Best Resume Keywords 2026: Action Words That Get You Hired

The Power of Words

The right words can transform a mediocre resume into a compelling one. Strategic use of action verbs and keywords helps you pass ATS screening and impress hiring managers.

Action Verbs by Category

Leadership

Directed, Led, Managed, Supervised

Coordinated, Orchestrated, Spearheaded

Mentored, Coached, Developed

Achievement

Achieved, Exceeded, Surpassed

Delivered, Accomplished, Attained

Generated, Produced, Created

Problem-Solving

Resolved, Solved, Troubleshot

Analyzed, Diagnosed, Identified

Improved, Enhanced, Optimized

Communication

Presented, Negotiated, Persuaded

Authored, Published, Documented

Collaborated, Facilitated, Mediated

Technical

Developed, Engineered, Programmed

Implemented, Integrated, Deployed

Automated, Streamlined, Modernized

Industry-Specific Keywords

Technology

Agile, Scrum, DevOps

Cloud computing, AWS, Azure

Machine learning, AI, Data science

Full-stack, API, Microservices

Marketing

SEO, SEM, PPC

Content strategy, Brand management

Analytics, Conversion optimization

Social media, Influencer marketing

Finance

Financial modeling, Forecasting

Risk management, Compliance

P&L management, Budgeting

Due diligence, Valuation

Healthcare

Patient care, HIPAA compliance

Electronic health records (EHR)

Clinical protocols, Care coordination

Quality improvement, Patient outcomes

How to Find the Right Keywords

Analyze job descriptions - List recurring terms

Research industry trends - Know current buzzwords

Review competitor profiles - See what successful candidates highlight

Use our AI keyword extractor - Automatically identify key terms

Keyword Best Practices

Do:

Match exact phrases from job descriptions

Include both spelled-out terms and acronyms

Use keywords naturally in context

Quantify achievements when possible

Don't:

Stuff keywords unnaturally

Use keywords you can't back up

Ignore industry-specific terminology

Forget soft skills keywords

The Perfect Balance

Your resume should:

Pass ATS keyword screening

Read naturally to humans

Demonstrate real achievements

Show personality and fit

Quantify When Possible

Transform weak bullets:

❌ "Managed a sales team"

✅ "Led 12-person sales team, exceeding quarterly targets by 23%"

Conclusion

Strategic use of keywords and power words helps your resume perform double duty—passing automated screening while impressing human readers. Research industry terms, use strong action verbs, and always back up keywords with concrete examples.

Resume Keywords: Power Words That Make Hiring Managers Take Notice