Resume Synonyms for Directed

Want another word for Directed to use on your resume? Our team's compiled the most effective action verbs and synonyms you can use instead of the overused resume phrase, "Directed".

Kimberley Tyler Smith Author Photo
Compiled by: Kimberley Tyler-Smith
Senior Hiring Manager
20+ Years of Experience

Leadership skills are essential in any role—businesses need to ensure they'll hire someone who can handle the responsibility of being in charge. This makes the action verb 'directed' a strong choice for your resume. It implies that you can plan, organize, coordinate and control a project from beginning to end.

When crafting your resume, however, it's important to remember that using the same word repeatedly gives the impression of a lack of creativity and diversity. You want to make sure that you don't sound like a robot or someone who just copied and pasted their resume.

To resolve this, try using synonyms for the action verb 'directed,' such as 'headed,' 'presided,' 'drove,' and more. These words can help you avoid sounding repetitive while showing off your skills and abilities.

Using synonyms shows that you can think creatively and come up with different ways to describe your capabilities so that it doesn't sound monotonous or dull to read. It also shows that you're not afraid to challenge yourself by trying new things, which is essential in all fields, but especially in careers where leading and managing are the main focus.

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

Resume Synonyms for Directed:

  • Funneled
  • Channeled
  • Consolidated
  • Charged
  • Stewarded
  • Drove
  • Trained
  • Routed
  • Ushered
  • Motivated
  • Educated
  • Groomed
  • Inspired
  • Suggested
  • Headed
  • Mapped
  • Magnified
  • Presented
  • Presided

How to replace Directed with a stronger action verb:

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

Before: Weak example using Directed

Directed teams on launch training initiatives

After: Using a stronger synonymDesigned 12+ internal training programs and mentored teams on various technology initiatives, slashing $50K from the yearly training costs. .

Replacing Directed with Guided

Before: Directed

Directed process improvement discussions

After: GuidedGuided employee discussion boards that led to a 30% increase in productivity, through refinement of over 5 major operational processes across various channels.

As a hiring manager, I'd want to show the exact impact of the candidate's leadership. Therefore, I used the synonym 'Guided' and included specific numbers to highlight their impact in a concrete and measurable way.

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.


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 Directed.


More resume bullet point samples that use strong synonyms

How to use Analyzed on a resume:

Analyzed $800K of monthly marketing spend data to optimize audience, creative and copy of campaigns; increased conversion by 12% MoM and decreased cost per acquisition by 35%.

How to use Created on a resume:

Created and maintained models for M&A plans, Discounted Cash Flow Analysis, Product SVA Analysis, Credit Risk Assessment Models, and Common Stock Liquidity Comparisons.

How to use Conducted on a resume:

Conducted private equity due diligence in $400M portfolio. Performed strategic and analytical valuation of assets based on interviews with experts and created extensive models of the industries; persuaded client to move forward with acquisition.

How to use Liaised on a resume:

Liaised with marketing to drive email and social media advertising efforts, using predictive modeling and clustering, resulting in a 35% increase in revenue.

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.

How to use Enabled on a resume:

Enabled integration with existing systems by creating tool that extracts metadata from images and provides metadata to a system-wide search database..


Frequently Asked Questions

What is another word for Directed on a resume?

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

  • Motivated
  • Magnified
  • Drove
  • Funneled
  • Presided
  • Groomed

What can I say instead of Directed on a resume?

Generic language like Directed are considered to be buzzwords because they're used so often. Consider using synonyms like Inspired, Presided, Magnified, Drove, Mapped or Headed.


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

Don't forget to upload your resume to the tool below for a free resume review. Our platform will instantly scan it for common things hiring managers look for and tell you where it falls short. You'll get instant feedback on your action verbs, bullet points and skills.



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