In your professional experience, you may have served as a leader or manager. If that's the case, using 'serve' in your resume could be a great idea. Recruiters are often on the lookout for this verb because it shows a willingness to put others' needs before one's own.

Nonetheless, you should avoid using 'serve' repeatedly because it sounds like you're trying to emphasize how many times you've served in the past. A better alternative is to use synonyms for the verb to convey that same message without sounding repetitive. Also, you should use the past tense of the verb ('served') to make it clear that you're talking about achievements from your past.

You can fix this by using synonyms for 'serve'—other words like 'implemented,' 'counseled,' or even 'commanded.' These action verbs will get across what you mean without sounding repetitive or boring. For example, instead of saying, 'I served as a manager,' you could say: 'I commanded the operations.'

Synonyms not only help reinforce your skills and accomplishments but also help avoid redundancy in your writing. Redundancy is one of the things that makes a resume feel stiff and unengaging to read—so it's always worth avoiding.

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

Resume Synonyms for Serve:

Directed
Created
Optimized
Innovated
Negotiated
Transformed
Revitalized
Streamlined
Enhanced
Revamped
Liaised
Shaped
Trained
Taught
Recruited
Motivated
Mentored
Inspired
Fostered
Chaired
Captained
Commanded
Counseled
Commissioned
Superintended
Dictated
Ordered
Imposed
Orchestrated
Executed
Implemented

How to replace Serve with a stronger action verb:

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

Before: Weak example using Serve

• Serve as key contact in charge of creative morale-boosting programs

⤸

After: Using a stronger synonym• Developed creative and cost-effective incentive and morale-boosting programs (such as tiered awards structure), increased employee retention rate by over 90%. .

Replacing Serve with Directed ▾

Before: Serve

• Serve as the team leader for marketing campaigns

⤸

After: Directed• Directed groundbreaking marketing strategy that resulted in a 30% increase in customer engagement within the first quarter

Replacing 'Serve' with 'Directed' makes it clear the individual took charge and had a leading role. Integrating specific, impressive accomplishments like a '30% increase in customer engagement' provides a solid indication of tangible value delivered.

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 Serve with Created ▾

Before: Serve

• Serve as a software product designer

⤸

After: Created• Created innovative software product designs that boosted sales by 20% in six months

Replacing the term 'Serve' with 'Created' shows an active role. Including metrics such as 'boosted sales by 20%' provides definitive evidence of your individual impact on the company's bottom line.

Replacing Serve with Optimized ▾

Before: Serve

• Serve in a managerial capacity to improve current processes

⤸

After: Optimized• Optimized current processes, reducing team hours by 15% while maintaining high-quality results

Replacing 'Serve' with 'Optimized' emphasizes an active contribution. It outlines the valuable achievement of reducing time and enhancing productivity, showing personal efficacy in managerial roles.

Replacing Serve with Innovated ▾

Before: Serve

• Serve as a part of the creative team responsible for product design

⤸

After: Innovated• Innovated award-winning product designs, boosting consumer interest and driving a 25% increase in sales

Replacing 'Serve' with 'Innovated' clearly depicts a creative role. The mention of awards and the tangible impact on sales further demonstrates valuable, tangible contributions.

Replacing Serve with Negotiated ▾

Before: Serve

• Serve as the representative for all client communications

⤸

After: Negotiated• Negotiated successful contracts with over 10 high-profile clients, generating an additional $1M in revenue

Upgrading 'Serve' to 'Negotiated' expresses a more assertive role. The specific detail of generating '$1M in revenue' gives a clear and measurable account of the individual's achievements.

Replacing Serve with Transformed ▾

Before: Serve

• Serve as an agent of change in corporate culture

⤸

After: Transformed• Transformed the corporate culture, resulting in increased employee satisfaction by 30% and decreased employee turnover by 20%

Using 'Transformed' instead of 'Serve' emphasizes personal initiative, and the statistics underline significant improvements in employee satisfaction and reduced turnover.

Replacing Serve with Revitalized ▾

Before: Serve

• Serve as the creative head for rebranding projects

⤸

After: Revitalized• Revitalized the company's branding, leading to an expansion in the customer base by 40%

Upgrading 'Serve' to 'Revitalized' shows a more proactive role. The increase in the 'customer base by 40%' emphasizes an effective impact on the business growth.

Replacing Serve with Streamlined ▾

Before: Serve

• Serve on a team in charge of process efficiency

⤸

After: Streamlined• Streamlined team processes that cut down project turnaround times by 25%.

By changing 'Serve' to 'Streamlined', we've shown that the candidate took an active role in improving team efficiency and specifies a significant reduction in project turnaround times.

Replacing Serve with Enhanced ▾

Before: Serve

• Serve as a graphic designer on the creative team

⤸

After: Enhanced• Enhanced the brand's visual identity, which boosted web traffic by 35%

Switching from 'Serve' to 'Enhanced' indicates an active role in improving the brand's identity. The inclusion of a solid, measurable outcome demonstrates the impact of the applicant's work.

Replacing Serve with Revamped ▾

Before: Serve

• Serve as the website designer

⤸

After: Revamped• Revamped the company website, improving user experience and increasing daily site visits by 50%

Replacing 'Serve' with 'Revamped' signifies an active contribution, while the quantifiable improvement indicates the value of this contribution.

Replacing Serve with Liaised ▾

Before: Serve

• Serve as a contact between the company and external stakeholders

⤸

After: Liaised• Liaised with key clients and stakeholders, thereby securing three lucrative contracts worth over $5M annually

The active verb 'Liaised' shows the direct action taken. By mentioning the value of the contracts secured, the revised sentence demonstrates the candidate’s direct impact on the company’s revenue.

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 Serve.

More resume bullet point samples that use strong synonyms

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 Developed on a resume:

• Developed pricing strategy for a digital subscription service by segmenting potential users by behavioral and psychographic attributes from survey data.

How to use Wrote on a resume:

• Wrote Python and JavaScript libraries to display real-time pricing via SkyScanner's flights pricing API, resulting in higher customer satisfaction.

How to use Conducted on a resume:

• Conducted sector research in TMT space through expert interviews, market reports, and engagement with external advisors; created sector map of big data analytics space; prepared recommendations on attractiveness and feasibility on 6+ prospects.

How to use Prepared on a resume:

• Prepared a 100 page pitch book summarizing findings and presented analysis to managing directors.

How to use Launched on a resume:

• Launched Miami office with lead Director and recruited and managed new team of 10 employees. Grew office revenue by 200% in first nine months (representing 20% of company revenue).

Frequently Asked Questions

What is another word for Serve on a resume?

Instead of passive phrases like Serve, use other words like Captained, Taught, Motivated, Implemented, Counseled or Executed. Using these verbs will help your accomplishments and bullet points stand out on your resume.

What are other words for Serve on a resume?

You should vary up your language on your resume, instead of using Serve over and over again. Good synonyms to use instead include:

Commanded
Counseled
Fostered
Implemented
Chaired
Mentored

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

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Q: What is another word for Serve on a resume?

Instead of passive phrases like Serve , use other words like Captained, Taught, Motivated, Implemented, Counseled or Executed. Using these verbs will help your accomplishments and bullet points stand out on your resume.

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