The term 'Returned' is a dynamic word that holds a unique place in the professional lexicon. At its core, it signifies the act of going back to a previous state, condition, or place. It's a term that suggests resilience, adaptability, and the ability to bounce back from challenges or changes. When used on a resume, 'Returned' often communicates a narrative of growth and learning. It's a term that can indicate that the candidate has experienced a shift in their career path, perhaps taking on a new role or venturing into a different industry, but ultimately returned to their original field or position. This can convey a sense of dedication, passion, and commitment to a particular area of expertise. It tells potential employers that you have explored, learned, and yet found your true calling in the role you're applying for. However, while 'Returned' can tell a compelling story, it isn't always the most strategic language to use on your resume. The term can sometimes imply a lack of progress or forward momentum, which may not be the impression you want to give to potential employers. It might also raise questions about why you left and then returned to a particular role or industry. Therefore, it's worth considering the use of other terms or phrases that can more accurately depict your career journey. By choosing words that highlight your growth, adaptability, and continuous learning, you can present a more dynamic and appealing narrative to potential employers.
Tailor Your Resume Content to the Job Description
Returned to previous employer
This statement can be seen as a negative, implying that you were unable to find success elsewhere and had to return to a previous job. Instead, you could say "Rehired by previous employer due to demonstrated skills and expertise," which shows that your previous employer valued your work enough to bring you back.Returned calls and emails
While this is a task many employees do, it doesn't highlight any specific skills or accomplishments. Instead, try to quantify your work or show its impact, such as "Managed and responded to an average of 50 client inquiries via phone and email daily, maintaining a response time under 2 hours."Returned to work after a break
This statement could potentially highlight a gap in your employment history, which some employers may view negatively. Instead, focus on the skills or experiences you gained during your break, such as "Utilized career break to further develop project management skills through volunteer work and online courses."Returned items to suppliers
This statement is too task-oriented and doesn't show any achievements or skills. Instead, you could say "Managed supplier relationships, including the return and replacement of defective items, maintaining a 100% satisfaction rate with suppliers."Returned to school for further education
While further education is generally a positive, this statement doesn't highlight what you gained from the experience. Instead, try something like "Pursued further education in [field], enhancing skills in [specific areas] and achieving a [grade/GPA/award]."Managing customer returns:
Instead of using "Returned," job seekers can use synonyms like "Processed," "Handled," or "Managed" to convey their role in dealing with customer returns. These alternatives highlight their ability to efficiently handle customer service situations, resolve issues, and maintain customer satisfaction.Revisiting previous roles or projects:
When describing experiences where they have gone back to a previous role or project, job seekers can replace "Returned" with "Re-engaged," "Revisited," or "Resumed." These terms emphasize their ability to adapt, their commitment to continuous improvement, and their willingness to take on unfinished or ongoing tasks.Returning to the workforce:
When indicating a return to the workforce after a gap, job seekers can use phrases like "Re-entered," "Reintegrated into," or "Transitioned back into." These alternatives can help to portray the individual's re-entry into the workforce in a positive light, emphasizing their readiness and eagerness to contribute.Find the Right Synonyms for Any Job
Frequently Asked Questions
'Reinstated' could be a suitable replacement for 'Returned' on a resume, especially if you're describing a situation where you went back to a previous role or responsibility. For instance, instead of saying "Returned to the role of team leader after a year", you could say "Reinstated as team leader after a year".
You can use 'Returned' on your resume when describing a situation where you went back to a previous role, company, or industry. For instance, "Returned to the financial sector after a two-year stint in retail management" or "Returned to ABC Corp as a Senior Analyst after gaining additional experience at XYZ Co." It's a useful term to explain career transitions and demonstrate your adaptability.
The relevance of the word 'Returned' on your resume depends on the context of your work experience. If you've returned to a previous employer or role, it can highlight your reliability and value to that organization. For example, "Returned to XYZ Company as a Senior Analyst after gaining additional experience at ABC Corporation." However, if it doesn't apply to your job history or tasks, it may not be necessary to include.
