10 Examples of resume accomplishments to show your worth

The job search can be draining. Many people are looking for jobs and some of them have serious chops. In this environment, it can be challenging to stand out from the mountain of resumes. Despite all that, there’s no need to worry. Like everything else, resume writing is a skill that you can improve with a little effort.

One of the best ways to stand out is by including your unique resume accomplishments in the body of your resume. This not only shows that you’ve invested in your professional development but also gives the recruiter something to remember.

If you’re ready to make your resume shine, keep reading to find out how. In this blog, we’ll cover the following topics:

• What are resume accomplishments?

• Why include accomplishments on your resume?

• How to include accomplishments on your resume

• 10 examples of resume accomplishments

What are resume accomplishments?

Resume accomplishments are achievements that are measurable, quantifiable, or officially documented. They demonstrate that you’ve gone above and beyond the basic requirements of a position and brought true value to your company. For example, you could explain how you boosted revenue at your last company by X% or expanded a market by X%. Alternatively, you might explain how you received an award for outstanding performance.

While most resume accomplishments are related to job performance there are other types as well. If you were an exceptionally good student, it might be helpful to show off your high grades, honors courses, or academic awards. These types of accomplishments can be extremely valuable when applying for jobs in education-heavy fields like law, medicine, education, or STEM.

Why include accomplishments on your resume?

There are many advantages that you can gain by including accomplishments on your resume. Some of these include

• Contrast with other applicants. Accomplishments are more likely to be unique to you than simple job responsibilities. Listing them is a great way to help you stand out from other candidates and grab the attention of recruiters.

• Competitiveness. If you’re applying for a sales position, you want to show your recruiter that you’re the best darn salesperson around. While most sales applicants will list sales experience, recruiters are more likely to choose candidates who can demonstrate that they’ve made a difference for their employers.

• Skill verification. it’s now common for candidates to include a list of relevant skills somewhere on their resumes. Including a list of accomplishments allows you to show how you used your skills in real-life situations.

How to include accomplishments on your resume

There are a couple of different ways to include accomplishments on your resume and the way you approach them will depend on what they describe. Here are some tips for including professional and educational accomplishments:

Listing professional accomplishments

Most of the accomplishments you list in your resume will be related to your work performance. Because of this, they’ll be included in the main body of your resume along with your job history. Start by creating a heading for each of your previous jobs that includes the name of the position, the name of the company, the company location, and your start and end dates. Underneath the heading, you can list all of your important job duties in a bulleted list.

It’s often best to include your accomplishments at the top of this bulleted list. This increases your chances of catching the recruiter’s eye. When you list your achievements, try to use the CAR formula. This is an acronym that stands for Challenge, Action, and Result. Start by describing the challenge that faced you and your company. Next, describe the actions you took in response to the challenge, and finally, explain the positive result of your actions. Try to be as specific as possible, and make sure to include hard numbers if you can.

Listing educational achievements 

If you’re planning to list an educational accomplishment, it’s best to include this in the education section of your resume, which will usually be towards the bottom. Some jobs place a premium on educational credentials. In these situations, it might be better to place your accomplishments toward the top of the document or mention them in your professional summary.

10 Examples of resume accomplishments

Here are examples of resume accomplishments that you can use when writing your own:

1. Education  

Graduated summa cum laude with a 4.0 GPA

2. Accounting  

Continuously improved reporting protocols over a two-year period, leading to a 45% reduction in wasteful spending.

3. Teaching  

Advised four master’s candidates during the 2022-2023 academic year, two of whom received special recognition for contributions to the study of early modern Europe.

4. Recruiting  

Recruited 16 new candidates for management and executive positions over a period of four months. 

5. Marketing  

Successfully implemented an SEO optimization campaign that increased website traffic by 80% over a period of six months.

6. Human resources  

Reduced employee turnover by 35% by implementing new PTO policies and introducing flex hours.

7. Sales  

Onboarded two new major clients that collectively increased company revenue by 10% over the course of a year.

8. Cybersecurity  

Implemented a series of new protocols that eliminated security breaches, as well as an updated data recovery architecture.

9. General  

Received three promotions within a year, moving into management after seven months with the company.

10. Management  

Implemented two new employee-facing initiatives that increased job satisfaction by 75% and attracted new, top-tier talent.

If you want to wow recruiters with your accomplishments, you’ll need a place to put them. Resume.io’s online resume builder is the perfect place to create a show-stopping resume that meets all the criteria sought by top recruiters. 

Key takeaways

1. Resume accomplishments are descriptions of outstanding performance that you can incorporate into the professional experience section of your resume. 

2. When writing resume accomplishments, it’s best to include hard data, including percentages and dollar amounts.

3. Listing accomplishments on your resume is a good way to make yourself a more competitive candidate and show recruiters that you have specific, measurable experience.

4. When you write your resume accomplishments, try to use the CAR formula. This stands for Challenge, Action, and Result.