Weak Phrase

“participated in”

Replace this weak phrase with 3 powerful alternatives to strengthen your resume and improve ATS performance.

Why “participated in” Weakens Your Resume

“participated in” is a weak or overused phrase that doesn't effectively communicate your impact and achievements.

ATS Impact: Using stronger, more specific action verbs helps your resume score higher in Applicant Tracking Systems and stand out to recruiters.

Weak Example

“participated in team projects and initiatives”

Strong Example

“Contributed to cross-functional projects worth $500K, delivering results 20% ahead of schedule”

Why it's better: Using "Contributed to" shows stronger action, and adding specific scope + metrics demonstrates measurable impact

Weak Example

“participated in various business processes”

Strong Example

“Engaged in operational workflows, reducing cycle time by 35% and improving team efficiency”

Why it's better: "Engaged in" is more specific and professional, backed by quantifiable improvements

Choose the most accurate verb: Pick the synonym that best describes what you actually did. “Spearheaded” is different from “Coordinated.”
Add quantifiable results: Strong verbs are even better with numbers. “Increased sales by 40%” beats just “Increased sales.”
Match the job description: If the posting uses “orchestrated,” use that instead of “managed” to pass ATS keyword filters.
Vary your language: Don't use the same power word throughout your resume. Mix it up to keep recruiters engaged.

Our AI-powered analyzer scans your entire resume for weak phrases and suggests the best power word replacements.