Possess is a word that implies ownership and control, so it is best to use it when writing about your experience as a manager or supervisor. It also shows the hiring managers that you have a certain level of expertise and know-how with a given topic, which they hope to see when filtering through hundreds of resumes.

The verb 'possess' is a great way to emphasize skills and strengths. But, when using this verb in your resume, it's important to use synonyms—words that mean the same thing as each other—so that it reads smoothly. You should also use the past tense of an action verb (i.e., possessed) to indicate achievements that are in the past. This will show that you have a strong work history and can be trusted to perform well in future positions.

For example, instead of writing 'possess,' use another word such as 'obtained,' 'achieved,' or 'accomplished.' This will make your resume flow better and make it easier to read.

Using synonyms on your resume can make a big difference. This simple trick shows that you're detail-oriented and can craft a strong, well-written resume—which could help get a recruiter's attention.

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

Resume Synonyms for Possess:

Cultivated
Nurtured
Demonstrated
Streamlined
Orchestrated
Incorporated
Enhanced
Amplified
Championed
Executed
Finalized
Formulated
Revitalized
Commanded
Retained
Absorbed
Grasped
Monopolized
Reserved
Maintained
Procured
Secured
Obtained
Acquired
Adopted
Achieved
Attained
Reached
Fostered
Gained
Garnered
Accomplished
Yielded

How to replace Possess with a stronger action verb:

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

Before: Weak example using Possess

• Possess strong analytical, design and web development skills

⤸

After: Using a stronger synonym• Revamped website flows and navigation menus, reducing the frequency of misdirected customer service queries by 30% and increasing traffic to previously neglected pages .

Replacing Possess with Cultivated ▾

Before: Possess

• Possess expertise in building client relationships

⤸

After: Cultivated• Cultivated strong professional relationships with 50+ clients, leading to increased retention rate of 30% and referral rate of 40%

As a recruiter, I've strengthened this bullet point by replacing 'Possess' with 'Cultivated' - a more specific action verb that exhibits direct achievement. I also added an impact by outlining the number of relationships built and the increased retention and referral rates.

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 Possess with Nurtured ▾

Before: Possess

• Possess skills in project management

⤸

After: Nurtured• Nurtured 12 strategic projects from conception to implementation, reducing overall operating costs by 25% and improving efficiency by 35%

I replaced 'Possess' with 'Nurtured' to highlight the candidate's active role in the project. I also provided specific metrics to quantify achievements, presenting a clear picture of the candidate's impact.

Replacing Possess with Demonstrated ▾

Before: Possess

• Possess proficiency in software development

⤸

After: Demonstrated• Demonstrated proficiency in software development by coding 5 high-performing applications, boosting user engagement by 60%

By replacing 'Possess' with 'Demonstrated', I turned a claim into a proven accomplishment. I also included the number of applications developed and the related metric to effectively simplify the candidate's contributions.

Replacing Possess with Streamlined ▾

Before: Possess

• Possess skills in business operations

⤸

After: Streamlined• Streamlined business operations, leading to a 30% decrease in process time and a $500K annual cost saving

To enhance this bullet point, I replaced 'Possess' with 'Streamlined', showing the candidate's active involvement. Including the quantifiable impact of the candidate's work was also important to convey the breadth and scale of the achievement.

Replacing Possess with Orchestrated ▾

Before: Possess

• Possess skills in budget management

⤸

After: Orchestrated• Orchestrated strict budget control measures that saved the company $1M in expenditure in the fiscal year 2020

Replacing 'Possess' with 'Orchestrated' demonstrates proactive decision-making. Also, the specific impact on the company's budget effectively shows the value the candidate brings.

Replacing Possess with Incorporated ▾

Before: Possess

• Possess knowledge in the implementation of business strategies

⤸

After: Incorporated• Incorporated innovative marketing strategies that directly led to a revenue increase of $2M in the first quarter

Combining 'Incorporated' and specific metrics directly translates into a significant achievement, thereby making the candidate's contribution more substantial and quantifiable.

Replacing Possess with Enhanced ▾

Before: Possess

• Possess abilities in improving team performance

⤸

After: Enhanced• Enhanced team performance by implementing agile practices, leading to a 40% increase in productivity and 30% decrease in delivery times

I replaced 'Possess' with 'Enhanced' to imply active intervention. Including the methods used and its metrics provides hiring managers a clear snapshot of the candidate's achievements.

Replacing Possess with Amplified ▾

Before: Possess

• Possess skills in social media management

⤸

After: Amplified• Amplified brand presence by revamping social media strategy, ultimately driving a 50% increase in traffic and 35% sales conversion rate

By choosing 'Amplified' instead of 'Possess', the candidate's active role and favorable outcome in the social media strategy are highlighted, showing the candidate's direct impact.

Replacing Possess with Championed ▾

Before: Possess

• Possess knowledge in creating sales plans

⤸

After: Championed• Championed a data-driven sales plan that increased annual sales by 45% and attracted 35% more new customers

By using 'Championed', I focused on illustrating the candidate's proactive role in sales strategies, while the specific metrics allow hiring managers to understand the scale of the candidate's accomplishments.

Replacing Possess with Executed ▾

Before: Possess

• Possess experience in product launch

⤸

After: Executed• Executed the successful launch of 3 flagship products that resulted in a 70% market share increase within 6 months

By changing 'Possess' to 'Executed', the candidate moves from a passive state to an active role. The specific number of product launches and their outcome fast-tracks the hiring manager's understanding of the candidate's capability.

Replacing Possess with Finalized ▾

Before: Possess

• Possess skills in closing deals

⤸

After: Finalized• Finalized over 30 high-stake deals, contributing to a 50% increase in annual revenue and solidifying company standing in its sector

The switch from 'Possess' to 'Finalized' empowers the candidate's skill set, and the quantification gives a clearer image of the magnitude of the candidate's ability to impact the bottom line.

Replacing Possess with Formulated ▾

Before: Possess

• Possess the ability to formulate business plans

⤸

After: Formulated• Formulated robust business plans which increased the company's market share by 35% in the fiscal year 2020

By replacing 'Possess' with 'Formulated', it exhibits the candidate's skill in a more direct and actionable manner. Also, the addition of specific metrics helps depict a magnitude of the candidate's impact.

Replacing Possess with Revitalized ▾

Before: Possess

• Possess experience in brand architecture

⤸

After: Revitalized• Revitalized the brand architecture which led to a 25% increase in brand recognition and 30% increase in customer loyalty within a year

What I like about this change is how 'Revitalized' adds immediate vitality to the candidate's experience and reinforces what was achieved using quantified results. The emphasis on the timeline gives the hiring manager a sense of the speed and efficiency at which the candidate operates.

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 Possess.

More resume bullet point samples that use strong synonyms

How to use Developed on a resume:

• Developed an iPhone app to help medical professionals measure the insulin needs of patients with diabetes.

How to use Enabled on a resume:

• Enabled integration with existing systems by creating tool that extracts metadata from images and provides metadata to a system-wide search database..

How to use Produced on a resume:

• Produced comprehensive pitch decks, used for internal research and external marketing, on 1) an Indian real estate investment with a $4.5B market cap and 2) telecommunications in emerging markets.

How to use Reduced on a resume:

• Reduced signup drop-offs from 65% to 15%, increased user-engagement by 40%, and boosted content generation by 15%, through a combination of user interviews and A/B-testing-driven product flow optimization.

How to use Performed on a resume:

• Performed DCF analysis to evaluate offers for company's sell-side process; qualitative offer comparison and quantitative model outputs were shared directly with client's senior management team.

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is another word for Possess on a resume?

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

Monopolized
Acquired
Retained
Grasped
Attained
Yielded

What is a better word for Possess on a resume?

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

Obtained
Monopolized
Reserved
Procured
Retained
Absorbed

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

Hiring managers are unnecessarily picky when it comes to resumes, and it's hard to know what they want to see. That's why you should upload your resume to the free resume checker below. It'll check your bullet points and identify any mistakes on your resume that recruiters specifically look out for.

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