A great indicator that you are a team player is when you provide 'Support.' This is important because team members need to be able to rely on each other, and they must be able to trust their colleagues' abilities. Showing that you understand the importance of supporting others is valuable for many companies.

The word support indicates that you have experience pitching in when needed. Still, it is unclear how this experience translates into the skills required for the position you're applying for. This makes it difficult for recruiters to understand your role in a given situation and how it impacted whatever outcome they're looking at.

To address this issue, you can use other words for support in the past tense (if a job listed on your resume is not an ongoing role), emphasizing what you achieved or how successful you were. For example: 'Championed', 'Boosted' or 'Reinforced'.

These power verbs will give recruiters an idea of what kind of work you did on each project and how it impacted the final result, so they can see how you'll be able to contribute to their organization.

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

Resume Synonyms for Support:

Spearheaded
Initiated
Facilitated
Enhanced
Directed
Streamlined
Negotiated
Formalized
Revitalized
Transformed
Led
Cut
Orchestrated
Maximized
Amplified
Influenced
Cultivated
Boosted
Refined
Pioneered
Delivered
Elevated
Grew
Strengthened
Outperformed
Adopted
Advised
Accommodated
Advanced
Advocated
Bolstered
Boosted
Championed
Coached
Consulted
Educated
Encouraged
Endorsed
Fielded
Furthered
Promoted
Reinforced
Recommended
Resolved
Suggested

How to replace Support with a stronger action verb:

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

Before: Weak example using Support

• Supported testing teams by creating frameworks and reducing testing timelines

⤸

After: Using a stronger synonym• Implemented automation and reporting frameworks for product testing, leading to adoption by testing teams and reducing internal testing timelines by 30%.

Replacing Support with Spearheaded ▾

Before: Support

• Supported the development of the company's strategic plan

⤸

After: Spearheaded• Spearheaded the creation of the company's strategic plan, leading to a 35% growth in market share within a year

To improve this bullet point, I decided to use a stronger action verb, 'Spearheaded', which indicates a leadership role. I also included specific metrics to quantify the candidate's accomplishment and its impact on the business.

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 Support with Initiated ▾

Before: Support

• Supported marketing campaigns by providing insights

⤸

After: Initiated• Initiated analytics-driven strategy which maximized marketing campaign effectiveness, leading to a 15% increase in conversion rates

I replaced the vague term 'supported' with 'Initiated', denoting a proactive approach. Quantifiable metrics were added to emphasize the success of the candidate's efforts in enhancing the marketing campaigns.

Replacing Support with Facilitated ▾

Before: Support

• Supported training sessions for new hires

⤸

After: Facilitated• Facilitated comprehensive training sessions for over 100 new hires, accelerating their onboarding process by 25%

The verb 'Facilitated' shows more ownership than 'Supported'. By incorporating metrics, the bullet point now states the outcome of the training sessions the candidate ran, making their impact obvious.

Replacing Support with Enhanced ▾

Before: Support

• Supported website design team

⤸

After: Enhanced• Enhanced user experience on company's website, decreasing bounce rates by 20% and increasing daily visitor count by 40%

By using 'Enhanced', we turn a supportive role into a direct action leading to tangible results. The changes made give a clear view of the candidate's contributions and outcomes.

Replacing Support with Directed ▾

Before: Support

• Supported product launch activities

⤸

After: Directed• Directed a successful product launch, exceeding sales target by 30% and capturing significant market share within its first quarter

'Directed' indicates a more commanding role taken by a candidate. Furthermore, adding metrics showcasing the product launch's success heightens the candidate's importance.

Replacing Support with Streamlined ▾

Before: Support

• Supported company's operational procedures

⤸

After: Streamlined• Streamlined company's operational procedures, reducing costs by 15% and saving 10 hours weekly for staff

The phrase 'Streamlined' conveys an active role with clear deliverables. It's far more concrete and significant than 'Supported'. The added metrics show cost and time savings, which any employer would value.

Replacing Support with Negotiated ▾

Before: Support

• Supported contract negotiations with suppliers

⤸

After: Negotiated• Negotiated new contracts with suppliers, lowering raw material costs by 20%, thereby increasing profit margins

Instead of being a supporter in negotiations, 'Negotiated' paints the picture of a proactive candidate. Adding specific and measurable achievements strengthens it by providing evocative evidence of the candidate's success.

Replacing Support with Formalized ▾

Before: Support

• Supported the draft of new company policies

⤸

After: Formalized• Formalized new company policies, improving regulatory compliance by 90% and decreasing instances of workplace discrepancies

As a recruiter, I like the verb 'Formalized' as it instigates a sense of authority and responsibility. By stating the results of formalizing new policies, the candidate is shown as effectual.

Replacing Support with Revitalized ▾

Before: Support

• Supported customer retention efforts

⤸

After: Revitalized• Revitalized customer retention strategies, contributing to an increment in customer loyalty by 15%

The powerful term 'Revitalized' turns a candidate from a bystander to an active participant. The after sentence displays the positive results of their work, making them a more compelling hire.

Replacing Support with Transformed ▾

Before: Support

• Supported company’s internal communication activities

⤸

After: Transformed• Transformed company's internal communication activities, reducing misunderstandings among departments by 80% and increasing team productivity by 30%

I replaced passive language with 'Transformed' to show the candidate's active role. Including quantifiable results makes the candidate’s achievements more tangible.

Replacing Support with Led ▾

Before: Support

• Supported cross-functional team collaborations

⤸

After: Led• Led cross-functional collaborations that delivered five successful projects, each completed 10% more efficiently compared to the prior year

'Led' indicates decisiveness and significant contribution to the success of the project. Detailed, specific results reinforce the candidate's effectiveness.

Replacing Support with Cut ▾

Before: Support

• Supported cost-saving initiatives

⤸

After: Cut• Cut operational costs by 35% through a complete redefinition of procurement strategies

The word 'Cut' offers a more direct, active role in the outcome. The addition of an exact number emphasizes the significance of their accomplishments.

Replacing Support with Orchestrated ▾

Before: Support

• Supported business development efforts

⤸

After: Orchestrated• Orchestrated an ambitious business development plan, increasing revenue by $12M in three years

'Orchestrated' is a powerful action verb that shows leadership and initiative. Referencing the exact revenue increase adds weight to the achievement.

Replacing Support with Maximized ▾

Before: Support

• Supported efficiency improvements in production

⤸

After: Maximized• Maximized production efficiency by implementing lean manufacturing principles, reducing waste by 60%

I chose 'Maximized' to denote a proactive role in process improvement. I also highlighted the extent of improvements to emphasize the impact of the change.

Replacing Support with Amplified ▾

Before: Support

• Supported company's brand visibility on social media

⤸

After: Amplified• Amplified company's brand visibility on social media, which resulted in a 50% increase in followers within six months

'Amplified' implies a more determined and influential role in boosting the company’s brand visibility. I included a measurable result to show the effectiveness of the candidate's actions.

Replacing Support with Influenced ▾

Before: Support

• Supported the sales team in converting leads

⤸

After: Influenced• Influenced lead conversion rates with the sales team, generating a 30% growth in revenue over one fiscal year

The verb 'Influenced' helps show the candidate as a significant part of the team. By adding specific results, I was able to highlight the effects of their influence.

Replacing Support with Cultivated ▾

Before: Support

• Supported partnerships with local businesses

⤸

After: Cultivated• Cultivated partnerships with over 10 key local businesses, increasing joint ventures by 25% and boosting company revenue

'Cultivated' strengthens the sentence by showing the candidate's active role. Specific numbers quantify the results of the candidate’s efforts.

Replacing Support with Boosted ▾

Before: Support

• Supported customer service team to improve customer satisfaction

⤸

After: Boosted• Boosted customer satisfaction by 30% through retraining the customer service team and improving service protocols

I've changed 'supported' to 'Boosted' showing the candidate's positive impact. Including metrics and the method used gives a clear picture of the candidate's accomplishments.

Replacing Support with Refined ▾

Before: Support

• Supported the improvement of data management system

⤸

After: Refined• Refined the data management system, increasing retrieval speeds by 40% and reducing errors by 25%

By replacing 'supported' with 'Refined', I've depicted the candidate as an active participant in the project with a tangible impact, which is further underlined with specific improvements.

Replacing Support with Pioneered ▾

Before: Support

• Supported new software development

⤸

After: Pioneered• Pioneered the development of a proprietary software, reducing process time by 50%, and increasing productivity

'Pioneered' actively conveys the candidate's crucial role in the task. Including metrics, I've proven their value as a dynamic and result-oriented individual.

Replacing Support with Delivered ▾

Before: Support

• Supported the roll-out of new digital marketing strategy

⤸

After: Delivered• Delivered a new digital marketing strategy that accelerated website traffic growth by 45% and increased lead generation by 30%

I replaced 'Supported' with 'Delivered' to highlight the candidate took charge and made things happen. I added measurement to bring weight to the candidate's accomplishments.

Replacing Support with Elevated ▾

Before: Support

• Supported in enhancing the company's product portfolio

⤸

After: Elevated• Elevated the company's product portfolio by launching three superior products, leading to a 20% increase in market share

By replacing 'Supported' with 'Elevated', the candidate comes across as more influential. Quantifying the impact shows the broad effect on the business.

Replacing Support with Grew ▾

Before: Support

• Supported the team in expanding the client base

⤸

After: Grew• Grew the client base by 50% in one year by establishing and nurturing key partnerships

'Grew' shows active contribution and execution. By showcasing the extension of the client base as a direct result of the candidate’s efforts, it enhances their impact.

Replacing Support with Strengthened ▾

Before: Support

• Supported client relationship management

⤸

After: Strengthened• Strengthened client relationships, retaining 98% of client base and expanding business with 40% of existing clients

The term 'Strengthened' is more assertive than 'Supported' and implies active involvement. By incorporating metrics, the success of the candidate's work is boldly highlighted.

Replacing Support with Outperformed ▾

Before: Support

• Supported sales targets through individual performance

⤸

After: Outperformed• Outperformed sales targets consistently, achieving over 120% of the set targets for four consecutive quarters

To improve this bullet point, I replaced 'Supported' with 'Outperformed' to show the candidate as a high-achiever. Specific metrics were included to exemplify their exceptional performance.

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 Support.

More resume bullet point samples that use strong synonyms

How to use Designed on a resume:

• Designed and implemented 50+ E2E tests using Selenium & Protractor, simulating each user group's actions.

How to use Developed on a resume:

• Developed go-to-market strategy for ~$100 million B2B market segment; led cross-functional team of 15+ internal stakeholders to prepare new product offering.

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 Analyzed on a resume:

• Analyzed data from 25000 monthly active users and used outputs to guide marketing and product strategies; increased average app engagement time by 2x, decrease drop off rate by 30%, and increased shares on social media by 3x over 6 months.

How to use Doubled on a resume:

• Doubled new user acquisition from 10-15 users to 20-25 through the implementation of new marketing strategies focused on online advertising and improving the company's web presence, social media, and search engine optimization..

How to use Prepared on a resume:

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is another word for Support on a resume?

If you're looking for another word to use in place of Support, consider using one of these stronger alternatives:

Promoted
Advanced
Suggested
Championed
Furthered
Educated

What is a better word for Support on a resume?

If you're looking for another word to use in place of Support, consider using one of these stronger alternatives:

Championed
Fielded
Advised
Reinforced
Bolstered
Boosted

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

As a next step, I'd recommend going through each of your resume's verbs and improving each one with stronger action verbs. The most effective way to do that is by uploading your resume to tool below. It'll tell you which parts of your resume need work, so you can improve them before a recruiter rejects you for them.

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