Some of the verbs that applicants commonly use on CVs, covering letters and application forms are rather passive words, ones which may well be used by many of your fellow candidates. However, you may be able to make your application stand out by using ‘action verbs. Examples of some passive verbs, and their active equivalents, are listed below – try to use one of those in the right-hand column wherever possible
| Advised | Recommended, Counselled, Trained, Directed, Guided |
| Calculated | Evaluated |
| Changed | Converted, Corrected, Modernised, Re-designed, Re-organised, Re-structured, Simplified |
| Checked | Appraised, Audited, Inspected, Monitored, Tested |
| Controlled | Administered, Executed, Regulated, Supervised |
| Engaged | Appointed, Hired, Recruited, Selected |
| Looked into | Analysed, Forecast, Interpreted, Surveyed |
| Made bigger | Augmented, Doubled (or equivalent depending on size of growth), Expanded, Increased |
| Made smaller | Eliminated, Lightened, Reduced, , Streamlined |
| Set up | Arranged, Conceived, Developed, Established, Formed, Formulated, Initiated |
| Motivated | Inspired, Stimulated |
| Put right | Rescued, Resolved, Saved, Settled, Solved |
| Showed | Demonstrated, Taught, Trained |
| Stopped | Averted, Avoided, Prevented |
| Wrote | Edited, Published |