To boost your chances of getting hired, you should show that you have the experience to help improve a company's bottom line. The verb 'increase' demonstrates this skill—it reflects your ability to increase revenue, sales, and productivity.

The word 'increase' demonstrates your capability to take on new responsibilities, manage people and budgets, plan projects, and measure their success. However, avoid repeatedly using this verb in your resume—it can confuse the reader. Not only that, but when you do this, you miss out on opportunities to highlight different parts of your experience. Also, you should use the past tense of the verb ('increased' instead of the present form, 'increase') in your resume unless you're describing a current achievement or role.

To illustrate, instead of 'Increased sales revenue,' what if you write 'Tripled sales revenue'? This would tell the recruiter reading your resume that not only you increased the revenue but also how much it increased. Other words for 'increase' that you can use include 'grew,' 'maximized,' or 'amplified.'

Techniques like using synonyms in place of repeated words allow you to provide more information and better highlight your achievements.

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

Resume Synonyms for Increase:

Ramped
Escalated
Boosted
Supersized
Elevated
Fortified
Activated
Accrued
Intensified
Amplified
Broadened
Expanded
Amplified
Extended
Widened
Grew
Evolved
Advanced
Heightened
Enhanced
Magnified
Maximized
Enlarged
Inflated
Multiplied
Tripled
Effected
Introduced
Innovated

How to replace Increase with a stronger action verb:

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

Before: Weak example using Increase

• Increased sales of the company

⤸

After: Using a stronger synonym• Prioritized the needs of 450+ customers by strategically selling products to them and acquiring key accounts of 22 firms and 11+ small start-ups. .

Replacing Increase with Ramped ▾

Before: Increase

• Increased sales through new strategies

⤸

After: Ramped• Ramped up the company's sales by 45% in the first quarter by leveraging innovative marketing strategies, identifying new business opportunities, and establishing robust client relationships.

As a hiring manager, the strength of 'Ramped' is in its connotation of aggressive growth strategy. This distinctive action verb coupled with specific numbers and outlined strategies provides a clearer picture of the candidate's tangible 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 Increase with Escalated ▾

Before: Increase

• Increased the efficiency of the system

⤸

After: Escalated• Escalated system efficiency by 80% over 6 months, by designing and implementing a suite of robust Python scripts that automated repetitive tasks and alleviated manual workload.

Why 'Escalated'? Because it speaks to an ability to enact change quickly but carefully. Coupled with a specific improvement metric and the tools used, it underscores the candidate's technical expertise and problem-solving skills.

Replacing Increase with Boosted ▾

Before: Increase

• Increased overall productivity of the team

⤸

After: Boosted• Boosted team productivity by 30% over a year, by introducing an agile project management methodology that streamlined workflows, better delegated tasks, and significantly minimized project bottlenecks.

What stands out about 'Boosted' is that it connotes a uplift, which is exactly what was done. I added quantitative numbers and detailed the steps as part of this uplift, which makes the bullet point more compelling and precise.

Replacing Increase with Supersized ▾

Before: Increase

• Increased the company's online presence

⤸

After: Supersized• Supersized the company's online presence and achieved a 60% surge in web traffic within 3 months, by optimizing the website's SEO and leading a targeted social media campaign.

Supersized, although unusual, is a powerful synonym for increase that catalyzes the visual image of outstanding growth. Including specific metrics, timeline and strategy used provides a clear measure of the candidate's marketing proficiency.

Replacing Increase with Elevated ▾

Before: Increase

• Increased customer satisfaction

⤸

After: Elevated• Elevated customer satisfaction rate to 95% over a 6-month period, by spearheading a proactive customer support initiative that resolved issues faster and improved communication quality and responsiveness.

In this context, 'Elevated' effectively conveys an upward transformation. My choice of words aimed to emphasize immediate action on the candidate's part, along with tangible metrics and the initiative's components.

Replacing Increase with Fortified ▾

Before: Increase

• Increased strength of security system

⤸

After: Fortified• Fortified the company's security system, reducing breaches by an impressive 70%, by implementing a multi-layered intrusion prevention strategy, including up-to-date encryption and biometric access controls.

The term 'fortified' infers strong, resilient defensive measures. It merges well with the specifics provided on the security strategy deployed, emphasizing both the candidate's technical abilities and the substantial result they achieved.

Replacing Increase with Activated ▾

Before: Increase

• Increased employee engagement with training

⤸

After: Activated• Activated employee engagement to 85% in company-wide training sessions within a year, by developing interactive and relevant learning modules focused on career development and the application of new technologies.

I selected 'Activated' as it conveys an initiation of change. Including the methods used and the specific improvement made gives a better picture of the candidates' proficiency in staff learning enhancement.

Replacing Increase with Accrued ▾

Before: Increase

• Increased investments to company's portfolio

⤸

After: Accrued• Accrued an additional $500k to the company's investment portfolio in the first quarter, by identifying thriving and innovative start-ups within the AI and Machine Learning sectors.

The use of 'Accrued' instead of 'Increased' showcases the candidate's financial acumen. The reworded bullet point now presents specific figures and the candidate’s strategy in achieving the outcome.

Replacing Increase with Intensified ▾

Before: Increase

• Increased the rate of project completion

⤸

After: Intensified• Intensified project completion rate by 40% through the application of lean Six Sigma principles, enabling the team to streamline workflows and reduce bottle-neck scenarios effectively.

The action verb 'Intensified' implies an accelerated action. This revised statement is significant as it translates the candidate's prowess in project management practices and easily identifiable output (40%).

Replacing Increase with Amplified ▾

Before: Increase

• Increased attention to detail

⤸

After: Amplified• Amplified the team's attention to detail that led to 98% error-free reports by implementing a stringent review process, focused rehearsal periods, and continuous feedback mechanisms.

Chose 'Amplified' to emphasize emphasis and growth. The actions driving this increase and the results it yielded give a concrete example of the candidate's ability to motivate and lead teams.

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 Increase.

More resume bullet point samples that use strong synonyms

How to use Managed on a resume:

• Managed a 10-member cross-functional (engineering, product, sales, support) team and coordinated with five business partners towards the successful launch of an e-commerce website.

How to use Developed on a resume:

• Developed web scraping program in Python to help the firm download public data, including over 10,000 company descriptions and stock quotes, enriching internal data and increasing research efficiency by over 50%.

How to use Assessed on a resume:

• Assessed the product portfolio and created a brand turnaround strategy for a global fashion company; conducted qualitative interviews with industry experts and quantitative analysis to determine barriers to purchasing and distribution.

How to use Conducted on a resume:

• Conducted private equity due diligence in $400M portfolio. Performed strategic and analytical valuation of assets based on interviews with experts and created extensive models of the industries; persuaded client to move forward with acquisition.

How to use Analyzed on a resume:

• Analyzed 50+ companies to identify potential investments, built valuation models, and visited 90+ members of senior management in Germany, Nigeria, Indonesia and Singapore to evaluate companies' growth outlook.

How to use Evaluated on a resume:

• Evaluated strategies and synergies surrounding potential acquisition targets for a major car manufacturer..

Frequently Asked Questions

What is another word for Increase on a resume?

Generic language like Increase are considered to be buzzwords because they're used so often. Consider using synonyms like Introduced, Expanded, Tripled, Extended, Enhanced or Enlarged.

What can I use instead of Increase on a resume?

You can say Amplified, Enlarged or Advanced instead of Increase.

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

If you haven't yet, you should probably use the free tool below that's designed to help you update your existing resume. You'll also find out if your resume can be read by resume screeners, as well as if it passes key criteria recruiters look for. Just upload your resume below to start.

Related resume examples

Administrative Assistant

Sales Administrative Assistant

Go To Download Page

Entry Level Administrative Assistant

A resume for an entry level adminstrative assistant with a bachelor's degree and experience as an office assistant.

Go To Download Page

Executive Administrative Assistant

Go To Download Page

Administrative Assistant

Go To Download Page

Experienced Administrative Assistant

Go To Download Page

Go to the full Administrative Assistant Resume Guide or Administrative Assistant CV Guide to see and download more proven templates.

Director of Operations

Director of Operations (Healthcare)

Go To Download Page

Operations Director

Go To Download Page

Director of Sales Operations

Go To Download Page

Director of Operations

Go To Download Page

Go to the full Director of Operations Resume Guide or Director of Operations CV Guide to see and download more proven templates.

SaaS

SaaS Account Executive (Alternate)

Go To Download Page

SaaS Account Executive

Go To Download Page

SaaS B2B Sales

Go To Download Page

SaaS Growth

Go To Download Page

SaaS Sales Manager

Go To Download Page

Go to the full SaaS Resume Guide or SaaS CV Guide to see and download more proven templates.

Get a free resume review

Get expert feedback on your resume, instantly. Our free AI-powered resume checker scores your resume on key criteria recruiters and hiring managers look for. Get actionable steps to revamp your resume and land more interviews.

Upload Resume

Jump to another phrase