When you write a resume, you want to show that you're an active, engaged person. One way to do this is by including the verb 'working' (present participle of work) in your resume. This word shows that you're taking action and making things happen.

A resume is a tool that can help you land your dream job. And it has to be perfect—carefully crafted and full of insightful words about what you did at past jobs. Having said that, the problem with using 'working' is that it doesn't give any insight into what you did at your job. It fails to demonstrate how you contributed to the company's success.

Choose power verbs to help you tell your story—they will highlight the skills and accomplishments that are most relevant to the job. Use also the past tense of the verb unless it's an ongoing role. For instance, replace 'working' with other words like 'actualized' or 'furthered.'

Power verbs help you communicate specific actions and results in clear terms. They also give the reader of your resume an idea of what kind of person they should expect if they bring you on board—someone who gets things done quickly, efficiently, and effectively.

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

Resume Synonyms for Working:

Championed
Streamlined
Spearheaded
Instigated
Revamped
Expedited
Engineered
Generated
Pioneered
Negotiated
Maximized
Elevated
Orchestrated
Optimized
Transformed
Catalyzed
Invoked
Induced
Determined
Inaugurated
Cultivated
Empowered
Forwarded
Furthered
Rendered
Actuated
Impelled
Extended
Revised
Actualized
Enforced
Realized

How to replace Working with a stronger action verb:

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

Before: Weak example using Working

• Working with data science teams to improve recommendations

⤸

After: Using a stronger synonym• Partnered with data science to develop the front end for a product recommendation engine that increased user time on page by 5 minutes.

Replacing Working with Championed ▾

Before: Working

• Working on improving team morale

⤸

After: Championed• Championed a culture shift that led to a 35% reduction in employee turnover and increased team cohesion within 3 months

As a recruiter, it's important to highlight the impact of your work. This revision eliminates the vague 'Working' and specifies the actions taken and the measurable results achieved, namely within a certain timeframe. Using 'Championed' suggests leadership and a proactive attitude, which is appealing to hiring managers.

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 Working with Streamlined ▾

Before: Working

• Working in email marketing

⤸

After: Streamlined• Streamlined optimized email marketing campaigns to boost customer engagement by 22%, providing a seamless buyer experience and increasing customer conversions by 18%

To make this bullet point pop, we added specific tasks and spelled out the outcomes. 'Streamlined' provides a sense of efficiency and productivity. These changes help paint a more targeted picture of the skills and results.

Replacing Working with Spearheaded ▾

Before: Working

• Working on company website

⤸

After: Spearheaded• Spearheaded a complete website redesign, leading to a 20% increase in traffic and a 15% improvement in conversion rates within the first quarter

The verb 'Spearheaded' implies leadership and initiative, which is more attractive than just 'Working'. The update also specifies the results of your work, using impact-driven metrics to quantify your success.

Replacing Working with Instigated ▾

Before: Working

• Working in corporate strategy

⤸

After: Instigated• Instigated new corporate strategy that directly led to a 25% increase in annual revenue

Using the verb 'Instigated' indicates that you took action and initiated change. By providing a specific metric output, we are better able to quantify your success and impact.

Replacing Working with Revamped ▾

Before: Working

• Working on customer support

⤸

After: Revamped• Revamped customer support processes, leading to a 50% decrease in resolution time and a 45% increase in customer satisfaction

Revamped' is a strong action verb that can grip the attention of hiring managers. This rewording is better as it clearly states the impact and improvements made, as well as the benefits they yielded.

Replacing Working with Expedited ▾

Before: Working

• Working on inventory management

⤸

After: Expedited• Expedited inventory turnaround times by 30% by implementing lean management strategies and automated solutions

Using the term 'Expedited' implies a sense of urgency and efficiency, which is more impressive than simply 'Working'. Including specific measures of success by adding numbers shows clear improvements and the action you took to achieve them.

Replacing Working with Engineered ▾

Before: Working

• Working on new product designs

⤸

After: Engineered• Engineered a new product design method that accelerated product launch timelines by 2 weeks and improved customer feedback by 40%

By replacing 'Working' with a stronger verb, 'Engineered', I was able to highlight your problem-solving skills. This updated statement paints a clearer picture of your impact through distinct, measurable outcomes.

Replacing Working with Generated ▾

Before: Working

• Working on sales strategy

⤸

After: Generated• Generated a new international sales strategy, resulting in a 35% surge in quarterly profits

The use of 'Generated' means that you took a productive action. By quantifying the outcome, hiring managers can actually see the value you can bring to their company.

Replacing Working with Pioneered ▾

Before: Working

• Working on customer acquisition

⤸

After: Pioneered• Pioneered a breakthrough affiliate marketing model, culminating in 12% growth in customer acquisition within first 6 months

'Pioneered' is an active verb that conveys initiative and innovation. Updating the statement to include specific outcomes helps demonstrate your value in concrete terms.

Replacing Working with Negotiated ▾

Before: Working

• Working on vendor relationships

⤸

After: Negotiated• Negotiated improved vendor contracts, reducing costs by $1.2M annually

The verb 'Negotiated' demonstrates your ability to communicate and strategize. Numbers provide tangible proof of your accomplishments, showing you are results-oriented.

Replacing Working with Maximized ▾

Before: Working

• Working on profit increase

⤸

After: Maximized• Maximized profit margins by improving purchasing policies and streamlining internal operations, resulting in a 15% increase in profits

'Maximized' suggests a thorough and successful effort. Instead of just stating duties, this change highlights specific actions taken and the percentage increase in profits to show tangible impact.

Replacing Working with Elevated ▾

Before: Working

• Working on customer satisfaction

⤸

After: Elevated• Elevated customer satisfaction by 35% by introducing a new feedback system and responsive customer service training program

The term 'Elevated' is stronger and more descriptive than 'Working'. This revision highlights the direct actions you took and the quantifiable changes in customer satisfaction.

Replacing Working with Orchestrated ▾

Before: Working

• Working in team management

⤸

After: Orchestrated• Orchestrated superb team management tactics that improved productivity by 30% and reduced overtime by 20%

The term 'Orchestrated' implies a strategic and thoughtful approach. By quantifying the results, we showcase your skills and achievements more effectively.

Replacing Working with Optimized ▾

Before: Working

• Working on operational processes

⤸

After: Optimized• Optimized operational processes to enhance efficiency by 40% and reduce operation costs by $500K annually

Selecting 'Optimized' shows your capability to enhance and improve. The revised statement provides concrete details about the impact of your work, thereby underscoring your abilities and accomplishments.

Replacing Working with Transformed ▾

Before: Working

• Working on department functionality

⤸

After: Transformed• Transformed department functionality by simplifying process workflows, reducing errors by 60% and saving 20 hours per week

By changing 'Working' to 'Transformed', it displays an active approach to problem-solving. The changes made not only list the steps taken but also the direct results, exhibiting your impact as an employee.

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 Working.

More resume bullet point samples that use strong synonyms

How to use Created on a resume:

• Created and maintained models for M&A plans, Discounted Cash Flow Analysis, Product SVA Analysis, Credit Risk Assessment Models, and Common Stock Liquidity Comparisons.

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 Managed on a resume:

• Managed business relationships with 10 clients, including Volkswagen, Deutsche Bank and McDonalds and presented marketing strategies to senior management to drive ROI and re-engineer sales operations, generating $2MM+ in annual revenue.

How to use Crafted on a resume:

• Crafted strategic plan for a major client with revenues >$40B through insights from market trend analysis, organizational effectiveness diagnostic, and interviews with senior stakeholders.

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 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is another word for Working on a resume?

You can say Cultivated, Extended or Induced instead of Working.

What is another way of saying Working on a resume?

You can say Furthered, Catalyzed or Forwarded instead of Working.

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

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