Technical/Technological

apply
calculate
compute
coordinate
devise
fortify
maintain
overhaul
repair
study
train

assemble
clean
construct
debug
engineer
inspect
navigate
program
solve
synthesize
upgrade

build
compose
convert
design
fabricate
install
operate
remodel
specialize
tend
utilize

consolidate
downsize
establish
fix
lessen
overhaul
rehabilitate
unify

control
eliminate
evaluate
heal
maintain
recycle
repair
unite

arbitrate
classify
counsel
define
detect
divert
execute
explain
head
increase
install
judge
manipulate
offer
predict
proofread
receive
retrieve
shape
tend
upgrade
warn

Eliminate outdated experience.

Exclude irrelevant information
(marital status, hobbies, etc.).
Minimize long lists of job duties.
Check for spelling and grammar errors.
Delete unnecessary words.

Cover Letters

POWER
UP!

Match headings to the job you want.

Highlight the relevant information.
Focus on creating content that sells.
Quantify results & use power words.
Analyze ads to identify key words.

Resumes, Cover
Letters & Performance
Evaluations with

State the benefits of your skills.

Additional Action Verbs

anticipate
check
complete
decide
detail
distribute
estimate
experiment
gather
improve
inspect
inventory
lead
motivate
play
prescribe
question
restore
separate
supply
treat
verbalize

Avoid repeating information.

Customize your resume for each job.

Verbs for a Tight Economy

conserve
divert
enforce
examine
identify
monitor
reduce
reuse

Resume Tips

chart
collect
create
deliver
devise
dramatize
expand
follow
implement
innovate
invent
keep
mediate
pilot
prepare
publish
record
select
sort
transcribe
utilize
weigh

Describe your accomplishments, skills and

experiences.

ACTION VERBS

Make potential employers take notice of

your aptitudes and abilities.
Link to the content of your resume.

Here is a list of sample Action Verbs

divided to show strengths in particular
areas. Dont be afraid to look at the verbs
in categories other than the obvious ones
or to use them in combination (i.e. hired,
trained and supervised). If youre still not
satisfied, use these as a starting point
228 Waterman Building, Burlington, VT 05405
Phone 802-656-3150
e-Mail HRSInfo@uvm.edu
Web Site: www.uvm.edu\hrs

and refer to your thesaurus!

Communicate
address
articulate
collaborate
consult
correspond
describe
document
enlist
influence
interpret
market
motivate
outline
present
publicize
recruit
resolve
summarize

Help/Serve
advertise
author
communicate
contact
debate
develop
draft
explain
inform
interview
mediate
negotiate
participate
promote
publish
renegotiate
reunite
translate

arbitrate
brief
compose
convince
define
direct
edit
express
interact
lecture
moderate
observe
persuade
propose
reconcile
report
speak
write

adapt
compose
conduct
develop
drew
formulate
improvise
integrate
model
photograph
revitalize

began
conceive
create
direct
establish
found
initiate
introduce
originate
plan
shape

Create
act
combine
conceptualize
design
display
fashion
illustrate
institute
invent
perform
revise

Finance/Forecast
adjust
analyze
assess
budget
compile
control
develop
finance
market
plan
procure
qualify
research

administer
appraise
audit
calculate
compute
correct
estimate
forecast
measure
prepare
project
reconcile
retrieve

allocate
arrange
balance
compare
conserve
determine
evaluate
manage
monitor
process
purchase
reduce
solve

advise
assess
contribute
demonstrate
encourage
expedite
foster
inspire
observe
rehabilitate
simplify

Produce
advocate
assist
cooperate
diagnose
enlist
facilitate
further
insure
prevent
represent
support

aid
coach
counsel
educate
ensure
familiarize
guide
motivate
provide
resolve
supply

Manage/Oversee
accelerate
administer
approve
attain
chair
consolidate
contribute
coordinate
designate
direct
enforce
establish
expand
head
incorporate
initiate
lead
navigate
oversee
plan
prioritize
recruit
schedule
streamline
supervise

accomplish
analyze
assign
authorize
complete
consult
control
decrease
determine
eliminate
enhance
evaluate
generate
hire
improve
introduce
merge
organize
outline
produce
reorganize
resolve
secure
strengthen
terminate

achieve
appoint
assume
award
conceive
contract
convert
delegate
develop
emphasize
enlarge
execute
handle
host
increase
launch
motivate
overhaul
pioneer
recognize
recommend
review
select
succeed
unite

approve
chart
compile
inspect
retrieve
schedule

arrange
classify
correspond
order
review
screen

Organize/Plan
alter
catalog
collect
describe
prepare
revise

dispatch
execute
implement
operate
standardize
upgrade
provide
register

distribute
expedite
incorporate
realize
tabulate
validate
purchase
reserve

enlist
generate
maintain
specify
update
process
record
respond

analyze
compare
critique
determine
disprove
experiment
formulate
inspect
invent
measure
process
solve
systematize

calculate
conceive
design
diagnose
dissect
explore
gather
interpret
investigate
modify
research
summarize
test

appraise
classify
dissect
listen
perceive
review
test

assess
coordinate
diagnose
locate
reason
sense
troubleshoot

advise
communicate
critique
encourage
facilitate
implement
initiate
integrate
motivate
stimulate
transmit

apply
conduct
develop
evaluate
focus
incorporate
instill
lecture
persuade
test
tutor

Research
acquire
collect
conduct
detect
discover
examine
extract
identify
interview
locate
organize
search
survey

Solve/Analyze
anticipate
clarify
critique
evaluate
observe
reflect
systematize

Teach
adapt
coach
coordinate
enable
explain
guide
inform
instruct
modify
reinforce
train