Team projects and networking opportunities come up all the time. Each of them requires some level of collaboration.
The better you can collaborate with others, the better you will be as an employee.
Therefore, it’s worth saying you can “collaborate” on a resume. But is it the only professional word to use in this instance?
This article has gathered some alternatives to show you how to say “collaborate” on a resume.
Is “Collaborate” a Good Resume Word?
“Collaborate” is a good resume word. It shows you work well with others and can fit well into any team environment.
You should say it when applying for team-related roles. It’s a great way to demonstrate your aptitude for teamwork, especially if you can take on a leadership role.
Here’s an example to show you how to use it:
I collaborate with team members to help them figure out the best solutions for new projects.
Pros
- It’s a great way to demonstrate good communication skills.
- It’s professional and shows you work well with others.
Cons
- It’s fairly bland and generic.
- It doesn’t necessarily show that you’re happy to work with others (just that you had to).
“Collaborate” is certainly a great option to use in a CV. However, that doesn’t mean there aren’t some alternatives that’ll help you mix things up.
Keep reading to learn another way to say “collaborate” on your resume.
What to Say Instead of “Collaborate” on a Resume
- Cooperate
- Work Together
- Combine
- Participate
- Pool Resources
- Merge
- Ally
- Communicate
- Share
1. Cooperate
Including “cooperate” somewhere in your job application is a great way to show you’re a team player.
Therefore, it’s another synonym for “collaborate” that helps to impress the reader.
You should use it to show you’re willing to work with others. This is a great trait to bring with you to any company.
Of course, it’s quite easy to find out just how cooperative you are. So, don’t be surprised if an employer invites you to a group interview to see whether you are as cooperative as you claim.
These examples will also help you with it:
I cooperate with other departments whenever possible. This is the best way to broaden your horizons.
I like to cooperate with other team members. It helps me to explore new avenues and see what I can learn from them.
2. Work Together
For a simpler alternative, you can write “work together.”
It’s a formal synonym that shows you’re willing to put yourself into teams. It also shows you thrive in team environments.
Of course, this isn’t a one-word alternative. Instead, it breaks “collaborate” into two very simple words.
If you “work together” with people, it means you’re a team player. Most employers will be happy to see this on your resume.
Feel free to include it to impress the recruiter. It obviously works best when applying for a team-based role (so make sure you read the job description first).
Check out the following examples if you’re still unsure:
I work together with multiple clients at the same time. That way, I can network more effectively and gain a deeper understanding.
I like to work together with team members. It helps me to understand their thought process a little better.
3. Combine
There are plenty of formal ways to say you like to collaborate with others. Another good choice is “combine.”
You should use “combine” as another synonym for “collaborate.” It shows you’re willing to share ideas with coworkers.
Again, this works best when applying for a team-based role. If you work well with others and can happily share opinions, then you can use “combine” to demonstrate this commitment.
Of course, it’s not the most common word to see instead of “collaborate.” You should only use it once in your resume to keep things more interesting than repeatedly using “collaborate.”
Here are a few examples to help you understand it better:
I frequently combine with stakeholders to hear their views on the company. It’s why I’m such a good boss.
I combine with my colleagues whenever possible. We get together to discuss things happening around the office.
4. Participate
Participation almost strictly refers to teamwork in a formal capacity. Therefore, using “participate” shows you’re willing to work with others.
“Participate” often means you’ll put yourself into team situations. It suggests you thrive when working with others and want to find a job that allows you to explore this side of your job.
We strongly recommend this as a professional alternative. You can’t go wrong with it, and it’ll certainly capture the reader’s attention.
The following examples will also help you with it:
I participate in meetings with cross-functional teams. It helps me to find out their ideas and see how we can make use of them.
I participate in multiple events to learn from my peers. It’s helped us all to gain a better understanding of each other.
5. Pool Resources
For a really formal alternative, perhaps you’d like “pool resources.” It shows you share ideas with others (namely coworkers or clients) to network and learn.
Pooling resources allows you to expand your understanding of situations. The more you talk to your peers, the more you’ll be kept in the loop when new things crop up.
Also, saying you “pool resources” shows you’re proactive and keen. Both of these qualities go a long way in a workplace and let employers know you’re willing to work alongside partners.
You can also review these examples:
It’s important to pool resources whenever possible. I believe in working cross-functionally to learn from other like-minded people.
Collaborative working is my specialty. Therefore, it’s important to pool resources whenever I get the chance.
6. Merge
Generally, the term “merge” comes up when two companies come together. You have probably heard of a “merger” before (which is where two companies become one).
However, you can also use “merge” in a professional sense. It works well in a resume to show you enjoy working with people.
Of course, since this word is more professional, it usually refers to working with clients.
You can use it to show you’re put in charge of important customers, which shows you’re good at working with them. This shows employers that you’re trustworthy and reliable.
Here are some resume examples if you’re still unsure:
I tend to merge with my peers to find out how they’re getting on. This trait helps me to become a better team leader.
I merge with clients to learn from them. It’s my hope that I can understand their problems and learn from those mistakes.
7. Ally
Creating alliances shows that you work well with others. Also, alliances usually come between friends and foes (i.e., friendly and rival companies alike).
Therefore, you can use “ally” to show you’re a good networker. It suggests you’re willing to put yourself out there to bond with other companies and see what you can learn from them.
Being able to collaborate is one thing. Being able to ally yourself with competitors is a whole other thing. It’s much more impressive and shows you are more cutthroat than most employees.
Check out these CV examples as well:
I ally myself with my boss to learn more about the company’s inner workings. It’s always fascinated me.
I ally myself with team members all the time. It’s the best way to expand your knowledge and understanding of those around you.
8. Communicate
It’s important to communicate in the workplace. Professional settings require top-notch communication between peers to show that everyone’s on the same page.
So, we recommend including “communicate” in your CV if possible. It shows you work well with others and want to do what you can to learn from them.
This is highly effective in formal writing. It allows employers to trust you and see your reliability when dealing with clients and customers.
Perhaps the following cover letter samples will also help you:
I like to communicate openly with other departments. We all have an agreement to share changes when they come up.
I communicate with customers when they need my assistance. It helps me to understand more about their problems.
9. Share
To finish off, you can include “share” as another word for “collaborate.”
“Share” generally means you give your ideas to others. However, you don’t do it for free. “Share” also suggests you expect others to share with you as well.
There’s a certain amount of give and take when sharing information in the workplace.
You should only share as much as people are willing to give back. This makes you a much better communicator with people you work with (both coworkers and clients alike).
You can also review these examples:
Everyone needs to share more often. It’s why I tend to prefer collaborative working so that I can learn from my coworkers.
I share with my colleagues when they’re interested in learning more. It’s important to work with those around you.