Accomplishments…why they are important and what they mean to your job search.

Accomplishments are the heart of your resume.   This is where you distinguish yourself from other applicants competing for the job you want.  Yet, when most people sit down to write an accomplishment, they stumble.  Why?  Because for many, talking about what they have done in their careers does not come naturally. 

Well, let’s set the record straight.  First, if your resume does not sell, it will not land you the interview.  In order to sell,  information must be presented in a clear concise manner and it must highlight what you can offer an employer. 

Most people understand how to list job responsibilities, however, alone they will not distinguish your in the eyes of a recruiter.

Remember, recruiters read hundreds of resumes.  You do not want yours to blend in with the rest.  This is especially true for recent grads who need to make their background stand out from the many other students who have earned the same degree.

Okay, now lets consider some guidelines to follow when writing an accomplishment.  Start by making a list of the things that you did in each position that solved a problem resulting in something positive for your employer.  Be sure to quantify the contribution.  It is more powerful to say that you headed a quality assurance effort resulting in the reduction of rework by 60%, than to say you “improved quality”.  Whenever possible, quantify, numbers speak volumes.

An easy way to think about accomplishments is to remember “SAR“… “Situation, Action, Results“.  Describe a situation or problem that occurred in your job, your actions to resolve it and the results of your actions (or benefits to the Company).   Using this framework will make writing accomplishments natural and easy.

How about you new grads?  Well, your degree resulted from hard work.  Think about what you did to get the grades you are proud of.   If you worked an internship, you have accomplishments and they will  be a strong selling point for you.

So invest the time in writing accomplishments.  They will mean the difference between a resume that falls flat and one that excites interest and knowing your accomplishments will come in handy during the interview as well.    Employers seek out people who can contribute to their organization.  So tell your story…it works! 

Does your resume include accomplishments? If not, why not?  Better yet, contact me, I can help you write accomplishments that sell.          Norma Sweeny