A great way to describe your skills and experience is by using the verb 'performed,' especially if you have a job constantly working on new things and improving your skill set. It shows that you're creative and can adapt easily to different situations and challenges—which is helpful in almost any field!
Highlighting this skill can draw attention to your experience or show that you're a good fit for a role in which being responsible and organized are key. But it's essential to be careful not to overuse it—it's easy to fall into the trap of using a word too often, making your writing seem bland and repetitive. This problem is especially noticeable in resumes that need to be succinct.
One way to fix this problem is by finding synonyms for the verb that are more descriptive or specific than the original. Try using other words like 'completed,' 'evaluated,' or 'attained.' These synonyms for 'performed' will give your resume a unique feel and make it stand out from other resumes.
The benefit of using synonyms is that it keeps your resume from sounding stale and boring. It also makes your writing more engaging and exciting—important when trying to land an interview!
I've compiled some synonyms you can use instead of Performed on your resume, followed by real examples I've written for clients (feel free to use them!).
Resume Synonyms for Performed:
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Streamlined
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Realized
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Revamped
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Enabled
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Elevated
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Boosted
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Mitigated
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Refined
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Delivered
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Outperformed
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Engineered
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Superseded
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Spearheaded
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Revitalized
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Grew
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Accelerated
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Optimized
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Pioneered
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Propelled
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Maximized
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Awarded
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Demonstrated
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Exceeded
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Accomplished
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Completed
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Attained
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Prepared
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Classified
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Clarified
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Critiqued
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Diagnosed
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Evaluated
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Examined
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Extracted
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Identified
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Inspected
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Interpreted
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Structured
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Surveyed
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Systematized
How to replace Performed with a stronger action verb:
Let's look at examples of how you can remove and replace the overused phrase, Performed, with a stronger synonym and alternative that is more effective at highlighting your achievements.
Before: Weak example using Performed• Performed extremely well compared to the rest of the department
⤸
After: Using a stronger synonym• Closed 12 deals within 53 days of employment, exceeding the departmental average by 80%. .
Before: Performed• Performed analysis of systems to find potential areas for improvement.
⤸After: Streamlined• Streamlined IT systems and processes by integrating innovative solutions, reducing downtime by 30% and saving 20 hours of work each week.
Instead of using vague term 'performed', I used 'streamlined', which displays the exact action taken. I also added specific metrics to extract the impact of the work.
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: Performed• Performed multiple transactions between various company portfolios
⤸After: Realized• Realized the smooth transfer of 250+ transactions within a quarter among various portfolios with zero errors, enhancing efficiency by 35%.
The action word 'realized' gives a stronger sense of achievement than 'performed'. Adding numbers and percentages increases perceived competence and contribution.
Before: Performed• Performed periodically to update the existing website
⤸After: Revamped• Revamped the company website, which increased organic web traffic by 50% over 6 months and boosted customer engagement by 35%.
I chose 'revamped' over 'performed' to better represent transformation and progress. By adding metrics, the outcome of the task becomes clearer.
Before: Performed• Performed routine updating and maintenance work on computer systems
⤸After: Enabled• Enabled 20% increased productivity by implementing a regular update and maintenance schedule for the 200+ company computers.
I replaced 'performed' with 'enabled' for more defining action. Also quantified the task to highlight the scale of operations and accomplishment.
Before: Performed• Performed different marketing techniques to grow the brand's reach
⤸After: Elevated• Elevated brand visibility by pioneering dynamic marketing techniques, resulting in 30% sales increment within the first quarter.
I like this change because 'elevated' depicts growth and success. Adding specific metrics gives an idea of the significance of this position's work.
Before: Performed• Performed on networking and sales to expand the customer base
⤸After: Boosted• Boosted customer base by 40% in six months through active networking and targeted sales campaigns, directly contributing to a revenue increase.
To improve this bullet point, I chose the verb 'boosted' that conveys energy and upward movement. Including impressive numbers deepens the impact made.
Before: Performed• Performed risk assessments on various business operations
⤸After: Mitigated• Mitigated substantial business risks by conducting comprehensive risk assessments on over 100 vital company operations, resulting in a 45% reduction in issues.
'Mitigated' over 'performed' reflects responsibility and initiative better. By adding a quantifiable impact, I gave this bullet point a measure of success.
Before: Performed• Performed editing tasks on the company's internal documentation
⤸After: Refined• Refined company documentation, enhancing clarity and reducing ambiguities by 60%, proving to be a time-saving tool for the employees.
I replaced 'performed' with 'refined' which is more specific to the detailed task of editing. Adding the direct impact makes the action more significant.
Before: Performed• Performed multitasking to meet project deadlines
⤸After: Delivered• Delivered 15+ projects ahead of schedule over a span of 6 months, through effective multitasking and prioritization.
'Delivered' is a strong verb that showcases ability to meet and exceed expectations. The detailed figures showcases the ability of performing under pressure.
Before: Performed• Performed duties that stand out in sales
⤸After: Outperformed• Outperformed sales targets by 120%, selling over $1M worth products in Q4 2020, and recognized as 'Top Salesperson' of the year.
I used 'outperformed' instead of 'performed' to imply exceeding expectations. Clearly stating the accomplishment and recognition truly paints a picture of success.
Before: Performed• Performed actions to enhance operational efficiency
⤸After: Engineered• Engineered a strategic plan to streamline operations, resulting in a 20% uplift in efficiency and a noticeable decrease in costs.
I chose 'engineered' to emphasize there was strategic planning involved. Also, by defining the result, it gives a better idea of the candidate's contribution.
Before: Performed• Performed marketing tasks beyond the set targets
⤸After: Superseded• Superseded marketing targets consistently by 35-45%, propelling the brand's awareness and successfully increasing market share by 25%.
Replacing 'performed' with 'superseded', I highlighted the candidate's ability to surpass expectations. The specific metrics show the candidate's value and scope.
Before: Performed• Performed the lead role in a major project.
⤸After: Spearheaded• Spearheaded a $2M project that was completed two months ahead of schedule, leading to an increase in client satisfaction by 30%.
By using 'spearheaded' instead of 'performed', the leadership role truly shines through. Adding details about the project's success related to the role is impactful.
Before: Performed• Performed measures to increase customer engagement.
⤸After: Revitalized• Revitalized customer engagement strategies, increasing user interaction rates by 60% and amplifying positive customer feedback by 45%.
'Revitalized' is a lively word that signals positive change. By including a tangible result, any employer reading this would understand its significance.
Before: Performed• Performed tasks related to developing client base.
⤸After: Grew• Grew client base by 30% in the first quarter of 2020, through diligent lead follow-ups and relationship building resulting in increased recurring revenue.
Using 'grew' instead of 'performed' allows recruiters to quickly recognize the purpose and accomplishment. Adding the impact, I highlighted the candidate's effectiveness.
Before: Performed• Performed overall quality assurance activities.
⤸After: Accelerated• Accelerated the quality assurance process, enhancing the product defect detection rate by 50% which increased software reliability and user trust.
'Accelerated' over 'performed' shows a progressive action. By adding a specific result, I turned a generic task into a measurable achievement.
Before: Performed• Performed the task of improving team productivity.
⤸After: Optimized• Optimized team productivity by implementing agile practices, leading to a 20% increase in task completion rates within three months.
The word 'optimized' shows intention and achievement better than 'performed'. Quantifying the improvement gives clear evidence of the candidate's impact.
Before: Performed• Performed the task of developing a new business model.
⤸After: Pioneered• Pioneered a new business model that increased overall revenue by 40% within one fiscal year and strengthened position in the market.
'Pioneered' implies innovation and leadership, a step up from 'performed'. Accounting for a specific result gives recruiters a snapshot of the candidate's ability.
Before: Performed• Performed activities to increase online traffic.
⤸After: Propelled• Propelled 70% increase in website traffic in 6 months through effective implementation of SEO best practices, boosting conversions by 35%.
Replacing 'performed' with 'propelled', I brought a sense of strong movement into the sentence. Detailing the achievements gives authenticity to the claim.
Before: Performed• Performed the duty of managing resources effectively.
⤸After: Maximized• Maximized resource utilization, reducing waste by 20% and saving the company $50,000 annually.
The term 'maximized' speaks of optimization, better than 'performed'. Adding exact numbers show the tangible, measurable result of this task.
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 Performed.
More resume bullet point samples that use strong synonyms
How to use Created on a resume:
• Created content and copy for social media channels (Twitter, Facebook and Instagram) and email newsletter; assessed customer response to create targeted messaging and inform future content; social media following grew 125%+ organically.
How to use Evaluated on a resume:
• Evaluated strategies and synergies surrounding potential acquisition targets for a major car manufacturer..
How to use Designed, on a resume:
• Designed, executed, and optimized digital marketing campaign on Google's AdWords for $20B CPG company, yielding 20% ROI improvements.
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.
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 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Get a free resume review: Find out if your action verbs are strong enough.
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