The term 'Build Relationships' is a dynamic phrase that holds substantial importance in the professional realm. Essentially, it signifies the ability to establish, nurture, and maintain connections with individuals or groups. It's a phrase that suggests interpersonal skills, empathy, and the capacity to work collaboratively with others. In the context of a resume, 'Build Relationships' is frequently used to illustrate one's ability to connect and engage with others. It's a phrase that recruiters often seek out as it indicates that the candidate has experience in fostering positive relationships, whether with clients, colleagues, or stakeholders. It communicates that you have been successful in creating a network of contacts and have the ability to work effectively within a team. However, while 'Build Relationships' is a strong phrase, it isn't always the most impactful language to use on your resume. The phrase is so widely used that it can sometimes become a cliché, losing its potency. Moreover, it may not fully encapsulate the depth and breadth of your interpersonal skills and experiences. Therefore, it's advantageous to consider using other synonyms or more descriptive terms that can better convey your skills and accomplishments. By doing so, you can make your resume more distinctive, and provide potential employers with a more thorough understanding of your interpersonal capabilities. For instance, instead of simply stating that you 'build relationships', you could specify that you 'foster client relationships', 'nurture team cohesion', or 'establish strategic partnerships'. These alternatives not only avoid the cliché but also provide a more detailed insight into your specific skills and experiences.
Tailor Your Resume Content to the Job Description
Managed to build relationships
This phrase is too passive and does not highlight the active role the candidate took in building relationships. Instead, it would be more impactful to say something like "Initiated and cultivated key relationships with clients, resulting in a 30% increase in repeat business."Helped build relationships
This statement is vague and does not specify the candidate's role in building relationships. It would be more effective to provide specific examples of how the candidate helped build relationships, such as "Collaborated with the sales team to build strong relationships with key clients, leading to a 15% increase in sales."Build relationships with customers
While this statement does indicate that the candidate has experience building relationships, it does not provide any information about the results or impact of these relationships. A better way to phrase this might be "Built and maintained strong relationships with customers, resulting in a 25% increase in customer retention."Experience in building relationships
This statement is too generic and does not provide any specific examples or results. Instead, it would be more effective to say something like "Leveraged relationship-building skills to secure partnerships with five major industry players, contributing to a 40% increase in company revenue."Ability to build relationships
This statement is too broad and does not provide any evidence of the candidate's ability to build relationships. It would be more impactful to provide specific examples or results, such as "Utilized strong relationship-building skills to increase client base by 30% in one year."Networking:
Instead of saying "Build Relationships," job seekers can use phrases like "Established Connections," "Fostered Professional Networks," or "Cultivated Partnerships." These alternatives highlight their ability to create and maintain professional relationships, which is crucial in roles that require extensive networking.Customer Service:
In customer service roles, instead of "Build Relationships," job seekers can use terms such as "Enhanced Customer Engagement," "Strengthened Client Relations," or "Promoted Customer Loyalty." These phrases emphasize their skills in creating positive interactions with customers, leading to increased customer satisfaction and loyalty.Business Development:
When describing experience in business development, instead of "Build Relationships," job seekers can opt for phrases like "Forged Strategic Alliances," "Developed Business Partnerships," or "Initiated Collaborative Ventures." These terms underline their ability to create beneficial business relationships, contributing to the growth and expansion of the company.Find the Right Synonyms for Any Job
Frequently Asked Questions
A suitable replacement for 'Build Relationships' on a resume could be 'Foster Connections'. This phrase implies not only the creation of professional relationships, but also their nurturing and development over time. For example, in a sales role, you might say, "Fostered connections with key industry players, leading to a 20% increase in strategic partnerships."
It's OK to use "Build Relationships" on a resume when you're applying for roles that require networking, client interaction, or team collaboration. For instance, in a sales role, you might say, "Used relationship-building skills to increase client base by 30%," or in a management role, "Built strong relationships within the team to improve collaboration and increase overall productivity by 20%." It's important to quantify the impact of your relationship-building to demonstrate its value.
You can gauge if 'Build Relationships' is relevant for your resume by considering the nature of the job you're applying for. If the role involves teamwork, client interaction, or stakeholder management, this phrase is likely relevant. For instance, if you're applying for a sales role, you could say, "Leveraged ability to build relationships to increase client base by 30%." If the job doesn't involve much interaction, it may be less relevant.
