Want another word for Assist 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, "Assist".
The term 'assist' is the present form of the resume word assisted, which means to give support. Many people use this word because it is a way for them to demonstrate that they are willing to help others, even if they do not have a substantial role or responsibility in that area.
Using the verb assist also allows candidates to focus on what they did and how they did it, rather than how they would like others to see themselves or their role on the team. But, it's best to use action verbs in your resume that describe what you did and how it helped achieve the desired outcome. Additionally, your resume should generally use the past tense of assist ('assisted') unless you describe an ongoing role.
To give a more detailed description of your work experience and how valuable those experiences were for your previous employers, try using power verbs instead of generic terms. Words to use on resume instead of 'assist' includes 'diversified,' 'promoted,' and 'ministered.'
When you use power verbs, you can show the recruiter exactly your responsibilities in previous roles and help them understand the impact of your work, which is crucial for getting hired.
I've compiled some synonyms you can use instead of Assist on your resume, followed by real examples I've written for clients (feel free to use them!).
Let's look at examples of how you can remove and replace the overused phrase, Assist, with a stronger synonym and alternative that is more effective at highlighting your achievements.
Before: Weak example using Assist• Assist in preparing monthly, quarterly, and annual productivity reporting
After: Using a stronger synonym • Streamlined the preparation of monthly, quarterly, and annual productivity reporting, reducing the number of review and input processes by 80% and increasing efficiency by 25%.
• Assist in the design and implementation of company marketing strategies
After: Facilitated • Facilitated the design and implementation of innovative marketing strategies, leading to a 35% increase in brand recognition and a 30% increase in sales within the first quarter
Rather than merely assisting, 'Facilitated' shows that you played a crucial role in the planning and execution. The added metrics give a clear impact of your contribution to the company.
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.
• Assist team in achieving project milestones
After: Guided • Guided a cross-functional team of 10 in achieving key project milestones, resulting in successful delivery 2 weeks ahead of deadline
Instead of 'Assist', 'Guided' denotes leadership and effectiveness in directing the team's efforts. The timeline and team size add identifiable achievements, showcasing your capability to handle teamwork and deliver timely results.
• Assist in the initiation of customer relationship management initiatives
After: Spearheaded • Spearheaded customer relationship management initiatives that lead to a 15% uptick in customer satisfaction and retention rates over 6 months
Swapping 'Assisted' for 'Spearheaded' emphasizes your key role in initiating the project. Quantifiable improvements in satisfaction and retention rates illustrate your positive contribution to the business.
• Assist in boosting team morale
After: Invigorated • Invigorated team spirit and morale, generating a 30% reduction in employee turnover within a year
In replacing 'Assisted' with 'Invigorated', we highlight your positive influence on the team's morale. Using clear metrics shows your impact on reducing turnover.
• Assist in improving productivity within the department
After: Catalyzed • Catalyzed department productivity enhancements, leading to a 40% acceleration in delivery times and a 25% increase in output per employee
The verb 'Catalyzed' shows a more active and effective role than 'Assisted'. Including metrics helps to quantify and visualise your major contribution to improved productivity.
• Assist in amplifying the firm's digital presence
After: Augmented • Augmented firm's digital presence, increasing web traffic by 75% and social media engagement by 50% over 6 months
'Augmented' implies you were instrumental in enhancing the firm's digital standing, while the numbers signify a clear, measurable impact on web traffic and social engagement.
• Assist in organizing fundraising events
After: Orchestrated • Orchestrated high-profile fundraising events, generating over $500K in contributions and doubling the previous year's totals
Choosing 'Orchestrated' over 'Assist' emphasizes your leadership role, while providing specifics on the achievements and strong numbers provide a clear picture of your success.
• Assist in improving customer satisfaction
After: Elevated • Elevated customer satisfaction levels by implementing a streamlined feedback system, resulting in a 30% increase in positive reviews and a 25% decrease in complaints
'Elevated' conveys a more direct involvement in improving customer satisfaction. The specifics on how you achieved this and the metrics used illustrates direct benefits to the company.
• Assist in enhancing team productivity
After: Drove • Drove team productivity enhancements, resulting in a 20% increase in weekly deliverables and a 15% decrease in overtime hours
Replacing 'Assist' with 'Drove' denotes leadership and determination. Concrete numbers bring to light measurable improvement in productivity and efficient use of team member's hours.
• Assist in solidifying relationships with partners
After: Strengthened • Strengthened relationships with 5 key partners, aiding in successful contract renewals and 10% revenue increase
By using 'Strengthened', your active role is emphasized, and stating the number of partners alongside the resultant benefit paints a picture of your effectiveness in handling the external relationships.
• Assist in procurement procedures
After: Negotiated • Negotiated with suppliers and streamlined procurement procedures, leading to a 15% cost reduction and accelerated delivery times
Substituting 'Assisted' with 'Negotiated', it demonstrates your proactive involvement. Also, specific figures on cost and delivery time improvements showcase the positive, measurable impact of your efforts.
• Assist in improving internal communication
After: Transformed • Transformed internal communication by implementing a comprehensive communication tool, reducing email use by 50% and increasing team collaboration and efficiency
The term 'Transformed' conveys a profound change, elevating your role beyond mere 'Assist'. Providing concrete results shows your productive contribution towards improved team efficiency.
• Assist in expanding the company's market reach
After: Amplified • Amplified company's market reach, achieving a 30% increase in new customer acquisition and a 20% expansion in three new geographic markets
With ‘Amplified’, it suggests you were instrumental in scaling the business. Including specific figures and accomplishments offers metrics-based evidence of the effects of your work.
• Assist in increasing sales
After: Boosted • Boosted company’s sales by 25% in the first quarter by introducing a new accelerated training program for new sales associates
'Boosted' paints a picture of active, successful participation, instead of merely 'Assisting'. Sharing specific strategies and their outcomes provide a tangible metric of success.
• Assist in updating the company website
After: Revitalized • Revitalized the company's outdated website which led to a 40% increase in site traffic and 20% growth in online sales
'Revitalized' emphasizes your pivotal role in rejuvenating an important business tool. Also, the direct link between your action and quantifiable business gains underscores your value to the employer.
• Assist in speeding up the assembly line
After: Revved • Revved up assembly line speed by 30% through strategic implementation of lean manufacturing techniques, thereby saving a cumulative 100 hours per week
'Revved up' depicts a more enthusiastic and proactive role. Additionally, illustrating time saved and increased speed shows measurable improvement in processes, adding credibility to your accomplishments.
• Assist in the launch of new products
After: Pioneered • Pioneered the launch of four new products resulting in a 35% increase in quarterly revenue
Replacing 'Assist' with 'Pioneered' denotes a leadership role in breakthrough tasks. Including the number of products launched and the subsequent revenue boost effectively quantifies your contribution.
• Assist in managing company resources
After: Maximized • Maximized utilization of company resources, driving operational costs down by 20% and increasing profitability by 15%
'Maximized' shows more purpose and impact than 'Assist'. Concrete metrics of cost reduction and profitability demonstrate the tangible results of your workaround resource management.
• Assist in motivating the sales team
After: Galvanized • Galvanized a 20-member sales team to surpass their quarterly targets by 30%, securing the department's best performance quarter
Using 'Galvanized' instead of 'Assist' illustrates a more powerful role. The accompanying metric depicts an Excellent example of leading a team to significant success.
• Assist in improving the workflow process
After: Optimized • Optimized the workflow process by automating repetitive tasks, reducing processing time by 50% and increasing output by 20%
'Optimized' conveys your active involvement and contribution to workflow improvements. A clear measure of time and output productivity elevates your achievement, highlighting your problem-solving skill.
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 Assist.
• Designed and implemented operational efficiency improvement program for leading UK energy supplier to reduce rate of energy outages by 60% in three years.
• Performed financial analysis to evaluate public and private financing alternatives to strengthen client's balance sheet.
• Conducted competitor benchmarking analysis, competitor/distributor interviews and data analysis to determine that the existing sustained decline in a luxury skincare product business was reversible, building the case for a successful $150MM acquisition.
• Optimized production line, resulting in 10% throughput increase and standardized processes in bulk production.
• Created method to compute similarity of all methods in a code base; reduced time complexity from O(n 2 ) to O(n log n).
• Managed user engagement analytics strategy, providing first insight into how users interact with our apps on their tablets and mobile devices.
