Writing is a skill that employers love to see on a resume. It's versatile and shows that you can be innovative, persuasive, or analytical, depending on the situation. It demonstrates that you can clearly communicate your ideas, thoughts, and opinions in a way that's easy for others to understand.
However, 'write' is a verb people tend to overuse in their resumes—it sounds good and seems like it would be helpful in every job description. But draw attention that when writing your resume, it's better not to use the same word too often. If all of your bullet points start with 'write,' it makes it seem like you're bragging about yourself instead of focusing on how excellent your writing skills are. In general, it's also better to use action verbs in their past tense to highlight your previous accomplishments.
Alternatively, you can use synonyms such as composed, created, and acted to replace 'write.' Synonyms are words that have essentially the same meaning but are used in different contexts.
By using synonyms, not only can you avoid using the same word too many times in a row but also add variety to your writing, portraying you as a detail-oriented and creative thinker.
I've compiled some synonyms you can use instead of Write on your resume, followed by real examples I've written for clients (feel free to use them!).
Resume Synonyms for Write:
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Articulated
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Drafted
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Formulated
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Constructed
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Assembled
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Complied
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Composed
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Arranged
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Formed
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Outlined
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Authored
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Sculpted
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Fabricated
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Choreographed
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Devised
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Molded
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Created
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Acted
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Combined
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Composed
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Conceptualized
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Condensed
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Customized
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Designed
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Established
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Founded
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Illustrated
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Instituted
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Invented
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Modeled
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Modified
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Revised
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Planned
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Revitalized
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Integrated
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Originated
How to replace Write with a stronger action verb:
Let's look at examples of how you can remove and replace the overused phrase, Write, with a stronger synonym and alternative that is more effective at highlighting your achievements.
Before: Weak example using Write• Write and proofread the company's content
⤸
After: Using a stronger synonym• Provided editorial oversight of all brand copy across web pages, emails, and 11+ platforms, ensuring 100% consistency of voice and tone throughout communications. .
Before: Write• Write blog posts about various topics
⤸After: Articulated• Articulated in-depth 18+ blog posts, attracting 35% more site traffic and sparking stimulating user discussions, contributing to a 20% increase in repeat visitors.
As a hiring manager, I specifically changed 'write blog posts' to 'articulated in-depth blog posts'. This synonymous action verb implies the depth of knowledge and understanding the applicant needed to convey complex subjects simply and effectively. I also included some specific outcomes that reveal the impact of their contribution.
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: Write• Write business proposals
⤸After: Drafted• Drafted and fine-tuned 17 strategic proposals which were adopted by clients, leading to 30% increased contracts and scaling company profit margin by $2M in a fiscal year
I switched out 'Write' for 'Drafted and fine-tuned', as this demonstrates the careful preparatory work involved in creating a business proposal. The inclusion of quantifiable results also makes the achievement more tangible.
Before: Write• Write product descriptions
⤸After: Formulated• Formulated unique and appealing product descriptions that boosted e-commerce sales by 40% and enhanced the customer experience.
The transition from 'write product descriptions' to 'formulated unique and appealing product descriptions' adds depth, showing that you put thought and creativity into your work. Adding a clear, quantifiable impact strengthens your claim.
Before: Write• Write technical manuals
⤸After: Constructed• Constructed detailed, user-friendly technical manuals increasing the effectiveness of the support team by 60% and reducing customer service interactions by 30%.
Changing 'Write technical manuals' to 'Constructed detailed, user-friendly technical manuals' highlights the thought process behind your work. It's not just about writing, but also understanding users' needs and tailoring your text accordingly. Including precise metrics emphasizes your impact on the organization.
Before: Write• Write investment reports
⤸After: Assembled• Assembled comprehensive investment reports that facilitated key business decisions and contributed to a 20% annual ROI increase.
I opted for 'Assembled' instead of 'Write' to accentuate the analytical thought process and meticulous approach necessary for producing impactful investment reports. The explicit mention of its role in decision making and ROI enhancement signifies its value.
Before: Write• Write compliance documents
⤸After: Complied• Compiled accurate compliance documents, ensuring 100% adherence to industry laws, and preventing potential fines worth $500k.
By replacing 'Write' with 'Compiled', I was able to emphasize the depth and precision of your work. The addition of a quantitative result underscores the contribution's significance.
Before: Write• Write press releases
⤸After: Composed• Composed 35+ engaging press releases targeting diverse audiences, achieving a 25% increase in brand awareness in a competitive market.
Transitioning from 'Write' to 'Composed' paints a picture of thoughtfulness, creativity, and structure in your writing. I also made sure to include specific figures to signify your impact on the company's standing.
Before: Write• Write book chapters
⤸After: Arranged• Arranged two well-researched book chapters that earned 4.8-star reviews on Amazon, boosting book sales by 30%.
I swapped 'write' with 'Arranged,' underlining the skillful organization and strategic planning of content. Additionally, real results anchored in numbers were included to demonstrate your contribution's outcome.
Before: Write• Write content for social media
⤸After: Formed• Formed engaging social media content, leading to a 40% increase in followers, a 30% rise in post interactions, and expanding our brand's digital reach considerably.
The action verb 'Formed' better captures the creativity and strategic thought process that goes into social media content creation. The focus on measurable impact also helps to highlight the value added to the business.
Before: Write• Write project plans
⤸After: Outlined• Outlined 15+ thorough project plans with clear specifications and appointed responsibilities, reducing project duration by an average of 20%.
Switching 'Write' to 'Outlined' better describes the nature of the planning process. The result clearly shows the tangible business improvement, demonstrating your impact on efficiency and productivity.
Before: Write• Write articles on various subjects
⤸After: Authored• Authored engaging articles on diverse subjects leading to an average of 30% jump in reader engagement and earning three industry awards for best content.
I substituted 'Write' with 'Authored' to signal originality, authority, and excellence in creating content. By citing industry awards and increased engagement, you demonstrate the value you can bring to a potential employer.
Before: Write• Write marketing copy
⤸After: Sculpted• Sculpted persuasive marketing copy that captured 25% more leads and contributed to a 15% increase in total sales quarter over quarter.
'Sculpted' suggests crafted work, which is powerful and creative. I then punctuated the reworked bullet point with key performance metrics that reveal your success in impacting sales and lead generation.
Before: Write• Write project proposals
⤸After: Fabricated• Fabricated winning project proposals, securing $5M in funding and growing the client base by 45% over two fiscal years.
The verb 'Fabricated' signifies a thoughtful, meticulous approach to proposal writing and a strategic mindset. Providing solid metrics offers a quantifiable way to describe your value.
Before: Write• Write product launch scripts
⤸After: Choreographed• Choreographed interactive product launch scripts, sparking an average audience engagement rate of 45% and a 30% surge in product inquiries.
By replacing 'Write' with 'Choreographed', we highlight the careful planning and creativity in your work. By also showing your contribution's exact effect, we demonstrate your ability to drive results.
Before: Write• Write training materials for new hires
⤸After: Devised• Devised comprehensive training materials for new hires, reducing onboarding time by 50% and increasing new hire productivity by 28%.
The verb 'Devised' was chosen because it underscores the strategic planning and creative problem-solving inherent in your work. Moreover, quantifying the positive outcomes of your efforts adds credibility by providing proven results.
Before: Write• Write annual Budget Report
⤸After: Molded• Molded rigorous annual Budget Reports leading to effective resource allocation and saving the company $1M annually.
Replacing the verb 'Write' with 'Molded', creates the picture of you shaping vital financial documents with precision. The savings figure positions you as a candidate with a track record of cost-efficiency.
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 Write.
More resume bullet point samples that use strong synonyms
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 Built on a resume:
• Built complete investment pitch books for 4 deals at advanced stages and liaised with 12 prospective international co-investors.
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 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 Managed on a resume:
• Managed user engagement analytics strategy, providing first insight into how users interact with our apps on their tablets and mobile devices.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Get a free resume review: Find out if your action verbs are strong enough.
As a next step, I'd recommend going through each of your resume's verbs and improving each one with stronger action verbs. The most effective way to do that is by uploading your resume to tool below. It'll tell you which parts of your resume need work, so you can improve them before a recruiter rejects you for them.
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