Hiring managers like people who can get creative — and, more importantly, convert that creativity into results. If you’re creative and have accomplished things using your creativity on your resume, you might use the word “Created” on your resume, whether that’s in the context of creating designs, creating project plans or creating marketing materials.

Created is generally a good word to use on your resume — it shows hiring managers you have initiative and can create new things from scratch. But, like any phrase on your resume, you shouldn’t use it over and over again. Repetition reduces your resume’s impact and makes it harder for your achievements to stand out.

Instead, vary up your language and use synonyms for Created that are more specific to the job you want and show hiring managers different skill sets. For example, instead of saying you “Created customer satisfaction survey…,” say you “Implemented” the survey.

Small tweaks like using the right synonyms — instead of repeating ones you’ve already used — will make your resume more engaging to hiring managers and better highlight your creativity and initiative skills.

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

Resume Synonyms for Created:

Established
Formulated
Designed
Constructed
Developed
Initiated
Devised
Originated
Instituted
Generated
Produced
Employed
Adopted
Mobilized
Applied
Deployed
Exerted
Restored
Revived
Adapted
Assembled
Calculated
Computed
Conserved
Converted
Determined
Fabricated

How to replace Created with a stronger action verb:

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

Before: Weak example using Created

• Created new employee corporate social responsibility program

⤸

After: Using a stronger synonym• Spearheaded development and implementation of new employee corporate social responsibility program, leading to 4x more participation.

Replacing Created with Established ▾

Before: Created

• Created a new business development strategy

⤸

After: Established• Established a robust business development strategy that propelled a 30% revenue increase within 1 year and attracted two major clients.

I replaced 'created' with 'established' to portray the applicant as an authority initiating something foundational. Additionally, quantifying the significant business impact further strengthens the applicant's argument.

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 Created with Formulated ▾

Before: Created

• Created a training program for new sales staff

⤸

After: Formulated• Formulated an extensive onboarding and training program for sales staff, which dramatically reduced ramp-up time by 25% and boosted sales performance by 15%.

Replacing 'created' with 'formulated' emphasizes careful thought and planning. The added specifics about the program's impact show that you not only developed the program but also that it yielded tangible results.

Replacing Created with Designed ▾

Before: Created

• Created company's new marketing campaign

⤸

After: Designed• Designed the company's pivotal marketing campaign, driving a 20% increase in leads and contributing to a $1M revenue increase in Q2.

The term 'designed' suggests creativity and intentionality. Adding measurable outcomes pushes this statement from a passive task to an active achievement, painting a picture of how your efforts specifically added value to the company.

Replacing Created with Constructed ▾

Before: Created

• Created a database for customer information

⤸

After: Constructed• Constructed a comprehensive customer database that enhanced personalization of marketing efforts, leading to a 15% increase in customer retention rates.

The choice of 'constructed' over 'created' suggests solidity and structure. By stating the database's practical application and its result, you show how your work positively impacted crucial business metrics.

Replacing Created with Developed ▾

Before: Created

• Created an employee engagement program

⤸

After: Developed• Developed an innovative employee engagement program, resulting in a 18% decrease in turnover rates and an improvement in employee satisfaction scores by 25%.

The term 'developed' connotes a process-oriented, thoughtful approach. Adding specific outcomes following this activity not only communicates positive results but also demonstrates the significance of your work.

Replacing Created with Initiated ▾

Before: Created

• Created a customer loyalty plan

⤸

After: Initiated• Initiated a customer loyalty plan that amplified repeat business by 28%, leading to an annual revenue growth of 12%.

Switching 'created' for 'initiated' suggests autonomy and leadership. The quantified results highlight the success and the positive, direct impact you had on the business.

Replacing Created with Devised ▾

Before: Created

• Created a process to handle customer complaints

⤸

After: Devised• Devised an effective customer complaints process that reduced resolution time by 45%, significantly improving customer satisfaction ratings.

The word 'devised' implies strategic planning and intelligence. To strengthen the statement, I added a measurable outcome which shows the process wasn't just created, but that it had a direct, positive impact on customer relations.

Replacing Created with Originated ▾

Before: Created

• Created a new product line

⤸

After: Originated• Originated a cutting-edge product line that attracted 10,000 new customers and drove a 20% increase in annual revenue.

'Originated' highlights creativity and innovation. The addition of specific benefits resulting from this new product line underlines its success and shows the importance of your contributions.

Replacing Created with Instituted ▾

Before: Created

• Created a monthly team meeting

⤸

After: Instituted• Instituted a monthly cross-departmental team meeting, resulting in improved communication, a 30% decrease in project overlap, and a 20% increase in project completion speed.

The word 'instituted' suggests establishment and leadership. Quantifying the impact of these meetings underscores the value they - and by extension, you - brought to the team.

Replacing Created with Generated ▾

Before: Created

• Created a new policy for data storage

⤸

After: Generated• Generated a robust data storage policy, leading to a 50% reduction in data loss incidents and ensuring company-wide compliance with GDPR regulations.

'Generated' implies more action and tangibility compared to 'created'. The specific outcomes emphasize your role in risk management and compliance, underscoring the broader impact of your work.

Replacing Created with Produced ▾

Before: Created

• Created a training manual for the software team

⤸

After: Produced• Produced an in-depth training manual for the software team, reducing onboarding time by 40% and increasing team productivity by 20%.

Instead of just 'creating', 'produced' suggests a more substantial achievement. Including specific metrics makes your effort quantifiable and communicates the benefits of your initiative.

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 Created.

More resume bullet point samples that use strong synonyms

How to use Performed on a resume:

• Performed financial analysis to evaluate public and private financing alternatives to strengthen client's balance sheet.

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 Analyzed on a resume:

• Analyzed industry trends in the automobile sector and presented long and short equity investment ideas for 12 large-cap stocks that outperformed the Bloomberg sector benchmark by 7% in 2014..

How to use Collaborate on a resume:

• Collaborate with developers and product management team to assess project outcomes and prioritize future app features.

How to use Conducted on a resume:

• Conducted the due diligence of three retailers for a private equity investor with potential EBITDA impact of $200MM+ by 2020; developed customer acquisition strategy across channels.

How to use Reduced on a resume:

• Reduced time to render the video by 75% by implementing prediction algorithm and delayed graphics.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is another word for Created on a resume?

You can say Revived, Conserved or Determined instead of Created.

What is a better word for Created on a resume?

Words like Created are overused on resumes. Instead, you should use other phrases like Assembled, Mobilized, Fabricated, Deployed, Employed or Conserved.

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

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