195 Resume Power Words That Will Get You Hired (+ Examples)

Power words are to resumes what headlines are to a newspaper—they highlight key details and orient the reader. Resume action words grab the attention of the hiring manager and applicant tracking systems—increasing your odds of standing out.

In this guide, you'll learn 195 resume power words, how to use them effectively, and the nuances of industry-specific power powers to help you craft a compelling resume that lands job interviews.

Struggling to land interviews? Write a more impactful resume with Teal's resume builder AI.

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What are resume power words?

Resume power words are strong, descriptive words that highlight your skills, achievements, and qualifications. These words help you make an impact because they: 

1. Grab attention: They draw the reader's eye to your key accomplishments.
2. Convey confidence: You appear self-assured and capable by using assertive language.
3. Showcase specificity: Power words are precise and help hiring managers skim your resume without missing important details.
4. Improve ATS performance: Power words often align with keywords that applicant tracking systems are programmed to identify. This increases your chances of passing initial screenings. 

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195 resume power words to supercharge your application

To make your resume stand out, use words that showcase your achievements. Here's a list of resume power words designed to help your application leave a lasting impression on hiring managers.

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Resume action verbs

Strong action verbs communicate your exact responsibility in a job role. They help hiring managers assess your accomplishments in context. Here are 100 powerful verbs that can make each bullet point on your resume more compelling.

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Leadership

1. Spearheaded
2. Orchestrated
3. Mentored
4. Delegated
5. Cultivated

Communication

6. Negotiated
7. Persuaded
8. Articulated
9. Mediated
10. Briefed

Problem-solving

11. Troubleshot
12. Resolved
13. Streamlined
14. Diagnosed
15. Reconciled

Innovation

16. Pioneered
17. Conceptualized
18. Reimagined
19. Engineered
20. Prototyped

Achievement

21. Surpassed
22. Outperformed
23. Accelerated
24. Maximized
25. Clinched

Analysis

26. Evaluated
27. Assessed
28. Investigated
29. Forecasted
30. Benchmarked

Improvement

31. Upgraded
32. Refined
33. Overhauled
34. Revamped
35. Optimized

Management

36. Coordinated
37. Supervised
38. Directed
39. Administered
40. Oversaw

Creativity

41. Designed
42. Crafted
43. Branded
44. Visualized
45. Shaped

Efficiency

46. Expedited
47. Automated
48. Consolidated
49. Simplified
50. Economized

Customer service

51. Resolved
52. Assisted
53. Advised
54. Educated
55. Supported

Technical

56. Programmed
57. Debugged
58. Configured
59. Implemented
60. Integrated

Financial

61. Budgeted
62. Allocated
63. Audited
64. Reconciled
65. Forecasted

Sales

66. Converted
67. Acquired
68. Recruited
69. Retained
70. Upsold

Project management

71. Executed
72. Delivered
73. Launched
74. Spearheaded
75. Facilitated

Research

76. Investigated
77. Analyzed
78. Surveyed
79. Examined
80. Explored

Training

81. Instructed
82. Coached
83. Facilitated
84. Guided
85. Educated

Collaboration

86. Partnered
87. Liaised
88. Coordinated
89. Unified
90. Synergized

Growth

91. Expanded
92. Scaled
93. Amplified
94. Boosted
95. Augmented

Accomplishment

96. Attained
97. Secured
98. Captured
99. Clinched
100. Fulfilled

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Descriptive adjectives

The right adjectives can paint a vivid picture of the candidate's personal qualities and strengths. These 50 descriptive words will help you make an impact.

101. Innovative
102. Strategic
103. Dynamic
104. Analytical
105. Collaborative
106. Resourceful
107. Proactive
108. Versatile
109. Resilient
110. Meticulous
111. Adaptable
112. Visionary
113. Tenacious
114. Persuasive
115. Diligent
116. Ambitious
117. Decisive
118. Efficient
119. Passionate
120. Dedicated
121. Inventive
122. Agile
123. Perceptive
124. Diplomatic
125. Driven
126. Methodical
127. Intuitive
128. Pragmatic
129. Astute
130. Enterprising
131. Conscientious
132. Innovative
133. Tactical
134. Thorough
135. Articulate
136. Insightful
137. Focused
138. Persistent
139. Resourceful
140. Systematic
141. Proficient
142. Adept
143. Savvy
144. Accomplished
145. Skilled
146. Seasoned
147. Polished
148. Motivated
149. Results-oriented
150. Detail-oriented

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Industry-specific buzzwords

Each industry has its own language, and using the right buzzwords can demonstrate your expertise and familiarity with the field. These 45 industry-specific terms can help you speak directly to hiring managers in your chosen field.

Technology

151. Agile
152. Scrum
153. DevOps
154. Machine learning
155. Blockchain

Finance

156. Fintech
157. Cryptocurrency
158. Risk management
159. Hedge fund
160. Quantitative analysis

Marketing

161. SEO
162. Content marketing
163. Brand equity
164. Conversion rate
165. Customer acquisition

Healthcare

166. Telemedicine
167. Electronic health records (EHR)
168. Patient-centered care
169. Clinical trials
170. Population health

Education

171. Differentiated instruction
172. Blended learning
173. STEM
174. Formative assessment
175. Inquiry-based learning

Human resources

176. Talent acquisition
177. Employee engagement
178. Diversity and inclusion
179. Performance management
180. Succession planning

Legal

181. Due diligence
182. Litigation
183. Compliance
184. Intellectual property
185. Arbitration

Manufacturing

186. Lean manufacturing
187. Six sigma
188. Supply chain management
189. Quality assurance
190. Just-in-Time (JIT)

Environmental

191. Sustainability
192. Renewable energy
193. Carbon footprint
194. Circular economy
195. Green technology

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How to use power words effectively in your resume

Now, you can’t just replace regular words with their “powerful synonyms” and call it a day. You have to place them strategically to gently compel the reader or impress hiring managers. Here’s how:

Identifying key responsibilities in job postings can help you tailor your resume effectively, ensuring alignment between your skills and the specific demands of the job.

Using power words effectively requires strategy and balance. Here’s how to make the most of them in your resume.

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Tailor power words to job descriptions

To maximize your chances of getting noticed, align power words closely with the specific job description:

1. Analyze the job posting: Identify key skills, qualifications, and responsibilities emphasized in the listing.

2. Highlight relevant keywords: Note industry-specific terms and power verbs used in the description. Tip: Teal's Matching Mode does this for you.

3. Match your experiences: Select power words that accurately describe your achievements and align with the job requirements.

4. Incorporate naturally: Weave these words into your resume, ensuring they fit contextually and don't appear forced.

5. Prioritize placement: Use the most impactful power words in prominent sections like your professional summary and recent job descriptions. If you're writing a cover letter, sprinkle power words throughout but don't stuff them in any one section.

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Balance action words with concrete examples

While power words add impact, they must be supported by specific, quantifiable achievements:

1. Start with a power word: Begin each bullet point with a strong action verb.
2. Follow with a specific accomplishment: Provide context and details about what you achieved.
3. Quantify results: Include numbers, percentages, or other measurable outcomes whenever possible.
4. Show impact: Explain how your actions benefited the company or contributed to larger goals.

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Power word example in a sentence

• Weak: Responsible for sales increase.
• Strong: Spearheaded sales initiative that boosted revenue by 35% in Q3, outperforming targets by 20%.

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Avoid overuse and maintain authenticity

While power words are effective, overuse can diminish their impact and make your resume seem insincere:

1. Use variety: Avoid repeating the same power words throughout your resume.
2. Be truthful: Only use words that accurately reflect your experiences and abilities.
3. Balance with simpler language: Mix power words with more straightforward language to maintain readability.
4. Consider context: Ensure the power words you choose are appropriate for your industry and career level.
5. Read aloud: Review your resume by reading it out loud to catch any awkward phrasing or overuse of power words.

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Replacing weak words with power words

Not all words are created equal when it comes to your resume. By replacing weak, vague words with stronger alternatives, you can create a more impactful narrative. Here’s how to make those crucial swaps:

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Common weak words to avoid

Frequently used weak words can dilute the impact of a resume by making your accomplishments seem vague or unimpressive. Here are some common weak words and why they are ineffective:

• Responsible for: Implies duty, not action
• Helped: Lacks specificity and doesn’t highlight your role
• Worked on: Vague and does not convey the impact of your initiative
• Assisted with: Implies a secondary role, not leadership
• Participated in: Does not show your direct contributions or the extent of your role
• Job duties included: Focuses on tasks rather than achievements
• Familiar with: Suggests a basic understanding and not proficiency
• Involved in: Does not clarify your specific role
• Handled: Too general; does not indicate outcomes
• Dealt with: Vague and non-specific

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Power word alternatives

Replace weak words with powerful alternatives to make your resume more dynamic and impactful. Here’s a list of common weak words and their power word alternatives:

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Examples of how to rewrite sentences using power words:

Weak: Responsible for managing team projects.
Strong: Orchestrated cross-functional team projects, consistently delivering results 15% ahead of schedule.‍

‍Weak: Helped with customer service issues.
Strong: Resolved complex customer service issues, achieving a 98% satisfaction rate and reducing escalations by 30%.

Weak: Worked on marketing campaigns.
Strong: Developed and executed integrated marketing campaigns, driving a 25% increase in customer engagement.

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Industry-specific power word examples

Tailoring your resume with industry-specific power words can draw the reader's attention to relevant achievements. These examples show how to align your language with the expectations and standards of various fields.

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Technology and IT

In the world of technology and IT, precision and clarity are key. Here’s a selection of power words that can help you articulate your technical expertise and accomplishments.Power words

1. Architected
2. Debugged
3. Optimized
4. Engineered
5. Deployed
6. Coded
7. Integrated
8. Automated
9. Innovated
10. Streamlined
11. Configured
12. Programmed
13. Troubleshot
14. Implemented
15. Developed
16. Designed
17. Upgraded
18. Customized
19. Maintained
20. Secured

Sample resume statements

• Architected scalable cloud infrastructure, reducing downtime by 99% and cutting operational costs by 30%.
• Debugged complex legacy code, improving system performance by 40% and eliminating critical security vulnerabilities.

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Finance and accounting

Accuracy and attention to detail are crucial in finance and accounting. These power words will help you highlight your analytical skills and financial acumen:

Power words

1. Audited
2. Forecasted
3. Reconciled
4. Budgeted
5. Analyzed
6. Allocated
7. Leveraged
8. Maximized
9. Mitigated
10. Diversified
11. Streamlined
12. Consolidated
13. Negotiated
14. Optimized
15. Projected
16. Balanced
17. Strategized
18. Evaluated
19. Quantified
20. Benchmarked

Sample resume statements

• Forecasted quarterly revenue projections with 98% accuracy to aid expansion initiatives.
• Streamlined accounts payable processes, to reduce  processing time by 35% and eliminate $50,000 in annual late fees.

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Marketing and sales

Success in marketing and sales depends on driving engagement and converting opportunities into results. These power words will help you showcase your ability to innovate, persuade, and achieve impressive outcomes:

Power words

1. Branded
2. Launched
3. Targeted
4. Converted
5. Negotiated
6. Pitched
7. Acquired
8. Retained
9. Strategized
10. Positioned
11. Leveraged
12. Optimized
13. Amplified
14. Cultivated
15. Monetized
16. Innovated
17. Executed
18. Pioneered
19. Transformed
20. Revolutionized

Sample resume statements

• Launched an innovative social media campaign that led to increased brand engagement by 150% and drove 10,000 new qualified leads.
• Negotiated strategic partnerships with key industry players, resulting in a 40% boost in annual revenue and expanded market share.

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Healthcare and medical

In the healthcare and medical sectors, your resume usually needs to reflect both your technical skills and your dedication to patient care. These power words emphasize your expertise in delivering quality healthcare and improving patient outcomes.

Power words

1. Diagnosed
2. Treated
3. Administered
4. Rehabilitated
5. Assessed
6. Coordinated
7. Implemented
8. Educated
9. Monitored
10. Advocated
11. Screened
12. Counseled
13. Documented
14. Researched
15. Collaborated
16. Innovated
17. Streamlined
18. Improved
19. Prevented
20. Optimized

Sample resume statements

• Implemented new patient care protocols, reducing average hospital stay duration by two days and improving patient satisfaction scores by 25%.
• Researched and introduced cutting-edge treatment methods, resulting in a 40% increase in positive outcomes for chronic condition management.

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Education and teaching

Educators are not just teachers—they are mentors and leaders shaping the future. Use these power words to highlight your contributions to student learning, curriculum development, and educational excellence.

Power words

1. Instructed
2. Mentored
3. Facilitated
4. Developed
5. Assessed
6. Differentiated
7. Implemented
8. Designed
9. Cultivated
10. Inspired
11. Coached
12. Adapted
13. Integrated
14. Motivated
15. Engaged
16. Fostered
17. Innovated
18. Collaborated
19. Empowered
20. Transformed

Sample resume statements

• Developed and implemented inquiry-based science curriculum, increasing student engagement by 45% and improving standardized test scores by 30%.
• Mentored struggling students through targeted intervention programs, resulting in an 80% improvement in academic performance over one semester.

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How to add power words to different resume sections using AI

Strategically incorporating power words throughout your resume can make it seem more personalized and human. Here's how Teal helps:

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Professional summary

The professional summary is your chance to make a strong first impression. Use power words to concisely convey your value proposition:

Example: "Dynamic marketing strategist with a proven track record of developing innovative campaigns that drive engagement and boost ROI. Skilled in leveraging data analytics to optimize performance and deliver measurable results across diverse industries."

You can add a professional summary by using Teal’s in-built summary generator. Follow these steps: 

1. Import your existing resume into the Resume Builder

Import your LinkedIn profile or create a resume from scratch in minutes if you don't have one. Your summary will be more accurate if you provide more details about your career. 

2. Update your work experiences and add achievements

Be sure to include multiple accomplishments related to your recent roles for the best results from the Resume Summary Generator.

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3. Generate your resume summary with AI

Save the AI-generated resume summaries to your Teal Resume Builder.

4. Review and regenerate your summary

By clicking "Re-generate with AI", you can generate a new professional summary based on the existing settings. 

You can save multiple resume summaries so you can use different ones for different applications. 

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Work experience

In your work experience section, use power words to highlight your achievements and responsibilities.

Teal's AI Assistant makes this easy, automatically adding power powers to the beginning of every bullet point.

• Before: Responsible for managing team and completing projects.
• After: Spearheaded a cross-functional team of 12, delivering complex projects 20% under budget and one week ahead of schedule.
• Before: Helped with customer service and solved problems.
• After: Resolved critical customer issues, achieving a 98% satisfaction rate and reducing churn by 15%.

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Skills section

Enhance your skills section by using power words that align with industry-specific competencies:

• Proficient in data visualization and predictive modeling techniques
• Adept at agile project management methodologies
• Skilled in negotiating high-stakes contracts and partnerships

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Achievements and accomplishments

Use power words to make your achievements and resume stand out:

• Pioneered company-wide sustainability initiative, reducing carbon footprint by 30% and generating $2M in cost savings.
• Orchestrated merger and acquisition strategy, resulting in 50% market share growth within 18 months.
• Revolutionized customer onboarding process, slashing time-to-value by 60% and boosting retention rates by 25%.

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The impact of power words on applicant tracking systems (ATS)

In today’s job market, your resume must pass through ATS before reaching human eyes. Understanding how power words interact with these systems can give you a crucial edge in landing an interview.

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How ATS process power words

Applicant tracking systems (ATS) play a crucial role in the initial screening of resumes. Here’s how they interact with power words:

1. Keyword matching: ATS scan resumes for specific keywords related to the job description.
2. Relevance scoring: Resumes are ranked based on the presence and frequency of relevant terms.
3. Contextual analysis: Advanced ATS can understand the context in which words are used, not just their presence.
4. Skill identification: Power words often signal specific skills or experiences that match job requirements.

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Strategies for ATS-friendly power word usage

To ensure your resume is both ATS-friendly and impactful:

1. Incorporate relevant keywords: Use keywords from the job description naturally throughout your resume.
2. Balance power words and keywords: Mix industry-standard terms with relevant power words.
3. Avoid overstuffing: Don’t overuse keywords or power words to the point of reducing readability.
4. Use standard formatting: Stick to simple, ATS-compatible formatting to ensure all keywords and power words are recognized.

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Measuring the effectiveness of your power words

Crafting the perfect resume requires continuous refinement. A/B testing and gathering feedback are essential for measuring the impact of your power words and ensuring your resume resonates with employers.

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A/B testing your resume

A/B testing your resume can help determine the effectiveness of different power word usage:

1. Create variants: Develop two versions of your resume, each using different sets of power words.
2. Submit both versions: Apply to similar jobs with both resume versions.
3. Track responses: Monitor the response rate from employers for each version.
4. Analyze results: Determine which version received more positive feedback or job interview invitations.

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Gathering feedback

Professional feedback is crucial for refining your resume:

1. Ask for reviews: Request input from career coaches, mentors, or peers.
2. Use online services: Utilize professional resume review services for expert advice.
3. Interpret feedback: Analyze the feedback received to understand how your power word usage can be improved.

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Power up your career with resume power words

To create a distinct resume, use words that pack a punch and highlight your achievements with precision. Power words tailored to the job and industry can elevate your resume’s impact. But remember, balance is crucial—combine these words with metrics and case studies to avoid sounding superficial.

Start by refining your resume and adding or improving power words where needed. Teal’s AI-powered Resume Builder can streamline this process, helping you craft a resume that grabs attention.

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