Every company has issues that need to be resolved; thus, having the ability to troubleshoot is useful for various jobs. 'Troubleshoot' is a present tense verb that shows technical expertise. It also indicates that you can take control of a situation and solve problems. You can use this word in your resume to demonstrate that you can quickly assess a problem, identify its root cause, and implement a solution.

However, frequently using the word 'troubleshoot' in your resume is unnecessary and can also be detrimental to your objective of landing an interview. It's a great word to use, but it can get old after a while. In your experience section, it's also applicable to use past tense verbs such as 'troubleshot' unless it's an ongoing role.

The best way to fix it is to use synonyms for the word 'cultivate,' such as 'fine-tuned,' 'debugged,' or 'rectified.'

When used correctly, synonyms give your resume more depth and variety while still maintaining consistency throughout all sections of the document. They also allow you to highlight specific skills and experiences without overloading any section with too much information or focusing on one particular area of expertise too heavily at the expense of others.

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

Resume Synonyms for Troubleshoot:

Fine-tuned
Balanced
Rectified
Repaired
Altered
Modified
Sharpened
Serviced
Debugged
Deciphered
Fine-tuned
Balanced
Corrected
Fixed
Readjusted
Tightened
Calibrated
Mended
Polished
Sharpened
Rectified
Renovated
Repaired
Altered
Modified
Serviced
Interceded
Debugged
Deciphered
Diagnosed

How to replace Troubleshoot with a stronger action verb:

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

Before: Weak example using Troubleshoot

• Troubleshooted systems by running security testing

⤸

After: Using a stronger synonym• Conducted penetration testing to identify and prevent malicious attacks, which helped to decrease system downtime by 72% YoY. .

Replacing Troubleshoot with Fine-tuned ▾

Before: Troubleshoot

• Troubleshoot problems with the sales software

⤸

After: Fine-tuned• Fine-tuned the sales software, reducing user errors by 45% and increasing daily sales by 30%.

This revision puts the focus on the positive impact. By quantifying the success and using the robust synonym 'Fine-tuned', the candidate demonstrates a proactive approach.

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 Troubleshoot with Balanced ▾

Before: Troubleshoot

• Troubleshoot issues with the department's budget

⤸

After: Balanced• Balanced the department's budget which increased cost efficiency and led to annual savings of $50k.

As a hiring manager, the after statement tells me specifically what you achieved. Replacing 'Troubleshoot' with 'Balanced' also suggests a hands-on and thoughtful approach to tasks.

Replacing Troubleshoot with Rectified ▾

Before: Troubleshoot

• Troubleshoot customer complaints

⤸

After: Rectified• Rectified persistent customer complaints, boosting customer satisfaction by 35% over 6 months.

By swapping out 'Troubleshoot ' with 'Rectified', it reiterates the candidate's ability to rectify issues effectively and the impressive result of raising customer satisfaction.

Replacing Troubleshoot with Repaired ▾

Before: Troubleshoot

• Troubleshoot faults in the assembly line

⤸

After: Repaired• Repaired key faults in the assembly line, raising output levels by 20% within two quarters.

The word 'repaired' means you directly dealt with the issue. By adding specific figures, this paints a stronger picture of the candidate's ability.

Replacing Troubleshoot with Altered ▾

Before: Troubleshoot

• Troubleshoot sales process flow

⤸

After: Altered• Altered the sales process flow, which accelerated the sales cycle by 3 days, resulting in a forecasted annual increase of $1.2M in revenue.

By shifting from 'Troubleshoot ' to 'Altered', it shows you took initiative in making a change that had significant positive results. The precise detail underscores the candidate's direct impact.

Replacing Troubleshoot with Modified ▾

Before: Troubleshoot

• Troubleshoot inventory system discrepancies

⤸

After: Modified• Modified the inventory system to correct discrepancies, achieving a 99% accuracy rate across 50,000 SKU items.

In the 'after', I explicitly state how your modifications improved accuracy. The level of detail demonstrates the scale of work you handled.

Replacing Troubleshoot with Sharpened ▾

Before: Troubleshoot

• Troubleshoot ineffective marketing campaigns

⤸

After: Sharpened• Sharpened the direction of marketing campaigns, which resulted in a 12% increase in social media engagement and drove website traffic by 30%.

Instead of just troubleshooting, 'Sharpened' shows intent and effectiveness. The stats used highlight the improvements you made, increasing your appeal to employers.

Replacing Troubleshoot with Serviced ▾

Before: Troubleshoot

• Troubleshoot manufacturer's equipment

⤸

After: Serviced• Serviced the manufacturer's equipment boosting its efficiency by 35% which led to an output increase of 20%.

The replacement of 'Troubleshoot' with 'Serviced' implies a more hands-on contribution. The specifics provided give a clear view of the results, not just the tasks performed.

Replacing Troubleshoot with Debugged ▾

Before: Troubleshoot

• Troubleshoot software programming issues

⤸

After: Debugged• Debugged software programs, which reduced application crashes by 75% within 2 months.

Use of 'Debugged' and specific numbers is a more concrete demonstration of your skills and the positive impact that resulted from your actions.

Replacing Troubleshoot with Deciphered ▾

Before: Troubleshoot

• Troubleshoot issues with software code

⤸

After: Deciphered• Deciphered complex software code issues, improving application response time by 50%.

The edit here provides specifics about what you accomplished. By changing 'Troubleshoot' to 'Deciphered', it indicates a more targeted and beneficial approach.

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 Troubleshoot.

More resume bullet point samples that use strong synonyms

How to use Created on a resume:

• Created a performance reporting template, achieving an 80% reduction in the preparation time of standard client materials.

How to use Led on a resume:

• Led 2 business analysts to automate repetitive process flows using Excel Macros / VBA and reduce analysis time by 10+ hours per week.

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 Reduced on a resume:

• Reduced time to render the video by 75% by implementing prediction algorithm and delayed graphics.

How to use Evaluated on a resume:

• Evaluated acquisition opportunities for a German reinsurer. Performed accretion and dilution analyses, conducted market research to gauge the viability and long term prospects of target's businesses.

How to use Overhauled on a resume:

• Overhauled the obsolete legacy source code of two production applications, resulting in increased usability and reduced run time performance by 50%.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is another word for Troubleshoot on a resume?

Synonyms you can use instead of the overused phrase Troubleshoot include:

Mended
Modified
Tightened
Interceded
Debugged
Renovated

What can I say instead of Troubleshoot on a resume?

Synonyms you can use instead of the overused phrase Troubleshoot include:

Interceded
Tightened
Balanced
Readjusted
Rectified
Polished

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