One of the main ways you can write an impressive job application is by using action verbs in your résumé and cover letter. Both documents should be direct and clear, and action verbs will help you achieve that goal.

Read more about the difference between active and passive verbs.

Using dynamic action verbs

Different jobs require different skills, so it can be helpful to categorize verbs according to the skills you’ll be highlighting in your résumé and cover letter. While many skills do apply to more than one type of job, the broad categories below may be useful.

Categories:

Executive and management

Communication

Research

Technical and production

Teaching

Financial

Creative

Helping

Administrative

Executive and management

Executive and management positions typically involve facilitating an organization’s mission and goals; hiring, training, and evaluating staff; and instituting and streamlining procedures. The following action verbs are commonly used to highlight skills in these professions:

Communication

Communication positions require good writing, speaking, and presentation skills. Journalism, public relations, editorial, marketing, and development positions all fall in this category, which can overlap with several categories below. The following action verbs are commonly used to highlight skills in these professions:

Research

Research positions span a broad range of industries and disciplines; research jobs are available at large corporations, small start-up firms, and academic institutions, among many other options. The following action verbs are commonly used to highlight skills in these professions:

Technical and production

Technical and production positions range from IT jobs requiring knowledge of computer hardware and software to positions designing and servicing everything from cars to plumbing to elevators. The following action verbs are commonly used to highlight skills in these professions:

Teaching

Teaching positions are available at public and private institutions and at all levels, from preschool through higher education. Teachers also work in corporations, government offices, and community centers, among other places. The following action verbs are commonly used to highlight skills in these professions:

Financial

Financial positions include accountants, bankers, analysts, asset managers, stockbrokers, auditors, and many others. The following action verbs are commonly used to highlight skills in these professions:

Creative

Creative positions exist in almost every industry, though when you hear the word “creative” you may think first of the arts. But design is central to marketing and advertising and even workspaces in every field, and innovation takes many forms and is needed in every job sector. The following action verbs are commonly used to highlight skills in these professions:

Helping

Helping positions include social workers; psychiatrists, psychologists, and counselors; speech and physical therapists; nurses and doctors; and Emergency Medical Technicians, fire fighters, and police officers, among others. The following action verbs are commonly used to highlight skills in these professions:

Administrative

Administrative positions include a wide range of possible responsibilities, including but not limited to answering phones, data entry, billing, and writing reports and correspondence. The following action verbs are commonly used to highlight skills in these professions:

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Writing a résumé

Writing a cover letter