Executed is a powerful verb that can boost your resume. It shows that you put an idea into motion and make it happen. The verb makes you appear confident, capable, and ready to take on any challenge. Hiring managers want to know that they can trust their employees with important projects, so they look for people who have already demonstrated their skill in executing tasks on time and within budget.
It's easy to see why you'd want to include the verb 'executed' in your resume—it's a word that shows action. However, when you look at the context of how you're using the verb in your bullet points, there are other words that can be used instead. When picking power verbs for resume writing, change them up. Use each one only once if you can help it.
For example, if you're writing about a project that you executed, you could use words like completed or actualized instead of using 'executed' over and over again. This will help make your resume more concise by avoiding repeated words.
Using different power verbs makes your resume more appealing to recruiters because they'll see that you can use variety in your writing.
I've compiled some synonyms you can use instead of Executed on your resume, followed by real examples I've written for clients (feel free to use them!).
Resume Synonyms for Executed:
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Constructed
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Delivered
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Instituted
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Accomplished
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Directed
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Generated
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Orchestrated
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Spearheaded
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Championed
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Pioneered
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Drove
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Administered
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Transformed
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Modernized
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Revitalized
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Facilitated
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Amplified
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Initiated
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Optimized
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Revamped
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Compassed
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Perpetrated
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Actualized
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Effectuated
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Completed
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Invoked
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Founded
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Started
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Launched
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Forwarded
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Realized
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Engineered
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Maneuvered
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Designed
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Implemented
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Performed
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Fulfilled
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Developed
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Prepared
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Accelerated
How to replace Executed with a stronger action verb:
Let's look at examples of how you can remove and replace the overused phrase, Executed, with a stronger synonym and alternative that is more effective at highlighting your achievements.
Before: Weak example using Executed• Executed a company-wide effort to increase efficiency of reporting and documentation processes
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After: Using a stronger synonym• Conceived and led a company-wide effort that streamlined 33 methods of reporting and documentation, increasing accuracy by 60%. .
Before: Executed• Executed comprehensive research to drive business strategy.
⤸After: Constructed• Constructed and analyzed over 15 market research studies, informing a strategic business development plan that increased corporate partnerships by 25%.
To improve the bullet point, I replaced the vague action verb 'Executed' with 'Constructed', to emphasize the depth of the work done. Then I added specific numbers and results to illustrate the impact and effectiveness of the candidate's strategy.
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.
Before: Executed• Executed plans for project management.
⤸After: Delivered• Delivered an efficient project management plan that, within the first quarter, reduced costs by 30% and enhanced productivity by 20% across 5 teams.
I chose the word 'Delivered' to emphasize that the candidate didn’t only create a plan, but they also put it into operation successfully. Also, quantifiable achievements were included to showcase the plan's effectiveness.
Before: Executed• Executed procedures for improved customer service.
⤸After: Instituted• Instituted a streamlined customer service approach, promoting a 50% jump in customer satisfaction scores within six months.
The change from 'Executed' to 'Instituted' lies in the importance of the task's initiation and further implementation. Also, numbers that reflect tangible results were added to underscore the value the candidate brought to the business.
Before: Executed• Executed the planning of company events.
⤸After: Accomplished• Accomplished the strategic organization of over 10 corporate events, resulting in a 15% increase in brand awareness and generating $100,000 in revenue.
Instead of the generic 'Executed', I used 'Accomplished' to demonstrate successful completion. I added specific metrics to paint a clear picture of the candidate's competencies and the value they brought.
Before: Executed• Executed the development of team skills.
⤸After: Directed• Directed cross-functional team training programs that boosted productivity by 40% and cut onboarding time by 50%.
Replace 'Executed' with 'Directed' to show leadership and management skills. Incorporating specific measurements underscores the effectiveness of their approach.
Before: Executed• Executed new sales strategies.
⤸After: Generated• Generated innovative sales strategies, successfully increasing quarterly sales by 35% and new customer acquisitions by 20%.
The term 'Generated' emphasizes the candidate's creativity in developing strategies. I also included numerical results to highlight their actual positive impact on sales and customer acquisition.
Before: Executed• Executed technology upgrades.
⤸After: Orchestrated• Orchestrated company-wide technology upgrades, enhancing security features and improving systems efficiency by 30%.
'Orchestrated' showcases an ability to coordinate and lead important initiatives. Adding concrete metrics reinforces the candidate's capacity to deliver results.
Before: Executed• Executed the launch of a new product line.
⤸After: Spearheaded• Spearheaded the launch of three new product lines, leading to a revenue increase of $2 million within the first year.
The word 'Spearheaded' emphasizes initiative and leadership. Including specific numerical results helps recruiters understand the scope and impact of the candidate's work.
Before: Executed• Executed the implementation of a new software system.
⤸After: Championed• Championed the implementation of a new CRM software system, leading to a 40% improvement in lead generation and a 20% increase in sales conversions.
A more dynamic word, 'Championed', was chosen to portray the candidate as a driving force. Details and metrics were added to provide context and quantify achievements.
Before: Executed• Executed analytics for marketing campaigns.
⤸After: Pioneered• Pioneered the use of advanced analytics in marketing campaigns, achieving a 30% increase in overall campaign ROI, and reducing costs by 25%.
'Pioneered' was used instead of 'Executed' to reflect the candidate's innovative approach. The addition of numerical outcomes makes the statement more powerful and informed.
Before: Executed• Executed client acquisition strategies.
⤸After: Drove• Drove client acquisition strategies which resulted in a 50% YOY increase in company's client base and 35% boost in annual revenue.
I used 'Drove' to replace 'Executed' to convey the candidate's instrumental role in the task. Integrating actual numbers offers hiring managers a measurable scale of the candidate's success.
Before: Executed• Executed financial processes improvements.
⤸After: Administered• Administered improvements to financial processes, increasing forecasting accuracy by 30% and saving $200K in wasted resources annually.
'Administered', emphasizes the candidate's ability to oversee and implement necessary changes, while incorporation of specific metrics provides the evidence and scale of their achievements.
Before: Executed• Executed company communication strategies.
⤸After: Transformed• Transformed company communication strategies, resulting in a 40% increase in staff engagement and a 20% decrease in internal communication issues.
The verb 'Transformed' conveys major positive change the candidate brought to the company. Adding quantifiable metrics provides proof of that transformation's effectiveness.
Before: Executed• Executed digitalization of company records.
⤸After: Modernized• Modernized company record keeping by converting to a digital format, reducing retrieval times by 60% and saving $30,000 annually in storage costs.
In this example, 'Modernized' was used to show the candidate's initiative in updating and improving processes. Incorporation of specific metrics shows the benefits that the improvements brought to the company.
Before: Executed• Executed social media strategies.
⤸After: Revitalized• Revitalized social media strategies, growing the follower base by 70% within 6 months and driving a 30% lift in web traffic.
For this bullet point, I opted for 'Revitalized' to emphasize the renewed effectiveness created by the candidate. Quantifiable metrics were added to highlight the candidate's concrete, impactful results.
Before: Executed• Executed team-building activities.
⤸After: Facilitated• Facilitated team-building activities leading to a 20% rise in productivity and decrease in absenteeism by 15%.
'Facilitated' was selected over 'Executed' to signify candidate's active role in making the activities happen. Metrics were used to demonstrate effectiveness of these activities on team productivity and attendance.
Before: Executed• Executed company outreach programs.
⤸After: Amplified• Amplified company outreach programs, yielding a 50% increase in brand visibility and a 30% rise in new customer acquisition.
The word 'Amplified' highlights the candidate's ability to enhance current programs. The addition of specific outcomes helps to visually represent the impact of these enhancements.
Before: Executed• Executed employee training systems.
⤸After: Initiated• Initiated comprehensive employee training systems, reducing onboarding time by 2 weeks and increasing employee efficiency by 25%.
'Initiated' denotes the candidate's proactive role in developing the training program. Inclusion of metrics manifests the benefits brought to employee efficiency and onboarding process.
Before: Executed• Executed operational efficiency strategies.
⤸After: Optimized• Optimized operational efficiency strategies, lowering operating costs by 15% and improving overall performance by 25%.
I chose 'Optimized' over 'Executed' to express more precisely the nature of improvements made in the company. Addition of numerical results provides context and showcases the effectiveness of the strategies.
Before: Executed• Executed customer service approaches.
⤸After: Revamped• Revamped customer service approaches, resulting in a 30% increase in customer satisfaction and a 25% decrease in customer complaints.
Using 'Revamped', we highlight the transformation aspect of the candidate's work. Adding relevant metrics makes the statement more substantial and testifies to the effectiveness of the new approach.
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 Executed.
More resume bullet point samples that use strong synonyms
How to use Coached on a resume:
• Coached 30 summer interns and launched a mentorship program for new joiners in the Berlin office.
How to use Analyzed on a resume:
• Analyzed fundamental growth drivers via top-down (macro/sector trends, competition) and bottom-up (growth strategy, revenue forecast, cost allocation) approaches, and analysis of senior management and shareholding structure..
How to use Founded on a resume:
• Founded ReferRoom to organize social events for 500 young professionals, and grew it to $20k/year revenue and $8k/year profit..
How to use Led on a resume:
• Led the transition to a paperless practice by implementing an electronic booking system and a faster, safer and more accurate business system. Reduced costs of labor by 30% and office overhead by 10%..
How to use Overhauled on a resume:
• Overhauled the company's website by increasing graphics usage by 50% and mobile responsiveness by 100%; generated 70% more leads via email capture forms, reduced bounce rate by 20%.
How to use Promoted on a resume:
• Promoted within 12 months due to strong performance and organizational impact - ahead of schedule by 12 months.
Frequently Asked Questions
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