List of the Best Resume Synonyms

If you’re writing your resume and find yourself using the same tired phrases over and over, you’re not alone.

Below you’ll find a master list of resume synonyms you can choose to spice up your experience section. Words you’ll find synonyms for include:

Synonyms for the most used resume words

Action verbs are the best way to start each resume bullet point. They help convey your accomplishments, demonstrate your skills, and give employers a much better idea of your experience.

Here are synonyms for some of the most common resume action verbs:

“Managed” synonyms for your resume

There are lots of ways to describe your management experience without using the word “managed”. Here are some suggestions:

Example: Oversaw a team of 10 employees, ensuring smooth operations and achieving project deadlines.

“Developed” synonyms for your resume

Showcase your ability to develop new ideas or projects on your resume with these synonyms for “developed”:

Example: Ideated and implemented a new marketing strategy that resulted in a 20% increase in customer engagement.

“Assisted” synonyms for your resume

Highlighting your ability to provide support and assistance is valuable in any industry. Here are some synonyms for “assisted” that add variety to your resume:

Example: Supported the sales team in achieving their targets by providing comprehensive market research and analysis.

“Collaborate” synonyms for your resume

Hiring managers know that employees who collaborate well contribute to a positive work culture and smooth workflow. To emphasize your teamwork skills, use these synonyms for “collaborate”:

Example: Coordinated efforts of cross-functional teams to develop and launch a new product line, resulting in a 15% increase in revenue.

“Worked” synonyms for your resume

As a verb, “worked” is about as nondescript as it can get. Replace it with one of these synonyms that offer a bit more insight into your role:

Example: Effectively served clients to identify their needs and deliver customized solutions, resulting in a 90% client satisfaction rate.

“Responsible” for synonyms for your resume

Instead of writing that you were passively “responsible for” certain tasks, incorporate these synonyms to convey a stronger sense of ownership and accountability:

Example: Directed the successful completion of multiple projects within tight deadlines, ensuring high-quality deliverables.

“Provide” synonyms for your resume

Use these synonyms for “provide” to show employers what you can offer:

Example: Delivered exceptional customer service by promptly addressing inquiries, resulting in a 95% customer satisfaction rating.

“Led” synonyms for your resume

Leadership skills are essential for managerial or team-based roles. Highlight your ability to inspire and guide with these synonyms for “led”:

Example: Guided a high-performing team to achieve quarterly sales targets, surpassing revenue goals by 20%.

“Helped” synonyms for your resume

Use these synonyms for “helped” to showcase your collaborative mindset:

Example: Supported streamlining of internal processes, resulting in a 30% increase in operational efficiency.

“Ensure” synonyms for your resume

You want employers to know you’re able to maintain high standards. Use these synonyms for “ensure” to highlight your dedication and keen attention to detail:

Example: Guaranteed compliance with industry regulations and internal policies, mitigating potential risks and maintaining a strong industry-wide reputation.

“Maintain” synonyms for your resume

Here are some synonyms for “maintain” that’ll show hiring managers you can be trusted to ensure consistency:

Example: Kept accurate and up-to-date records, ensuring smooth auditing processes and adherence to legal requirements.

“Learned” synonyms for your resume

In today’s job market, the ability to adapt and learn quickly is a huge asset. Here are some synonyms for “learned” to show employers your continuous learning mindset:

Example: Mastered new software applications quickly, enhancing productivity by streamlining data analysis processes.

“Perform” synonyms for your resume

Showcase your competence by using these synonyms for “perform” on your resume:

Example: Conducted comprehensive market research to identify emerging trends and opportunities, supporting the development of a successful marketing campaign.

“Implement” synonyms for your resume

Show employers how you can put plans or strategies into action with these synonyms for “implement”:

Example: Integrated process improvements that resulted in a 15% reduction in production costs and increased operational efficiency.

“Support” synonyms for your resume

Use these synonyms for “support” to show employers how you can contribute to the company’s success:

Example: Enabled data-driven decision-making by providing timely and accurate data analysis.

“Oversaw” synonyms for your resume

Demonstrating your ability to supervise or manage projects will pay off if you’re applying for leadership roles. Here are some synonyms for “oversaw” to use in your resume:

Example: Orchestrated the successful implementation of a company-wide CRM system, resulting in improved customer relationship management and increased sales.

“Organized” synonyms for your resume

Organization is a valuable soft skill in every role and industry. Use these synonyms for “organized” to get more specific:

Example: Planned and executed a large-scale corporate event, ensuring seamless logistics and a positive attendee experience.

“Designed” synonyms for your resume

Whether you designed products, graphics, spreadsheets, or systems, use these varied synonyms to showcase your skills effectively:

Example: Created visually appealing marketing materials, including brochures and infographics, to enhance brand awareness and customer engagement.

“Participate” synonyms for your resume

Here are some synonyms for “participate” to show employers how well you can work with a team:

Example: Actively engaged in cross-functional meetings, providing valuable input and contributing to the development of strategic initiatives.

“Handled” synonyms for your resume

Show employers you can manage your workload with these synonyms for “handled”:

Example: Addressed a high volume of customer inquiries, providing prompt and effective resolutions while maintaining a high level of customer satisfaction.

“Conduct” synonyms for your resume

If you carried out research, studies, quality checks, or investigations, showcase your experience on your resume with these synonyms for “conduct”:

Example: Analyzed in-depth market research to identify new target demographics, leading to a successful product expansion strategy.

“Effectively” synonyms for your resume

Expressing your ability to accomplish tasks efficiently and with positive outcomes is crucial. Use these synonyms for the adverb “effectively” to enhance your resume.

Example: Expertly managed project timelines and resources, resulting in on-time project delivery and cost savings.

“Facilitate” synonyms for your resume

Impress hiring managers with your ability to streamline processes and make tasks easier. Use these synonyms for “facilitate”:

Example: Cultivated effective communication among team members by implementing new project management software, leading to a 15% boost in productivity.

“Analyze” synonyms for your resume

Data analysis is one of the most in-demand job skills. Use these synonyms for “analyze” to showcase your skills effectively.

Example: Evaluated market trends and competitor strategies to identify key insights, informing strategic decision-making and achieving a competitive edge.

Synonyms for your resume introduction

A resume introduction is a short paragraph at the top of your resume that summarizes your key qualifications as a candidate.

A strong resume introduction sells your candidacy by targeting the job, showcasing all your most important professional highlights, and demonstrating how you can benefit the company.

However, many people’s resume introductions end up sounding cliché because they use the same old resume buzzwords as everyone else. Here’s a helpful list of synonyms to make sure your objective grabs the attention of employers and lands you an interview.

“Skills” synonyms for your resume

Writing about your skills but sick of using the word “skills”? Try these synonyms to diversify your language and emphasize your ingenuity:

Example: “Core strengths include InDesign, Acrobat, and UX Design.”

“Strong” synonyms for your resume

Try these alternatives for the over-used resume adjective “strong:”

Example: “Recognized for persuasive negotiating skills.”

“Excellent” synonyms for your resume

To showcase your outstanding qualities and accomplishments, consider using these synonyms for the adjective “excellent:”

Example: “Noteworthy accomplishments include increasing website traffic by 300% and doubling conversions over a 1-year period by implementing effective content strategies.”

“Opportunity” synonyms for your resume

Describing your desire to explore new possibilities and challenges shows employers you’re ambitious and driven. Here are some synonyms for “opportunity” you can use:

Example: “Eager to pursue new avenues of growth in the hospitality sector.”

“Driven” synonyms for your resume

Show employers you’re motivated with these synonyms for “driven:”

Example: “Goal-oriented server with 5+ years of experience curating exceptional dining experiences for the highest level of customer satisfaction.”

“Seeking” synonyms for your resume

Use varied language to express your career objectives or intentions with these synonyms for “seeking:”

Example: “Recent graduate looking for an opportunity to apply exceptional research and analysis skills.”

“Possess” synonyms for your resume

When describing your skills or qualities, use these alternatives for the verb “possess:”

Example: “Excellent command of Google Workspace, Asana, and Trello.”

“Interest” synonyms for your resume

All employers want to know that you’re enthusiastic about the position. Mix it up with these synonyms for “interest:”

Example: “ESG professional with 5+ years of experience and a passion for work in sustainability.”

“Successfully” synonyms for your resume

Describe your achievements with these alternatives for “successfully:”

Example: “Effectively implemented the office-wide adoption of a new CRM system.”

“Friendly” synonyms for your resume

A friendly and approachable demeanor is important for customer-facing roles. Here are some synonyms for “friendly” you can use on your resume:

Example: “Experienced server with excellent upselling skills and ability to provide warm and welcoming service.”

Frequently asked questions about resume synonyms

Still have some questions about the words to include on your resume? Here are some frequently asked questions about resume synonyms:

Which types of words are more powerful on resumes?

Descriptive action verbs and adjectives are more powerful on resumes because they effectively convey your experience and accomplishments.

Using varied and descriptive language not only paints a better picture of your professional background, it also makes your resume more interesting to read – meaning it’s more likely to hold a hiring manager’s attention.

What can I say instead of responsibilities?

Here are some words you can use instead of responsibilities:

• Accomplishments
• Achievements
• Projects
• Tasks
• Duties

What is a buzzword on a resume?

A buzzword on a resume is a word or phrase that’s popular and often over-used, like “teamwork” or “synergize”.

Buzzwords like these will instantly make a hiring manager tune out, so try to avoid them. Make your resume more engaging by choosing descriptive and varied language instead.

If you’re tempted to use a buzzword like “teamwork,” try to think of a way to communicate this skill through a specific achievement or project. Demonstrating your skills through tangible experiences is much more effective than simply listing them.