Candidates who use the verb 'seeking' show a desire for growth, which is always attractive to hiring managers. They also offer a willingness to work hard to achieve their goals and indicate they're proactive and open to opportunities.

But, when writing resumes, you should avoid repeatedly using the word 'seeking' on your resume. Otherwise, it will make your resume seem like a list of things that need to be done. Instead of giving a list of duties performed, use synonyms so that it reads more like a story about what you have been doing. In addition, try using past tense verbs ('sought') instead of present tense verbs when describing responsibilities or tasks that have been completed in the past.

Words to use on resume instead of 'seeking' include achieved, gathered, investigated, researched, collected, and determined. These synonyms will help you to convey a higher level of expertise than simply saying 'seeking.'

Using synonyms helps emphasize key points on your resume by using more specific language when appropriate. The more tailor-made your resume is the better your chance of landing an interview.

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

Resume Synonyms for Seeking:

Managed
Implemented
Liberalized
Initiated
Pioneered
Revitalized
Consolidated
Maximized
Directed
Innovated
Envisioned
Motivated
Spearheaded
Boosted
Revamped
Collected
Arranged
Gathered
Detected
Uncovered
Achieved
Analyzed
Determined
Diagnosed
Evaluated
Examined
Discovered
Experimented
Explored
Identified
Investigated
Measured
Researched
Solved
Scrutinized

How to replace Seeking with a stronger action verb:

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

Before: Weak example using Seeking

• Seeking a high impact role where I can use my experience introducing new systems to increase efficiency

⤸

After: Using a stronger synonym• Introduced a new invoicing system that reduced month-end turnaround time by 15%. .

Replacing Seeking with Managed ▾

Before: Seeking

• Seeking a leadership role where I can use my project management skills

⤸

After: Managed• Managed a team of 10 designers and developers to create and launch a mobile app, which increased customer engagement by 60% within 3 months.

As a recruiter, it's more impactful to see leadership and results quantified. By using 'Managed', it clearly states the leadership role and the achievement makes it impressive.

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 Seeking with Implemented ▾

Before: Seeking

• Seeking to leverage my programming skills in a tech company.

⤸

After: Implemented• Implemented a new automated testing system that reduced bugs by 30% and accelerated release times by a week.

It's important to show not just the skills but also the impact of those skills. By showing what was improved as a result of the candidate's programming skills, the bullet is more concrete and compelling.

Replacing Seeking with Liberalized ▾

Before: Seeking

• Seeking to make a difference in sales and marketing.

⤸

After: Liberalized• Liberalized the company’s marketing strategy which opened new market sectors, driving a 30% increase in gross monthly sales.

What I find beneficial about this change is how it highlights aspirations and results into achievements. Demonstrating your personal impact in clear numerical terms does more to grab a hiring manager’s attention.

Replacing Seeking with Initiated ▾

Before: Seeking

• Seeking to use my communication skills in a human resources position.

⤸

After: Initiated• Initiated a bi-monthly team building session that increased department productivity by 15%.

This change reveals the initiative and the productive result of applying the candidate's communication skills. Any hiring manager would be more eager to know how your communication skills manifested in past roles.

Replacing Seeking with Pioneered ▾

Before: Seeking

• Seeking to utilize my skills in strategic planning.

⤸

After: Pioneered• Pioneered a new onboarding process that reduced employee training time by 25% and increased productivity by 18%.

By stating precisely what was achieved, this bullet point highlights the candidate's value add. The use of 'Pioneered' shows that the candidate isn't afraid to initiate changes that bring tangible benefits.

Replacing Seeking with Revitalized ▾

Before: Seeking

• Seeking a role where I can use my experience in customer relations.

⤸

After: Revitalized• Revitalized a under-performing customer service team, increasing customer satisfaction by 20% in six months.

This revision demonstrates how the candidate's experience in customer relations directly improved the team's performance and thereby customer satisfaction. Showcasing improvements provides real-world evidence of professional effectiveness.

Replacing Seeking with Consolidated ▾

Before: Seeking

• Seeking to contribute my financial management skills to a dynamic organization.

⤸

After: Consolidated• Consolidated costs through effective budget management, resulting in annual savings of $50,000 for the company.

This revision spells out the candidate's financial management skills and precisely how they contributed to the employer. A hiring manager would be far more likely to want to learn more about such a cost-saving strategy.

Replacing Seeking with Maximized ▾

Before: Seeking

• Seeking to apply my expertise in managing operations.

⤸

After: Maximized• Maximized operational efficiency by streamlining processes, reducing downtime by 40%.

The modification put emphasis on the results and achievements made, not just duties performed. Concrete proof of performances related to expertise provided would increase a hiring manager's interest.

Replacing Seeking with Directed ▾

Before: Seeking

• Seeking to leverage my leadership skills in a managerial position.

⤸

After: Directed• Directed a cross-department initiative which increased process efficiency by 25% within the first quarter.

This change refines the bullet by showing a clear leadership role and its direct impact, offering a strong demonstration of the candidate's leadership skills.

Replacing Seeking with Innovated ▾

Before: Seeking

• Seeking a role to utilize my product development skills.

⤸

After: Innovated• Innovated a new product line that generated $200,000 in sales in the first year.

Rather than vaguely mentioning skills, this bullet point demonstrates a direct achievement resulting from the application of those skills: in this case, a highly successful product line.

Replacing Seeking with Envisioned ▾

Before: Seeking

• Seeking to apply my strategic thinking in a dynamic environment.

⤸

After: Envisioned• Envisioned and launched an employee engagement program that led to a 20% reduction in turnover.

This bullet point presents the candidate's strategic thinking as more than just a quality. It shows how this thinking led to a significant positive outcome.

Replacing Seeking with Motivated ▾

Before: Seeking

• Seeking to leverage my motivational skills.

⤸

After: Motivated• Motivated a team of 20 sales reps to exceed quotas by 30% for three consecutive quarters.

The changes made provide a clear demonstration of motivational skills in action. Instead of just touting skills, it's important to show how these skills led to positive changes.

Replacing Seeking with Spearheaded ▾

Before: Seeking

• Seeking a role where I can apply my entrepreneurial skills.

⤸

After: Spearheaded• Spearheaded the development of a startup, surpassing projected profits by 20% in the first year.

Employers enjoy seeing an entrepreneurial mindset. The change made better illustrates the candidate's entrepreneurial skills put to action, underlining past successes that would entice a hiring manager.

Replacing Seeking with Boosted ▾

Before: Seeking

• Seeking to utilize my digital marketing skills.

⤸

After: Boosted• Boosted website traffic by 70% through an optimized SEO campaign, resulting in a 30% increase in conversions.

The change better communicates the candidate's impact, relating the application of skills in digital marketing to quantifiable improvements and reveals the candidate's value proposition to the employer.

Replacing Seeking with Revamped ▾

Before: Seeking

• Seeking a position where I can apply my product management skills.

⤸

After: Revamped• Revamped a stagnating product line, increasing sales by 35% within six months.

In highlighting both a challenge and its resolution, this revision shows the candidate's direct impact. By incorporating a numerical figure, a hiring manager sees value and potential in hiring the applicant.

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 Seeking.

More resume bullet point samples that use strong synonyms

How to use Created on a resume:

• Created a performance reporting template, achieving an 80% reduction in the preparation time of standard client materials.

How to use Led on a resume:

• Led 2 business analysts to automate repetitive process flows using Excel Macros / VBA and reduce analysis time by 10+ hours per week.

How to use Interviewed on a resume:

• Interviewed future end users in London and New York daily to identify and analyse the inefficiencies in the existing manual process of bulk updating customer details.

How to use Reduced on a resume:

• Reduced time to render the video by 75% by implementing prediction algorithm and delayed graphics.

How to use Evaluated on a resume:

• Evaluated acquisition opportunities for a German reinsurer. Performed accretion and dilution analyses, conducted market research to gauge the viability and long term prospects of target's businesses.

How to use Overhauled on a resume:

• Overhauled the obsolete legacy source code of two production applications, resulting in increased usability and reduced run time performance by 50%.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is another word for Seeking on a resume?

Generic language like Seeking are considered to be buzzwords because they're used so often. Consider using synonyms like Detected, Investigated, Scrutinized, Gathered, Explored or Arranged.

What is a better word for Seeking on a resume?

Generic language like Seeking are considered to be buzzwords because they're used so often. Consider using synonyms like Achieved, Examined, Analyzed, Scrutinized, Investigated or Experimented.

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

If you have a version of your resume ready, remember to get it checked using our free resume scanner below. It will make sure all your action verbs are strong enough, and give you feedback on any mistakes you might have overlooked, so you can fix them before a recruiter sees them.

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