Resume Synonyms for Served
Want another word for Served to use on your resume? Our team's compiled the most effective action verbs and synonyms you can use instead of the overused resume phrase, "Served".
In the workplace, it's essential to be able to perform your duties or services—and a good resume shows that you have experience doing just that. By using the word 'served,' you're indicating that you have a track record of successfully fulfilling the role of whatever position you're applying for.
The action verb shows that you can take on a job and carry it out with excellence and that you can handle responsibility. But, using 'served' in your resume is not a good practice. It implies that you were doing something for someone else instead of actively participating in your professional development.
By using synonyms like 'enacted,' 'administered,' or 'steered,' you can avoid this implication and make your resume more powerful and engaging. These words are all positive ways of describing how you served or contributed to the team or organization without being overly wordy or repetitive.
Synonyms allow you to focus on other aspects of your experience and can help keep your resume fresh and interesting while still conveying important information about what you've done at previous jobs and how it relates to the position you're applying for now.
I've compiled some synonyms you can use instead of Served on your resume, followed by real examples I've written for clients (feel free to use them!).
Resume Synonyms for Served:
- Initiated
- Revitalized
- Redesigned
- Implemented
- Transformed
- Standardized
- Ministered
- Ran
- Administered
- Controlled
- Directed
- Guided
- Managed
- Supervised
- Bettered
- Improved
- Conserved
- Maintained
- Presided
- Advised
- Enacted
- Regulated
- Conducted
- Steered
- Led
- Governed
How to replace Served with a stronger action verb:
Let's look at examples of how you can remove and replace the overused phrase, Served, with a stronger synonym and alternative that is more effective at highlighting your achievements.
Before: Weak example using Served
• as a point of contact for issue resolution and consumer advocacy
⤸
After: Using a stronger synonym• efforts to improve issue resolution and consumer advocacy, resulting in a 60% reduction in issues and complaints..
Replacing Served with Initiated ▾
Before: Served
• as team lead on several key projects
⤸
After: Initiated• and led multiple key projects, consistently completing them under budget and ahead of schedule by an average of 25%
As a hiring manager, I prefer action verbs that show leadership and proactivity. 'Initiated' gives a stronger sense of your precise role and success in these projects. Including quantifiable results further demonstrates clear value and achievement.
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 Served with Revitalized ▾
Replacing Served with Redesigned ▾
Replacing Served with Implemented ▾
Replacing Served with Transformed ▾
Replacing Served with Standardized ▾
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 Served.
More resume bullet point samples that use strong synonyms
How to use Led on a resume:
• interview campaign with existing customers (300+ person survey, 40+ face-to-face discussions) to formulate requirements of a new product to help couples manage their expenses; outputs directly impacted product roadmap.
How to use Enabled on a resume:
• integration with existing systems by creating tool that extracts metadata from images and provides metadata to a system-wide search database..
How to use Built on a resume:
• complete investment pitch books for 4 deals at advanced stages and liaised with 12 prospective international co-investors.
How to use Developed on a resume:
• web scraping program in Python to help the firm download public data, including over 10,000 company descriptions and stock quotes, enriching internal data and increasing research efficiency by over 50%.
How to use Prepared on a resume:
• a 100 page pitch book summarizing findings and presented analysis to managing directors.
How to use Selected on a resume:
• as a case interviewer for analyst candidates (usually reserved for Senior Consultant+ level).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is another word for Served on a resume?
Words like Served are overused on resumes. Instead, you should use other phrases like Managed, Steered, Advised, Bettered, Governed or Controlled.
What is a better way of saying Served on a resume?
Words like Served are overused on resumes. Instead, you should use other phrases like Steered, Governed, Ministered, Administered, Conserved or Bettered.
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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