The phrase 'work on' shows that you have a long-term focus and can see through to completion what needs to be done. It also indicates that you've got a solid work ethic, which employers look for in candidates.

However, using 'work on' in your resume is a problem because it's vague. It doesn't give your reader details about what you've done or why and how you completed a particular task. It only tells people that you've worked on something—not what, precisely.

You can fix this problem using action verbs, which are specific and descriptive and highlight your skills. Use also the past tense of the verb ('worked on') when listing past achievements, unless it's a current one. For example, instead of saying 'work on' something, say 'improved' or 'refined.' This way, the recruiter will know what tasks you took on and your role within the organization.

Action verbs help you describe the impact of your work on a company and how it benefited that organization. They also make your resume more compelling to employers, who will likely call you in for interviews. Plus, they show that you have a high level of confidence in yourself—and confidence is attractive!

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

Resume Synonyms for Work on:

Directed
Optimized
Negotiated
Orchestrated
Transformed
Devised
Supervised
Cultivated
Amplified
Minimized
Persuaded
Influenced
Progressed
Hastened
Propelled
Honed
Furthered
Launched
Improved
Refined
Bettered
Polished
Elevated
Lifted
Bolstered
Enriched

How to replace Work on with a stronger action verb:

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

Before: Weak example using Work on

• Worked on improving customer service and experience

⤸

After: Using a stronger synonym• Improved customer service effectiveness by 30% by identifying sales data trends with Salesforce reports; reduced average lead-to-sale time conversion by 17% by implementing improved tracking methods. .

Replacing Work on with Directed ▾

Before: Work on

• Worked on product development team

⤸

After: Directed• Directed a product development team of 12, introducing a new product to market in 6 months, 25% ahead of the original timeline.

By using 'Directed' at the start of the sentence, it shows that the candidate took on a leadership role. Moreover, including the number of team members and how much time was saved in the project brings in clear, strong metrics.

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 Work on with Optimized ▾

Before: Work on

• Worked on the process to make production more efficient

⤸

After: Optimized• Optimized the production process, leading to a 20% increase in efficiency and a subsequent reduction in costs by 12% over six months.

Using 'Optimized' indicates taking initiative to improve a process. Including specific metrics gives solid evidence of the outcome of the efforts.

Replacing Work on with Negotiated ▾

Before: Work on

• Worked on suppliers contracts

⤸

After: Negotiated• Negotiated supplier contracts, enabling a 15% cost reduction which saved the company $100K annually.

The word 'Negotiated' shows determination and talent, while the detailed metrics highlight the significant achievement.

Replacing Work on with Orchestrated ▾

Before: Work on

• Worked on marketing campaign

⤸

After: Orchestrated• Orchestrated an effective marketing campaign, increasing product awareness by 70% and sales by 40% within 3 months.

Using 'Orchestrated' emphasizes management skills and creativity. The result, expressed in numbers, adds value to the candidate's leadership abilities.

Replacing Work on with Transformed ▾

Before: Work on

• Worked on company's financial infrastructure

⤸

After: Transformed• Transformed the company's financial infrastructure, reducing monthly overheads by 25% and increasing ROI by 35%.

'Transformed' indicates a significant positive change. Providing metrics gives insight into the magnitude of the impact made.

Replacing Work on with Devised ▾

Before: Work on

• Worked on plans to increase sales

⤸

After: Devised• Devised a strategic plan that boosted sales by 80% in Q4 2020, leading to a $150K increase in revenue.

The term 'Devised' showcases strategic thinking and planning skills. Mentioning specific figures make the results tangible.

Replacing Work on with Supervised ▾

Before: Work on

• Worked on training new hires

⤸

After: Supervised• Supervised the onboarding and training process for 15 new hires, increasing department productivity by 23% in 6 months.

The verb 'Supervised' implies a position of responsibility and leadership. Providing specifics on the team size and resulting productivity increase paints a clearer picture of the candidate's capabilities.

Replacing Work on with Cultivated ▾

Before: Work on

• Worked on building client relationships

⤸

After: Cultivated• Cultivated strong client relationships, resulting in a 35% increase in repeat business over a 12-month period.

Using the term 'Cultivated' shows a dedication to nurturing relationships, and the corresponding numerical outcome demonstrates the positive results.

Replacing Work on with Amplified ▾

Before: Work on

• Worked on expanding company's market presence

⤸

After: Amplified• Amplified the company's market presence nationally, generating a 200% increase in brand awareness.

'Amplified' shows the candidate's effort to widen the company's reach and its notable success is validated through specified metrics.

Replacing Work on with Minimized ▾

Before: Work on

• Worked on reducing faulty production rates

⤸

After: Minimized• Minimized faulty production rates by 45%, saving the company $50K in waste costs per quarter.

The phrase 'Minimized' shows the candidate's focus and success in addressing a crucial problem area. Specific cost-savings figures emphasize its financial impact.

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 Work on.

More resume bullet point samples that use strong synonyms

How to use Assessed on a resume:

• Assessed the product portfolio and created a brand turnaround strategy for a global fashion company; conducted qualitative interviews with industry experts and quantitative analysis to determine barriers to purchasing and distribution.

How to use Formulated on a resume:

• Formulated implementation plans for transactions in collaboration with senior members of trading, sales, compliance and legal teams; generated annual profits of $10+ million.

How to use Analyzed on a resume:

• Analyzed 50+ companies to identify potential investments, built valuation models, and visited 90+ members of senior management in Germany, Nigeria, Indonesia and Singapore to evaluate companies' growth outlook.

How to use Developed on a resume:

• Developed strategies to trade and manage risk on the trading book comprising 30+ indices; 2016 P&L: $8M.

How to use Led on a resume:

• Led interview campaign with existing customers (300+ person survey, 40+ face-to-face discussions) to formulate requirements of a new product to help couples manage their expenses; outputs directly impacted product roadmap.

How to use Launched on a resume:

• Launched an e-commerce website which sold t-shirts themed on the 2016 Presidential Election; successfully processed 800+ online transactions from 600+ unique users.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is another word for Work on on a resume?

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

Honed
Polished
Bolstered
Progressed
Bettered
Elevated

What can I use instead of Work on on a resume?

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

Enriched
Refined
Persuaded
Improved
Lifted
Hastened

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

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