Resume Keywords & Action Verbs: The Words That Get You Hired

Here's something I learned from reviewing thousands of resumes: the words you choose determine whether you get an interview. Not your experience level. Not your education. The actual vocabulary on your resume.

I've seen candidates with incredible backgrounds get filtered out because they used the wrong terms. And I've seen candidates with average experience land interviews because they understood how to communicate their value effectively 😏

The difference comes down to three categories: keywords that match job requirements, action verbs that demonstrate impact, and buzzwords that waste everyone's time. Most candidates confuse these, mixing weak language with strong experience until nothing stands out.

This guide shows you exactly which words work, which words hurt you, and how to use them strategically.

Your resume has two audiences with different needs.

The Machine Reader

Over 90% of large employers use Applicant Tracking Systems to screen resumes before humans see them. These systems scan for specific keywords — the nouns and phrases that match job requirements.

If your resume doesn't contain enough matching terms, it gets filtered out automatically. Your qualifications become invisible because you used different words than the job posting.

This isn't about tricking the system. It's about speaking the same language as the employer 💡

The Human Reader

Once your resume passes ATS screening, a recruiter spends approximately 7 seconds on initial review. In those seconds, specific words catch attention or blend into noise.

Action verbs that signal achievement — "increased," "reduced," "launched" — create momentum. Passive language — "responsible for," "helped with" — creates drag.

The words you choose create the impression before the details register.

Keywords are the specific nouns and phrases that describe skills, tools, certifications, and competencies. They're what ATS systems search for and what hiring managers expect to see.

How to Find the Right Keywords

The job posting tells you exactly which keywords matter. Read it like a code to crack:

Required qualifications: These keywords are mandatory. If you don't have them, reconsider applying. If you do, they must appear prominently on your resume.

Preferred qualifications: These keywords improve your ranking. Include them if accurate, but don't fabricate experience you don't have.

Repeated terms: When a term appears multiple times, the employer considers it essential. These are your priority keywords.

Job title variations: Some roles have multiple common titles. If you've held a similar position with a different name, include both versions 😉

Hard Skills vs. Soft Skills Keywords

Both types matter, but they serve different purposes.

Hard skill keywords describe teachable abilities:

• Programming languages (Python, JavaScript, SQL)
• Software platforms (Salesforce, SAP, HubSpot)
• Certifications (PMP, CPA, AWS Certified)
• Technical methodologies (Agile, Six Sigma, Lean)

Soft skill keywords describe how you work:

• Cross-functional collaboration
• Stakeholder management
• Strategic planning
• Change management

Hard skills get you past ATS filters. Soft skills convince humans you can work effectively in their environment.

Where to Place Keywords

Distribute keywords naturally across your resume:

| Section | Keyword Strategy ||---------|-----------------|| Summary | 3-4 core competencies aligned with target role || Skills | 10-15 technical skills organized by category || Experience | Keywords integrated into achievement bullets || Education | Relevant coursework, certifications, degrees |

Don't stuff keywords artificially. "Proficient in Python, Python programming, Python development" reads as manipulation. One natural mention per term is sufficient 🚀

For more on tailoring your resume to specific jobs, see our targeted resume guide.

Every bullet point on your resume should begin with a strong action verb. This isn't style preference — it's strategic communication.

Why Starting Words Matter

The first word sets the tone for the entire achievement. Compare:

Weak: "Responsible for managing team of 8 sales representatives."

Strong: "Led team of 8 sales representatives to 127% of annual quota."

Same experience. Completely different impression. The first sounds like a job description. The second sounds like an accomplishment.

Action Verbs by Category

Choose verbs that match your actual contributions:

Leadership & Management

• Directed, Supervised, Mentored
• Orchestrated, Spearheaded, Championed
• Delegated, Coordinated, Cultivated

Achievement & Results

• Increased, Improved, Enhanced
• Exceeded, Surpassed, Outperformed
• Accelerated, Maximized, Optimized

Creation & Development

• Developed, Designed, Created
• Built, Established, Launched
• Implemented, Introduced, Pioneered

Analysis & Research

• Analyzed, Assessed, Evaluated
• Identified, Investigated, Researched
• Measured, Quantified, Forecasted

Communication & Collaboration

• Negotiated, Presented, Persuaded
• Collaborated, Partnered, Facilitated
• Authored, Communicated, Influenced

Matching Verbs to Experience Level

Your verb choices should reflect your actual role:

Entry-level: Supported, Assisted, Contributed, Participated

Mid-level: Managed, Developed, Led, Coordinated

Senior-level: Directed, Established, Transformed, Drove

Using senior verbs for junior work sounds inflated. Using junior verbs for senior work undersells your capability 💡

Buzzwords are the empty calories of resume writing. They fill space without communicating anything specific.

The Worst Offenders

These phrases appear on millions of resumes and mean nothing to recruiters:

"Team player" — Everyone claims this. Nobody believes it without evidence.

"Hard worker" — Assumed until proven otherwise. Not worth stating.

"Detail-oriented" — Usually appears alongside typos, ironically.

"Results-driven" — Meaningless without actual results.

"Think outside the box" — A cliché about avoiding clichés.

"Self-starter" — What else would you be?

"Passionate about..." — Passion doesn't pay bills or solve problems.

Why Buzzwords Hurt You

Buzzwords signal three problems to recruiters:

1. Lack of specific achievements: If you had real accomplishments, you'd describe them instead of using vague adjectives.
2. Generic application: Buzzwords suggest you're sending the same resume everywhere rather than tailoring for this role.
3. Poor communication skills: Good communicators show, they don't tell. Buzzwords are all tell.

Before and After Examples

Transform buzzword-heavy sentences into achievement-focused statements:

Before: "Responsible for customer service and hard worker who always went above and beyond."

After: "Resolved average of 45 customer inquiries daily with 98% satisfaction rating."

Before: "Detail-oriented team player who collaborated with cross-functional teams."

After: "Partnered with engineering and design teams to launch three product features ahead of schedule."

Before: "Results-driven professional passionate about sales."

After: "Generated $1.2M in new revenue and exceeded quota by 34% in first year." 😊

The specific version proves the claim. The buzzword version just makes the claim.

Beyond individual words, certain phrases communicate effectively in resume contexts.

Phrases That Show Impact

• "Reduced [metric] by [percentage] through [action]"
• "Increased [metric] from [X] to [Y] within [timeframe]"
• "Led [number] team members to achieve [result]"
• "Saved [company/department] [amount] annually by [action]"
• "Launched [initiative] resulting in [outcome]"

Phrases That Show Scope

• "Managed $X budget for [project/department]"
• "Served [number] clients across [geography/industry]"
• "Supported organization with [number] employees"
• "Processed [volume] transactions monthly"

Phrases That Show Progression

• "Promoted from [role] to [role] within [timeframe]"
• "Selected to lead [special project] based on [qualification]"
• "Expanded role to include [additional responsibility]"
• "Recognized with [award] for [achievement]"

These phrases work because they combine action verbs with specific metrics and context 🚀

For more on writing achievement-focused content, see our resume skills guide.

Different industries prioritize different terminology.

Technology

Essential: Agile, Scrum, CI/CD, cloud computing, API, full-stack, DevOps, machine learning, data analytics, cybersecurity

Valuable: Scalability, automation, integration, migration, architecture, optimization

Finance

Essential: Financial modeling, forecasting, variance analysis, P&L, compliance, risk management, audit, GAAP, reconciliation

Valuable: Due diligence, portfolio management, regulatory reporting, cost reduction

Marketing

Essential: SEO, content strategy, conversion rate, campaign management, analytics, A/B testing, brand management, digital marketing

Valuable: Customer acquisition, engagement metrics, ROI, market segmentation

Healthcare

Essential: Patient care, HIPAA compliance, EMR/EHR, clinical documentation, case management, care coordination

Valuable: Quality improvement, patient outcomes, regulatory compliance, interdisciplinary collaboration

Operations

Essential: Supply chain, inventory management, process improvement, lean methodology, Six Sigma, logistics, vendor management

Valuable: Cost reduction, efficiency optimization, quality control, capacity planning 💡

Simply listing keywords doesn't work. They need context and integration.

Natural vs. Stuffed

Keyword stuffing: "Project management professional with project management experience in project management using project management tools."

Natural integration: "Led cross-functional project teams using Agile methodology, delivering 15 initiatives on time and 12% under budget."

The second version includes keywords (project, Agile, cross-functional) while demonstrating actual achievement.

The Context Formula

For each keyword, provide context using this structure:

[Keyword] + [Action] + [Result]

• "Python — Automated weekly reporting using Python scripts, reducing preparation time from 8 hours to 45 minutes."
• "Stakeholder management — Aligned expectations across 5 department heads to secure unanimous approval for $2M budget increase."
• "CRM — Maintained Salesforce database of 3,000+ contacts, achieving 99% data accuracy."

This approach satisfies both ATS requirements and human readers who want evidence 😉

Before sending your resume, verify your vocabulary strategy is working.

The Plain Text Test

Copy your resume into a plain text editor. Read it without formatting. If your keywords and achievements are clear, ATS can parse them correctly.

The Match Test

List the top 10 keywords from the job posting. Count how many appear on your resume. Aim for at least 7 out of 10 for strong ATS performance.

The Buzzword Audit

Search your resume for these terms:

• "Responsible for"
• "Team player"
• "Hard worker"
• "Detail-oriented"
• "Passionate"

If any appear, replace them with specific achievements.

The Action Verb Check

Look at the first word of each bullet point. Are they strong action verbs? Do they vary throughout the document? Repetitive verbs suggest limited vocabulary 😅

For comprehensive quality checks, see our resume checklist.

Resume vocabulary isn't about impressive language — it's about clear communication. Keywords match you to opportunities. Action verbs demonstrate achievement. Buzzwords waste space.

The essentials:

1. Extract keywords from job postings — use the employer's language
2. Start every bullet with action verbs — show what you did, not what you were assigned
3. Eliminate buzzwords — if you can't prove it, don't claim it
4. Integrate keywords naturally — context matters more than frequency
5. Match verb strength to experience level — don't oversell or undersell
6. Test before sending — verify ATS compatibility and human readability

The candidates who get interviews understand that every word earns its place. They don't fill space with vague claims — they communicate specific value.

CVTOWORK helps you build keyword-optimized resumes that pass ATS screening while maintaining natural readability. The structure handles formatting so you can focus on choosing the right words.

Now look at your resume. Read the first word of every bullet point. Are they strong action verbs that demonstrate achievement? If not, you know what to change 🚀