Sharing your responsibilities on your resume is a good way to discuss your importance in the workplace. The more things you’re responsible for, the better you’ll appear to a prospective employer.
But is “responsible for” the best phrase to use?
This article has gathered the best synonyms to show you what to say instead of “responsible for” on your resume.
- In charge of
- At the helm of
- In control of
- Accountable for
- Oversee
- Manage
- Supervise
- Conduct
- Look after
- Organize
Keep reading to find out how to describe your responsibility on a resume. We also recommend reviewing the examples to help you with each phrase.
1. In Charge of
“In charge of” is another way to say “responsible for” on your resume. We think it’s one of the most direct and clear ways to demonstrate your responsibilities.
Generally, saying you’re “in charge of” something means your boss trusts you to oversee something. Therefore, it’s a good thing to include in a resume to show you’re reliable.
We recommend using this as a formal synonym for “responsible for.” It’ll keep your cover letter more interesting than just repeating “responsible for” every time.
These examples will also clear things up:
I am in charge of hiring and firing in the office. I much prefer hiring new candidates, but sometimes, I can’t avoid the latter.
I’m in charge of finalizing most projects. That way, I can ensure the associates come up with the best ideas.
2. At the Helm of
Now, this alternative is much more interesting than the basic “responsible for.” You could say you’re “at the helm of” to show what projects you lead.
“At the helm of” is a fun and exciting phrase to include in a resume. And, to top it off, it’s also formal and respectful.
Therefore, it’ll be a good chance to impress an employer by showing them you’re not scared of more interesting phrases. It also allows you to demonstrate your responsibilities and reliability.
Perhaps these resume examples will also help:
I’m at the helm of financial operations. I’m fiscally responsible and ready to prove myself to you.
I enjoy being at the helm of ordering office supplies. It makes me feel like I have more value in the office.
3. In Control of
It’s worth using “in control of” to keep things interesting as well. It shows you how to describe your responsibility on a resume in an obvious and direct manner.
If you’re in control of something, it means you were given the duty to look after it. Therefore, it shows you as a more reliable employee.
Employers always want to hire reliable people. Therefore, this phrase is a great way to show an employer that you’re ready and willing to put the work in for them.
Here are a couple of cover letter samples to help you with it:
I’m in control of P&L statements. My boss decided I was the best person to deal with it, as I’m the best with numbers.
Being in control of hiring and firing has its perks. Therefore, I hope you’ll consider me for an interview next week.
4. Accountable for
You don’t always have to overcomplicate things when coming up with formal synonyms. Sometimes, it’s best to keep the base of the phrase the same and only change a bit of it.
For instance, you can switch “responsible for” with “accountable for.” It shows you’re responsible and diligent because you look after specific tasks.
Much like the other synonyms, “accountable for” implies that an employer asks for your help. Therefore, you can use it to show you’re reliable and willing to step in when management needs you.
You can also check out these examples:
I’m accountable for opening and closing the store. I’m a keyholder and trusted with the backend system.
I am accountable for most of the projects in the workplace at the moment. They put me in charge because they know I can work effectively.
5. Oversee
If you’re looking for an action verb for “responsible,” try “oversee.” It’s a great one that shows you watch over operations in the workplace.
Also, “oversee” works whether you’re a manager or an employee. If you’re the manager, it’s your job to oversee operations daily. If you’re an employee, your manager might ask you to oversee projects to help them.
Whatever the case, this is a great professional word to include. It will help a new employer to consider you for the next step in the hiring process.
Feel free to review the following examples if you still need help:
I oversee inventory to ensure nothing goes missing. I’m very proud of my job role, and I can’t wait to see where it takes me.
I will oversee operations when I’m asked to do so. It helps me to have a sense of pride in my work.
6. Manage
We also recommend using “manage” as another word for “responsible for” on your resume.
You can’t go wrong with it, as it’s one of the more basic yet formal choices. “Manage” is a common formal word (you’ll even find it in job roles such as “manager”).
Therefore, you should include it to sound as professional as possible. You’ll have a much easier time convincing an employer to hire you when using buzzwords like that.
Check out these CV samples to see how to use it:
I manage multiple budgets at work. They trust me to look after their money because they know it’s in good hands.
I manage the books throughout the financial year. I’m certain I’m the best person for the job.
7. Supervise
Whether you’ve held a supervisor role before or you’ve simply supervised a task, this word is for you.
You can use “supervise” as another way to say “responsible for” on your resume.
It demonstrates your responsibilities quite well. It’s formal and suitable, making it an effective choice to show an employer that you’re ready to take on new challenges.
Also, this one works similarly to “manage” from the previous section. “Supervise” is a professional word relating to a “supervisor” job role. Therefore, it works as a buzzword when filling out your resume.
Perhaps these CV samples will also help you:
They ask me to supervise budget meetings. That way, if something goes wrong, I can step in to help out.
I supervise the new applicants to see who’s able to work in high-pressure situations.
8. Conduct
Feel free to try “conduct” as another word for “responsible for” on your resume.
It’s formal and effective, showing a recruiter what you’ve been put in charge of before. We recommend using it as the verb choice when explaining any and all responsibilities.
Also, “conducting” shows a more professional side to your responsibilities. It shows you’re willing to take on new work, as long as it helps to further your prospects as an employee.
Here are some examples to help you with it:
I conduct profit and loss statements to help my company. I’m happy to bring this part of my role with me to your office.
I conduct inventory checks every three months. I’ve already caught a few discrepancies that don’t make sense in our books.
9. Look After
We want to go back to something slightly simpler. You never know when more simplistic language might help you in your CVs.
Try “look after” as a phrasal alternative to “responsible for.”
It shows a more friendly side to you as an employee. Also, the informal nature of the phrase works well when applying for a more casual role.
However, “look after” won’t work nearly as well if you’re applying for a strict and formal job. For instance, you may not want to use “look after” when looking for a job at a law firm.
You may also review these examples:
I look after the new starters. Any questions they might have, they can come to me to ask.
I look after the stockroom and inventory checks. It’s a difficult job, but it shows I’m incredibly reliable.
10. Organize
Finally, we’d like you to try “organize” instead of “responsible for.” It’s a more effective synonym because it shows you’re happy to set up something for your company.
For instance, you might organize budget meetings to help set up targets for your coworkers. This shows you are proactive and able to take charge, which is a great way to sell yourself formally.
Check out these resume samples to see how it works:
I organize most of the projects in the workplace. After all, I know the best ways to group my colleagues to maximize efficiency.
I organize the databases when provided by my boss. She trusts me to maintain them to a high level.