Oct 23 2008
Why is It so Important to List Accomplishments on Resumes?
Your accomplishments are what distinguish you from your competitors in the job-search process. All things being equal, if a hiring manager were looking at two identical prospective employees who could handle the tasks of the job perfectly well, but one had accomplished more than the other, who do you think is going to get a phone call? Obviously, the person who accomplishes the most wins.
What exactly IS an accomplishment?
An accomplishment is when you do something successfully. If you make a positive difference at work, you are accomplishing something. From an employers standpoint, it is even better if you can state your achievements in a measurable or quantifiable way.
What does that mean? Use numbers whenever you can to state HOW you achieved the results you are affirming. Being able to quantify your skills and abilities makes other people perceive you in a very positive way. Why? Quantified accomplishments mean RESULTS.
Employers are all about results. Employers are all about the bottom line.
For instance, if you increased production of the best selling product at your company, by HOW MUCH did you increase it? 15% 20% 25% Quantify your statements whenever possible. Numbers SHOW results.
Remember being in kindergarten? Wasnt it great when you could bring something to school for SHOW AND TELL? Lesson #1: Its awesome to be able to bring something that no one else has. You get more recognition. Lesson #2: If you show your classmates something, it has significantly more meaning than if you tell them something. They literally have something to grab a hold of.
In your resume, you have to show the employer why you are the best person for the job. SHOW the employer that you have something to offer that no one else does. You have to be credible. You should never lie. You can, however, make yourself look better than your competitors. Use descriptive active language to engage the employer when reading your resume. Make your words jump off the page and grab the readers attention.
At the same time, you have to guide the employer through your resume clearly and eloquently so that only one conclusion can be reached: YOU are the best candidate for the job. if you simply state your previous job title and the duties you performed, you are not helping them to SEE who you really are. Youre just telling them. Quantify your accomplishments and let them see just what you can do for them.
Let your accomplishments sing your praises for you. When writing your resume, let yourself shine through the job duties in a way that resonates with employers. Show results by quantifying your accomplishments.
You will be the one getting the phone call for an interview and isnt that what its all about?
Carla Vaughan
http://www.professional-resume-example.com/accomplishments.html
Carla Vaughan is the owner of http://www.Professional-Resume-Example.com, a web site devoted to assisting candidates in the job-search process. She holds a B.S. in Business from Southern Illinois University and has authored a book titled, The Do-It-Yourself Resume Kit soon to be available on her site. Resume blog:
http://professional-resumes.blogspot.com/
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