29/05/2023

 

Understanding What Counts as an Achievement

 

But first, what exactly counts as an achievement? An achievement refers to a specific accomplishment or success you've had in your career. These could range from exceeding sales targets, receiving an employee of the month award, to implementing a successful project. For example, if you're in sales, an achievement could be "Exceeded annual sales target by 20% for two consecutive years". In customer service, an achievement might be "Improved customer satisfaction scores by 30% within six months".

 

However, it's important to distinguish between duties and achievements. Duties are tasks you were expected to perform in your role, while achievements are outcomes you accomplished. For instance, "managing a team of five" is a duty, while "led a team of five to complete a major project two weeks ahead of schedule" is an achievement. Recognizing the difference helps ensure you're truly highlighting your accomplishments, not just your responsibilities. The power of achievements lies in their ability to demonstrate your capability and potential, thereby painting a vivid picture of what you can bring to a new role.

 

Preparing to List Your Achievements

 

Before you begin writing your resume, it's crucial to recall and list your professional achievements. Start by brainstorming a list of your accomplishments for each job you've held. Try to think quantitatively, reflecting on moments where you outperformed goals, improved efficiency, saved costs, or drove revenue growth. Consult old performance reviews or emails that might jog your memory.

 

However, it's not enough to simply list all your achievements. The key is to ensure that they're relevant to the job you're applying for and that they present a consistent narrative about your career growth. For instance, if you're applying for a managerial role, highlight achievements that demonstrate leadership and team-building abilities.

 

How to Write Your Achievements: A Step-by-Step Guide

 

How you present your achievements on your resume is just as important as the accomplishments themselves. Here's a guide to help you do it effectively:

 

1. Writing Achievements in the Experience Section: Under each job in your experience section, list your achievements in bullet points. Begin each bullet point with a strong action verb, such as "increased", "improved", or "led", followed by quantifiable details.

 

For example:

• "Led a team to complete a major project, resulting in an increase in revenue by 25% in Q3 2023."
• "Reduced operational costs by 15% by implementing new efficiency measures."

 

2. Showcasing Achievements in a Separate Section: If you have numerous significant achievements, consider creating a separate "Accomplishments" or "Awards" section on your resume. This can provide a quick snapshot of your success and differentiate you from other candidates.

 

3. Incorporating Achievements into the Skills and Education Sections: Don't limit your achievements to the experience section. If you've achieved something noteworthy related to a particular skill or during your educational career, don't hesitate to include it. For example, you might highlight a significant project you completed during your degree or a certification you earned that improved your professional skills.

 

Tips for Writing Powerful and Convincing Achievements

 

To make your achievements shine on your resume, consider these strategies:

 

1. Using Action Verbs: Start each achievement with a strong action verb. This adds dynamism to your resume and effectively conveys your proactive approach. Verbs such as 'led', 'managed', 'implemented', 'increased', or 'reduced' are particularly effective.

 

2. Quantifying Achievements: Wherever possible, quantify your achievements. Adding numbers offers concrete proof of your capabilities and helps hiring managers understand the scale of your accomplishments. For example, 'Increased sales by 30%' is more impactful than 'Increased sales'.

 

3. Telling a Story with Your Achievements: Connect your achievements to illustrate your career progression. This can help show that you're a driven professional who continuously strives for improvement and success.

 

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Listing Achievements

 

When it comes to listing achievements on your resume, avoid these common pitfalls:

 

1. Being Too Vague: Avoid general statements. Instead, be specific about what you achieved, how you achieved it, and what the results were. This gives potential employers a clear picture of your capabilities.

 

2. Not Providing Context: Don't assume that the importance of your achievements is self-evident. Provide enough context so that anyone reading your resume can understand the significance of what you accomplished.

 

3. Exaggerating or Lying About Your Achievements: It may be tempting to inflate your achievements to make yourself look better, but honesty is always the best policy. Be truthful and authentic. Remember, many companies conduct thorough background checks, and any dishonesty can come back to haunt you.

 

Reviewing and Refining Your Achievements

 

As with all aspects of your resume, your achievements should undergo rigorous review and refinement:

 

1. Tips for Reviewing and Editing Your Achievement Statements: First, double-check all your statements for accuracy and clarity. Remove any jargon or complex language. Make sure every achievement is concise, compelling, and understandable to someone outside your field. Secondly, check that you've used strong action verbs and quantified your achievements wherever possible.

 

2. Importance of Tailoring Achievements to Each Job Application: Each job application should receive a tailored resume. Carefully analyze the job description to understand what achievements would be most relevant and impressive to the hiring manager for each specific role.

 

Conclusion

 

Highlighting achievements on your resume is a surefire way to catch the eye of hiring managers and separate yourself from the competition. This article has equipped you with the knowledge and techniques to make your accomplishments shine.

 

Remember, crafting an achievement-focused resume takes time and thought, but the payoff is well worth it. You've worked hard for your achievements, now let them work for you in landing your next job!

 

Additional Resources

 

If you're looking for additional guidance, here are a few resources:

 

1. Online Resources or Services: Websites like TopResume and JobHero offer professional resume writing services. Additionally, online platforms like LinkedIn Learning and Coursera offer courses on resume writing.

 

2. Further Reading: For a deeper dive into the art of writing achievement statements, consider reading books like "Knock 'Em Dead Resumes: A Killer Resume Gets MORE Job Interviews!" by Martin Yate or "The Resume Writing Guide: A Step-by-Step Workbook for Writing a Winning Resume" by Lisa McGrimmon.