If you're looking to demonstrate that you were proactive, organized, and efficient in your work, the verb 'selected' is a great way to do it. When you use this word in your resume, it shows that you were able to prioritize tasks correctly and make good decisions about which projects to take on.

The verb is also a great way to show off your ability to choose from various options and select the best one for the situation. However, the term 'selected' doesn't tell the recruiter what you actually did, which is what they want to know.

To rectify this, you can use action verbs like 'adopted' or 'appointed.' For example: 'Adopted new processes for tracking employee data.' This shows that you took charge of a project, adopted new processes, and implemented them.

Using power verbs in your resume makes it easier for the hiring manager to understand what you did at each job without having to read through a long list of responsibilities or duties. They also help the reader imagine themselves doing those things if they were hired for that position, making them more likely to call you in for an interview!

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

Resume Synonyms for Selected:

Opted
Chosen
Picked
Identified
Elected
Named
Classified
Managed
Spearheaded
Recognized
Principled
Finalized
Analyzed
Innovated
Empowered
Endorsed
Coordinated
Planned
Strategized
Directed
Elected
Appointed
Designated
Nominated
Adopted
Embraced
Stipulated
Identified
Classified
Analyzed
Initiated
Managed
Developed
Led
Incorporated
Cultivated
Settled
Determined
Constituted

How to replace Selected with a stronger action verb:

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

Before: Weak example using Selected

• Selected as one of the highest performing sales people

⤸

After: Using a stronger synonym• Introduced mobile payments and mobile shopping; exceeded sales target by 95% in 2020, winning the Business Store Award in 2020..

Replacing Selected with Opted ▾

Before: Selected

• Selected to provide customer service support during peak shopping seasons.

⤸

After: Opted• Opted to provide customer service support during the chaotic Christmas shopping season, successfully solving 98% of customer complaints within 24 hours, leading to a 35% increase in customer satisfaction ratings.

By specifying which peak shopping season the candidate worked in and defining what 'success' means, the candidate’s contribution is quantified. The action verb 'Opted' shows initiative and willingness, demonstrating a proactive mindset.

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 Selected with Chosen ▾

Before: Selected

• Selected as project manager but project details were not specified

⤸

After: Chosen• Chosen to lead a cross-functional team of 15 to deliver a seven-figure IT infrastructure overhaul on time and under budget, improving system efficiency by 20%

I chose 'Chosen' as it provides the image of being handpicked, conveying prestige. I detailed the project's scope to give it meaning and context, demonstrating the candidate's leadership skill in navigating large and complex projects.

Replacing Selected with Picked ▾

Before: Selected

• Selected to support company events

⤸

After: Picked• Picked to spearhead the company's annual charity event which raised over $75,000 dollars - a record increase of 50% from the previous year.

Using 'Picked' suggests a deliberate selection based on suitability or expertise. Including the amount raised and the comparison to the previous year's performance provides concrete evidence of the candidate's contribution.

Replacing Selected with Identified ▾

Before: Selected

• Selected to launch new product

⤸

After: Identified• Identified and launched a groundbreaking mobile app which attracted 500,000 downloads within three months, expanding the company's customer base by 60%.

The synonym 'Identified' indicates a strong sense of business acumen and the ability to recognize opportunities. Providing numerical values in this case gives a clear picture of the candidate’s achievements.

Replacing Selected with Elected ▾

Before: Selected

• Selected as team lead for marketing team

⤸

After: Elected• Elected as Team Lead for the marketing team, driving a 70% rise in social media engagement and securing two significant new corporate partnerships, resulting in a 25% increase in annual revenue.

The term 'Elected' suggests that the candidate obtained the role through a democratic process, implying respect and support from colleagues. The mention of exact numbers and notable achievements emphasizes the candidate's capabilities.

Replacing Selected with Named ▾

Before: Selected

• Selected to head e-commerce department

⤸

After: Named• Named Head of E-commerce, implementing successful strategies that increased online sales by 45%, boosting overall company revenue by $2M within the first year.

Substituting 'Named' for 'Selected' implies that the process was distinctive, while the additional detail provides depth regarding the candidate’s contribution to revenue increase.

Replacing Selected with Classified ▾

Before: Selected

• Selected to sort files in the office

⤸

After: Classified• Classified and digitized over 2,000 office files, improving efficiency and reducing the time spent on document retrieval by 15%.

I chose the synonym 'Classified' to suggest more process, expertise, and intentionality. The given metrics and actual job achievement allow for better understanding of the candidate's efficiency.

Replacing Selected with Managed ▾

Before: Selected

• Selected to handle vendor relationship management

⤸

After: Managed• Managed over 50 vendor relationships which resulted in improved delivery times by 30% and yielded a cost savings of $120,000 annually.

Using the verb 'Managed' underscores the candidate’s leadership skills. Quantifying the results in terms of increased speed and cost savings demonstrates the candidate’s efficiency and potential fiscal contribution.

Replacing Selected with Spearheaded ▾

Before: Selected

• Selected to lead company’s digital marketing initiatives

⤸

After: Spearheaded• Spearheaded the company’s digital marketing initiatives, increasing web traffic by 35% and conversions by 20% within the first quarter.

'Spearheaded' portrays the candidate as someone who steers initiatives rather than just carrying out tasks. Specific percentage increases indicate the candidate's role in tangible success.

Replacing Selected with Recognized ▾

Before: Selected

• Selected as Employee of the Month

⤸

After: Recognized• Recognized as Employee of the Month three times in a row for streamlining operation costs by 15% and significantly improving the bottom line.

Using 'Recognized' highlights the candidate’s commendation. Including the exact achievement provides insight into what made the candidate stand out.

Replacing Selected with Principled ▾

Before: Selected

• Selected to enforce company values and policies

⤸

After: Principled• Principled the enforcement of company values and policies, leading to a 25% decline in violations and improved work culture.

'Principled' showcases the candidate’s integrity and leadership. The metric further underscores the candidate’s positive impact on the company culture.

Replacing Selected with Finalized ▾

Before: Selected

• Selected to close deals

⤸

After: Finalized• Finalized negotiations on high-value sales contracts, resulting in a 30% increase in quarterly sales and strengthening the company's market position.

I used 'Finalized' to display the candidate's decision-making and negotiation skills, allowing the potential employer to appreciate the candidate’s contribution to expanding the company’s market share.

Replacing Selected with Analyzed ▾

Before: Selected

• Selected to assess market trends

⤸

After: Analyzed• Analyzed market trends and competitor strategies, driving a new product launch that secured a 45% market share within six months.

The verb 'Analyzed' gives the bullet point a powerful start and positions the candidate as a strategic thinker. The drastic increase in market share showcases the candidate’s proficiency.

Replacing Selected with Innovated ▾

Before: Selected

• Selected to spearhead technology upgrades

⤸

After: Innovated• Innovated the adoption of new technology upgrades and automation processes that increased productivity by 40% and saved the company over $90K annually.

The active verb 'Innovated' shows that the candidate was instrumental in the implementation of new technology and processes, underlining the candidate's adaptability and forward-thinking nature.

Replacing Selected with Empowered ▾

Before: Selected

• Selected to assist in developing a wellness program

⤸

After: Empowered• Empowered the creation and implementation of a comprehensive wellness program which reduced employee absenteeism by 20%.

The verb 'Empowered' indicates the candidate's capability to facilitate improvement. Including the impact on absenteeism provides a direct measurement of accomplishment.

Replacing Selected with Endorsed ▾

Before: Selected

• Selected to promote products on social media

⤸

After: Endorsed• Endorsed product lines on social media platforms, elevating brand visibility by 45% and attracting an additional 10,000+ followers on Instagram within three months.

The term 'Endorsed' suggests successfully recommending products to potential customers. It pairs well with the quantified results, showing the candidate can deliver enhanced brand recognition and foster customer engagement.

Replacing Selected with Coordinated ▾

Before: Selected

• Selected to manage company event planning

⤸

After: Coordinated• Coordinated a series of successful regional sales events which led to a found opportunity pipeline of $2M and boosted company sales by 18% in the following quarter.

The verb 'Coordinated' lends an element of authority and control to the role. Adding details of the sales events and their direct impact on sales provides a clear correlation between the candidate's actions and the company's successes.

Replacing Selected with Planned ▾

Before: Selected

• Selected to lay out the project schedule

⤸

After: Planned• Planned and executed project schedules, streamlining the completion rate by 20% and increasing overall productivity.

The word 'Planned' offers a more proactive connotation than ‘Selected’. It depicts the candidate as a strategic thinker while including the increase in productivity gives concrete results of the candidate’s work.

Replacing Selected with Strategized ▾

Before: Selected

• Selected to help with growth strategies

⤸

After: Strategized• Strategized and implemented growth strategies, generating a 25% increase in market share within the first year.

Using the action verb 'Strategized' shows the candidate’s ability to not just participate in, but actively shape, strategic direction, which is backed up with concrete, successful results.

Replacing Selected with Directed ▾

Before: Selected

• Selected to oversee team performance

⤸

After: Directed• Directed a team of eight in achieving 115% of our sales target for three consecutive quarters.

The strong action verb 'Directed' gives the impression of leadership and authority. The inclusion of a specific target achieved offers clear evidence of success in a leadership role.

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 Selected.

More resume bullet point samples that use strong synonyms

How to use Promoted on a resume:

• Promoted to Associate Consultant in 2 years (1 year in advance); the only member in a cohort of 45 Analysts to be fast-tracked.

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 Founded on a resume:

• Founded ReferRoom to organize social events for 500 young professionals, and grew it to $20k/year revenue and $8k/year profit..

How to use Managed on a resume:

• Managed a cross-functional team of 10 in 3 locations (London, Mumbai and New York), ranging from entry-level to Ph.D. analysts, and closely collaborated with business development, data analysis, operations and marketing teams.

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 Generated on a resume:

• Generated 12,000 unique users, 30,000 page views, and 2000+ newsletter signups in 3 weeks by successfully leveraging social media advertising (Facebook and Instagram).

Frequently Asked Questions

What is another word for Selected on a resume?

Generic language like Selected are considered to be buzzwords because they're used so often. Consider using synonyms like Appointed, Settled, Adopted, Nominated, Incorporated or Constituted.

What are other words for Selected on a resume?

Generic language like Selected are considered to be buzzwords because they're used so often. Consider using synonyms like Managed, Incorporated, Developed, Determined, Settled or Initiated.

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