On a resume, “strong” is often too vague on its own. Replace it with a word that names the actual quality you mean—breadth, depth, reliability, resilience, persuasion, achievement, or proven performance.
Replace Strong with a More Specific Claim
- Robust
- Solid
- Extensive
- Advanced
- Proven
- Effective
- Resilient
- Persuasive
- Decisive
- Capable
- Accomplished
- Proficient
- Skilled
- Dependable
- High-performing
Robust
Robust suits systems, processes, analysis, or controls that are dependable. It is most useful when that is the specific sense intended by “strong.”
Example: On a resume, “Robust” is appropriate when describing systems, processes, analysis, or controls that are dependable.
Solid
Use Solid for experience, performance, or knowledge with a reliable foundation. This is more precise than treating every use of “strong” as identical.
Example: On a resume, “Solid” is appropriate when describing experience, performance, or knowledge with a reliable foundation.
Extensive
Extensive points to experience or knowledge developed across a broad range. Choose it when that nuance matches the sentence.
Example: On a resume, “Extensive” is appropriate when describing experience or knowledge developed across a broad range.
Advanced
Choose Advanced when you mean skills or knowledge above an intermediate level. It gives “strong” a clearer contextual meaning.
Example: On a resume, “Advanced” is appropriate when describing skills or knowledge above an intermediate level.
Proven
Proven suits ability or results supported by evidence. It is most useful when that is the specific sense intended by “strong.”
Example: On a resume, “Proven” is appropriate when describing ability or results supported by evidence.
Effective
Use Effective for leadership, communication, or methods that achieve results. This is more precise than treating every use of “strong” as identical.
Example: On a resume, “Effective” is appropriate when describing leadership, communication, or methods that achieve results.
Resilient
Resilient points to people, teams, or systems that cope well with pressure or change. Choose it when that nuance matches the sentence.
Example: On a resume, “Resilient” is appropriate when describing people, teams, or systems that cope well with pressure or change.
Persuasive
Choose Persuasive when you mean communication, negotiation, or presentation ability that influences others. It gives “strong” a clearer contextual meaning.
Example: On a resume, “Persuasive” is appropriate when describing communication, negotiation, or presentation ability that influences others.
Decisive
Decisive suits leadership or decision-making marked by timely, confident action. It is most useful when that is the specific sense intended by “strong.”
Example: On a resume, “Decisive” is appropriate when describing leadership or decision-making marked by timely, confident action.
Capable
Use Capable for reliable ability to handle responsibilities. This is more precise than treating every use of “strong” as identical.
Example: On a resume, “Capable” is appropriate when describing reliable ability to handle responsibilities.
Accomplished
Accomplished points to a person with substantial demonstrated achievement. Choose it when that nuance matches the sentence.
Example: On a resume, “Accomplished” is appropriate when describing a person with substantial demonstrated achievement.
Proficient
Choose Proficient when you mean practical skill at a competent or advanced level. It gives “strong” a clearer contextual meaning.
Example: On a resume, “Proficient” is appropriate when describing practical skill at a competent or advanced level.
Skilled
Skilled suits developed ability in a specific task or field. It is most useful when that is the specific sense intended by “strong.”
Example: On a resume, “Skilled” is appropriate when describing developed ability in a specific task or field.
Dependable
Use Dependable for performance or behaviour others can rely on. This is more precise than treating every use of “strong” as identical.
Example: On a resume, “Dependable” is appropriate when describing performance or behaviour others can rely on.
High-performing
High-performing points to a team, function, or individual consistently achieving demanding results. Choose it when that nuance matches the sentence.
Example: On a resume, “High-performing” is appropriate when describing a team, function, or individual consistently achieving demanding results.
How to Choose the Best Option for “Strong”
Choose the alternative to “strong” that describes your actual evidence most accurately. On a resume, a more impressive-sounding word is not automatically stronger: the wording should identify what you did, and the rest of the bullet should show the result or value of that work.