The ability to improve something is a crucial skill for any employee, whether you're a manager or an entry-level employee. It shows that you're willing to take the initiative and make positive changes in your own action rather than waiting for someone else to tell you what needs fixing.

Using the verb 'improve' in your resume is a great way to demonstrate your ability to take action and improve outcomes. Be mindful, though, not to overuse this word in your resume. Doing so could make you look unable to elaborate on your accomplishments. Moreover, you should use the past tense of the verb ('improved') to show your achievements in the past.

Using synonyms helps alleviate this problem by allowing you to describe the same thing with other words. For example: 'improve' can be replaced with 'grew,' 'simplified,' or 'strengthened.' This way, you're not just using the same word repeatedly, but it also gives the reader a sense of what kind of improvement was made.

When writing a resume, using language that conveys your skills and experience as effectively as possible is essential. The use of different action verbs shows that you have a variety of skills while helping eliminate redundancy.

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

Resume Synonyms for Improve:

Optimized
Maximized
Revitalized
Revolutionized
Boosted
Enhanced
Refined
Elevated
Reworked
Reconstructed
Transformed
Amplified
Augmented
Intensified
Magnified
Exceeded
Simplified
Streamlined
Upgraded
Redesigned
Strengthened
Lifted
Raised
Stimulated
Amplified
Grew
Doubled
Mastered
Overhauled
Reduced
Converted
Elaborated
Slashed
Updated
Alleviated
Amended

How to replace Improve with a stronger action verb:

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

Before: Weak example using Improve

• Improved company's retention rate

⤸

After: Using a stronger synonym• Created 11+ tracking and accountability controls, which aligned technical training with employee skills, increasing retention rate by 80% YoY. .

Replacing Improve with Optimized ▾

Before: Improve

• Improved ordering process

⤸

After: Optimized• Optimized the ordering process by implementing a digitized inventory system, which increased order correctness by 35% and reduced delivery times by 3 days.

To enhance this line, I wanted to showcase the candidate's specific actions and its measurable impact. Using 'Optimized' implies efficiency and directly conveys the improvements made.

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 Improve with Maximized ▾

Before: Improve

• Improved sales

⤸

After: Maximized• Maximized sales by redesigning the product presentation layout, resulting in a 40% increase in conversions within the first quarter.

I chose the action verb 'Maximized' to demonstrate the candidate's initiative and impact. Details like the redesign and resulting increase in conversions provide a more compelling narrative.

Replacing Improve with Revitalized ▾

Before: Improve

• Improved brand image

⤸

After: Revitalized• Revitalized the brand image through a comprehensive social media campaign, which resulted in a 25% increase in total followers and 40% increase in online sales.

I prefer 'Revitalized' as it indicates breath taking results. The specifics of the social media campaign and how it boosted followers and sales also paints a clear picture of achievement.

Replacing Improve with Revolutionized ▾

Before: Improve

• Improved customer support

⤸

After: Revolutionized• Revolutionized customer support by integrating AI chatbots that accelerated response times by 60% and boosted customer satisfaction by 30%.

The phrase 'Revolutionized' is more dynamic than 'Improved'. It is better to quantify the changes in response times and customer satisfaction to deeply illustrate the candidate's impact.

Replacing Improve with Boosted ▾

Before: Improve

• Improved employee morale

⤸

After: Boosted• Boosted employee morale by launching an employee recognition program, leading to a 15% drop in turnover and an increase in productivity.

The term 'Boosted' suggests a positive change. Highlighting the employee recognition program and its contributions to staff retention and productivity is more explanatory and engaging.

Replacing Improve with Enhanced ▾

Before: Improve

• Improved product quality

⤸

After: Enhanced• Enhanced product quality by initiating extensive quality control measures, reducing product defects by 20% and increasing customer satisfaction by 25%.

For this bullet, 'Enhanced' was chosen to show emphasis on quality improvement, along with usage of quantitative results for a more persuasive and concrete narrative.

Replacing Improve with Refined ▾

Before: Improve

• Improved report accuracy

⤸

After: Refined• Refined report accuracy by developing a new data validation process, which reduced errors by 30% and saved 20 hours of review time monthly.

Using 'Refined' underscored the improvement while the specifics about the new data validation process and its benefits deliver a more comprehensive explanation of the candidate's influence.

Replacing Improve with Elevated ▾

Before: Improve

• Improved team performance

⤸

After: Elevated• Elevated team performance by adopting Agile methodologies, reducing project completion timeline by 2 weeks and increasing client satisfaction by 45%.

The verb 'Elevated' shows significant, impactful change, whereas mentioning Agile methodologies and its results clarifies the transformation brought about by the candidate.

Replacing Improve with Reworked ▾

Before: Improve

• Improved content strategy

⤸

After: Reworked• Reworked content strategy by integrating SEO practices, resulting in a 60% surge in web traffic and a 30% boost in organic search rankings.

With 'Reworked', we make clear that an entire strategy was reconsidered, indicating a proactive approach. Details about SEO practices and the results achieved make the point more specific and impactful.

Replacing Improve with Reconstructed ▾

Before: Improve

• Improved legacy code

⤸

After: Reconstructed• Reconstructed the legacy code base using Python, which improved system performance by 70% and cut down on coding maintenance time by 40%.

I chose 'Reconstructed' to capture the depth of work done. The tangible results expressed with percentages show the value candidate's contribution.

Replacing Improve with Transformed ▾

Before: Improve

• Improved UX design

⤸

After: Transformed• Transformed UX design by employing user-centric design practices, leading to a 50% bounce rate reduction and a 20% increase in session duration.

The verb 'Transformed' provides a strong visual of change. Mentioning the type of design practice and their impressive results helps the candidate to stand out.

Replacing Improve with Amplified ▾

Before: Improve

• Improved brand visibility

⤸

After: Amplified• Amplified brand visibility by leveraging influencer marketing, ultimately increasing social impressions by 200% and doubling the CTR.

The term 'Amplified' makes a strong impression, and identifying the specific strategy used along with its noticeable results underscore the candidate’s role and achievements.

Replacing Improve with Augmented ▾

Before: Improve

• Improved data security

⤸

After: Augmented• Augmented data security by implementing advanced encryption standards, resulting in a 90% reduction in data breach incidents.

I chose 'Augmented' to emphasize the strength of work performed. Quantifying the decrease in data breach incidents adds more depth to the candidate's achievement.

Replacing Improve with Intensified ▾

Before: Improve

• Improved lead generation

⤸

After: Intensified• Intensified lead generation by deploying a targeted PPC campaign, increasing leads by 150% and contributing to a 40% rise in profits.

The voluminous impact is indicated by 'Intensified' while mentioning the concrete work done and statistical results make the candidate’s role and accomplishments clear.

Replacing Improve with Magnified ▾

Before: Improve

• improve training effectiveness

⤸

After: Magnified• Magnified training effectiveness by integrating multidimensional learning methods, which boosted learning score averages by 30% and increased course completion rates by 40%.

'Magnified' symbolizes significant progress. The inclusion of specifics like multidimensional learning and its positive outcomes presents a clear picture of the candidate’s achievement.

Replacing Improve with Exceeded ▾

Before: Improve

• Improved customer experience.

⤸

After: Exceeded• Exceeded customer experience expectations by revamping service protocols, which improved repeat customer ratio by 40% and boosted online reviews.

I selected 'Exceeded', plus identified the actual action taken and noted the positive outcomes achieved to highlight the candidate’s role and accomplishments in an impactful fashion.

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 Improve.

More resume bullet point samples that use strong synonyms

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 Developed on a resume:

• Developed and maintained ETL scripts in Python and Perl to scrape data from external web sites into a mySQL database..

How to use Pitched on a resume:

• Pitched 25+ stocks to the investment team and portfolio managers, resulting in the addition of 6 stocks to the firm's portfolio with investment returns of more than 15% in 12 months.

How to use Spearheaded on a resume:

• Spearheaded redevelopment of internal tracking system in use by 125 employees, resulting in 20+ new features, reduction of 20% in save/load time and 15% operation time.

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 Coordinated on a resume:

• Coordinated a team of four developers and two designers to implement and launch online marketplace that connects students with tutors, within 6 months.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is another word for Improve on a resume?

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

Updated
Streamlined
Stimulated
Grew
Reduced
Slashed

What can I say instead of Improve on a resume?

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

Raised
Reduced
Alleviated
Streamlined
Redesigned
Amplified

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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