Action verbs and strong wording
What are action verbs on a resume and why do they matter?
Action verbs are words that describe what you did, such as "led", "built", "reduced" or "negotiated". Starting your bullet points with them makes your experience sound active, clear and specific.
Why they help:
- They put the focus on your actions and results, not on job descriptions.
- They make bullets shorter by replacing phrases like "was responsible for".
- They show the type and level of your work: "assisted" and "directed" say very different things.
Compare:
- "Was responsible for the training of new staff."
- "Trained 12 new staff on safety and customer service standards."
The second version is shorter, more direct and more informative. Choose verbs that are accurate for your role. A precise, honest verb is always better than an impressive-sounding one that overstates what you did.
Reviewed · by the ResumeBuilder.ae editorial team
Templates to try
Free to edit and preview. Single-column layouts are the safest choice for applicant tracking systems.
ATS Professional
Single column
ATS Classic
Single column
ATS Modern
Single column
General guidance for job seekers, not legal or immigration advice. Employers and applicant tracking systems differ, so always follow the instructions in the job advert. Spotted a mistake? Email support@jobb.ae.
Ready to build your resume?
Start with a sample or a blank page. No sign-up needed. Free to edit; US$1.00 only if you download a PDF.