10 Good Synonyms for “Excellent” on a Resume

Of course, you should always look for powerful and positive modifiers when talking about your skills in a resume.

That’s why you’re thinking about using “excellent,” right?

Well, this article has gathered some alternatives to show you what to say instead of “excellent” on your resume.

• Admirable
• Accomplished
• Exceptional
• Exemplary
• Impressive
• First-rate
• Outstanding
• Sterling
• Superb
• Great

Read on to find some synonyms for “excellent.” There are plenty of great choices worth exploring, and we’ve provided examples for each.

1. Admirable

To really give your resume a professional kick, you can try “admirable.” It’s another way to say “excellent” that shows you take your work seriously and enjoy the things you do.

Calling yourself admirable is a great way to sell yourself in a CV. It shows you’re willing to discuss your skills positively.

The more proud of your skills you are, the better you’ll look to a recruiter. That’s why we highly recommend doing it when you get the chance.

You can also refer to these examples:

• I have been told that I have an admirable work ethic. You’ll have a hard time finding someone who puts as much work in as me.
• My admirable skill set makes me suitable for a trainer role. I’m more than willing to share my knowledge with colleagues.

2. Accomplished

You can include “accomplished” in a job application to really spice things up.

For starters, it’s formal. So, it works well when you’re trying to impress an employer with your abilities.

Your word selection matters. Therefore, using a formal word like “accomplished” to show that you work to a high standard is appropriate.

It’s a good adjective to include to show what you’re capable of.

Here are some resume samples to help you understand it better:

• I am an accomplished communicator in the workplace. Feel free to put me in positions to meet new clients when necessary.
• I’m an accomplished negotiator. You can rely on me to secure the best deals for you when times are hard.

3. Exceptional

Another great adjective to use instead of “excellent” is “exceptional.” The two words go hand in hand, so feel free to switch between them to keep things as interesting as possible.

“Exceptional” is certainly more powerful and professional than “excellent.” It’s bound to turn a few heads when you include it on your resume.

Don’t just take our word for it, though. Try it the next time you fill out a job application to see how well it goes.

Perhaps these examples will also show you how it works:

• I have exceptional communication skills. I would be more than happy to tell you more about this during the interview.
• My exceptional work rate sets me apart from other candidates. Nobody completes work as quickly as I can.

4. Exemplary

One of the most enticing words to use to sell yourself and your abilities is “exemplary.” If you’re “exemplary” at something, it means you’re excellent (maybe even perfect).

Therefore, you can use “exemplary” in your cover letter to showcase your ability. It implies that you’re incredibly good at what you do.

Feel free to include it the next time you complete a job application. You might be surprised by how effective it can be to secure an interview.

We also recommend reviewing the following examples:

• My exemplary performance report speaks for itself. I’m an excellent hire, and you should consider me for this role.
• I am an exemplary communicator. I’m also effective in client relations and will happily bring more into the firm.

5. Impressive

Another word for “excellent” on your resume is “impressive.” It’s a great professional choice that shows you impress your peers and employers.

The more impressive you are in the workplace, the more reliable you become. Therefore, it pays to be an impressive candidate, as it implies that people rely on you to help them complete their work.

If you’re looking to secure an interview, try this word. It’s not necessarily a better word than “excellent,” but it’s a close second and allows you to mix things up in your application.

Here are some examples to help you understand more about it:

• My impressive resume should speak for itself. I’m so keen to hear back from you and see what you have to offer.
• I’m an impressive candidate due to my hard work at college. I hope you consider me for the role.

6. First-Rate

We also like the hyphenated adjective “first-rate.” You can use it to discuss your top-tier skills when explaining what you’re good at.

For instance, you may have “first-rate communication skills.” This shows you’re one of the best communicators in the workplace, and your employer should trust you to help with meetings.

It’s formal and interesting, making it a fun choice in most resumes. It’s a good one to encourage an employer to keep you in mind when they pick their final interview candidates.

You can also refer to these cover letter samples:

• I have first-rate communication skills when talking to clients. You can count on me to help you with your relationships.
• I’m a first-rate employee. Feel free to come to me with any problems you might have, as I’m always happy to help.

7. Outstanding

You’re missing out if you haven’t tried using “outstanding” to describe yourself in your CV. It’s a great formal alternative to “excellent” that really helps you to stand out.

Generally, you can say you’re “outstanding” when you’re confident in yourself and know your worth. It shows you’re an effective employee and get the job done correctly.

It’s not often that people will willingly use “outstanding” to describe themselves.

After all, it’s a very powerful adjective. You can only get away with it when you’re certain you know it’s true.

Check out these examples if you’re still unsure:

• I have an outstanding record in my previous workplaces. That’s why I implore you to consider me for these roles.
• I am an outstanding candidate because I have all the appropriate qualifications needed to do this job right.

8. Sterling

This one’s a little different. It’s still worth using, but you might find it a bit more restrictive than the others.

“Sterling” is another way to say “excellent.” It’s more conversational and shows you put in a lot of effort when you need to.

Generally, this is an acceptable way to show that you work hard and do your best. It’ll also show a recruiter that you’re going to put in the work to show them what you can do.

However, since it’s more conversational, there’s a time and place to use it. We only recommend including it when applying for a casual role (i.e., a more casual job).

You can also review the following examples:

• My sterling communication skills have helped me out in the past. I’m sure you’ll see how useful I can be if you interview me.
• I am a sterling employee because of my ability to understand the customers’ base needs above all else.

9. Superb

It’s worth including “superb” in your CV to keep things exciting and fresh. “Superb” doesn’t come up often in formal writing, but that doesn’t mean it’s incorrect.

You should use “superb” to show you have great qualities to share. The more superb you are as an employee, the better you’ll appear to an employer.

So, “superb” is a good way to look impressive on paper. We highly recommend using it to keep your resume exciting.

It’s a bit more informal, but that’s not a problem if you know the audience.

Here are some CV samples to help you:

• I am a superb listener. That’s why I’m trusted to take notes during meetings when speaking with new clients.
• I’m a superb leader because I know how to get teams to work together. I know this job is right for me.

10. Great

We wanted to finish with a simpler option. If you’ve exhausted every other choice and can’t think of anything better, there’s nothing wrong with using “great.”

Sure, it’s not a high-level word for “excellent,” but it doesn’t have to be.

It’s still an appropriate and simple way to say you’re good at something. We recommend using it to appear more humble.

Don’t worry; it’ll still impress an employer. You might just want to find a way to include more impressive words in other parts of your CV.

If you’re still unsure, check out these examples:

• I have great communication skills. I’m willing to bring that with me when I start working at this firm.
• My great leadership skills allow me to excel during team projects. You won’t find a more suitable candidate than me.