10 Synonyms for “Collaborate” on a Resume
When writing a resume, using the word “collaborate” is a smart way to show you’re a team player. But it’s not the only word you can use to describe working well with others.
This article lists ten other ways to say “collaborate” on a resume, making your application stand out. Each alternative is explored in detail, helping you choose the right words to highlight your teamwork skills.
Is “Collaborate” a Good Resume Word?
“Collaborate” is indeed a good word to use on a resume. It shows that you can work well with others to achieve a common goal. This word is especially useful in industries where teamwork is critical, such as in business, healthcare, and technology. When you say you’re able to collaborate, you’re telling potential employers that you’re not just a team player but also someone who contributes actively to group efforts.
Here’s an example:
Led a team of 5 developers in creating a mobile application, working closely to collaborate on solving complex coding issues.
Let’s look at the pros and cons of using the phrase “collaborate”.
Pros:
- Demonstrates teamwork skills
- Shows you can work towards shared goals
- Highlights interpersonal skills
Cons:
- Can be overused, making it less impactful
- Might be too vague without specific examples of teamwork
- Could be seen as a buzzword if not backed up by achievements
Sometimes, you might want to use a synonym or an alternative phrase for “collaborate” to avoid repetition or make your resume stand out. Using different words can also help you more precisely describe the way you work in a team.
10 Other Ways to Say “Collaborate” on a Resume
Here are ten common synonyms for “collaborate” that you can use to make your resume stand out:
- Partner
- Team up
- Join forces
- Work together
- Cooperate
- Conspire
- Combine efforts
- Synergize
- Coordinate
- Pool resources
1. Partner
Using “partner” instead of “collaborate” can add a more formal and professional tone to your resume. It highlights a deep level of involvement and mutual investment in a project’s success. This alternative suggests not just working side by side but building something together that benefits all involved parties.
We recommend using “partner” when you’ve worked closely with another organization or group within your own company to accomplish a shared goal, especially in contexts where legal or business partnerships were formed.
Here are two examples:
Partnered with cross-functional teams to launch a new product line, increasing market share by 15%.
Partnered with local businesses to organize community service events, fostering goodwill and brand visibility.
2. Team up
“Team up” is a more informal synonym for “collaborate”, which conveys a sense of camaraderie and collective effort. It implies a temporary union for a specific purpose or project, ideal for project-based work or tasks requiring a concerted team effort.
This phrase is better suited for environments or industries where teamwork and a less formal approach to projects are encouraged. It’s perfect for projects that required you to dynamically join with others to address challenges or create something new.
Examples:
Teamed up with the marketing department to create a compelling social media campaign, doubling our online engagement.
Teamed up with software engineers to troubleshoot and resolve critical application errors ahead of the product launch.
3. Join forces
“Join forces” suggests a powerful union for a common cause, emphasizing the strength and impact of collaboration. This alternative is both formal and professional, best suited for situations where combining expertise or resources significantly contributed to a successful outcome.
It is particularly effective when describing collaborations that aimed to tackle major challenges or ambitious projects. It suggests a level of seriousness and determination in the effort.
Examples:
Joined forces with industry leaders to advocate for sustainable practices, influencing national regulations.
Joined forces with the R&D team to accelerate the development timeline of our flagship product.
4. Work together
Using “work together” as an alternative to “collaborate” emphasizes the action and cooperative nature of a partnership. It is straightforward and can be considered informal depending on the context but remains professional. This phrase suggests a hands-on approach to teamwork.
If your role involved direct interaction and cooperation with others to achieve daily tasks or project milestones, “work together” might be the best choice. It’s relatable and clear.
Examples:
Worked together with the customer support team to develop a new training program that reduced complaints by 40%.
Worked together with fellow teachers to integrate new technology into the curriculum.
5. Cooperate
“Cooperate” is a straightforward synonym for “collaborate” that highlights willingness and ability to work in harmony with others. It carries a formal and professional connotation, suggesting a productive and pleasant working relationship.
This alternative is well-suited when you want to illustrate your capability to align with others’ ideas or directives to achieve a common goal, especially in regulated environments or on tasks requiring compliance.
For example:
Cooperated closely with the regulatory affairs department to ensure project compliance with international standards.
Cooperated with multiple stakeholders to facilitate a smooth product launch.
6. Conspire
While “conspire” generally carries a more informal tone, it can be used creatively on a resume to imply a sense of excitement and secret planning toward achieving a goal. It suggests a more active, engaging form of collaboration.
However, because of its dual connotations, we recommend using “conspire” when you want to present a playful or innovative side, especially in creative industries or roles that value out-of-the-box thinking.
Examples:
Conspired with the design team to create an award-winning advertising campaign.
Conspired with industry peers to organize a surprise tech conference that received national attention.
7. Combine efforts
“Combine efforts” is a formal and professional alternative that emphasizes the unification of talents and energies towards a single purpose. It suggests a seamless integration of individual contributions into a cohesive outcome.
This phrase is perfect when illustrating projects or tasks where the sum was greater than its parts – where everyone’s contribution was crucial to the success of the endeavor.
Examples:
Combined efforts with the supply chain team to reduce delivery times by 30%.
Combined efforts with international partners to expand the market reach of our products.
8. Synergize
“Synergize” is a modern, somewhat formal synonym that captures the idea of creating a whole that is greater than the sum of its parts through collaboration. It implies a well-coordinated effort and innovation in teamwork.
This term is particularly effective in business and tech environments where the strategic integration of different functions or technologies plays a key role in achieving success.
Examples:
Synergized with the IT department to streamline operational processes, enhancing overall efficiency.
Synergized with multiple departments to achieve a record-breaking year in sales.
9. Coordinate
“Coordinate” is a formal and professional alternative that emphasizes the organizational aspect of collaboration. It demonstrates an ability to align various elements or people to work towards a common objective effectively.
It is the best choice when your role involved logistical, administrative, or strategic planning activities that required close communication and cooperation with others to be executed successfully.
Examples:
Coordinated with the marketing and sales teams to ensure alignment on product launch strategies.
Coordinated a cross-departmental team to oversee the annual corporate event, resulting in a 20% increase in attendee satisfaction.
10. Pool resources
“Pool resources” focuses on the contribution of resources, be they time, knowledge, or material assets, towards a common goal. It has a formal and professional tone and is particularly suited for contexts where sharing assets was key to success.
This phrase showcases an ability to bring together various assets for greater efficiency or impact, fitting for projects that required significant resource allocation or optimization.
Examples:
Pooled resources with the research division to fund a pioneering study on renewable energy.
Pooled resources with neighboring schools to provide a wider range of after-school programming.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right words for your resume can make a big difference in how employers see your ability to work with a team. Using synonyms for “collaborate” not only adds variety to your resume but also allows you to more accurately describe your teamwork skills. With the ten alternatives we discussed, you have several options to showcase your ability to partner, cooperate, and coordinate with others.
