Powerful keywords, verbs, actions words for CV

100+ Powerful Keywords and Action Words To Use In A CV


In a CV one thing matters the most. No, we are talking about the hyped CV formats, we are referring to the language that you use!

By language, we are referring to the tone. To understand what we are trying to say, picture this – You are a busy hiring manager, who flicks through hundreds and thousands of CVs each day. And every single one of them sounds exactly the same. I.e. using the same old buzzwords, such as:

Team player

Critical thinker

Responsible for… and on and on

It frustrates you to the core to see these words again and again on every other CV. And guess what, they are quite unstimulating. This is where the keywords come to your rescue. The CVs having the right keywords really make the achievements and responsibilities of a candidate pop up.

So, do you also want your CV to catch the eye of the hiring managers?

If yes, then read below to unravel 100+ powerful keywords for CVs that will force the HRs to buzz you up as soon as they read your application.

Let us begin!

What Are The Powerful Keywords For A CV?

Keywords for CVs are way more action-oriented as compared to the common buzzwords typically seen on every CV and resume. Using these keywords helps to showcase what you have accomplished at your prior workplace rather than listing them simply.

We can bet you have the term “responsible for” written somewhere in your application. Go check it out.

“Responsible for content marketing at XXX Company.”

That is quite dry, isn’t it? Even worse, it does not provide any information regarding how your duties and actions achieved anything of worth. However, if we add some powerful keywords to this lifeless sentence, we can make it more captivating and informative, i.e.

“Spearheaded XXX company’s content marketing operations and achieved client growth by 25%”

See the difference? Just adding powerful keywords is enough to tailor a more dynamic and interesting CV. If you are not sure which keyword to add where then worry not. Instead, seek help from any online CV writing service.

Why Is It Necessary To Use Strong Keywords In A CV?

There are a lot of reasons to use powerful keywords in your CV. Let us look at some major ones in detail, shall we?

  1. These keywords for CV can be a priceless asset when you are trying to get your application through the applicant tracking systems (ATS)
  2. Powerful keywords for your CV can guarantee that your application stands out from the crowd, etc. 
  3. Such keywords can be an exceptional way to provide more information to hiring managers

100+ CV Keywords You Can Use In Your Resume To Add More Value

Keywords To Describe Your Leadership

If you want to emphasize your leadership ability, then use the below-given keywords for your CV to better convey your accomplishments as a leader. 

  1. Initiated
  2. Coordinated
  3. Developed
  4. Spearheaded
  5. Orchestrated
  6. Administrated
  7. Approved
  8. Founded
  9. Directed
  10. Motivated

Resume Keywords To Describe Your Collaborative And Teamwork Skills

For those job positions where you are required to highlight your teamwork or collaborative skills and achievements, consider using these keywords for your CV:

  1. Cooperated
  2. Collaborated
  3. Enabled
  4. Facilitated
  5. Supported
  6. Fostered
  7. Encouraged
  8. Formulated
  9. Embraced
  10. Led

Keywords To Describe Your Innovation Abilities

The ability to innovate and creativity are the skills that are in high demand these days. We have made a list of powerful keywords for CVs that highlight these skills perfectly. Read the list given below to learn more about these words.

  1. Devised
  2. Drafted
  3. Conceptualized
  4. Designed
  5. Initiated
  6. Originated
  7. Introduced
  8. Generated
  9. Assembled
  10. Established

CV Keywords To Describe Your Analytical Accomplishments

Are you looking to showcase your experiences and achievements regarding analytical skills? Well, then do yourself a favour and use the below-given keywords for your CV to tailor a more captivating CV.

  1. Discovered
  2. Detected
  3. Studied
  4. Evaluated
  5. Experimented
  6. Tracked
  7. Surveyed
  8. Quantified
  9. Tested
  10. Eliminated

Resume Keywords To Describe The Value You’ve Provided

To discuss the actual value that you have given to your previous workplace, you need powerful keywords for your CV that help to highlight those perks. Read below to get familiar with the words that can help to add a punch to any sentence that is written to measure your results.

  1. Accelerated
  2. Amplified
  3. Boosted
  4. Conserved
  5. Consolidated
  6. Enhanced
  7. Expedited
  8. Overhauled
  9. Demonstrated
  10. Contributed

Keywords To Describe Your Sales Contributions

It will be fantastic to display your sales contributions using the right keywords. Quick Tip? To increase your chances of securing a job, why don’t you get your cover letter written by online cover letter writing experts? To describe your sales contributions, why don’t you use the keywords for CVs listed below?

  1. Acquired
  2. Sourced
  3. Partnered (with)
  4. Negotiated
  5. Closed
  6. Secured
  7. Forged
  8. Pitched
  9. Upsold
  10. Converted

CV Keywords To Describe Problem-Solving

In these challenging times, every hiring manager gives priority to candidates having strong problem-solving skills. Make sure you highlight these skills in the best way possible, i.e. by using the right keywords for your CV, such as:

  1. Analysed
  2. Calculated
  3. Regulated
  4. Standardized
  5. Maintained
  6. Reconciled
  7. Rectified
  8. Planned
  9. Optimized
  10. Created

Resume Keywords To Describe Your Ability To Bring Change

The powerful keywords for CV can be priceless especially when you are trying to showcase yourself as an influencer of positive change. So, don’t shy away from using the words given below to highlight this trait.

  1. Reorganized
  2. Refocused
  3. Simplified
  4. Transformed
  5. Refined
  6. Centralized
  7. Modified
  8. Counselled
  9. Intervened
  10. Adapted

Keywords To Describe Your Communication

To describe your communication skills, it is best to use the keywords for CVs given below:

  1. Conveyed
  2. Documented
  3. Presented
  4. Briefed
  5. Composed
  6. Instructed
  7. Promoted
  8. Clarified
  9. Advocated
  10. Articulated

Powerful Keywords To Describe Your Finance Achievements

We have enlisted some finance-related keywords for your CV to help you tailor a more professional application achievement, so read on!

  1. Adjusted
  2. Appraised
  3. Balanced
  4. Budgeted
  5. Forecast
  6. Netted
  7. Estimated
  8. Cultivated
  9. Saved
  10. Reduced

CV Keywords To Describe Technical Achievements

If you are tailoring a technical resume, then there is nothing more helpful than using certain tech-related keywords for your CV while jotting down your achievements. Try to incorporate the options given below:

  1. Debugged
  2. Networked
  3. Upgraded
  4. Updated
  5. Engineered
  6. Constructed
  7. Applied
  8. Programmed
  9. Restored
  10. Computed

What are the keywords in a CV?

CV keywords introduce the accomplishments in your CV as well as a cover letter. Mostly these keywords are verbs, however, in some cases, they can be adjectives, too. To choose the right keyword, make sure to scrutinize the job posting and determine the keywords that fit with your experiences and strengths.

What are ATS keywords?

ATS keywords are mostly job titles, soft skills and hard skills that help the hiring managers to shortlist the suitable candidates for a job role.

What keywords should I use in my CV for skills?

Some great examples of powerful keywords to use in your CV are:

  1. Leadership
  2. Communication
  3. Project management
  4. Teamwork, etc.

Is my CV good enough for ATS?

If your CV has a standard layout, proper formatting, relevant skills and keywords from the job description, then your application is all set to pass the ATS scan.

Summing It All Up!

And that is it! Using powerful keywords in a CV can actually make it a lot easier to read, punchier, and crispier. Moreover, it also increases its chance of passing through the Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) scan. So, what do you think? By incorporating the keywords given above in your application, we are sure you can make your CV stand out from the crowd and catch the eyes of potential hiring managers without a hitch. Go on and update your application right now to land your dream job more quickly.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *