Resume Synonyms for Establish

Want another word for Establish 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, "Establish".

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

Establishing yourself as a leader in your field is a powerful way to set yourself apart in the job market. When you use the verb 'establish' in your resume, you're saying that you've been able to lead others toward success, which great leaders do.

The word 'establish' (present tense of verb established) shows that you have a vision—that you can see what needs doing and then go out there and get it done. It's a great action verb to demonstrate achievement; however, use it sparingly. Otherwise, the repetition may bore your reader.

To fix this, use synonyms—words that connote the same thing but may be used to convey different tones and feelings. Also, when writing your bullet points, past tense verbs are generally appropriate for describing previous experiences. Words to use on resume instead of 'establish' include 'founded,' 'originated,' or 'pioneered.'

Synonyms can help you craft a more professional and engaging tone in your resume. By using synonyms, you can change a word that sounds dull or overly formal into something more interesting to read. You can also use synonyms to replace words that don't fit your desired tone or aren't appropriate for the job you are applying for.

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

Resume Synonyms for Establish:

  • Initiated
  • Inaugurated
  • Founded
  • Constructed
  • Installed
  • Constituted
  • Pioneered
  • Planted
  • Authored
  • Fathered
  • Originated
  • Conceived
  • Fabricated
  • Manufactured
  • Enlarged
  • Materialized
  • Progressed
  • Evolved
  • Contrived
  • Invented

How to replace Establish with a stronger action verb:

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

Before: Weak example using Establish

Establish new hiring processes to make the company more efficient

After: Using a stronger synonymIncorporated new cost-effective recruiting methods, such as video interviewing & behavioral quizzes, saving the company $10K+ monthly in recruitment costs..

Replacing Establish with Formed

Before: Establish

Establish customer service guidelines

After: FormedFormed comprehensive customer service guidelines that led to a 35% decrease in customer complaints

As a recruiter, I value specific impact. So, I changed the verb to 'Formed', highlighting the candidate's proactive role and added a numerical value to show the measurable impact 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.


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 Establish.


More resume bullet point samples that use strong synonyms

How to use Promoted on a resume:

Promoted within 12 months due to strong performance and organizational impact - ahead of schedule by 12 months.

How to use Designed on a resume:

Designed and implemented 50+ E2E tests using Selenium & Protractor, simulating each user group's actions.

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 Led on a resume:

Led consolidation of 8 data systems into 1; resulted in over $55k in annual savings.

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 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.


Frequently Asked Questions

What is another word for Establish on a resume?

You should vary up your language on your resume, instead of using Establish over and over again. Good synonyms to use instead include:

  • Installed
  • Originated
  • Invented
  • Constituted
  • Manufactured
  • Evolved

What is a better word for Establish on a resume?

Below are some alternative words and synonyms to add to your resume instead of Establish:

  • Manufactured
  • Conceived
  • Originated
  • Contrived
  • Progressed
  • Constituted

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

As a next step, I'd recommend going through each of your resume's verbs and improving each one with stronger action verbs. The most effective way to do that is by uploading your resume to tool below. It'll tell you which parts of your resume need work, so you can improve them before a recruiter rejects you for them.



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