The expertise to stay on top of new developments in your field is essential for any job, but you can't expect your potential employer to just take your word for it. Instead, use 'updated' as a verb in your resume to show that you constantly keep up with industry trends and developments.
You can use 'updated' repeatedly in your resume; however, it is better to use synonyms so that the recruiter reading your resume doesn't get bored of seeing the same word over and over again.
When you use synonyms for 'updated' like 'revised,' 'amended,' or 'modernized,' it shows that you're familiar with the concept of updating, and you can identify when something needs to be updated and know how to do so effectively.
Synonyms help you avoid repetition, which can be an issue when trying to get your point across quickly and efficiently. By using other words for 'updated,' you show that you can take the initiative—you didn't wait for someone else to tell you what needed to be changed or modified but instead made those changes yourself. It also tells employers that they can rely on you to take care of business without having to be constantly micromanaged.
I've compiled some synonyms you can use instead of Updated on your resume, followed by real examples I've written for clients (feel free to use them!).
Resume Synonyms for Updated:
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Revitalized
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Enhanced
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Optimized
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Elevated
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Streamlined
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Transfigured
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Refashioned
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Overhauled
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Restructured
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Supplemented
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Reworked
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Recalibrated
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Refined
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Reimagined
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Modernized
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Redesigned
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Remodeled
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Revised
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Revamped
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Amended
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Augmented
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Bettered
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Elaborated
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Enriched
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Reformed
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Rehabilitated
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Renovated
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Repaired
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Ameliorated
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Upgraded
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Reconditioned
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Refurbished
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Transformed
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Converted
How to replace Updated with a stronger action verb:
Let's look at examples of how you can remove and replace the overused phrase, Updated, with a stronger synonym and alternative that is more effective at highlighting your achievements.
Before: Weak example using Updated• Updated reports on a consistent basis to measure financial performance
⤸
After: Using a stronger synonym• Generated 32+ reports using Microsoft Excel to track asset allocation by fund type, risk profile, and personal investment performance against S&P 500 and Russell 3000 indexes. .
Before: Updated• Updated the team's goal-setting process.
⤸After: Revitalized• Revitalized the team's goal-setting process to incorporate SMART goals, resulting in an overall 20% boost in team performance over the year.
The change highlights a clear strategy and corresponding impact, offering more value to potential employers. It demonstrates effectiveness as a team leader.
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.
Before: Updated• Updated the marketing campaign.
⤸After: Enhanced• Enhanced the digital marketing campaign by incorporating A/B testing and optimization strategies, driving a 30% increase in customer engagement rates.
The 'before' was too ambiguous. Having detailed tweaks like the technique applied and outcome observed makes the contribution more tangible. This approach paints a picture of a problem solver.
Before: Updated• Updated operational procedures.
⤸After: Optimized• Optimized operational procedures by integrating agile methodologies, leading to a 15% improvement in project delivery times.
This alteration includes the strategy employed and the clear outcome, showing that you did more than just update; you improved and made things more efficient.
Before: Updated• Updated client relationship management strategies.
⤸After: Elevated• Elevated client relationship management strategies by designing and implementing an interactive feedback system leading to a 50% rise in customer satisfaction scores.
The adjustment not only describes the update but how it was achieved and its impact. The use of numbers adds credibility to the claim.
Before: Updated• Updated processes to meet business goals.
⤸After: Streamlined• Streamlined business processes by automating repetitive tasks leading to a significant 40% reduction in manual effort.
By including the method of streamlining and its clear outcome, this revised bullet point effectively highlights the candidate's ability to improve business operations.
Before: Updated• Updated monthly sales reports.
⤸After: Transfigured• Transfigured monthly sales reports by implementing predictive analysis, leading to the identification of potential high revenue clients 25% faster.
Rather than just updating, specifying the method of change and the results it achieved makes the contribution more significant to a potential employer.
Before: Updated• Updated client communication strategies.
⤸After: Refashioned• Refashioned client communication strategies by introducing CRM automation, increasing customer retention rates by 30%.
The improvement articulates the how and the why. It provides insights on strategy, implementation, and significant outcome, which are key points recruiters look for.
Before: Updated• Updated outdated marketing strategies.
⤸After: Overhauled• Overhauled outdated marketing strategies, which resulted in an increase in social media followership by 60% and engagement rates by 45% within 4 months.
In making this change, I ensured the outcome clearly showed the technique used and its impact. A specific metric gives more credibility to the claim.
Before: Updated• Updated team schedules to manage workloads.
⤸After: Restructured• Restructured team schedules using visual planning tools, reducing overtime by 20% and increasing productivity by 15%.
This revised entry communicates a capacity to improve team efficiency through strategic planning, which is a valued skill in any leadership role.
Before: Updated• Updated HR regulations.
⤸After: Supplemented• Supplemented HR regulations with mental wellness programs, resulting in a 30% decrease in absenteeism and a marked improvement in staff morale.
The update highlighted not just what was supplemented, but also its quantifiable positive impact on the organization. This shows the candidate's innovative ability to bring about change.
Before: Updated• Updated product presentation methods.
⤸After: Reworked• Reworked product presentation methods by incorporating interactive visuals, leading to a 35% increase in sales over the quarter.
The changes depict a more result-oriented candidate. They show the implementation of a new strategy, its reason, and significant impact in a measurable way.
Before: Updated• Updated the budget to accommodate new projects.
⤸After: Recalibrated• Recalibrated the budget to accommodate new projects, enabling the completion of 5 major initiatives without incurring extra expenditure.
Adding what resulted from the recalibration portrays a capable decision-maker who can adapt to new circumstances while staying fiscally responsible.
Before: Updated• Updated training programs for fresh hires.
⤸After: Refined• Refined training programs for new hires by incorporating immersive learning techniques, shortening the onboarding process by four days per new employee.
The 'after' specifies the updates made and their outcome. Such a detailed approach paints a picture of a thoughtful, strategic employee.
Before: Updated• Updated our social media approach.
⤸After: Reimagined• Reimagined our social media approach by leveraging influencer partnerships, resulting in a 40% boost in brand visibility and 30% increase in follower engagement.
Taking a vague sentence and making it result-oriented with specifics about the strategy, helps paint a clearer picture of the contribution. It underscores a strong sense of initiative and innovation.
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 Updated.
More resume bullet point samples that use strong synonyms
How to use Developed on a resume:
• Developed a prototype to identify key influencers on Twitter using clustering techniques over 100,000 data points in Python.
How to use Optimized on a resume:
• Optimized budget allocation of the increased marketing spend of $10MM across 5 cities.
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.
How to use Conducted on a resume:
• Conducted market analysis and competitor benchmarking analysis to evaluate the distribution strategy of luxury fashion brand; summarized findings in comprehensive report to client.
How to use Analyzed on a resume:
• Analyzed global opportunities for the company's different membership tiers; designed and introduced a new membership tier which is projected to generate 300k new users in its first year.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
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