A high-quality resume is one of the keys to success in getting interviewed, so you must write it in a way that clearly describes your skill set as precisely as possible. Let your potential employer know you're thorough, able to follow instructions, and can organize tasks by using the verb 'clean' in your resume.

This word conveys a skill that can describe a variety of tasks. However, the present tense verb 'clean' is too generic—it represents an action without a clear result. So the recruiter reading your resume will assume that you did your job adequately but not more than that.

A better way to express the same meaning is to use power verbs instead of weak verbs like 'clean.' It's also essential to use the verb's past tense form in highlighting past roles. For example, you could say 'fixed,' 'systematized,' or 'arrayed' instead of 'clean.'

Using power verbs instead of generic verbs in your resume gives an impression of what kind of employee you are: someone who goes above and beyond what is expected, someone who takes pride in their work and wants everything they do to be done as well as possible.

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

Resume Synonyms for Clean:

Standardized
Rectified
Revamped
Sanitized
Overhauled
Refurbished
Normalized
Restructured
Reformed
Restored
Rationalized
Purged
Revised
Simplified
Uncluttered
Consolidated
Codified
Indexed
Marshalled
Ordered
Systematized
Catalogued
Tabulated
Assembled
Listed
Arrayed
Filed
Disposed
Methodized
Combined
Harmonized
Straightened
Fixed
Spruced

How to replace Clean with a stronger action verb:

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

Before: Weak example using Clean

• Cleaned data from different sources

⤸

After: Using a stronger synonym• Aggregated unstructured data from 20+ sources to build the foundation of a new E-Commerce product; led to $100,000 in new revenue .

Replacing Clean with Standardized ▾

Before: Clean

• Cleaned up roster documents

⤸

After: Standardized• Standardized all team roster documents to create a clean, efficient look; increasing communication effectiveness by 35%

To enhance this point, the vague term 'cleaned up' was replaced with 'standardized', connoting a more deliberate, technical process. This change also allowed for specific metrics to be added, which demonstrates verifiable impact.

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 Clean with Rectified ▾

Before: Clean

• Cleaned databases

⤸

After: Rectified• Rectified inconsistencies in three primary databases, preserving 100% data integrity and enhancing data retrieval times by 20%

Rectified is a strong verb indicating a correction process. By replacing 'Cleaned' with 'Rectified', it clearly represents the task and the resulting impact is specified using a percentage value.

Replacing Clean with Revamped ▾

Before: Clean

• Cleaned and reorganized task assignments

⤸

After: Revamped• Revamped project task assignments, optimizing workforce productivity by an impressive 25%

The word 'Revamped' is used to emphasize a more commanding form of cleaning and reorganizing. Including a specific metric showcases the extent of improvement achieved.

Replacing Clean with Sanitized ▾

Before: Clean

• Cleaned up all the old legal files

⤸

After: Sanitized• Sanitized outdated legal files, introducing a 30% reduction in storage costs

'Sanitized' conveys a thorough cleansing process, suitable for the handling of legal files. The impact of the action is clearly quantified here, thus elevating the applicant's contribution.

Replacing Clean with Overhauled ▾

Before: Clean

• Cleaned up computer systems

⤸

After: Overhauled• Overhauled computer systems, intensifying processing speeds by 50%

In this case, 'Overhauled' is used to indicate a deep, impactful change. The measurable outcome is then made clear afterward, showcasing the significance of the action taken.

Replacing Clean with Refurbished ▾

Before: Clean

• Cleaned website interfaces

⤸

After: Refurbished• Refurbished the website interface which boosted organic traffic by 200%

'Refurbished' signals reshaping in design or content in a more attractive way. Stating the percentage increase in organic traffic adds a clear, measurable impact on the candidate's role.

Replacing Clean with Normalized ▾

Before: Clean

• Cleaned troubling data sets

⤸

After: Normalized• Normalized troubling data sets, reducing errors in the analytic reports by 60%

'Normalized' is a clear, data-specific term. Specifying the quantifiable result helps the potential employer understand the significance of the task completed.

Replacing Clean with Restructured ▾

Before: Clean

• Cleaned department workflow

⤸

After: Restructured• Restructured the department workflow, which resulted in a 40% increase in productivity

To give readers a clearer picture of your role, 'cleaned' was replaced with 'restructured,' and a quantifiable benefit was added for greater impact.

Replacing Clean with Reformed ▾

Before: Clean

• Cleaned up the email subscriber list

⤸

After: Reformed• Reformed the email subscriber list increasing newsletter opens rate by 15%

'Reformed' implies a more thorough cleanup. It's crucial to quantify achievements, hence, the 'opens rate' metric to better demonstrate the value added.

Replacing Clean with Restored ▾

Before: Clean

• Cleaned up archives

⤸

After: Restored• Restored archives which led to improved data accessibility by 30%

The use of 'Restored' showcases the effort of bringing the archives into a more functional state. Mentioning how this improved data accessibility impresses upon the unique contribution.

Replacing Clean with Rationalized ▾

Before: Clean

• Cleaned redundancies in manufacturing process

⤸

After: Rationalized• Rationalized manufacturing process, cutting down production time by 20%

'Rationalized' is a powerful term suggesting streamlining. Quantifying the reduction in production time fulfills the need for precise and quantifiable contributions.

Replacing Clean with Purged ▾

Before: Clean

• Cleaned out old inventory

⤸

After: Purged• Purged outdated inventory, freeing up 50% more storage space

Used 'purged' to emphasize the vigor of the cleanup activity. Then added a metric to easily visualize the extent of impact.

Replacing Clean with Revised ▾

Before: Clean

• Cleaned company's financial records

⤸

After: Revised• Revised company's financial records, resulting in a 70% improvement in audit readiness

'Revised' tells the reader that there was more to it than just cleaning. Measurements, such as percentage, help the readers realize its worth.

Replacing Clean with Simplified ▾

Before: Clean

• Cleaned up team communication

⤸

After: Simplified• Simplified team communication, enhancing project completion rate by 35%

Through the use of 'simplified', potential employers can grasp the real achievement. A substantial metric underscores effectiveness.

Replacing Clean with Uncluttered ▾

Before: Clean

• Cleaned up storage system

⤸

After: Uncluttered• Uncluttered the storage system, yielding a 40% increase in retrieval speed

'Uncluttered' paints a picture of the task performed, and stating the percentage increase in speed specifics gives more weight and value to this action.

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 Clean.

More resume bullet point samples that use strong synonyms

How to use Analyzed on a resume:

• Analyzed company's 24-month sales results to develop five-year monthly projections by revenue and customer type.

How to use Managed on a resume:

• Managed a 10-member cross-functional (engineering, product, sales, support) team and coordinated with five business partners towards the successful launch of an e-commerce website.

How to use Generated on a resume:

• Generated 12,000 unique users, 30,000 page views, and 2000+ newsletter signups in 3 weeks by successfully leveraging social media advertising (Facebook and Instagram).

How to use Performed on a resume:

• Performed DCF analysis to evaluate offers for company's sell-side process; qualitative offer comparison and quantitative model outputs were shared directly with client's senior management team.

How to use Conducted on a resume:

• Conducted sector research in TMT space through expert interviews, market reports, and engagement with external advisors; created sector map of big data analytics space; prepared recommendations on attractiveness and feasibility on 6+ prospects.

How to use Optimized on a resume:

• Optimized budget allocation of the increased marketing spend of $10MM across 5 cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is another word for Clean on a resume?

You can say Assembled, Listed or Spruced instead of Clean.

What is a better way of saying Clean on a resume?

If you're looking for another word to use in place of Clean, consider using one of these stronger alternatives:

Ordered
Listed
Catalogued
Arrayed
Spruced
Indexed

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

To figure out if you're using the right verbs on your resume, you should upload it to the tool below. It'll analyze at each of your resume's bullet points and verbs, as well as 20+ key criteria hiring managers look for, and tell you if you have any big mistakes that need fixing.

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