Recruiters like seeing the word 'completed' in your resume—it indicates that you take charge of tasks until it's finished. It shows that you're reliable and can be counted on to complete the work assigned to you. This kind of reliability is something that companies look for when hiring new employees.

Using the word 'completed' in your resume highlights necessary skills like organization and time management—a powerful addition to your resume. As you're writing your resume, you may be tempted to use this word in as many places as possible to show off your accomplishments. But, when used too much, the term 'completed' can lose its impact.

It's better to use synonyms for this word and focus on other words that describe your accomplishments more specifically. For instance, using the word 'improved' instead of 'completed' can help you highlight your accomplishments in a more powerful way.

Recruiters are often overwhelmed by the number of resumes they have to sift through, and a unique perspective—like using synonyms—can help you distinguish yourself from other candidates.

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

Resume Synonyms for Completed:

Actualized
Formulated
Instituted
Spearheaded
Generated
Constructed
Pioneered
Engineered
Advanced
Furnished
Catalyzed
Consolidated
Invigorated
Transfigured
Bolstered
Concluded
Achieved
Attained
Compassed
Finalized
Perfected
Polished
Effected
Executed
Fulfilled
Performed
Amended
Bettered
Enhanced
Enriched
Improved
Refined
Redeemed
Satisfied
Complied

How to replace Completed with a stronger action verb:

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

Before: Weak example using Completed

• Completed designs for teams in the company that they could reuse

⤸

After: Using a stronger synonym• Designed and developed an email toolkit to enable teams to quickly build mobile-responsive emails and maintain visual consistency, leading to time savings of 5+ hours per week.

Replacing Completed with Actualized ▾

Before: Completed

• Completed sale goals on a quarterly basis

⤸

After: Actualized• Actualized sales goals by outperforming quarterly targets by 15%, leading to recognition as top sales associate.

In the 'after', I utilized the verb 'Actualized' to indicate task completion and achieve a tone of action and result. The specificity about outperforming targets by 15% provides quantifiable evidence of the applicant's success.

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 Completed with Formulated ▾

Before: Completed

• Completed marketing strategies

⤸

After: Formulated• Formulated innovative marketing strategies that boosted brand visibility by 35% locally.

I chose 'Formulated' to emphasize the thought process behind the task. Sharing that the strategies boosted brand visibility locally makes the accomplishment concrete and quantifiable.

Replacing Completed with Instituted ▾

Before: Completed

• Completed new processes for data management

⤸

After: Instituted• Instituted a data management process that increased operational efficiency by 25%.

As a hiring manager, using the action verb 'Instituted' highlights the initiative and ownership in establishing the process. I emphasized the result of the action by stating the increase in efficiency.

Replacing Completed with Spearheaded ▾

Before: Completed

• Completed major software project with the team

⤸

After: Spearheaded• Spearheaded a major software project that enhanced client satisfaction by 55%.

'Spearheaded' exhibits leadership and initiative. This change showcases involvement in a team project and its direct positive impact on client satisfaction.

Replacing Completed with Generated ▾

Before: Completed

• Completed client reports monthly

⤸

After: Generated• Generated monthly client reports that led to an improved retention rate of 20%.

The term 'Generated' denotes action and production. Adding the specific impact of reports on retention rates provides a quantifiable measure of accomplishment.

Replacing Completed with Constructed ▾

Before: Completed

• Completed restructuring of the sales department

⤸

After: Constructed• Constructed a new structure for the sales department which escalated sales conversion rates by 30%.

The change to 'Constructed' really captures the effort of creating a new structure. By adding in the specific benefits, it showcases the importance and effect of the restructuring.

Replacing Completed with Pioneered ▾

Before: Completed

• Completed creation of an onboarding program

⤸

After: Pioneered• Pioneered an extensive onboarding program that reduced new hire training time by 50%.

The use of 'Pioneered' suggests innovative thinking. Mentioning the reduction in training time, it encapsulates the effectiveness of the onboarding program.

Replacing Completed with Engineered ▾

Before: Completed

• Completed improvement of work processes

⤸

After: Engineered• Engineered work process improvements that reduced error rates by 40%.

'Engineered' highlights the strategic and technical effort involved in the task. The mention of a reduction in error rates quantifies the impact of the improvement.

Replacing Completed with Advanced ▾

Before: Completed

• Completed all assigned responsibility on time

⤸

After: Advanced• Advanced project deliverables consistently, exceeding deadlines by 20%, showcasing outstanding commitment and reliability.

Using 'Advanced' highlights proactivity and commitment to task completion. The metric showcases the success and would make any hiring manager grow confident in the applicant's reliability.

Replacing Completed with Furnished ▾

Before: Completed

• Completed the setup of a new office location

⤸

After: Furnished• Furnished a new office location within budget, saving the company $5000 while maintaining a professional work environment.

'Furnished' portrays a sense of accomplishment and ownership. The emphasis is on the economical use of resources and maintaining quality, showing the candidate's effectiveness in task execution.

Replacing Completed with Catalyzed ▾

Before: Completed

• Completed the launch of a new product line in the market

⤸

After: Catalyzed• Catalyzed the launch of a new product line that boosted revenue by 18% within the first quarter.

The word 'Catalyzed' brings a sense of quick and influential action. Including the measurable profit growth clearly demonstrates the job seeker’s high performance.

Replacing Completed with Consolidated ▾

Before: Completed

• Completed vendor account consolidation

⤸

After: Consolidated• Consolidated vendor accounts leading to a 10% reduction in overhead costs.

Replacing 'Completed' with 'Consolidated' explains exactly what the candidate did, while adding the savings on overhead costs quantifies the financial implications of this action.

Replacing Completed with Invigorated ▾

Before: Completed

• Completed company culture improvements

⤸

After: Invigorated• Invigorated company culture that resulted in a 30% decrease in staff turnover rate.

Invigorated is a powerful verb highlighting the revitalizing effect of the candidate's action. The reduction in staff turnover provides a quantifiable measure of this.

Replacing Completed with Transfigured ▾

Before: Completed

• Completed website makeover

⤸

After: Transfigured• Transfigured the company website, stimulating a 40% increase in traffic and a 20% increase in sales conversions.

The term 'Transfigured' denotes a profound transformation. By stating the exact increases in traffic and conversions, the statement demonstrates the beneficial effects of the candidate's actions.

Replacing Completed with Bolstered ▾

Before: Completed

• Completed customer service training for staff

⤸

After: Bolstered• Bolstered customer service skills among staff, subsequently increasing customer satisfaction by 30%.

Using 'Bolstered', you're showcasing the effect of the training. By placing emphasis on the improved customer satisfaction, the metric serves as evidence of impact.

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 Completed.

More resume bullet point samples that use strong synonyms

How to use Accelerated on a resume:

• Accelerated goal to increase digital sales by improving e-commerce experience on existing website and adding new storefronts on Amazon and eBay; analyzed consumer data to ensure accurate targeting by segment; resulting in 300% increase in online orders in the following year..

How to use Analyzed on a resume:

• Analyzed data from 25000 monthly active users and used outputs to guide marketing and product strategies; increased average app engagement time by 2x, decrease drop off rate by 30%, and increased shares on social media by 3x over 6 months.

How to use Wrote on a resume:

• Wrote Python and JavaScript libraries to display real-time pricing via SkyScanner's flights pricing API, resulting in higher customer satisfaction.

How to use Designed on a resume:

• Designed and implemented operational efficiency improvement program for leading UK energy supplier to reduce rate of energy outages by 60% in three years.

How to use Evaluated on a resume:

• Evaluated strategies and synergies surrounding potential acquisition targets for a major car manufacturer..

How to use Led on a resume:

• Led multi-disciplinary 7 person team to design, develop, and launch online e-commerce store; prioritized and resolved 45+ new features and bug fixes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is another word for Completed on a resume?

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

Achieved
Compassed
Executed
Fulfilled
Refined
Effected

What is another way of saying Completed on a resume?

Synonyms you can use instead of the overused phrase Completed include:

Enriched
Attained
Redeemed
Amended
Fulfilled
Executed

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

If you have a version of your resume ready, remember to get it checked using our free resume scanner below. It will make sure all your action verbs are strong enough, and give you feedback on any mistakes you might have overlooked, so you can fix them before a recruiter sees them.

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