Recruiters value candidates who take the initiative, and seeing that you've 'helped' your past employers can be positive for them. It indicates that you are a self-starter who can be relied upon in a pinch. It also shows that you have experience working with others and collaborating on projects, which is essential for any role in your professional life.

Yet, because it is vague and non-specific, you should avoid using the word helped when describing your experience. It does not provide enough detail about the action you took or how you were able to help someone else.

It is better to use action verbs that describe what kind of help was given and how much effort was put into performing that task. Describe your experience more specifically with words such as 'resolved,' 'increased,' or—depending on the type of work you do—'improved.'

Using other words for 'helped' that are more specific will provide the recruiter with a better idea of your skills and abilities necessary to do the job.

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

Resume Synonyms for Helped:

Transformed
Spearheaded
Championed
Optimized
Pioneered
Oversaw
Elevated
Supervised
Devised
Revitalized
Consolidated
Modernized
Orchestrated
Streamlined
Refashioned
Accelerated
Empowered
Fostered
Revamped
Compressed
Mediated
Cultivated
Showcased
Reconstructed
Co-authored
Liaised
Facilitated
Administered
Scheduled
Compiled
Enabled
Improved
Increased
Resolved
Upgraded
Advised
Expedited
Guided
Reduced
Recommended
Counselled
Enhanced
Simplified
Assembled

How to replace Helped with a stronger action verb:

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

Before: Weak example using Helped

• Helped to launch new product features by getting involved in user-testing focus groups

⤸

After: Using a stronger synonym• Conducted 25+ user-testing focus groups leading to 3 new product features in 6 months.

Replacing Helped with Transformed ▾

Before: Helped

• Helped in the rebranding of the company website.

⤸

After: Transformed• Transformed the company's old website, introducing modern user interfaces, resulting in 2X increase in organic site traffic within 3 months.

By changing from vague 'helped' to the specific action verb 'transformed', we drive home the point that the candidate was instrumental in the rebranding. Additionally, the measurable outcome further strengthens their impact.

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 Helped with Spearheaded ▾

Before: Helped

• Helped in developing marketing strategies.

⤸

After: Spearheaded• Spearheaded the development and implementation of innovative marketing strategies, resulting in a 30% increase in brand visibility within two months.

The term 'spearheaded' shows that the candidate took charge and led the project. The additional detail about brand visibility gives a concrete metric that quantifies the candidate's success.

Replacing Helped with Championed ▾

Before: Helped

• Helped to improve customer service processes.

⤸

After: Championed• Championed a significant overhaul of customer service processes, decreasing response times by 50% and raising customer satisfaction by 20%.

Using 'championed' underscores the candidate's leadership and initiative. Adding specific metrics like response times and customer satisfaction rates gives hiring managers a clear idea of the candidate's accomplishments.

Replacing Helped with Optimized ▾

Before: Helped

• Helped in making office operations more efficient.

⤸

After: Optimized• Optimized office operations by implementing a new documentation system, reducing retrieval times by 35%.

Replacing 'helped' with 'optimized' illustrates the candidate's ability to improve processes. The specific improvement and its impact provide concrete evidence of their effectiveness.

Replacing Helped with Pioneered ▾

Before: Helped

• Helped to build a team from scratch.

⤸

After: Pioneered• Pioneered a cross-functional team of 10 diverse professionals that outperformed company average metrics by 25%.

Rephrasing 'helped to build' to 'pioneered' sets the candidate as a trailblazer in their area. The inclusion of team size and results paints a clear picture of the candidate's leadership skills.

Replacing Helped with Oversaw ▾

Before: Helped

• Helped in managing a team project.

⤸

After: Oversaw• Oversaw a crucial project with a team of 5, delivering 20% ahead of the deadline and under budget.

Using 'oversaw' instantly provides evidence of the candidate's management skills. Including specific metrics such as being '20% ahead of deadline' offers a tangible measure of their effectiveness in overseeing projects.

Replacing Helped with Elevated ▾

Before: Helped

• Helped in enhancing SEO efforts.

⤸

After: Elevated• Elevated company's online presence by redefining SEO efforts, leading to a 50% increase in organic search traffic over a 6-month period.

Replacing 'helped' with 'elevated' firmly places the candidate as the driving factor in improving SEO. Quantifying the improvement helps to demonstrate the candidate's direct impact on the company's online presence.

Replacing Helped with Supervised ▾

Before: Helped

• Helped to lead a team of sales associates.

⤸

After: Supervised• Supervised a team of ten sales associates, surpassing quarterly sales targets by 15%.

By replacing 'helped' with 'supervised', the candidate's leadership role is emphasized. Specific outcomes, like surpassing sales targets, further evidence their successful supervision skills.

Replacing Helped with Devised ▾

Before: Helped

• Helped to create a new software testing procedure.

⤸

After: Devised• Devised a comprehensive software testing procedure that reduced bug occurrence by 40%.

Using 'devised' stresses the candidate's creativity and abilities in problem-solving. The statement's impact is reinforced with quantifiable outcomes, demonstrating a significant reduction in bugs.

Replacing Helped with Revitalized ▾

Before: Helped

• Helped to revise the company’s social media strategy.

⤸

After: Revitalized• Revitalized the company’s outdated social media strategy, which boosted engagement rates by 30% within 90 days.

Transforming 'helped to revise' into 'revitalized' reinforces the candidate's proactive role. It also quantifies their effectiveness by defining the engagement rates increase in a specific timeline.

Replacing Helped with Consolidated ▾

Before: Helped

• Helped to merge two different departments.

⤸

After: Consolidated• Consolidated two distinct departments into one cohesive unit, increasing operational efficiency by 18%.

Replacing 'helped' with 'consolidated' affirms the candidate's active role in the merger process. The statement includes relevant metrics, giving more weight to the candidate's accomplishment.

Replacing Helped with Modernized ▾

Before: Helped

• Helped to update old company databases

⤸

After: Modernized• Modernized three outdated company databases, saving 15 hours of manual data entry per week.

The use of 'modernized' instead of 'helped' emphasizes the candidate's instrumental role in the update. Directly linking their action to time savings brings out the tangible results of their contribution.

Replacing Helped with Orchestrated ▾

Before: Helped

• Helped to coordinate team building events

⤸

After: Orchestrated• Orchestrated monthly team building events for a team of 20, resulting in a 15% increase in employee retention.

Replacing 'helped' with the term 'orchestrated' illustrates a direct involvement in coordinating team building events. Adding a specific metric like '15% increase in employee retention' further quantifies the impact of these events.

Replacing Helped with Streamlined ▾

Before: Helped

• Helped to improve the onboarding process.

⤸

After: Streamlined• Streamlined the onboarding process, which reduced new hire ramp-up time by 50%.

Substituting 'helped' with 'streamlined' portrays a powerful image of efficiency depending on the candidate's actions. Coupling this with a strong, measurable outcome further demonstrates the effective impact of their role.

Replacing Helped with Refashioned ▾

Before: Helped

• Helped to revise content for the product catalogue.

⤸

After: Refashioned• Refashioned the product catalogue's content, resulting in a 25% increase in average session duration and 15% boost in user interaction.

The term 'refashioned' not only replaces 'helped' but also conveys a sense of creativity and innovation. Pairing this action with relevant metrics offers a clear and measurable impact of the candidate's work.

Replacing Helped with Accelerated ▾

Before: Helped

• Helped to speed up the sales pipeline.

⤸

After: Accelerated• Accelerated the sales pipeline by integrating automation tools, shortening the sales cycle by 3 weeks.

By using 'accelerated' rather than 'helped', the candidate establishes themselves as an active agent in speeding up the sales pipeline. The resume also provides concrete, quantifiable results, making their accomplishment more impactful.

Replacing Helped with Empowered ▾

Before: Helped

• Helped to train new hires.

⤸

After: Empowered• Empowered new hires through comprehensive training, increasing their productivity by 20% in their first month.

Replacing 'helped' with 'empowered' demonstrates the candidate's active role in new hires' training. Mentioning specific results, like productivity increase, enhances credibility and quantifies the candidate's contribution.

Replacing Helped with Fostered ▾

Before: Helped

• Helped to develop a positive work culture.

⤸

After: Fostered• Fostered a constructive work culture that improved employee satisfaction scores by 40%.

Switching 'helped' with 'fostered' signifies the candidate's substantial role in shaping the work culture. The included metrics provide a quantifiable measure of their contribution to employee satisfaction.

Replacing Helped with Revamped ▾

Before: Helped

• Helped to redesign the company blog.

⤸

After: Revamped• Revamped the company blog's design, increasing monthly visitors from 5k to 20k in 4 months.

The replacement of 'helped' with 'revamped' shows the importance and effect of the candidate's role. Meanwhile, precise metrics offer a solid proof of their achievement.

Replacing Helped with Compressed ▾

Before: Helped

• Helped to save time on invoice processing.

⤸

After: Compressed• Compressed the invoice processing time by 40% by implementing a new automation system.

Changing 'helped' to 'compressed' puts the candidate directly in the driver's seat of the process. Including a specific number quantifies the degree of their contribution, making it more tangible.

Replacing Helped with Mediated ▾

Before: Helped

• Helped to handle disputes within the team.

⤸

After: Mediated• Mediated team disputes effectively, resulting in a 30% decrease in HR conflict interventions over six months.

Swapping 'helped' with 'mediated' shows the candidate's active role in conflict resolution. Including a metric clarifies the measurable impact of their mediation, offering solid evidence of their effectiveness.

Replacing Helped with Cultivated ▾

Before: Helped

• Helped to grow the customer base.

⤸

After: Cultivated• Cultivated a loyal customer base, increasing repeat customers by 35% over one year.

Substituting 'helped' with 'cultivated' showcases the candidate's role in expanding the customer base. The use of a percentage growth rate quantifies this achievement, making the impact more tangible.

Replacing Helped with Showcased ▾

Before: Helped

• Helped to demonstrate the product at a trade fair.

⤸

After: Showcased• Showcased the product at an industry trade fair to over 600 attendees, resulting in a 20% increase in inquiries.

By replacing 'helped' with 'showcased', the bullet emphasizes the candidate's leading role at the event. Coupling that with quantitative data on increased inquiries exhibits the effectiveness of their work.

Replacing Helped with Reconstructed ▾

Before: Helped

• Helped to update the company's outdated procedures.

⤸

After: Reconstructed• Reconstructed the company's outdated procedures, boosting overall efficiency by 25%.

Trading 'helped' for 'reconstructed' drives the point that the candidate played a significant role in updating the procedures. The provided metrics offer a tangible measure of the success of their action.

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 Helped.

More resume bullet point samples that use strong synonyms

How to use Promoted on a resume:

• Promoted to Associate Consultant in 2 years (1 year in advance); the only member in a cohort of 45 Analysts to be fast-tracked.

How to use Prepared on a resume:

• Prepared a 100 page pitch book summarizing findings and presented analysis to managing directors.

How to use Built on a resume:

• Built complete investment pitch books for 4 deals at advanced stages and liaised with 12 prospective international co-investors.

How to use Developed on a resume:

• Developed a prototype to identify key influencers on Twitter using clustering techniques over 100,000 data points in Python.

How to use Led on a resume:

• Led five developers to establish client's ERP system; identified $1.5MM in cost savings, and secured $1MM+ in additional work for Accenture.

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%.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is another word for Helped on a resume?

If you're looking for another word to use in place of Helped, consider using one of these stronger alternatives:

Improved
Resolved
Reduced
Recommended
Administered
Increased

What is a better word for Helped on a resume?

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

Advised
Upgraded
Improved
Administered
Compiled
Co-authored

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

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