70 Memorable Resume Synonyms to Use in Your Next Application

If you've ever researched resumes online, you've probably noticed that before long, they all start to sound the same. Words like "collaborated," "hard worker," and "implemented" start to blur together until it's hard to tell one resume from another. And if repeatedly seeing the same word is this frustrating for you, imagine how much worse it is for hiring managers and recruiters who often review dozens of resumes at a time.

An easy solution is resume synonyms. 

Resume synonyms replace overused buzzwords to describe you and your achievements more effectively. By considering which power words and action verbs to use or replace, you can distinguish your resume as unique, helping you stand out in a pool of applicants.

Ready to get creative? Use these 70 resume synonyms (plus some extra helpful tips) to create a powerful resume that will land you job interviews left and right.

Key Takeaways:

• Resume synonyms replace overused words and help your resume (and you!) stand out as different and unique.
• You can use synonyms for skills, achievements, job titles, and more.
• Remember to customize your synonyms for each individual job application you submit.

Additionally, we have some more excellent resources on this topic including:

• Our new library of 500+ resume synonyms, with in-depth breakdowns of how to use a word, when to replace it, and what to replace it with
• Resume Buzzwords and Cliches To Avoid and What to Use Instead
• Crush That Application: The Best Action Verbs for Your Resume

But for now, let’s dive into resume synonyms. 

Why use synonyms in resumes?

A synonym is a word or phrase that has a similar meaning to another word or phrase in the same language and can be used in place of another word to convey a similar idea or concept. For example, "happy" and "content" are synonyms because they have similar meanings. You could use either word to describe a person who is experiencing positive emotions.

Resume synonyms are beneficial because they help your resume stand out to recruiters, hiring managers, or the human resources department. Hiring managers review a lot of resumes, and most of these resumes likely use the exact same words over and over--words like "accomplishments," "experience," or "collaborate," to name a few.

By avoiding overused, boring phrases and using action words instead, you can help your resume and cover letter grab the eye, painting a vivid picture of the kind of team player you are. No repetitive or dull resume here--you're a unique, creative candidate whose past and present tense accomplishments stand out.

Another benefit of adding resume power words and synonyms is to help with keyword optimization. Pulling out specific words and phrases from the job description and strategically adding them to your resume can help position you as the best person for the job. You want your skills and ability to match up with what an employer is looking for, and synonyms are a great way to get your point across.

Using synonyms to describe your skills can make them sound more impressive and unique, too. For example, you aren't simply a "good communicator"--you're an "effective communicator" or a "skilled communicator." Doesn't that sound a bit more impactful?

Bottom line: Using synonyms can make your resume more interesting to read and increase your chances of getting noticed by recruiters. The key is using them appropriately and ensuring they accurately reflect your skills and experience.

Common resume terms and their synonyms

Think of synonyms as resume power words--words that make an impact, creatively describing who you are and what you have to offer. When you tailor your resume to a job description, you have the option to use synonyms to portray your analytical skills, practical expertise, education, training, and any other attributes you may highlight.

First, try writing your resume as you normally would. Then go back through to compare your resume with a job description, keeping an eye out for which words you could replace for stronger, more impactful options.

Use the following synonyms to replace overused or boring words with resume power words that will help your education, accomplishments examples, and work experience stand out in the best way possible.

Synonyms for "experience"

• I have extensive experience in project management.
• I have broad expertise in project management.
• I have a deep background in project management.
• I have a strong proficiency in project management.

Find better resume synonyms for experienced

Synonyms for "tools"

• Proficient in using various tools for data analysis and visualization.
• Proficient in using various instruments for data analysis and visualization.
• Proficient in using various applications for data analysis and visualization.
• Proficient in using various equipment for data analysis and visualization.
• Proficient in using various devices for data analysis and visualization.

Synonyms for "responsible"

• Responsible for managing a team of sales representatives and exceeding monthly sales targets.
• Accountable for managing a team of sales representatives and exceeding monthly sales targets.
• In charge of managing a team of sales representatives and exceeding monthly sales targets.
• Tasked with managing a team of sales representatives and exceeding monthly sales targets.
• Answerable for managing a team of sales representatives and exceeding monthly sales targets.

More resume synonyms for responsible

Synonyms for "collaborate"

• Collaborated with cross-functional teams to develop new marketing strategies.
• Connected with cross-functional teams to develop new marketing strategies.
• Coordinated with cross-functional teams to develop new marketing strategies.
• Partnered with cross-functional teams to develop new marketing strategies.
• Teamed up with cross-functional teams to develop new marketing strategies.

Find more resume synonyms for collaborate

Synonyms for "developed"

• Developed a new software application to streamline inventory management.
• Created a new software application to streamline inventory management.
• Designed a new software application to streamline inventory management.
• Formulated a new software application to streamline inventory management.
• Constructed a new software application to streamline inventory management.

These are the 6 best resume synonyms for developed

Synonyms for "led"

• Led a team of five software engineers to develop a new software application.
• Directed a team of five software engineers to develop a new software application.
• Guided a team of five software engineers to develop a new software application.
• Supervised a team of five software engineers to develop a new software application.

More resume synonyms for led

Synonyms for "hardworking"

• I am a hardworking individual who consistently strives for excellence in my work.
• I am a diligent individual who consistently strives for excellence in my work.
• I am a dedicated individual who consistently strives for excellence in my work.
• I am a committed individual who consistently strives for excellence in my work.
• I am a conscientious individual who consistently strives for excellence in my work.

Synonyms for "managed"

• Managed a team of 10 employees and ensured all project deliverables were completed on time and within budget.
• Oversaw a team of 10 employees and ensured all project deliverables were completed on time and within budget.
• Directed a team of 10 employees and ensured all project deliverables were completed on time and within budget.
• Supervised a team of 10 employees and ensured all project deliverables were completed on time and within budget.

Here are 6 great resume synonyms for managed, one of the most overused phrases

Synonyms for "improved"

• Implemented new strategies to improve customer satisfaction and retention rates.
• Implemented new strategies to enhance customer satisfaction and retention rates.
• Implemented new strategies to boost customer satisfaction and retention rates.
• Implemented new strategies to upgrade customer satisfaction and retention rates.
• Implemented new strategies to refine customer satisfaction and retention rates.

More resume synonyms for improved

Synonyms for "implemented"

• Successfully implemented new processes to streamline operations and increase efficiency.
• Successfully executed new processes to streamline operations and increase efficiency.
• Successfully applied new processes to streamline operations and increase efficiency.
• Successfully introduced new processes to streamline operations and increase efficiency.
• Successfully enacted new processes to streamline operations and increase efficiency.

More resume synonyms for implemented

Synonym for "creative"

• I am a creative individual who enjoys thinking outside the box.
• I am an imaginative individual who enjoys thinking outside the box.
• I am an innovative individual who enjoys thinking outside the box.
• I am a resourceful individual who enjoys thinking outside the box.
• I am a visionary individual who enjoys thinking outside the box.

Synonyms for "industry"

• I have over 10 years of experience in the finance industry.
• I have over 10 years of experience in the finance sector.
• I have over 10 years of experience in the finance field.
• I have over 10 years of experience in the finance domain.
• I have over 10 years of experience in the finance sphere.

Synonym for "duties"

• Responsible for managing the day-to-day duties of the administrative staff.
• Responsible for managing the day-to-day responsibilities of the administrative staff.
• Responsible for managing the day-to-day tasks of the administrative staff.
• Responsible for managing the day-to-day functions of the administrative staff.
• Responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of the administrative staff.

Synonym for "demonstrate"

• Demonstrated the ability to work well under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
• Displayed the ability to work well under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
• Illustrated the ability to work well under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
• Exhibited the ability to work well under pressure and meet tight deadlines.

Here are the best 6 resume synonyms for demonstrate

Synonym for "achieve"

• Achieved a 20% increase in sales within the first quarter.
• Attained a 20% increase in sales within the first quarter.
• Accomplished a 20% increase in sales within the first quarter.
• Fulfilled a 20% increase in sales within the first quarter.

Find the best resume synonyms for achieved

Using synonyms for job titles

Skills and achievements aren't the only places in your resume where you can use synonyms. Companies also tend to use different job titles for similar roles. You may have already noticed this as you research positions to apply. For instance, you might see job titles like:

• Marketing Lead, Director of Marketing, Head of Marketing
• Bookkeeper, Accounting Assistant, Accounting Clerk, Accounting Associate
• Customer Service Manager, Customer Success Supervisor, Relationship Manager, Client Support

How should you decide which title to use in your resume? When in doubt, reference the job posting and use the same language as the employer (as long as this title fits with your experience and your prior jobs). If you feel the need to, you can put an alternate job title in parentheses--such as "Customer Success Supervisor (Relationship Manager)".

Tips for using synonyms effectively

Ready to grab your thesaurus, identify areas for improvement, and tackle those resume power verbs? Use synonyms more effectively and appropriately with these tips:

• Avoid overuse. Yes, you can have too much of a good thing. Synonyms are great. But sometimes, the actual word itself is better. Know when to use a synonym and when it's better to steer clear or common resume power verbs and keep things simple.
• Don't overcomplicate it. Your resume writing should sound professional and clear. And while you do get points for creativity, there's no need to dig up the most obscure words you can find in the thesaurus. If you're struggling to decide on a synonym, read your resume out loud and see where your tongue gets tripped up. "Extensive experience" doesn't necessarily need to become "substantial knowledge" or "significant familiarity." "Broad expertise" is enough.
• Highlight transferable skills. Transferable skills can be applied to a variety of jobs and industries. They often use different terminology. Using synonyms can help you showcase your transferable skills in a way that's easily understandable to all employers and industries.
• Enhance your achievements. Incorporating synonyms for achievements on your resume can help you highlight your accomplishments in a way that's impactful and attention-grabbing to potential employers. Find solid synonyms by thinking about the specific actions you took, the results you achieved, and the impact you had.
• Customize synonyms for each job. Remember to customize your resume synonyms for each individual job application you submit. Every company is looking for something slightly different and will use different messaging to describe what they want. You'll have a better chance of standing out to the hiring manager if your language aligns with theirs.

Customize resume synonyms for each job with Teal

Resume synonyms can also double as resume keywords which can be extremely powerful in your job search. 

In fact, finding standout keywords in a job description and matching them to your own resume can thoroughly increase your chances of landing an interview. 

And Teal can help you do just that quickly and easily.

With Teal’s Job Application Tracker, you can evaluate jobs directly inside your Teal dashboard by using the Chrome extension to bookmark and save jobs. The tracker will extract the top five keywords that you need to add to your resume to stand out for that role.

Teal’s AI Resume Builder can take that a step further by comparing the skills in that job description to the skills in your resume to give you a match score.

‍

Want to see this in action? Enter the text from your resume below to uncover new improvements.

‍

‍

It's an easy way to generate a quality resume that sounds unique and is personalized for each and every job application you submit. Create a free account to get started today!

‍