If you have experience managing teams and growing businesses, the action verb 'grow' is an effective way to put those skills on display. You can take advantage of what the word 'grow' already implies in its meaning—taking something small and making it bigger—and showcase how well you've done this with examples from past work experiences.

Despite this, avoid using 'grow' repeatedly in your resume. Using a single word constantly to start your bullet points can be problematic because it can make the resume difficult to read and confuse the recruiter. It's also worth noting that, generally, using the past tense of a verb instead of its present form is preferable when writing past accomplishments.

To resolve this issue, use synonyms for the same concept you're trying to convey. For example, instead of saying, 'I grew our sales,' you could say, 'I increased our sales by 20%.' This way, you're still making it clear that you've grown something but keeping your sentence interesting and easy to read.

If you use synonyms, you can make your resume sound more professional and appealing to readers. It also allows you to convey concepts differently so recruiters can better understand what they're reading about.

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

Resume Synonyms for Grow:

Developed
Expanded
Elevated
Amplified
Accrued
Boosted
Enhanced
Matured
Fostered
Strengthened
Propelled
Advanced
Improved
Enriched
Accelerated
Magnified
Revitalized
Spiked
Extended
Evolved
Increased
Broadened
Maximized
Acquired
Gained
Cultivated
Raised
Doubled
Fortified
Intensified
Enlivened
Capitalized
Revamped
Escalated
Multiplied
Surpassed
Outpaced
Lifted
Upgraded

How to replace Grow with a stronger action verb:

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

Before: Weak example using Grow

• Grew online community to 2500 users

⤸

After: Using a stronger synonym• Built and managed a community of 2500+ users with over 70% engagement on Facebook with zero marketing spend through organic word-of-mouth marketing.

Replacing Grow with Developed ▾

Before: Grow

• Grew an efficient customer support team.

⤸

After: Developed• Developed a customer support team of 10, enhancing user satisfaction by 30% over the course of a year.

As a hiring manager, I appreciated the inclusion of precise metrics revealing the impact of the candidate's efforts. I replaced the overused verb 'Grew' with 'Developed' to portray an active and constructive role the candidate played in the team's evolution.

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 Grow with Expanded ▾

Before: Grow

• Grew the client base.

⤸

After: Expanded• Expanded the client base by 40% over 2 quarters by innovating personalized marketing campaigns.

The improved sentence begins with a strong action verb, 'Expanded,' that replaces 'Grew.' I further clarified the result, manner, and timeframe of the candidate's contributions, ensuring the change highlighted tangible achievements.

Replacing Grow with Elevated ▾

Before: Grow

• Grew sales figures.

⤸

After: Elevated• Elevated sales figures to an all-time high, resulting in a 45% increase in revenue during my tenure by launching a successful referral campaign.

This bullet point now begins with the action verb 'Elevated', a step up from 'Grew'. To enhance the impression of your work, I added details of the specific action you undertook, and the impressive results.

Replacing Grow with Amplified ▾

Before: Grow

• Grew profits.

⤸

After: Amplified• Amplified profits by $2M in a fiscal year by negotiating cost-efficient contracts with suppliers.

I liked how 'Amplified' made the candidate appear proactive and results-driven, replacing the overly used 'Grew'. The laid out specifics of their contribution, allowing their achievements to sparkle more explicitly.

Replacing Grow with Accrued ▾

Before: Grow

• Grew online sales.

⤸

After: Accrued• Accrued an 80% surge in online sales within 12 months by introducing an intuitive user interface and streamlined checkout process.

The verb 'Accrued,'' as a substitute for 'Grew,' insinuates careful, planned efforts rather than general development. The specific strategy and outcome included in the rewrite demonstrates what the candidate precisely did, and the positive impact they had.

Replacing Grow with Boosted ▾

Before: Grow

• Grew company revenue.

⤸

After: Boosted• Boosted company revenue by 10% ($3M) within one fiscal quarter by developing and implementing a new sales strategy.

As a recruiter, I felt 'Boosted' breathed fresh energy into this sentence, replacing 'Grew.' Indicating the precise technique employed and sharing clear statistics elaborates on what the candidate achieved and how they did it.

Replacing Grow with Enhanced ▾

Before: Grow

• Grew user base.

⤸

After: Enhanced• Enhanced user base to 10,000+ within six months by strategizing and executing a targeted social media campaign.

The verb 'Enhanced,' replacing 'Grew,' offers more power and clarity. The sentence is now rich in specific details regarding the candidate's approach and the magnitude of their accomplishment.

Replacing Grow with Matured ▾

Before: Grow

• Grew relationships with stakeholders.

⤸

After: Matured• Matured relationships with over 50 key stakeholders, leading to a 20% increase in annual funding for the nonprofit organization.

I opted for 'Matured' over 'Grew' to indicate a thoughtful, intentional growth process. The latter part of the sentence now reveals the direct impact of those relationships in a clearly measurable way.

Replacing Grow with Fostered ▾

Before: Grow

• Grew talent within the team.

⤸

After: Fostered• Fostered talent within the team, facilitating two promotions and a 30% increase in team productivity over 12 months.

The action verb 'Fostered,' replacing 'Grew,' suggests more direct, interactive involvement. I added specifics about promotions and productivity, demonstrating the individual's success in leadership and team development.

Replacing Grow with Strengthened ▾

Before: Grow

• Grew public relations department.

⤸

After: Strengthened• Strengthened the public relations department by leading a team of five in executing a successful rebranding strategy which led to a 25% increase in brand recognition.

To improve this bullet point, I substituted 'Grew' with a more definite action verb, 'Strengthened.' This revised bullet point emphasizes your leadership in the successful campaign and the tangible effect on brand recognition.

Replacing Grow with Propelled ▾

Before: Grow

• Grew sign-ups on mobile app.

⤸

After: Propelled• Propelled the number of mobile app sign-ups by 150% over six months by improving user experience and onboarding process.

Using 'Propelled' instead of 'Grew' helps it stand out and portray an image of your proactive action. The details such as changes implemented and their results demonstrates your ability to make impactful decisions.

Replacing Grow with Advanced ▾

Before: Grow

• Grew digital marketing campaigns.

⤸

After: Advanced• Advanced digital marketing campaigns to generate 500% more leads within three months using SEO and targeted advertising.

The term 'Advanced' is used in place of 'Grew' as a more specific verb reflecting improvement and progression. The given context explains what actions led to that achievement, providing a deeper insight into your skills.

Replacing Grow with Improved ▾

Before: Grow

• Grew team's project management skills.

⤸

After: Improved• Improved the team's project management skills, resulting in a 20% decrease in project delivery timelines and a 15% increase in client satisfaction.

As a recruiter, I replaced 'Grew' with a word more specific to the context, 'Improved.' The modifications shed light on the immediate benefits of your actions.

Replacing Grow with Enriched ▾

Before: Grow

• Grew the company's product portfolio.

⤸

After: Enriched• Enriched the company's product portfolio by launching 5 new profitable lines, contributing to a 30% increase in yearly revenue.

What stands out is the descriptive verb 'Enriched' used instead of 'Grew.' Adding numbers and specific actions, such as the launch of new profitable lines, gives a clearer picture of your contributions.

Replacing Grow with Accelerated ▾

Before: Grow

• Grew website traffic.

⤸

After: Accelerated• Accelerated website traffic by 40% in four months through successful SEO strategies.

In this revised bullet point, 'Accelerated' replaces 'Grew.' It showcases your actions clearly and communicates the scale and speed of your accomplishments.

Replacing Grow with Magnified ▾

Before: Grow

• Grew market share.

⤸

After: Magnified• Magnified market share from 20% to 35% in two years by outmaneuvering competition with aggressive pricing and superior customer service.

I replaced 'Grew' with 'Magnified' to imply a more pronounced growth. The resulting effect, the strategy adopted, and the time frame adds depth to your accomplishment.

Replacing Grow with Revitalized ▾

Before: Grow

• Grew email marketing efforts.

⤸

After: Revitalized• Revitalized email marketing efforts, raising conversion rates by 50% over one quarter by redesigning the email templates.

The replacement of 'Grew' with 'Revitalized' suggests you breathed life into existing processes. Specifics about the actions you took and the impact they had, give weight to this claim.

Replacing Grow with Spiked ▾

Before: Grow

• Grew company's stock price.

⤸

After: Spiked• Spiked the company's stock price by 15% within a fiscal quarter by heading a team that introduced market-distrupting technologies.

Instead of 'Grew,' I chose the term 'Spiked,' which accurately signifies sharp, significant growth. The revised sentence makes clear your team leadership role and its direct impact on the company's stock price.

Replacing Grow with Extended ▾

Before: Grow

• Grew user time on platform.

⤸

After: Extended• Extended user time on platform by 30% in three months by introducing engaging and relevant content.

I chose 'Extended' over 'Grew' because it depicts a purposeful effort to lengthen user time. Also, by showing the tactics that led to your achievements, you appear more strategic in your 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 Grow.

More resume bullet point samples that use strong synonyms

How to use Implemented on a resume:

• Implemented crash reporter and used findings to fix three biggest causes of crashes; fixes reduced customer support calls by 30%.

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 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 Managed on a resume:

• Managed business relationships with 10 clients, including Volkswagen, Deutsche Bank and McDonalds and presented marketing strategies to senior management to drive ROI and re-engineer sales operations, generating $2MM+ in annual revenue.

How to use Overhauled on a resume:

• Overhauled the obsolete legacy source code of two production applications, resulting in increased usability and reduced run time performance by 50%.

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is another word for Grow on a resume?

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

Enlivened
Intensified
Raised
Maximized
Gained
Evolved

What is another way of saying Grow on a resume?

Instead of passive phrases like Grow, use other words like Capitalized, Outpaced, Upgraded , Raised, Increased or Gained. Using these verbs will help your accomplishments and bullet points stand out on your resume.

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

If you have a version of your resume ready, remember to get it checked using our free resume scanner below. It will make sure all your action verbs are strong enough, and give you feedback on any mistakes you might have overlooked, so you can fix them before a recruiter sees them.

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Q: What is another way of saying Grow on a resume?

Instead of passive phrases like Grow , use other words like Capitalized, Outpaced, Upgraded , Raised, Increased or Gained. Using these verbs will help your accomplishments and bullet points stand out on your resume.

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