Listing accomplishments on your resume is important in demonstrating your value to make your resume stand out and increase your chances of landing that interview.
Identifying Your Accomplishments
Professional Achievements
Start by making a list of tasks, projects, and outcomes from your work experience.
- Recall significant projects you completed that improved your team or company performance.
- Identify times when you went above and beyond your role or exceeded expectations.
- Reflect on awards, promotions, or recognitions you received for your work.
Examples
- Received the “Employee of the Year” award for exceptional performance and dedication.
- Increased monthly sales by 20% through implementing new marketing strategies.
- Streamlined the contract review process, reducing the average time spent by 15%.
Educational Milestones
Your educational milestones showcase your learning and growth potential. As you gather them, consider these points:
- Completed degrees or certifications that are relevant to the position.
- Scholarships or honors you received during your education.
- Academic projects or research that highlight your skills and expertise.
Some examples of educational accomplishments are:
- Graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science.
- Received a full-ride scholarship for outstanding academic performance in high school.
- Co-authored a research paper published in a renowned scientific journal.
Personal and Volunteer Achievements
Consider your personal and volunteer experiences. These accomplishments demonstrate your drive and commitment outside of work and education. When listing them, remember:
- Volunteer work, community service, or charity involvement reflecting your compassion and teamwork.
- Personal projects or hobbies that showcase relevant skills or achievements.
- Local, regional, or national awards or recognitions for your personal interests.
Some examples of personal and volunteer accomplishments are:
- Organized a charity event that raised $10,000 for children’s healthcare.
- Built a personal finance blog with over 5,000 monthly readers.
- Earned a black belt in martial arts, demonstrating dedication and discipline.
Selecting the Right Accomplishments for the Job
When listing accomplishments on your resume, it’s essential to tailor them to the specific job you’re applying for. You can do this by identifying the accomplishments that will resonate most with the employer and showcase your skills, experience, and value to their organization.
Analyze the Job Description
Start by thoroughly analyzing the job description, identifying the skills and experiences the employer is looking for. Then, create a list of your accomplishments that demonstrate these qualities.
For example, if the job requires strong project management skills, you might include an accomplishment like: “Managed a team of 10 to successfully complete a complex project within budget and ahead of schedule.”
Prioritize Your List
Next, prioritize your list of accomplishments. Place the most relevant and impressive ones at the top, and leave out any that aren’t directly applicable to the job you’re applying for or that don’t show transferable skills. Focus on those that show measurable results, such as quantifiable improvements to processes or savings generated.
Examples
- Increased website traffic by 50% within three months through targeted SEO strategies.
- Reduced product returns by 30% by implementing an improved customer feedback process.
Use Action Words and Numbers
When describing your accomplishments, use strong action words and numbers to provide clear, concise, and persuasive examples. This can not only show your results but also paint a vivid picture of your abilities.
Examples
- Spearheaded the transformation of an underperforming team, leading to a 25% increase in productivity.
- Improved customer satisfaction scores by 20% by initiating a new customer service training program.
Highlight Transferable Skills
Sometimes, your past accomplishments may not seem directly related to the job you’re applying for. In these cases, highlight the transferable skills you gained from these accomplishments. This can help illustrate your ability to adapt and succeed in different situations.
Example
- Developed strong negotiation skills while successfully closing $2 million in deals as a sales representative, which can be applied to successful stakeholder management as a project manager.
When selecting the right accomplishments for your resume, you can focus on those that best demonstrate your value as a potential candidate for the specific job you’re applying for.
Writing Accomplishment Statements
For an appealing format, implement the STAR method, which stands for:
- Situation: Describe the context or background.
- Example: Working as a team leader at (…) Company.
- Task: Explain the task or challenge you were faced with.
- Example: Our team needed to increase sales by 20% over six months.
- Action: Mention the steps you took to address the challenge or complete the task.
- Example: I developed and implemented a new sales strategy, trained team members, and monitored progress.
- Result: Share the outcome, preferably in quantifiable terms.
- Example: As a result, we saw a 25% increase in sales, exceeding our goal.
To create compelling accomplishment statements, start by brainstorming accomplishments from your previous roles. Think about times when you went beyond expectations, achieved a goal, or solved a problem.
List your accomplishments in the reverse chronological order. Start with your most recent accomplishments and work backward. This will help showcase your growth and emphasize the relevance of your achievements to your prospective employer.
Next, convert your accomplishments into powerful statements using the STAR method. Be concise yet descriptive, and focus on the positive impact you made. Also, use strong verbs and specific numbers to quantify your achievements.
Example
- Instead of
“Managed a team of 10 people” - “Led a team of 10, increasing sales by 25% over six months by implementing a new sales strategy and providing training.”
Customize your accomplishment statements to align with the job you’re applying for. Pay close attention to the job description and highlight accomplishments that reflect the desired qualities and skills the employer is seeking.
Examples of Accomplishment Statements
- Increased quarterly sales by 15% through proactive client outreach and targeted marketing campaigns.
- Reduced project completion time by 25% by implementing agile methodologies and improving team communication.
- Designed a new mobile app, resulting in a 30% increase in user engagement and a 20% improvement in conversions.
- Saved the company $50,000 annually by renegotiating vendor contracts and identifying inefficiencies in the procurement process.
- Coordinated a successful fundraising event, raising $10,000 for a local charity.
- Mentored 5 junior team members to help them develop their leadership skills and advance in their careers.
- Improved customer satisfaction scores by 18% by implementing a new customer service training program.
- Streamlined the company’s expense reporting process, saving the accounting department 10 hours each month.
- Launched a new product line that generated $75,000 in revenue in its first year.
- Developed a social media strategy that increased brand awareness and resulted in a 40% increase in followers.
- Authored a technical white paper, establishing the company as an industry thought leader.
- Automated the monthly financial reporting process, reducing errors and improving efficiency.
- Expanded the company’s market share by attracting 20 new clients within six months.
- Negotiated a new client contract worth $150,000, contributing to a 10% increase in annual revenue.
- Implemented a new intranet system to improve internal communication and collaboration.
- Received the “Employee of the Year” award for exceptional performance and dedication to the company.
- Reengineered the company website, increasing organic traffic by 35% and conversion rates by 20%.
- Developed and led a cross-functional team that successfully completed a complex project before the deadline.
- Improved the onboarding process for new hires, decreasing the average training time by two weeks.
- Organized a team-building event that improved morale and increased team cohesion.
- Identified and resolved a critical system issue before it impacted customers, demonstrating proactive problem-solving skills.
- Presented a proposal for a new initiative that was approved by the executive team, resulting in a $100,000 investment.
- Created a monthly newsletter that increased employee engagement and fostered a sense of community within the company.
- Managed a successful trade show booth, securing 50 new leads and generating significant interest in the company’s offerings.
- Implemented a new inventory system that reduced stock inaccuracies by 20% and improved warehouse efficiency.
- Designed and executed a successful marketing campaign that boosted website visits by 60% and increased sales by 10%.
- Conducted training sessions on time management, resulting in a 15% decrease in late project submissions across the team.
- Developed and implemented a new recruitment strategy, reducing the average time-to-hire by three weeks.
- Initiated an employee wellness program that increased participation in healthy activities and improved overall employee satisfaction.
- Led a process improvement initiative that resulted in a 10% reduction in operational costs.
Incorporating Keywords from Job Descriptions
- Start by analyzing the job descriptions of the positions you’re applying for. Look for specific skills, qualifications, and phrases that are frequently mentioned. Make a list of these keywords to include in your resume.
- Next, consider how you can naturally integrate these keywords into your accomplishments. Rather than simply stating you have the skills, show how you’ve used them to achieve tangible results. For instance, instead of writing “Experienced in content creation,” you might say “Increased website traffic by 30% through strategic content creation and SEO optimization.”
- It’s also important to be selective in the keywords you use. Try to avoid keyword stuffing: this can make your resume difficult to read and may come across as disingenuous. Focus on incorporating the most relevant and impactful keywords in a way that complements your experiences and accomplishments.
Some examples of incorporating keywords from job descriptions into your accomplishments:
- Job Description Keyword: Project Management
- Accomplishment: Successfully managed a team of 5 and completed 15 projects within budget and on schedule, improving overall team efficiency by 20%.
- Job Description Keyword: Data Analysis
- Accomplishment: Leveraged data analysis to identify customer trends, resulting in a 10% increase in quarterly sales.
- Job Description Keyword: Social Media Marketing
- Accomplishment: Grew company’s Instagram following by 50% in 6 months through engaging social media marketing strategies.
It’s a good idea to tailor your resume and accomplishments to each job you’re applying for, using the relevant keywords from each job description.
Positioning Accomplishments in Different Resume Sections
Summary Statement
When crafting your summary statement, it’s essential to highlight your most significant achievements. This section sets the stage and helps recruiters quickly understand your value. To do this, focus on using powerful language that conveys your success. For example:
- “Increased quarterly sales by 15% through strategic marketing campaigns.”
- “Streamlined software development process, reducing project timelines by 20%.”
Choose 2-3 essential accomplishments that demonstrate your expertise, and include them in your summary statement to make a strong first impression.
Work Experience
Your work experience section showcases your accomplishments within each of your past positions. To list these achievements effectively:
- Use bullet points for clarity and readability.
- Start each bullet point with an action verb to show that you take initiative.
- Quantify your accomplishments using numbers, percentages, or other relevant metrics.
Examples
- “Managed a team of 15 sales representatives, generating $1.2M in annual revenue.”
- “Designed and implemented a new inventory tracking system, reducing product waste by 25%.”
- “Coordinated a company-wide training program, increasing employee satisfaction ratings by 10%.”
(By providing examples in this manner, you give recruiters a clear picture of your capabilities in a specific role.)
Education Section
Although your education section typically focuses on degrees earned, it’s also a great place to showcase any academic accomplishments that boost your credentials. Consider including honors, awards, projects, or extracurricular activities that are relevant to your field.
Examples
- “Graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science.”
- “Received the Outstanding Student Award for exemplary performance in marketing coursework.”
- “Completed an independent research project on consumer behavior trends in the retail industry.”
Formatting Accomplishments for Impact
When listing your accomplishments on a resume, try to format them in a way that emphasizes their impact. A well-structured layout can make your achievements stand out to potential employers. Here are some guidelines on how to format your accomplishments effectively.
To begin with, use action verbs that convey a sense of initiative and completion. Terms like managed, designed, implemented, and achieved can showcase your hands-on involvement in your accomplishments. This approach helps demonstrate your ability to take ownership of projects and deliver results.
For instance, instead of writing “Worked on a team that increased sales,” a better phrasing would be, “Collaborated with a team to implement marketing strategies, resulting in a 20% increase in sales.”
Next, make use of bullet points to present your accomplishments in a clean and organized manner. Bullet points allow employers to quickly scan your resume and focus on key aspects of your experience. Start each bullet point with an action verb and include relevant details. Here is an example of how to use bullet points effectively:
- Developed and launched a new e-commerce website, increasing online sales by 30%.
- Led a team of 10 to implement a new CRM system, streamlining communication between departments.
When describing your accomplishments, be specific and quantify your results whenever possible. Use precise numbers, percentages, or timeframes to give a clear picture of your achievements. By doing so, employers can better understand the impact you’ve had in your previous roles.
For instance, instead of saying “Significantly reduced project completion time,” it’s better to write “Reduced project completion time by 50% by optimizing internal processes.”
Highlighting Accomplishments in Cover Letters and Interviews
When it’s time to showcase your achievements on your resume, it’s crucial to emphasize them in your cover letters and interviews. Follow these simple tips to make your accomplishments stand out:
- Be specific: Instead of stating that you “increased sales,” mention the exact percentage or amount by which you increased them. For example, “Increased sales by 20% within the first six months.”
- Use action verbs: Start your accomplishment statements with strong action verbs like “accelerated,” “collaborated,” or “spearheaded.” This will demonstrate your proactive approach to your work and highlight your abilities.
- Quantify when possible: Wherever you can, quantify your achievements by using numbers, percentages, and figures. This will give your accomplishments more context and better illustrate your impact on your previous positions.
Examples in Cover Letters
In your cover letters, try to weave your accomplishments into the narrative without sounding boastful.
Example
“During my time at Company (…), I collaborated with a cross-functional team and developed a new marketing strategy that boosted website traffic by 35% in three months. This not only increased sales but also improved our online presence.”
Examples in Interviews
When sharing your accomplishments in interviews, keep these tips in mind:
- Use the “STAR” method to structure your response: Situation, Task, Action, and Result.
- Discuss the context of your achievements and how they contributed to your company’s goals.
- Be prepared to provide specific examples of your accomplishments.
Here’s an example using the STAR method:
- Situation: At my previous job, our team faced a productivity challenge due to outdated methods.
- Task: I was in charge of streamlining the department’s workflow.
- Action: I researched and implemented a new project management tool that helped track tasks and deadlines.
- Result: This led to a 25% increase in overall productivity and a 10% reduction in project completion time.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can you effectively showcase personal achievements in a resume?
You can showcase your personal achievements by providing context and using specific numbers and details. For example, instead of saying “Won a public speaking competition,” try “Awarded 1st place in a statewide public speaking contest with over 100 participants.” This shows a clear accomplishment and makes it more impressive to potential employers.
How do you articulate key accomplishments in a resume for maximum impact?
Use action verbs like “improved,” “developed,” “led,” or “managed” to convey your role in the accomplishment. Then, quantify the results using numbers, percentages, or time saved.
What strategies can help convey skills and achievements together on a resume?
To convey both your skills and achievements, use a combination of bullet points and narratives. Present your skills in a concise list, showcasing your most relevant abilities. Then, use the narrative or bullet points in your experience section to describe how you used those skills to achieve success.
In what way can students feature their academic and extracurricular achievements on a resume?
Students can highlight their academic achievements by mentioning awards, honors, and scholarships they’ve received. They can also include information about their GPA or notable coursework. For extracurricular achievements, students should describe their involvement in clubs, sports, or volunteer work, especially if they held leadership roles or made a significant impact in those activities.