Action verbs are the most effective verbs to use in job descriptions.
What is an action verb? It’s a verb that expresses physical or mental action.
Examples of action verbs:
- The CEO motivates his team.
- The developer writes code.
- The accountant approves the balance sheet
An action verb is distinct from linking verbs (am, are, is, was, were, etc.).) and helping verbs (can, shall, will could,would, should, etc.).
It’s almost always a good idea to use action verbs for job descriptions instead of helping/linking verbs.
Below is a list of 169 action verbs for job descriptions (with their definitions). I’ve found these 169 to be the most useful in writing job descriptions here at Ongig. I’ve categorized them best I can though there’s a lot of overlap.
Note: If you want a little extra automated help on writing JDs better, check out The Top 6 Augmented Writing Tools for Job Descriptions. And, for even more tips on writing job descriptions, check out How to Write a Job Description — Best Practices & Examples.
Enjoy!
The Comprehensive List of Action Verbs for Job Descriptions
Action Verbs for Management & Leadership
| Action Verb | Definition |
|---|---|
| Achieve | To bring to a successful end. |
| Advise | Offer suggestions about the best course of action. |
| Appoint | Set officially, arrange. |
| Approve | Accept as satisfactory; exercise final authority with regard to commitment of |
| Assign | Specify or designate tasks or duties to be performed by others. |
| Authorize | Approve. |
| Decide | Select a course of action. |
| Delegate | To entrust to another |
| Develop | To cause to grow or expand. |
| Determine | To resolve or fix conclusively or authoritatively. |
| Direct | To cause to turn, move, or point undeviatingly or to follow a straight course |
| Enforce | To effect or gain by force. To carry out effectively. |
| Establish | To institute permanently by enactment or agreement. |
| Execute | to carry out fully : put completely into effect |
| Initiate | Set going or introduce. |
| Manage | To handle or direct with a degree of skill. |
| Oversee | To manage or coordinate. |
| Reject | To refuse to accept, consider or submit to. |
| Require | To ask for by right and authority, request. |
| Supervise | To be in charge of. |
| Motivate | To move or drive someone to an action. |
Action Verbs for Design & Creation
| Action Verb | Definition |
|---|---|
| Create | Produce through imaginative skill. |
| Code | To write computer/software code. |
| Design | To create, fashion, execute, or construct according to plan. |
| Develop | Disclose, discover, perfect or unfold a plan; includes to "develop" software. |
| Devise | Come up with something new by combinations or applications of ideas. |
| Illustrate | To enlighten. |
| Invent | To create something. |
| Program | To write code for (e.g. a software application). |
Action Verbs for Exchange & Transactions
| Action Verb | Definition |
|---|---|
| Accept | Give admittance or approval to. |
| Acquire | Come into possession or control of an item or items. |
| Arrange | Make preparation for; put into proper order. |
| Budget | To plan allotment of (funds, time, etc.). |
| Buy | Acquire possession, ownership or rights to the use of services, items. |
| Collect | To gather. |
| Deliver | Send or bring a desired object. |
| Distribute | Deliver or hand out to several or many. |
| Exchange | Give and receive reciprocally. |
| Forward | Send goods or information onward. |
| Furnish | Provide or equip with what is needed. |
| Gather | Bring together or collect parts of a group. |
| Get | Obtain or receive. |
| Give | Grant or yield to another. |
| Issue | "To put forth or distribute usually officially". |
| Negotiate | To bring to settlement. |
| Obtain | Gain or possess. |
| Procure | Get possession or obtain by particular care and effort. |
| Provide | To supply or make available. |
| Pull | Demand or obtain advantage by use of exertion or influence. |
| Purchase | Gain or acquire by labor, money. |
| Recall | Call back or cancel. |
| Receive | Come into possession of or acquire an item, idea. |
| Recruit | Increase numbers of a group or bring in new members. |
| Render | Deliver or hand down. |
| Secure | Put beyond hazard or receive lasting control. |
| Sell | Give up property in exchange for money. |
| Send | Deliver or dispatch as means of communication or delivery. |
| Solicit | To make a petition or request for services, money. |
| Submit | To present or propose to another for review, consideration, or decision. |
| Supply | Make materials available for use. |
| Take | Get or seize into possession. |
| Transfer | Pass over from one person to another. |
| Withdraw | To draw back or remove. |
| Initiate | To begin. |
| Install | To set up for use. |
| Originate | To begin or start or take origin of. |
Action Verbs for Launch, Speed & Execution
| Action Verb | Definition |
|---|---|
| Accelerate | To make faster. |
| Activate | To make something reactive or more reactive. |
| Encourage | To give courage, spirit or confidence to. |
| Expedite | To speed up. |
| Further | To help forward or promote. |
| Implement | Carry out or fulfill by taking action. |
Action Verbs for Analysis & Review
| Action Verb | Definition |
|---|---|
| Calculate | Make a mathematical computation. |
| Estimate | To determine roughly the size, extent, or nature of. |
| Forecast | Predict future events based on specific assumptions. |
| Formulate | Put into a systemized expression or statement. |
| Analyze | Separate into elements and critically examine. |
| Appraise | Give an expert judgment of worth or merit. |
| Ascertain | Find out or learn with certainty. |
| Check | To proof or review for errors. |
| Compare | To examine characteristics to discover similarities or differences. |
| Consider | To observe or think about with regard to taking some action. |
| Criticize | To evaluate and judge merits or faults. |
| Evaluate | to determine the significance, worth, or condition of usually by careful appraisal and study'. |
| Examine | Investigate in order to determine progress, fitness or knowledge. |
| Forecast | Predict future events based on specific assumptions. |
| Identify | The act of proving identity. |
| Inspect | Examine materials, equipment, reports, work, etc., to determine quality, suitability for use, etc. |
| Interpret | Explain something to others. |
| Interview | Obtain information through questioning. |
| Investigate | Uncover facts by systematically finding them, conducting a search, and examining various sources. |
| Measure | Control or regulate by a standard or in measured amounts. |
| Rate | Estimate or determine the relative value, rank, or amount of an item. |
| Research | To search or investigate exhaustively. |
| Resolve | Deal with a problem, dilemma successfully. |
| Review | To examine or study again. |
| Solve | Find a solution, answer, or explanation for a question or problem. |
| Study | Apply thought to any subject of investigation in order to arrive at the most suitable conclusion. |
| Summarize | To tell and reduce a story, idea. |
| Survey | Examine a condition, situation or value. |
| Test | To try out. |
| Weigh | To consider the importance of. |
Action Verbs for Communication
| Action Verb | Definition |
|---|---|
| Author | To be the author of or originate or create a design for. |
| Collaborate | Work jointly with; cooperate with others. |
| Correspond | Communicate with. |
| Draft | Prepare in preliminary form. |
| Inform | Communicate knowledge to others. |
| Inquire | Ask or search into. |
| Notify | Give notice or a report on an occurrence or information. |
| Report | Give notice or a report on an occurrence or information. |
| Write | To express or communicate through written words. |
Action Verbs for Organization
| Action Verb | Definition |
|---|---|
| Accumulate | Increase gradually in quantity or number. |
| Administer | Manage or direct the execution of affairs. |
| Arrange | Make preparations for, to plan. |
| Assemble | To bring together or gather in one place. |
| Compile | Put together information, collect from other documents. |
| Consolidate | Bring together. |
| Coordinate | Bring together things or people for a desired result. |
| Organize | To form as or into a whole consisting of interdependent or coordinated parts, especially for united action. |
| Order | Arrange or command to come to a specified place or decision. |
| Plan | To arrange a method or scheme beforehand for (any work, enterprise, or proceeding). |
| Schedule | To appoint, assign, or designate for a fixed time. |
| Plan | To design or plot a scheme or project by means or method devised for doing something to achieve an end. |
Action Verbs for Compliance, Finance, etc.
| Action Verb | Definition |
|---|---|
| Audit | To examine for verification. |
| Check | To proof or review for errors. |
| Delete | Eliminate or wipe out. |
| Prevent | Keep from happening or holding back. |
| Return | Go back in thought or action. Give an official account to a superior. |
| Stop | Keep from carrying out a proposed action. |
| Allocate | Assign or apportion for a specific purpose or to a particular person. |
| Approve | To consent or agree to or authorize. |
| Audit | To examine for purposes of verification. |
| Check | To proof or review for errors. |
| Conserve | Slow or block the progress of something. |
| Control | To exercise influence over; or check, test or verify by evidence. |
| Edit | Alter, adapt or refine a written text, concept, or idea. |
| Enforce | To effect or gain by force. To carry out effectively. |
| Ensure | Make sure, certain, or safe. |
| Guarantee | Undertake to answer for debt and default or promise security. |
| Inspect | Examine materials, equipment, reports, work, etc., to determine quality, suitability for use, etc. |
| Protect | To cover or shield from injury or danger. |
| Regulate | Fix or adjust the time, amount, degree, or rate. |
| Restrict | Place under restriction as to use or distribution. |
| Review | Consider or examine facts or results for accuracy, completeness and suitability. |
| Verify | Confirm or substantiate by oath, law, or other documentation. |
Action Verbs (Misc.)
| Action Verbs | Definition |
|---|---|
| Adapt | Modify or change to fit new situations. |
| Control | Exercise restraint or direction over; dominate; command. |
| Cooperate | Act jointly with others. Act or work with others to obtain a mutual benefit. |
| Establish | To bring into existence. |
| Keep | Preserve or maintain in a good and orderly condition. |
| Maintain | To keep in an existing state (as of repair, efficiency, or validity) : preserve from failure or decline. |
| Participate | To take part in. |
| Review | Examine something for accuracy, completeness and suitability. |
| Serve | Comply with the commands and demands of a boss, group. |
Action Verbs for Candidate to Take Action on Your Job Description
A job description (or job posting) wouldn’t be complete if you don’t ask the candidate to take action. Here are the top 2 keywords used for the candidate/employee to sign up for the opportunity:
| Action Verb | Definition |
|---|---|
| Apply | To apply to a job (or to dedicate oneself to something). |
| Join | To put or bring together as to form a unit. |
Special thanks to these 2 sources:
Why I wrote this?
Action verbs are key to effective job descriptions. And that’s the mission for my team here at Ongig. Please click the demo button on this page to find out more about Ongig’s Text Analyzer job description software. It helps you write the most effective job descriptions to attract top-tier, diverse talent.
