted, Scaled
Power Words for Your Summary
Your professional summary needs impactful descriptors, not just verbs:
Achievement-Focused:
Award-winning, Top-performing, Results-driven, High-impact, Revenue-generating, Cost-saving, Record-breaking
Expertise-Focused:
Seasoned, Experienced, Skilled, Proficient, Expert, Specialized, Certified, Trained, Qualified
Approach-Focused:
Strategic, Analytical, Detail-oriented, Data-driven, Innovative, Creative, Collaborative, Proactive
Summary Example
"Results-driven marketing manager with 8+ years driving multi-million dollar campaigns. Delivered 200% ROI through data-driven strategies and cross-functional team leadership."
Industry-Specific Power Words
| Industry | Top Power Words |
|---|---|
| Technology | Architected, Deployed, Automated, Scaled, Optimized, Integrated |
| Sales | Closed, Generated, Exceeded, Captured, Negotiated, Expanded |
| Marketing | Launched, Grew, Amplified, Branded, Converted, Engaged |
| Finance | Forecasted, Audited, Reconciled, Budgeted, Analyzed, Reduced |
| Healthcare | Treated, Administered, Diagnosed, Coordinated, Assessed, Monitored |
| Education | Educated, Mentored, Developed, Assessed, Facilitated, Cultivated |
| HR | Recruited, Onboarded, Trained, Retained, Engaged, Negotiated |
Words to Avoid
Weak Phrases to Delete
These phrases add nothing and waste precious space:
- "Responsible for..." — passive, describes a job, not an achievement
- "Helped with..." — diminishes your role
- "Assisted in..." — you were in the room, so what?
- "Participated in..." — vague and weak
- "Worked on..." — everyone works, tell me what you accomplished
- "Was involved in..." — the weakest possible phrasing
Overused Buzzwords to Avoid
These have lost all meaning:
- "Synergy," "rockstar," "guru," "ninja," "thought leader"
- "Go-getter," "self-starter," "team player" (without proof)
- "Passionate," "motivated," "dedicated" (show, don't tell)
- "Results-oriented" (everyone claims this)
Where to Use Power Words
- 1
Every bullet point (mandatory)
Start each bullet with a power verb. No exceptions.
- 2
Professional summary
Use 2-3 impactful descriptors and verbs to hook the reader.
- 3
Skills section
When describing proficiencies, use active language.
- 4
Cover letter
Power words work here too—mirror a few from your resume.
Before/After Examples
| Before ❌ | After ✅ |
|---|---|
| Responsible for social media | Grew social following from 10K to 100K through data-driven content strategy |
| Helped increase sales | Drove $500K in new revenue through strategic account expansion |
| Worked on customer service | Resolved 80+ customer inquiries daily with 97% satisfaction rating |
| Was involved in product launch | Spearheaded product launch reaching 50K users in first month |
| Assisted with budget management | Managed $2M departmental budget with zero overruns for 3 years |
Quick Reference Checklist
Power Words Checklist
- Every bullet starts with a power verb (not 'Responsible for')
- Using variety—no verb repeated more than twice
- Summary includes 2-3 impactful descriptors
- Matching power words to the job posting when possible
- Avoiding buzzwords and clichés
- Each power word is backed by a quantified result
The Bottom Line
Your words determine whether recruiters stop and read—or keep scrolling.
Weak verbs like "responsible for" and "helped with" blend into the background. Power words like "delivered," "transformed," and "spearheaded" demand attention.
Every bullet is an opportunity. Make every word count.
Need help finding the right words?
Our AI Bullet Point Generator transforms weak phrases into powerful, achievement-focused statements. Just describe what you did—we'll help you say it better.
Try Bullet Point GeneratorRelated Resources
- Resume Bullet Points Guide — Master the complete bullet point formula
- How to Quantify Achievements — Add numbers to back up your power words
- Resume Optimization Guide — Full ATS and formatting strategy
- Soft Skills for Resume — Demonstrate your interpersonal skills
Frequently Asked Questions
What are power words for a resume?
Power words are strong action verbs and impactful descriptors that make your achievements stand out. They replace weak phrases like 'responsible for' with commanding verbs like 'led,' 'delivered,' or 'transformed.'
How many power words should I use on my resume?
Every bullet point should start with a power word. Aim for a variety—don't repeat the same verb more than twice. Your summary should also include 2-3 impactful words.
What are the best action verbs for a resume?
The best action verbs depend on your achievements. For leadership: Led, Directed, Spearheaded. For results: Achieved, Delivered, Increased. For creation: Built, Developed, Launched.
Should I use the same power words as the job posting?
Yes, when appropriate. Mirroring the job posting's language helps with ATS matching. If they say 'collaborate,' use 'collaborated' in your resume.
What words should I avoid on my resume?
Avoid weak phrases like 'responsible for,' 'helped with,' 'assisted in,' and overused buzzwords like 'synergy,' 'guru,' or 'rockstar.' These add no value and can hurt your credibility.
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