Resume Synonyms for Using

Want another word for Using 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, "Using".

Kimberley Tyler Smith Author Photo
Compiled by: Kimberley Tyler-Smith
Senior Hiring Manager
20+ Years of Experience

Hiring managers want to know that candidates can adapt to new situations and make use of the resources and knowledge available to them. They want to see evidence that you can apply your knowledge and demonstrate your work in a real-world context. These things can be implied with the verb 'using.'

The term 'using' (the present participle of use) shows your ability to use what you know, which is an integral part of success in any field, so it's not surprising that employers would look for this on resumes. However, this word doesn't convey the necessary information about your experience. What's more, you should generally use a verb's past tense when listing achievements.

You can use past-tense power verbs to express your accomplishments and results to fix it. Power verbs are action words that show that you took action, made an impact, and overcame challenges. A better word for 'using' include 'leveraged,' 'improvised,' or 'applied.'

Using a power verb instead of weak verbs in your resume enables you to get noticed by recruiters looking for candidates with experience in specific areas and those who want someone who can think outside the box when faced with new challenges.

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

Resume Synonyms for Using:

  • Applied
  • Harnessed
  • Leveraged
  • Capitalized
  • Attuned
  • Deployed
  • Restored
  • Wielded
  • Revived
  • Maneuvered
  • Exerted
  • Improvised
  • Implemented
  • Enforced
  • Fulfilled
  • Rendered
  • Integrated
  • Fused
  • Fabricated
  • Incorporated

How to replace Using with a stronger action verb:

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

Before: Weak example using Using

Using Tableau and other data tools to build a useful dashboard

After: Using a stronger synonymBuilt Tableau dashboard using data from Amplitude and Segment to visualize core business KPIs (e.g. Monthly Recurring Revenue), saving 10 hours per week of manual reporting work.

Replacing Using with Engaged

Before: Using

Using leadership skills to guide the team

After: EngagedEngaged leadership abilities to guide a team of 12 on a project that slashed delivery time by 40% and led to a 20% increase in client satisfaction rates.

The 'before' statement is vague and lacks impact. It does not clearly state the results of using the leadership skills. In the 'after' example, I used the action verb 'Engaged' to show a proactive approach and included specific numbers to illustrate the project's successful outcome.

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.


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 Using.


More resume bullet point samples that use strong synonyms

How to use Managed on a resume:

Managed a 10-member cross-functional (engineering, product, sales, support) team and coordinated with five business partners towards the successful launch of an e-commerce website.

How to use Generated on a resume:

Generated insights on customer churn and renewal rates from data tables with 100M rows in SQL.

How to use Earned on a resume:

Earned expedited promotion to Senior Analyst after one year as Analyst (earned by less than 1% of cohort).

How to use Developed on a resume:

Developed an iPhone app to help medical professionals measure the insulin needs of patients with diabetes.

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%.

How to use Created on a resume:

Created Monte Carlo simulation using Pandas (Python) to generate 30,000 sample portfolios with 8+ constraints.


Frequently Asked Questions

What is another word for Using on a resume?

Here are some synonyms for commonly repeated words, like Using, I see on resumes:

  • Capitalized
  • Maneuvered
  • Leveraged
  • Fulfilled
  • Implemented
  • Wielded

What is a better word for Using on a resume?

Here are some synonyms for commonly repeated words, like Using, I see on resumes:

  • Capitalized
  • Fabricated
  • Wielded
  • Implemented
  • Fulfilled
  • Improvised

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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