Action verbs
How you use language is important. You can dramatically strengthen your statements by using simple language techniques effectively.
Make verbs work for you when applying for jobs
- Use active verbs rather than passive verbs. For example: I organised a programme of speakers, I motivated the team or I analysed research data
- Combine action verbs to further emphasise your achievements. For example: I researched alternative options and negotiated a better deal, I managed the project and delegated responsibilities to team members or I designed and implemented a new system
- Use the list of action verbs below to ensure that you demonstrate a range of experience and abilities.
- Avoid weak verbs, for example: I tried to.., I hoped to... or I attempted to...
- For additional verbs for PhD students, visit our PGR website
- Accelerated
- Achieved
- Administrated
- Advised
- Allocated
- Analysed
- Appraised
- Arranged
- Assessed
- Assisted
- Attained
- Checked
- Coached
- Communicated
- Competent
- Completed
- Comprehensive
- Conducted
- Considerable
- Consistently
- Consolidated
- Controlled
- Converted
- Coordinated
- Created
- Delegated
- Delivered
- Demonstrated
- Designed
- Developed
- Devised
- Directed
- Ensured
- Established
- Evaluated
- Expanded
- Identified
- Implemented
- Improved
- Increased
- Influenced
- Initiated
- Innovated
- Instructed
- Interviewed
- Introduced
- Investigated
- Maintained
- Managed
- Marketed
- Minimised
- Motivated
- Participated
- Performed
- Persuaded
- Pertinent
- Pinpointed
- Planned
- Prepared
- Presented
- Processed
- Produced
- Programmed
- Promoted
- Prompt
- Proposed
- Proved
- Provided
- Recommended
- Recruited
- Reduced
- Reorganised
- Represented
- Researched
- Resolved
- Resourceful
- Responded
- Responsible
- Reviewed
- Revised
- Selected to
- Simplified
- Spearheaded
- Strengthened
- Supervised
- Taught
- Tested
- Trained
- Transformed
- Translated