In many jobs, you will be required to cooperate with other people on projects and assignments, so using the present tense verb 'cooperate' in your resume will make you more desirable for hiring managers and recruiters. This verb describes skills like collaboration, communication, and leadership.

Cooperate is a versatile word that can be used in a variety of situations—including when writing about a project or position where collaboration is essential. But it might come off as too soft if you use it repeatedly on your resume. Using 'cooperate' in every other bullet point describing your skills and experience is like saying you're not confident enough in your abilities to say anything else. Additionally, remember that the verb's past tense (i.e., cooperated) is applicable for describing past roles instead of their present form.

Instead, consider using synonyms for 'cooperate' that convey the same meaning but with more power behind them. Better words for 'cooperate' include coordinated, coalesced, or concerted.

Synonyms make your resume more dynamic, which helps you stand out from other applicants and create a stronger first impression on potential employers, especially if you're applying for jobs that require teamwork or collaboration.

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

Resume Synonyms for Cooperate:

Unified
Synchronized
Harmonized
Integrated
Coaxial
Linked
Bonded
Leagued
Ally
Colluded
Shared
Championed
Aligned
Synergized
Rallied
Complied
Conspired
Coordinated
Combined
Concerted
Allied
Affiliated
Interfaced
Coacted
Coalesced
Fused
Joined
Merged
Blended
Teamed
Abetted
Dispatched
Endorsed
Intervened

How to replace Cooperate with a stronger action verb:

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

Before: Weak example using Cooperate

• Cooperated with art departments to produce artefacts that met brand guidelines

⤸

After: Using a stronger synonym• Collaborated with the art department to produce 53+ signages that met brand guidelines and budget requirements within 20 days on the job. .

Replacing Cooperate with Unified ▾

Before: Cooperate

• Cooperated with sales team to define target markets

⤸

After: Unified• Unified the sales team to precisely define target markets; resulted in an 18% sales increase for new products within 4 months.

I chose the verb 'Unified' to express not only cooperation but also leadership qualities. To better show the impact, I identified a specific result (18% sales increase) and timeframe (within 4 months) of the candidate's action.

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 Cooperate with Synchronized ▾

Before: Cooperate

• Cooperated with engineers to improve the product quality

⤸

After: Synchronized• Synchronized work with engineers, developing a new testing protocol that improved product quality by 25% over 6 months.

I shifted 'Cooperated' to 'Synchronized' to emphasize the candidate’s coordination skills. I further upgraded the bullet point by adding precise outcomes (25% improvement) and specific timeline (over 6 months).

Replacing Cooperate with Harmonized ▾

Before: Cooperate

• Cooperated with stakeholders in annual planning

⤸

After: Harmonized• Harmonized stakeholder input during annual planning, and implemented changes that increased efficiency by 12% over the next fiscal year.

'Cooperated' is replaced with 'Harmonized' to illustrate the candidate's ability to balance different views. Quantifying the resulting efficiency gains also made the claim more robust and credible.

Replacing Cooperate with Integrated ▾

Before: Cooperate

• Cooperated with HR team to screen potential candidates

⤸

After: Integrated• Integrated efforts with the HR team, optimized screening process, reducing hiring cycle by 14 days and improving candidate quality.

I used 'Integrated' instead of 'Cooperated' to express controlled collaboration. By including metrics, the candidate depicted their pivotal role in enhancing the hiring process.

Replacing Cooperate with Coaxial ▾

Before: Cooperate

• Cooperated with marketing team to launch new product

⤸

After: Coaxial• Coaxial with the marketing team to strategically launch a new product, achieving 35% higher sales than projected within the first quarter.

Switching 'Cooperated' to 'Coaxial' illustrates a more cohesive partnership. Adding specific results and timeframes makes it evident how impactful the candidate’s contributions were.

Replacing Cooperate with Linked ▾

Before: Cooperate

• Cooperated with supply chain team to ensure timely deliveries

⤸

After: Linked• Linked with supply chain team to improve delivery strategy, resulting in 98% on-time deliveries over a year.

The term 'Linked' was chosen over 'Cooperated' to emphasize proactive engagement. Also, highlighting the specific result (98% on-time deliveries) showcases the candidate's effectiveness in facilitating improvements.

Replacing Cooperate with Bonded ▾

Before: Cooperate

• Cooperated with customer service to handle complaints

⤸

After: Bonded• Bonded with the customer service team to devise a streamlined complaint handling process, reducing resolution time by 30% within three months.

I exchanged 'Cooperated' with 'Bonded' to highlight a nurtured and productive team relationship. The inclusion of measurable achievements places value on the applicant's efforts.

Replacing Cooperate with Leagued ▾

Before: Cooperate

• Cooperated with finance team to manage company budget

⤸

After: Leagued• Leagued with the finance team to effectively manage the company budget leading to a 15% reduction in unnecessary expenditures within the first fiscal quarter.

I substituted 'Cooperated' with 'Leagued' to spotlight dynamic collaboration. By adding a metric (15% reduction in unnecessary expenditure), the candidate's value becomes more tangible.

Replacing Cooperate with Ally ▾

Before: Cooperate

• Cooperated with business development team to secure new contracts

⤸

After: Ally• Allied with the business development team to strategically secure new contracts, increasing portfolio value by $2M in the first half of 2022.

The action verb 'Allied' was chosen to depict unity and efficiency in securing new contracts. The final result is quantified to illustrate the positive consequences of this strategic alignment.

Replacing Cooperate with Colluded ▾

Before: Cooperate

• Cooperated with legal team to update company policies

⤸

After: Colluded• Colluded with the legal team to update company policies, reducing risk exposure by 40% over six months.

Here, 'Colluded' was used in place of 'Cooperated' to demonstrate active participation and partnership. The specific metric (40% reduction in risk exposure) clearly communicates the candidate's impact.

Replacing Cooperate with Shared ▾

Before: Cooperate

• Cooperated with management in decision-making

⤸

After: Shared• Shared decision-making with management, driving initiatives that saved over $1M in operational costs over one fiscal year.

I replaced the verb 'Cooperated' with 'Shared' implying mutual responsibility and decision-making. I then quantified the impact of these decisions to illustrate the result of this cooperation.

Replacing Cooperate with Championed ▾

Before: Cooperate

• Cooperated with firms on partnerships

⤸

After: Championed• Championed fostering partnerships with industry-leading firms, resulting in a 22% increase in market presence in 2021.

'Championed' emphasizes the leadership role in fostering partnerships, and quantifying the increase in market presence provides evidence of the successful outcomes of those partnerships.

Replacing Cooperate with Aligned ▾

Before: Cooperate

• Cooperated across departments to coordinate efforts

⤸

After: Aligned• Aligned cross-departmental efforts to launch a new initiative, which led to an efficiency gain of 18% in project management over the fiscal year.

Substitution of 'Cooperated' with 'Aligned' underscores the strategic aspect of cooperation. A detailed performance metric afterward illustrates the significance of this alignment.

Replacing Cooperate with Synergized ▾

Before: Cooperate

• Cooperated with IT team to implement new software

⤸

After: Synergized• Synergized with the IT team to implement a new software, reducing system downtime by 32% over nine months.

I substituted 'Cooperated' with 'Synergized' to highlight harmonious collaboration, and the measurable result in reduced downtime quantifies the candidate's contribution.

Replacing Cooperate with Rallied ▾

Before: Cooperate

• Cooperated with employees during company changes

⤸

After: Rallied• Rallied employees during major company changes, promoting a smooth transition and retaining 98% of staff.

I used 'Rallied' rather than 'Cooperated' to express the candidate's leadership and motivational capability, and including a retention rate highlights the success of these efforts.

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 Cooperate.

More resume bullet point samples that use strong synonyms

How to use Evaluated on a resume:

• Evaluated acquisition opportunities for a German reinsurer. Performed accretion and dilution analyses, conducted market research to gauge the viability and long term prospects of target's businesses.

How to use Crafted on a resume:

• Crafted strategic plan for a major client with revenues >$40B through insights from market trend analysis, organizational effectiveness diagnostic, and interviews with senior stakeholders.

How to use Launched on a resume:

• Launched Miami office with lead Director and recruited and managed new team of 10 employees. Grew office revenue by 200% in first nine months (representing 20% of company revenue).

How to use Led on a resume:

• Led a 10-week engagement in a four-member team for a solar energy provider; assessed 30+ locations and provided a recommendation for the most suitable location of their new headquarters.

How to use Coordinated on a resume:

• Coordinated execution of LBO in foodservice sector in South Africa, the PE fund's largest investment; led a team of four analysts; negotiated bank financing and developed hedging strategy.

How to use Created on a resume:

• Created a DCF valuation model to analyze a potential IPO of a major technology startup in New York.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is another word for Cooperate on a resume?

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

Blended
Affiliated
Dispatched
Allied
Complied
Abetted

What can I use instead of Cooperate on a resume?

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

Coalesced
Merged
Concerted
Conspired
Dispatched
Coordinated

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

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