Words Matter. How to Use Strong Action Verbs and Keywords to Pass ATS Test.

Crafting a resume that stands out to both human recruiters and Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) requires strategic use of language, particularly action verbs. Action verbs bring energy and clarity to your accomplishments, making your contributions tangible while helping your resume align with job-specific keywords that ATS software scans for. This tutorial will guide you through the process of incorporating action verbs into your resume effectively.

Step 1: Understand the Role of Action Verbs and ATS

What Are Action Verbs? Action verbs are dynamic words that describe what you did in a role, such as “managed,” “designed,” “implemented,” or “streamlined.” They emphasize your active contribution rather than passive responsibilities.

Why They Matter for ATS: ATS software filters resumes by searching for keywords from the job description, including skills, job titles, and action-oriented terms. Using strong action verbs that match the job posting increases your resume’s “match rate” and helps it pass the ATS screening.

Goal: Combine action verbs with job-specific keywords to showcase achievements and optimize for ATS.

Step 2: Analyze the Job Description

Find Keywords: Start by carefully reading the job posting. Identify key skills, qualifications, and verbs used (e.g., “led,” “developed,” “analyzed”). These are the terms the ATS is likely programmed to prioritize.

Example: If the job description says, “Managed a team to increase sales,” note “managed” and “increase” as action verbs and “team” and “sales” as keywords.

Tip: Use tools like MindPal Resume Checker and Builder to compare your resume to the job description and pinpoint missing keywords or verbs.

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Step 3: Replace Weak or Passive Language

Avoid Overused or Vague Terms: Words like “responsible for,” “helped,” or “worked on” are passive and lack impact. They don’t tell recruiters or ATS what you accomplished.

Swap with Strong Action Verbs: Replace weak phrases with precise, powerful verbs. For example: weak: “Responsible for improving team performance.”, strong: “Boosted team performance by implementing new training protocols.”

Pro Tip: One-word action verbs (e.g., “grew” vs. “was grown”) signal active voice, which is easier for ATS to parse and more engaging for recruiters.

Step 4: Start Bullet Points with Action Verbs

Structure Your Experience: In your work history section, begin each bullet point with an action verb to highlight your achievements. This makes your resume scannable for humans and ATS alike.

Formula: Action Verb + Task + Result (quantified if possible).

Example: “Spearheaded a marketing campaign that increased web traffic by 30%.”

Categories of Action Verbs: Choose verbs that reflect your skills:

• Leadership: Directed, orchestrated, led
• Technical: Engineered, programmed, optimized
• Analytical: Analyzed, evaluated, forecasted
• Creative: Designed, crafted, innovated
• Teamwork: Collaborated, coordinated, partnered

Step 5: Quantify Achievements for Impact

Add Numbers: Pair action verbs with measurable results to demonstrate your value. Numbers stand out to recruiters and align with ATS keyword searches.

Example: “Streamlined inventory processes, reducing costs by 15%.”

How to Quantify: Use percentages, dollar amounts, or time saved (e.g., “Cut project delivery time by 20 days”).

Tip: If exact numbers aren’t available, estimate conservatively or use qualitative results (e.g., “Enhanced customer satisfaction through improved service protocols”).

Step 6: Tailor Verbs to Each Job Application

Customize: Match your action verbs to the language in the job description. If the posting uses “executed,” use it instead of “completed.”

Example Job Phrase: “Developed training programs.”

Resume Bullet: “Developed and launched training programs that boosted employee productivity by 25%.”

Avoid Overuse: Don’t repeat the same verb multiple times. Use synonyms like “created,” “built,” or “established” to keep it varied and dynamic.

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Step 7: Optimize Formatting for ATS

Keep It Simple: ATS can misread complex formatting. Avoid tables, graphics, or unusual fonts that might confuse the system.

Use Standard Sections: Label sections clearly (e.g., “Work Experience,” “Skills”) and place action verbs within bullet points under these headings.

Check Active Voice: Eliminate passive voice (e.g., “was managed” vs. “managed”) to ensure your verbs stay ATS-friendly.

Step 8: Examples of Action Verb Transformations

Here’s how to turn duties into achievements using action verbs:

Original: “Helped with sales team projects.”

Revised: “Collaborated with sales team to execute projects, driving a 20% revenue increase.”

Original: “Worked on process improvements.”

Revised: “Optimized operational processes, saving 10 hours weekly.”

Original: “Responsible for customer support.”

Revised: “Resolved 50+ customer inquiries daily, improving satisfaction ratings by 15%.”

Step 9: Review and Test Your Resume

Proofread: Ensure verbs are in the correct tense (present for current roles, past for previous roles) and align with the job.

Test with ATS Tools: Use MindPal Resume Checker and Builder to scan your resume against a job description. It will suggest additional action verbs or keywords to improve your match score.

Example Feedback: If “analyzed” is in the job description but missing from your resume, add it (e.g., “Analyzed data to identify trends, boosting efficiency by 10%”).

Step 10: Build a Strong Resume Summary

Incorporate Action Verbs: Use 2-3 action verbs in your summary to grab attention and set the tone.

Example: “Detail-oriented project manager who has directed multimillion-dollar initiatives, streamlined workflows, and delivered results under tight deadlines.”

Tailor It: Reflect the job’s priorities with relevant verbs and keywords.

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Boost your job chances with MindPal’s Resume Checker!  Stand out like a pro—optimize your resume for ATS, fix errors, and highlight your strengths in seconds. Get noticed by recruiters now!  Try it free: Resume Checker 

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