Most, if not all, of your resume's bullet points should start with action verbs. The core reason for this is that recruiters can immediately understand the kinds of things you actually did. For example, if you use something like "Developed", recruiters immediately understand that you were involved in the development of software.

As a software engineer, you should not only use action verbs that both highlight your technical development and programming skills, but also action verbs that emphasize your soft skills like teamwork and analytical skills.

Action Verbs To Show Your Software Engineering Experience:

For more resume advice from recruiters in this field, read the complete Software Engineering Resume Guide.

We've compiled a lot more action verbs by job titles below.

How To Use Action Verbs On Your Resume

To show you how to use these action verbs in your resume, see this infographic for reference. You'll note that each bullet point uses strong action verbs, with a specific description of the task that was accomplished.

Action Verbs For Software Developer Roles

There is a popular misconception about software developers. People often think that it is a merely technical profession, neglecting the value of soft skills like communication and resilience. A successful developer is able to translate highly complex requirements into actionable plans. 

Now, how can you demonstrate this in your resume? By using effective communication. Action verbs will help you do that by streamlining your work experience and precisely expressing your responsibilities. You can use bullet points to illustrate your experience and start the phrase with a strong action verb. We have curated some of the most relevant action verbs for your developer resume.

Relevant Examples Using Action Verbs

If you'd like a deeper dive into this role, read the full Software Developer Resume Guide.

Action Verbs For Web Developer Roles

Action verbs are critical for making your resume feel relevant and keeping it flowing. On the left, we’ve compiled a list of action verbs that should be included in web developer resumes based on our research.

These action verbs can be integrated throughout the text, such as in a short summary like the one present on the first web developer resume we reviewed. In that example, they have experience “managing” and “developing” projects to “maintain” cohesive websites, all of which speak favorably to their capabilities.

Every bullet point should begin with an action verb, as we discussed above. “Designed”, “developed”, and “created” are all important fundamentals for the web developer trade, while “revamped”, “brainstormed”, and “collaborated” indicate your ability to go above and beyond.

Relevant Examples Using Action Verbs

If you'd like a deeper dive into this role, read the full Web Developer Resume Guide.

Action Verbs For Programmer Roles

Action verbs are words that you can use to emphasize your experience and explain your role more clearly. All of these action verbs are in the past tense, and you can use them on your resume to communicate your message precisely. Take a look below to find some inspiration.

Relevant Examples Using Action Verbs

If you'd like a deeper dive into this role, read the full Programmer Resume Guide.

Action Verbs For Front End Developer Roles

Front end developers excel at the intersection of technical ability and beautiful design, working with a variety of teams to bring a dynamic, seamless website to life. It’s important to stress these types of skills through your action verbs -- for example, use words like “collaborated” and “developed” to emphasize your teamwork skills.

Try not to use generic verbs -- they can hurt rather than help your resume. Use strong and powerful verbs that complement the front end developer skills you have.

Don’t overuse a single action verb. Be creative and use a new action verb for each bullet point; vary your word choices and choose the best one according to the responsibilities you had in the project.

Relevant Examples Using Action Verbs

If you'd like a deeper dive into this role, read the full Front End Developer Resume Guide.

Action Verbs For DevOps Roles

DevOps engineers need to do a lot of building, configuring, and testing programs. Doing so requires skill and experience with tools like OpenVZ/KVM, Hadoop, and the cloud. Therefore, it’s necessary to use action verbs that highlight your abilities with these tools.

Just make sure the verbs --and the following experience-- are related to DevOps. Other software engineer-related jobs use the same or complementary tools. So whichever ones you choose to use in your resume need to be useful for this exact role. However, if those action verbs from other roles happen to be connected to this one, use them in your resume.

Relevant Examples Using Action Verbs

If you'd like a deeper dive into this role, read the full DevOps Resume Guide.

Action Verbs For Full Stack Developer Roles

Your full stack developer resume should start with each bullet point in your work experience section with strong action verbs. Action verbs will help your resume to be memorable, and paint a picture of your past accomplishments. Some punchy action verbs for full stack resumes are “developed,” “reduced,” “achieved,” “launched, “designed,” “implemented,” “delivered,” and “spearheaded.” This list of action verbs shows that you created and played a big role in past projects.

In comparison, basic verbs like “assisted,” “contributed,” and “worked on” imply that you participated in previous roles; however, it doesn’t describe what you specifically brought to the table. Why was the project successful? Was it because you developed the new website within the deadline or found a pesky bug in the code that was causing a headache for users? Action verbs help you to illustrate your point.

Relevant Examples Using Action Verbs

If you'd like a deeper dive into this role, read the full Full Stack Developer Resume Guide.

Action Verbs For Java Developer Roles

Java developers are a vital part of ensuring that companies function, especially when you’re talking about industries like e-commerce or SaaS (sales as a service) companies. You’re responsible for building the software and web-based applications, continually improving said offerings based on customer data, keeping these applications healthy through testing, and more. As such, proving your success in these skills vividly is extremely important, and the best way to do that is to combine action verbs with concrete data.

Consider also that part of working at the enterprise level on software and web-based applications involves a lot of communication. You’re incorporating data from customers as well as from co-workers who may not be as tech savvy as you are. Using clear and precise action verbs on your resume will show employers that you’re no stranger to the parts of the job that aren’t just about Java.

Relevant Examples Using Action Verbs

If you'd like a deeper dive into this role, read the full Java Developer Resume Guide.

Action Verbs For Python Developer Roles

Your resume will get a recruiter’s attention when you highlight achievements by starting with strong action verbs that are relevant to Python developers.

Python developers put a lot of work into making programs as effective as they can be. It’s necessary to emphasize your skills using action verbs like designed or developed in your experience.

Try not to use an action verb multiple times. It helps your experience and achievements stand out when you use various action verbs to show uniqueness.

Relevant Examples Using Action Verbs

If you'd like a deeper dive into this role, read the full Python Developer Resume Guide.

Action Verbs For IT Manager Roles

IT managers must have deep technical knowledge of a company’s electronic needs while also possessing leadership and operational savvy to successfully develop the company’s information technology network. It’s important to stress these skills through your action verbs -- for example, use words like “led” and “strategized” to emphasize your leadership skills.

As you’re choosing action verbs for your IT Manager resume, try not to use generic verbs -- they can hurt rather than help your resume. Use strong and powerful verbs that can create an image in your mind about the great work you did.

Tip: to quickly get a list of more powerful action verbs, read through various relevant job descriptions to see what kind of action verbs companies tend to use when they’re looking to hire IT Managers in your industry.

Relevant Examples Using Action Verbs

If you'd like a deeper dive into this role, read the full IT Manager Resume Guide.

Action Verbs For Node.js Roles

How can you make your achievements from past jobs stand out in recruiters’ eyes? A simple but effective strategy is to lead into those achievements with strong, clear verbs. The right verbs should emphasize what you did and how your actions contributed to your company’s success.

Action verbs for aspiring Node.js developers should underscore their development, analytical, problem-solving, communication, and technical skills. There are some examples on the left that you can use for inspiration.

Relevant Examples Using Action Verbs

If you'd like a deeper dive into this role, read the full Node.js Resume Guide.

Action Verbs For SQL Developer Roles

Use action verbs for your resume in a way that puts emphasis on how well you know your way around SQL, production databases and systems. Solid experience in creating and developing these must be highlighted, and so must your knowledge of the maintenance side of things. Furthermore, use these action verbs to begin each bullet point that details previous jobs or work experiences ("• Processed X..." or "• Organized Y into Z..."). Go straight to the point about everything you specifically did that made a positive impact on each program or system you worked with. This is not about telling stories––you'll have a chance to do that in the actual job interviews.

Relevant Examples Using Action Verbs

If you'd like a deeper dive into this role, read the full SQL Developer Resume Guide.

Action Verbs For Integration Architect Roles

Using the correct keywords can make the difference between your resume moving to the next stage or ending in the 'REJECTED' corner. Again, remember that recruiters use ATS to screen resumes, so use value-related action verbs to make your resume stand out.

Here are some action verbs you can use 

Relevant Examples Using Action Verbs

If you'd like a deeper dive into this role, read the full Integration Architect Resume Guide.

Action Verbs For Engineering Manager Roles

As an engineering manager, you should include action verbs in the bullet points of your work experience section. The stated examples you see are just a few, there are many others that are relevant to engineering managers. 

Note: it is not advisable to repeat an action verb twice for the same work experience. It’s better to use a variety to avoid being monotonous.

Relevant Examples Using Action Verbs

If you'd like a deeper dive into this role, read the full Engineering Manager Resume Guide.

Action Verbs For Software Tester Roles

Strong action verbs tell a recruiter your role in a specific task. Software tester resumes should use action verbs that are relevant to the software testing process. Action verbs like "Tested", "Developed" or “Analyzed" are strong action verbs that effectively showcase a strong software testing skill set.

Relevant Examples Using Action Verbs

If you'd like a deeper dive into this role, read the full Software Tester Resume Guide.

Action Verbs For C, C++, and C# Developer Roles

Action verbs are your allies to emphasize your skills. They will also help you explain and demonstrate your role in prior job experiences or projects. However, it can be challenging for some to find the right action verbs for their resume. That’s why we have compiled some of the best ones you can use for your C++, C, or C# developer resume.

Relevant Examples Using Action Verbs

If you'd like a deeper dive into this role, read the full C, C++, and C# Developer Resume Guide.

Action Verbs For Cloud Developer Roles

Action verbs help us understand the functions of your job, the successes you have had, and the tasks you have completed. Strong action verbs can elevate your resume and help you stand out from the crowd. For a cloud developer, your action verbs should highlight experience in all the stages of software development as well as highlight your experience as a team member or team leader.

We have compiled some useful action verbs for you to use.

Relevant Examples Using Action Verbs

If you'd like a deeper dive into this role, read the full Cloud Developer Resume Guide.

Action Verbs For ETL Developer Roles

Using vague phrases is going to hurt your resume’s readability, so you need to use strong action verbs. ETL is already a highly complex occupation, so you need to keep your message simple and easy to comprehend. Remember to use varied action verbs, repetition is also going to affect your performance. For inspiration, check the following action verbs we’ve gathered for your ETL resume.

Relevant Examples Using Action Verbs

If you'd like a deeper dive into this role, read the full ETL Developer Resume Guide.

Action Verbs For Software Architect Roles

If you want to boost your software architect resume, try using bullet points in your work experience. This will streamline your structure. Each bullet point should start with a strong action verb. However, these action verbs must be highly related to your career, and you should use them wisely. Don’t repeat them because it’ll hurt your readability.

Below, you will find our selected list of action verbs for software architects. Notice that each one of them is highly technical and related to your field. This will help you be more descriptive and demonstrate accountability for your achievements.

Relevant Examples Using Action Verbs

If you'd like a deeper dive into this role, read the full Software Architect Resume Guide.

Action Verbs For PHP Developer Roles

If you want to add value to your PHP developer resume include a bullet points list with achievements in your work history. This will make you look more professional and high-performing. The best way to do this is by using action verbs at the beginning of each phrase, but remember, they must all be varied and highly related to your field. 

Below, we have compiled a list of relevant action verbs you can use in your resume. Notice how words like “coded” or “debug” provide a more descriptive perspective of your responsibilities. 

Relevant Examples Using Action Verbs

If you'd like a deeper dive into this role, read the full PHP Developer Resume Guide.

Get a free resume review: Find out if your action verbs are strong enough.

As a next step, I'd recommend going through each of your resume's verbs and improving each one with stronger action verbs. The most effective way to do that is by uploading your resume to tool below. It'll tell you which parts of your resume need work, so you can improve them before a recruiter rejects you for them.

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