Spearheading a project is an action that shows leadership, drive, and ambition. It means you're the one who takes charge of a situation and makes it happen—even if that means taking on extra responsibility or doing things differently from how they've always been done.

If you're looking for a way to show that you're a leader, 'spearhead' is one of the best ways to do it. It's a great accomplishment, but it's not the only one you have to offer. If you use 'spearhead' multiple times in your resume, you're likely to come across as unoriginal and unable to think of anything original to say about yourself. Also, when describing past accomplishments, use the past tense of the verb ('spearheaded').

To avoid this problem, try using synonyms like conducted or navigated instead. You can also try replacing 'spearhead' with other achievements more specific to your field—for example, you might want to replace 'spearheaded' with 'presided' or 'enforced.'

Being consistent and professional is essential, but using synonyms can help you sound more dynamic and skilled. Even if you're describing a similar idea or task, try to find new ways to describe it so that your words don't sound repetitive.

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

Resume Synonyms for Spearhead:

Architected
Devised
Perfected
Energized
Refocused
Revamped
Engineered
Boosted
Ignited
Motivated
Piloted
Revitalized
Streamlined
Mobilized
Maximized
Accelerated
Assumed
Chaired
Conducted
Elected
Founded
Originated
Pioneered
Transformed
Drove
Enforced
Instructed
Mentored
Moderated
Overhauled
Presided
Sculpted
Nurtured
Coached
Navigated

How to replace Spearhead with a stronger action verb:

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

Before: Weak example using Spearhead

• Spearhead the launch of a new message notification system to increase efficiency

⤸

After: Using a stronger synonym• Initiated a new WhatsApp-message prescription notification system, slashed the waiting time, and improved patient satisfaction by 80%. .

Replacing Spearhead with Architected ▾

Before: Spearhead

• Spearheaded the design of a new web interface

⤸

After: Architected• Architected a user-friendly web interface that increased page views by 60% in under two months.

As a hiring manager, shifting from the overused 'spearheaded' to 'architected' provides a clearer understanding of the candidate's role. Also, incorporating quantitative impact lifts the credibility and offers insightful information about the candidate’s accomplishment.

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 Spearhead with Devised ▾

Before: Spearhead

• Spearhead creating new training packages

⤸

After: Devised• Devised comprehensive training packages that improved employee productivity by 35%.

Substituting 'Spearhead creating' with 'Devised', gives the statement more clarity. By stating the actual impact on productivity, it shows the measurable impact of your work, making you a more appealing candidate.

Replacing Spearhead with Perfected ▾

Before: Spearhead

• Spearhead the refinement of the risk management process

⤸

After: Perfected• Perfected the risk management process, decreasing incident cases by 40%

Switching from 'spearheader' to 'perfected' emphasizes the improvement made to an existing process. Including a metric makes it easier for recruiters to understand the magnitude of your achievement.

Replacing Spearhead with Energized ▾

Before: Spearhead

• Spearheaded a team project

⤸

After: Energized• Energized a cross-functional team project, finishing 3 weeks ahead of schedule.

Using 'Energized' instead of 'Spearheaded' denotes enthusiasm and can indicate strong leadership. Stating the early project completion time provides a measurable impact of your ability.

Replacing Spearhead with Refocused ▾

Before: Spearhead

• Spearheaded a productivity shift

⤸

After: Refocused• Refocused the team’s priorities, reducing project delivery time by 30%.

Replacing 'spearhead' with 'refocused' more accurately describes the action accomplishing the productivity shift. Adding the reduced delivery time allows hiring managers to appreciate the tangible benefit of this refocusing.

Replacing Spearhead with Revamped ▾

Before: Spearhead

• Spearheaded a website overhaul

⤸

After: Revamped• Revamped the company website, improving load times by 50% and increasing traffic by 30%.

To improve this bullet point, I kept the synonym 'Revamped' and added clear, measurable metrics to show the positive effect of the applicant's work.

Replacing Spearhead with Engineered ▾

Before: Spearhead

• Spearheaded new tech development

⤸

After: Engineered• Engineered a cloud-based software solution, shortening service delivery time by two days.

By swapping 'spearheaded' for 'engineered', the job-seeker’s role becomes vivid. The inclusion of a specific metric illuminates the degree of achievement.

Replacing Spearhead with Boosted ▾

Before: Spearhead

• Spearheaded an improvement in sales performance

⤸

After: Boosted• Boosted regional sales performance by implementing a dynamic pricing strategy, leading to a revenue increase of $1M+ annually.

Replacing 'Spearheaded' with 'Boosted' and adding a tangible achievement provides a clearer view of the candidate’s contribution and its direct impact on the company's bottom line.

Replacing Spearhead with Ignited ▾

Before: Spearhead

• Spearheaded team productivity

⤸

After: Ignited• Ignited team productivity by introducing agile methodologies, resulting in a 25% efficiency improvement.

Using 'Ignited' instead of 'Spearheaded' suggests a forceful, positive change. Also, specifying that you introduced agile methodologies and provided the results in measurable terms, shows recruiters the value you bring.

Replacing Spearhead with Motivated ▾

Before: Spearhead

• Spearheaded an increase in team enthusiasm

⤸

After: Motivated• Motivated team members to reach company goals, resulting in a 15% reduction in turnover.

The change from 'Spearheaded' to 'Motivated' reflects a more accurate depiction of leadership capabilities. The addition of a quantifiable result helps portray the effect of the candidate's leadership efforts.

Replacing Spearhead with Piloted ▾

Before: Spearhead

• Spearheaded an international expansion

⤸

After: Piloted• Piloted the company's international expansion, adding five new markets in one year.

Switching from a generic 'spearheaded' to a precise 'piloted' brings clarity. By noting a specific number of added markets, this bolsters the candidate's record of significant achievements.

Replacing Spearhead with Revitalized ▾

Before: Spearhead

• Spearheaded the development of outdated programs

⤸

After: Revitalized• Revitalized outdated programs which resulted in a 30% increase in customer engagement.

By replacing 'Spearheaded' with 'Revitalized', it emphasizes action and progress. The resulting metric provides clear, quantifiable evidence of the candidate's value.

Replacing Spearhead with Streamlined ▾

Before: Spearhead

• Spearheaded the process workflow

⤸

After: Streamlined• Streamlined the process workflow, improving operational efficiency by 40%.

The verb 'Streamlined' illustrates the candidate's specific role in improving procedures. A defined metric achieves a greater impact, proving the worth of the candidate's action.

Replacing Spearhead with Mobilized ▾

Before: Spearhead

• Spearheaded the company’s new social media campaign

⤸

After: Mobilized• Mobilized a successful social media campaign, gaining 10K new followers in two months.

I replaced 'Spearheaded' with 'Mobilized' to depict the candidate’s initiative. Mentioning the number of new followers emphasizes the effectiveness of their strategy.

Replacing Spearhead with Maximized ▾

Before: Spearhead

• Spearheaded project profitability

⤸

After: Maximized• Maximized project profitability, achieving a 20% increase in returns over one quarter.

Substituting 'Spearheaded' with 'Maximized' better describes the tangible improvements. Adding a metric gives a direct representation of the outcome and value the candidate brings.

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 Spearhead.

More resume bullet point samples that use strong synonyms

How to use Led on a resume:

• Led the transition to a paperless practice by implementing an electronic booking system and a faster, safer and more accurate business system. Reduced costs of labor by 30% and office overhead by 10%..

How to use Promoted on a resume:

• Promoted within 12 months due to strong performance and organizational impact - ahead of schedule by 12 months.

How to use Conducted on a resume:

• Conducted the due diligence of three retailers for a private equity investor with potential EBITDA impact of $200MM+ by 2020; developed customer acquisition strategy across channels.

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 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 Spearheaded on a resume:

• Spearheaded redevelopment of internal tracking system in use by 125 employees, resulting in 20+ new features, reduction of 20% in save/load time and 15% operation time.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is another word for Spearhead on a resume?

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

Overhauled
Mentored
Drove
Chaired
Coached
Assumed

What can I say instead of Spearhead on a resume?

Words like Spearhead are overused on resumes. Instead, you should use other phrases like Chaired, Conducted, Moderated, Pioneered, Accelerated or Originated.

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