It’s great to demonstrate that you go “above and beyond” on a resume. It lets an employer know that you do your best and try harder than most to succeed.
However, is “above and beyond” the only phrase to use? This article has gathered all the best synonyms you can replace “above and beyond” with.
“Above and Beyond” Synonyms
- Exceed
- Strive for perfection
- Go the extra mile
- Beyond boundaries
- Give it my all
- Go the distance
- Beyond expectations
- Overperform
- Deliver
- I impress
- I always do my best
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- “Above and beyond” is great to include in CVs and resumes when showing your work ethic.
- Try “exceed” if you want a one-word alternative that offers the same information.
- “Strive for perfection” is a great phrasal synonym you can use in this context.
Keep reading to learn all about the best synonyms for “above and beyond.” We’ve explained everything you need to know about them and how they work in context.
Also, we’ve explored whether “above and beyond” is good to do in the workplace. The final section details everything you may need to know about trying your best.
Exceed
“Exceed” is a great alternative for “above and beyond.” It’s one word, which makes it more concise and clear to the reader. It still shows you will work hard to complete something without needing the extra wording of “above and beyond.”
The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines “exceed” as “to be greater than or superior to.”
Being able to exceed yourself shows an employer that you’re willing to put extra work in. It shows that even when they think you’re at your limit, you’ll still deliver quality work to impress them.
If you can exceed yourself and your colleagues, you’ll certainly become a desirable candidate. So, it’s worth including it in your resume when you want to show you have a great professional work ethic.
“Exceed” and “above and beyond” are both effective phrases. You can use either one in your resume or switch between them to keep things interesting.
Here are a few examples that might help you:
Former employers tell me I exceed expectations all the time. That’s why I believe I’ll be a good fit in this workplace.
I exceed what’s asked of me whenever possible. You won’t find me slacking when I know there’s work to do.
Strive for Perfection
“Strive for perfection” is a great alternative for showing an employer that you don’t give up. It implies that you will keep working until you’re confident that something is perfect.
Generally, looking for perfection is a positive trait in the workplace. It shows you won’t hand work in until you know that it meets all the criteria set by your boss. This will save them from asking for revisions or corrections, which saves them a job.
Naturally, the phrase is useful because it makes you a desirable hire. It lets an employer know you will always do your best at work and find the “perfect” way to complete a task.
You can use “strive for perfection” and “above and beyond” in similar contexts. Both are acceptable in professional situations. So, feel free to switch between them to mix things up.
Here are some examples to clear things up:
They told me to strive for perfection, so that’s how I live my life. I will always do my best to deliver excellence.
I strive for perfection in everything I do. You won’t regret hiring me, as I’ll show you what I can do.
Is It Good to Go “Above and Beyond”?
It is good to go above and beyond. It shows that you give 100% to a project. Generally, that alone will encourage employers to look at you favorably when reading your CVs or cover letters featuring the phrase “above and beyond.”
Going above and beyond shows people that you’re willing to give more than most. It shows you put yourself out there and believe you are more valuable than the average employee.
It is appropriate to include it in a resume, though you’ll want to back it up. Just saying you went above and beyond without much context isn’t going to help. You should mention a specific situation that highlights when you went above and beyond.
For instance:
I always go above and beyond. You can see that based on the extra work I completed during the most recent project.
You should bookmark this page to remind yourself of the best synonyms to use. That way, you’ll always have something other than “above and beyond” to include in your resume.