CV action words
A UK CV is easier to read when the bullet starts with the task. These pages group plain verbs by the kind of work. They are not a secret list, and they are not a reason to hide keywords in white text.
Read the group closest to the advert, then open the full fictional CV example for that role and write your own evidence.
Groups
Customer-facing CV action words
Verbs for UK customer service, retail and sales CVs, each with a fictional bullet you can adapt.
Technical CV action words
Verbs for UK software and project CVs, with fictional bullets that name the work.
Care and education CV action words
Verbs for UK nurse, teacher and teaching assistant CVs, without identifying a patient or pupil.
Office and finance CV action words
Verbs for UK administrator and accountant CVs, from diaries and records to reconciliations.
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FAQ
What is a CV action word?
A verb that says what you did: logged, reconciled, tested, marked. It is the start of a bullet, not a personality trait.
Should I use a different verb on every line?
No. If you reconciled three accounts, “reconciled” can appear three times. A thesaurus makes the work harder to check.
Are the example bullets real?
No. Every example on these pages is fictional. Replace the setting with work you can explain.
Will these words pass an ATS on their own?
No. An applicant tracking system, and a person, look for the words in the advert that match work you have done. Stuffing verbs does not create that match.
Free job-ready CV checklist
A one-page checklist for any role. No name, and no account.