The verb 'followed' show that you have been following a particular plan or carrying out a specific project. It also indicates that you are able to work independently and make decisions on your own—which is crucial for any position where you will need to do so.
Still, the word 'followed' is a weak verb that doesn't convey power and decisiveness. Weak verbs typically describe an action without a clear focus on what you accomplished. The use of weak verbs in a resume dilutes the impact of your work and makes it sound as if you are not qualified for the job.
The solution is to use an action verb that specifies what you did. For example, instead of writing 'followed,' write pursued, succeeded, or supervened. These words tell the recruiter reading your resume what you actually did and give them context on what role you had in the company.
Power verbs make your resume sound more powerful and professional than using weak verbs. They help make your accomplishments look more impressive and show your potential employer that you have the ability to lead others, make decisions, and create new things in order to solve problems.
I've compiled some synonyms you can use instead of Followed on your resume, followed by real examples I've written for clients (feel free to use them!).
Resume Synonyms for Followed:
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Preserved
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Implemented
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Responded
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Emulated
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Pioneered
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Accelerated
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Endorsed
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Mediated
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Echoed
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Interpreted
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Inherited
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Operated
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Harmonized
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Mirrored
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Governed
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Instituted
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Conducted
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Substituted
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Carried On
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Persisted
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Replaced
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Supervened
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Succeeded
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Superseded
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Pursued
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Traced
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Tracked
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Conformed
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Complied
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Displaced
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Ensued
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Adhered
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Acceded
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Assented
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Obtained
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Continued
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Proceeded
How to replace Followed with a stronger action verb:
Let's look at examples of how you can remove and replace the overused phrase, Followed, with a stronger synonym and alternative that is more effective at highlighting your achievements.
Before: Weak example using Followed• Followed and tracked the performance of key clients
⤸
After: Using a stronger synonym• Managed a portfolio of 36+ key customers, from small businesses to Fortune 500 companies, with budgets ranging from $20K+ per week..
Before: Followed• Followed company guidelines for sales
⤸After: Preserved• Preserved brand authenticity by adhering to company sales guidelines, driving a 18% increase in customer satisfaction and loyalty.
To make this bullet point more impressive, I placed emphasis on how the candidate preserved the company's brand. I also added specific metrics to highlight their impact on customer satisfaction.
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: Followed• Followed the project plans given by the lead
⤸After: Implemented• Implemented project plans given by the lead and achieved desirable outcomes reducing project cycle time by 25%
As a recruiter, the result is much more impactful if quantified. So, I included the outcome of implementing project planning which gave the point a weightage.
Before: Followed• Followed client inquiries in a timely manner
⤸After: Responded• Responded to 300+ weekly client inquiries, leading to a 30% boost in client satisfaction rates.
I reshaped this bullet point by specifying the average number of client inquiries handled weekly. I also stated the resulting boost in client satisfaction rates which highlights the applicant's effectiveness.
Before: Followed• Followed the work style of the team leader
⤸After: Emulated• Emulated the work style of the high-performing team leader, leading to a 15% increase in personal productivity.
I gave this bullet point a complete overhaul by bringing out the element of personal growth and productivity, which was achieved by adopting the work style of the team leader.
Before: Followed• Followed new product development processes
⤸After: Pioneered• Pioneered the development of 5 distinct products by leading a diverse cross-functional team of 8, contributing a 35% revenue increase.
It's never enough to only follow processes. As a hiring manager, it's the execution and impact you made that matters. With this change, I focused on the candidate's successful leadership and influence on revenue.
Before: Followed• Followed sales targets to increase revenue
⤸After: Accelerated• Accelerated the achievement of sales objectives by 20% which drove a significant $1.2M revenue growth in FY20.
As a recruiter, detailed tangible achievements and results matter. This bullet point has been improved to clearly show the candidate’s success in accelerating sales and the monetary value he brought to the company.
Before: Followed• Followed quality standards set by management
⤸After: Endorsed• Endorsed and promoted the enforcement of industry quality standards, leading to a 75% decrease in product defects.
What I like about the change is the usage of a stronger verb and the addition of the result achieved. So, it now tells how endorsing quality standards led to a decrease in product defects.
Before: Followed• Followed team disputes to help with resolutions
⤸After: Mediated• Mediated over 40 team conflicts, fostering a harmonious workplace that improved overall team efficiency by 20%.
It always impresses to see a candidate actively participate in resolving issues rather than just follow them. In this change, I shifted the focus towards the candidate’s active contribution to fostering a harmonious workplace.
Before: Followed• Followed company policies and procedures
⤸After: Echoed• Echoed company policies effectively within my team, increasing compliance by 22% and reducing policy violations substantially.
In this revision, I made sure the candidate moved from passively following policies to actively ensuring their enforcement, thereby underscoring their leadership and communication skills.
Before: Followed• Followed instructions to complete tasks
⤸After: Interpreted• Interpreted and executed complex instructions, resulting in consistent completion of projects 15% ahead of schedule.
In the revised statement, the candidate goes from being a passive follower of instructions to an active interpreter, showing initiative, understanding, and efficiency.
Before: Followed• Followed the previous marketing strategies
⤸After: Inherited• Inherited and improved prior marketing strategies leading to a 60% increase in web traffic and 45% increase in sales.
Rewrote this point to demonstrate the candidate didn't just follow marketing strategies, but they improved them and were able to provide clear metrics to show a positive impact.
Before: Followed• Followed standard procedures for equipment operation
⤸After: Operated• Operated complex machinery adhering to standard processes, reducing equipment downtime by 20% annually.
In the revised statement, I have depicted the candidate as an efficient person. I have also highlighted the end result of his contributions in quantitative terms to add more light to his capabilities.
Before: Followed• Followed production plans of the manufacturing team
⤸After: Harmonized• Harmonized production plans leading to an increase in manufacturing efficiency by 25% while adhering to strict quality standards.
I converted this bullet to showcase the way the applicant harmonizes with the team's vision and the noticeable increase in efficiency it brought.
Before: Followed• Followed the team's working standards
⤸After: Mirrored• Mirrored the team's working standards which led to 30% less errors in work output and improved operational efficiency.
I changed this bullet point to quantify the outcome of adhering to working standards, thus emphasizing the candidate's drive for operational efficiency and quality.
Before: Followed• Followed the instructions in the user manual
⤸After: Governed• Governed processes using the user manual which resulted in a 20% increment in machinery uptime and a considerable reduction in breakdowns.
In this improvement, I switched the wording from passive following to actively managing resulting in machinery uptime and reduction in breakdowns which benefits the organization.
Before: Followed• Followed ideas on productivity improvement
⤸After: Instituted• Instituted innovative productivity enhancement ideas that increased the team's output by 35% while reducing overtimes by 15%.
By changing this bullet point, I indicated the high level of initiative and strong impact. It now reflects the candidate's ability to not only come up with ideas but to successfully implement them.
Before: Followed• Followed survey guidelines
⤸After: Conducted• Conducted market surveys adhering to provided guidelines, leading to the collection of data from over 2000 potential customers.
This bullet was reshaped by emphasizing 'conducting' instead of 'following'. Active verbs are more influential and show a more proactive stance, and the results accomplished verify the efficiency.
Before: Followed• Followed regular specifications for product development
⤸After: Substituted• Substituted the regular specifications in product development with an innovative, market-aligned design, increasing product popularity by 30%.
In this revision, the candidate shifts from being a mere follower to an innovator – someone who substituted regularity for improvements that has a clear outcome.
Before: Followed• Followed established office procedures
⤸After: Carried On• Carried on implementing established office procedures effectively, which enhanced the office's workflow by 40% and saved significant time.
Refocusing this bullet point to the impact made by 'carrying on' office procedures presented a clear picture of the candidate's effective contribution.
Before: Followed• Followed the set research protocols
⤸After: Persisted• Persisted with the stringent research protocols that aided in unveiling critical findings, leading to 3 published papers in reputed journals.
I reshaped this bullet by emphasizing the persistence of the candidate, bringing forth the magnitude of the accomplishment - research findings that made it to reputed journals. This gives an edge to the candidate's profile.
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 Followed.
More resume bullet point samples that use strong synonyms
How to use Analyzed on a resume:
• Analyzed brand's pricing, advertising and distribution data and identified seasonal trends and white space by integrating consumer insights; recommended strategic changes in portfolio and marketing plan to C-suite executives, reversing sales slump (+6.5%).
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.
How to use Led on a resume:
• Led team of six analysts towards saving client 10MM USD; acted as Engagement Manager by managing relationships with senior client stakeholders.
How to use Handpicked on a resume:
• Handpicked by global head of operations from among 50+ senior associates to lead first-ever strategic alliance project with Company in Hong Kong.
How to use Produced on a resume:
• Produced comprehensive pitch decks, used for internal research and external marketing, on 1) an Indian real estate investment with a $4.5B market cap and 2) telecommunications in emerging markets.
How to use Developed on a resume:
• Developed an iPhone app to help medical professionals measure the insulin needs of patients with diabetes.
Frequently Asked Questions
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