Guide on How to Say “Worked Closely With”

When describing your work experience or collaborations, the phrase “worked closely with” allows you to highlight the close cooperation and teamwork you engaged in. However, depending on the context and formality, there are various alternative expressions you can use to convey the same meaning. In this guide, we will explore different ways to say “worked closely with,” including both formal and informal options. While regional variations will not be extensively covered here, a few examples will be provided if relevant.

Formal Expressions for “Worked Closely With”

If you are in a professional or formal setting, consider using the following expressions instead of simply stating “worked closely with” to add variety and demonstrate your language skills:

1. Collaborated closely with: This phrase emphasizes the cooperative aspect of your work, indicating that you actively worked together with others to achieve a common goal.
2. Cooperated extensively with: Using “cooperated extensively with” conveys a strong sense of teamwork and cooperation, especially when working together on complex or challenging tasks.
3. Worked in tandem with: This phrase suggests a high degree of coordination and synchronization with your colleagues, evoking a sense of seamless collaboration.
4. Engaged in close partnership with: If you want to highlight a more strategic collaboration or long-term relationship with others, “engaged in close partnership with” is a suitable choice.
5. Teamed up with: This expression implies joining forces with others, bringing together individual strengths to achieve shared objectives.
6. Joined efforts with: By using “joined efforts with,” you emphasize the collective nature of your work, showcasing your ability to contribute as part of a team.

Informal Alternatives for “Worked Closely With”

In less formal situations, you can employ more casual language to describe your collaboration. Here are some alternatives to “worked closely with” that add a touch of informality:

1. Teamed up with: Also suitable for informal settings, this expression conveys a sense of camaraderie and collaboration.
2. Worked hand in hand with: By using this phrase, you create a vivid image of working closely side by side with others, emphasizing the close bonds formed during your collaboration.
3. Put our heads together: This expression suggests a relaxed and informal working atmosphere, where individuals come together to brainstorm, problem-solve, or share ideas.
4. Pulled together with: Using “pulled together with” emphasizes a shared effort to achieve a goal, highlighting the collective contributions made by each individual involved.
5. Combined forces with: This expression carries a sense of unity and the notion that by joining forces with your colleagues, you were able to accomplish more together.
6. Worked side by side with: By stating that you “worked side by side with” others, you stress the collaborative aspect of your work, suggesting a strong teamwork dynamic.

Tips for Describing Collaboration

When discussing how you worked closely with others, keep the following tips in mind to enhance the quality and impact of your descriptions:

• Be specific: Provide concrete details or examples of how you collaborated with others. This could include joint projects, teamwork, brainstorming sessions, or any specific achievements resulting from your collaborations.
• Highlight outcomes and benefits: Discuss the positive results or achievements that emerged from your collaborative efforts. Emphasize how working closely with others improved efficiency, productivity, or problem-solving abilities.
• Showcase communication skills: Describe how effective communication and active listening played a critical role in your close collaborations. Mention any strategies or tools you employed to ensure seamless communication.
• Demonstrate adaptability: Illustrate situations where you successfully adapted your working style or approach to complement your colleagues’ strengths and enhance collaboration.
• Use action verbs: Enliven your descriptions by incorporating powerful action verbs that highlight your active participation in collaborative endeavors. For example, “orchestrated,” “facilitated,” or “integrated.”
• Quantify whenever possible: Whenever appropriate, quantify the results or impact of your collaborations. This could include metrics, percentages, or any tangible outcomes achieved.

Example: During my time as a project manager, I collaborated extensively with cross-functional teams to successfully deliver three major projects on time, resulting in a 25% increase in efficiency and a 15% reduction in costs.

Remember, whether you are in a formal or informal setting, choose expressions that align with the context while reflecting your personality and communication style. By diversifying your vocabulary and employing specific examples, you can paint a vivid picture of your collaborative abilities, leaving a lasting impression.

With these alternatives to “worked closely with” at your disposal, you can now showcase your collaboration skills effectively in various professional and personal situations.