One of the best ways to grab a recruiter's attention is by demonstrating your diverse skill set. The verb 'build' is excellent for emphasizing your skills, as it encompasses many types of work. For example, engineers use 'build' to discuss their work building new products and services. Managers can use it to describe how they helped build up teams and projects.

Employers look for employees who can create something from nothing or develop an idea into a better version of itself—which the verb 'build' signifies. But don't mistake using this word too many times in your resume—this can make you sound repetitive and unprofessional. That's why it's important to use synonyms. Also, you should use past tense ('built') instead of present tense verbs when describing past accomplishments.

To get the most out of your resume, look at the verbs that are already in your resume and see if there are ways you can substitute them with synonyms. For example, you can change 'build' to other words like 'designed,' 'engineered,' or 'innovated.'

You can make your resume more engaging by using synonyms to break up the monotony of its structure and draw the reader's eye to important keywords.

I've compiled some synonyms you can use instead of Build on your resume, followed by real examples I've written for clients (feel free to use them!).

Resume Synonyms for Build:

Engineered
Crafted
Formulated
Architected
Pioneered
Orchestrated
Actualized
Fabricated
Originated
Generated
Innovated
Drafted
Conceptualized
Established
Planned
Set up
Devised
Designed
Structured
Adapted
Coded
Constructed
Engineered
Introduced
Kick-started
Launched
Sketched
Wrote
Customized
Integrated

How to replace Build with a stronger action verb:

Let's look at examples of how you can remove and replace the overused phrase, Build, with a stronger synonym and alternative that is more effective at highlighting your achievements.

Before: Weak example using Build

• Built an online portal for employees

⤸

After: Using a stronger synonym• Created an online learning portal for 1.5K employees to access training materials, improving employee retention rates by 90%. .

Replacing Build with Engineered ▾

Before: Build

• Built an efficient sales operation

⤸

After: Engineered• Engineered a streamlined sales operation that increased annual sales by 15%, reaching over $10M for the first time in company history.

As a hiring manager, I want to see actual results from your work. Instead of saying you just 'built' something, 'engineered' is a much more powerful and detailed verb that shows you didn't just create, but improved efficiency. The addition of specific metrics also gives a better picture of the outcomes.

Tip: I've prepared a ton of additional examples for you to give you inspiration. Please click on any of the following to expand and see real examples of how I've rewritten client bullet points.

Replacing Build with Crafted ▾

Before: Build

• Built a new email marketing strategy

⤸

After: Crafted• Crafted a new email marketing strategy that improved open rates by 35% and led to a 20% increase in monthly product sales.

To improve this bullet point, I wanted to show the strategy was not just 'built', it was carefully 'crafted', implying thoughtful design went into it. Also, quantifiable achievements always impress, so I included open rates and sales increase figures.

Replacing Build with Formulated ▾

Before: Build

• Built a team to manage social media accounts

⤸

After: Formulated• Formulated a specialized team which enhanced social media engagement by 60%, leading to an increase in website traffic by 30% within the first quarter.

Formulated' is a stronger verb that conveys strategic planning. I gave concrete metrics to represent the real-world impact, like the social media engagement and the increase in website traffic - emphasizing the positive outcome.

Replacing Build with Architected ▾

Before: Build

• Built a new customer service protocol

⤸

After: Architected• Architected a new customer service protocol that reduced customer complaints by 40% and increased customer satisfaction rate by 35% over six months.

I chose the verb 'architected' to highlight the careful planning and structure involved. It’s important to note that the new protocol had substantial positive effects on customer experience, hence the inclusion of specific reduction and increase percentages in complaints and satisfaction respectively.

Replacing Build with Pioneered ▾

Before: Build

• Built an intern training program

⤸

After: Pioneered• Pioneered an intern training program that improved task proficiency by 60%, leading to a full-time hiring rate of 70% after internship completion.

As a recruiter, I would rather see the word 'pioneered' than 'built', which shows initiative and innovation. The metrics clarify the positive impacts of the program and hence demonstrate the candidate's efficacy and strategic thinking.

Replacing Build with Orchestrated ▾

Before: Build

• Built a local networking event

⤸

After: Orchestrated• Orchestrated a local networking event that attracted over 500 participants, fostering industry relationships that led to 3 profitable partnerships.

I replaced 'built' with 'orchestrated' to evoke the complexity of planning an event. I also added quantifiable metrics to demonstrate the reach and successful outcomes of the event, showcasing the candidate's effective planning and execution skills.

Replacing Build with Actualized ▾

Before: Build

• Built a new layout for the company website

⤸

After: Actualized• Actualized a user-friendly website layout that increased average session time by 25% and reduced bounce rate by 15% within three months.

This replacement with 'actualized' shows that the candidate didn't just build, but also implemented ideas into reality. Including specific metrics emphasizes the candidate's results-driven approach and the successful impact of their work.

Replacing Build with Fabricated ▾

Before: Build

• Built a new inventory management system

⤸

After: Fabricated• Fabricated a robust inventory management system that reduced stock discrepancies by 20% and decreased annual waste by $25K.

The term 'fabricated' emphasizes the careful crafting process. The included metrics not only quantify the solution’s success but also help draw attention to its impact on cost-savings, proving the candidate's awareness of financial implications.

Replacing Build with Originated ▾

Before: Build

• Built a remote work policy

⤸

After: Originated• Originated a comprehensive remote work policy, leading to a 30% decrease in absenteeism and a 25% boost in employee performance scores.

The verb 'originated' suggests groundbreaking and innovative work. Including concrete metrics in the outcome lets the hiring manager visualize the significant improvements achieved due to the candidate's initiative.

Replacing Build with Generated ▾

Before: Build

• Built a client referral program

⤸

After: Generated• Generated a client referral program that expanded customer base by 35% and increased quarterly revenue by $150K.

By changing 'built' to 'generated', we stress the productive and creative aspect of the candidate's work. Also, the newly added figures underline the initiative's financial gain, vital for every business.

How to use these synonyms in practice

We've put together an infographic to give you more examples of how to put this into practice. Note the use of strong action verbs instead of words like Build.

More resume bullet point samples that use strong synonyms

How to use Developed on a resume:

• Developed turnaround strategy for leading telecoms provider with annual losses of $50MM; resulted in 10% increase in revenue, or $5MM profit in first year.

How to use Analyzed on a resume:

• Analyzed impact and effectiveness of in-app UI changes on customer retention; identified features of customer behavior and recommended additional menu modifications [R, MySQL, Chart JS].

How to use Assessed on a resume:

• Assessed capacity risks and developed an operating cost model of a $100MM supplier for a private equity client, highlighting $4-6MM potential savings opportunities.

How to use Designed on a resume:

• Designed and implemented an automated system for processing employee timesheets, eliminating the need for manual handwritten timesheets and resulted in a 10/hr per week time saving.

How to use Promoted on a resume:

• Promoted to Associate Consultant in 2 years (1 year in advance); the only member in a cohort of 45 Analysts to be fast-tracked.

How to use Managed on a resume:

• Managed team of four analysts to prepare training and proposal materials for strategic development of relationship with client.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is another word for Build on a resume?

Here are some synonyms for commonly repeated words, like Build, I see on resumes:

Launched
Sketched
Engineered
Structured
Conceptualized
Devised

What can I say instead of Build on a resume?

You can say Adapted, Conceptualized or Innovated instead of Build.

Get a free resume review: Find out if your action verbs are strong enough.

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