An ordinary resume can be transformed into a masterpiece just by integrating a powerful yet simple strategy – accomplishments.
Many resumes fail to demonstrate the jobseeker’s authentic value and how they stand apart from the competition. This concept that seems to puzzle jobseekers.
Accomplishments demonstrate your particular skills and experience. They go above and beyond talking about your responsibilities. Claiming that you can do something is entirely different from evidencing the accomplishment with actual proven results.
Transforming a Plain Resume into an Exceptional Resume
A “responsibilities-focused resume” can be transformed into an achievement-based resume by focusing on the qualitative and quantitative impact of those responsibilities.
Achievements: The Common Issue
Many professionals fail to keep a record of their achievements and milestones throughout their career. This results in having to take time to research and retrieve the necessary information that is often hard to find, especially if it has not been tracked properly.
The Multifaceted Purpose of Gathering Achievements
Achievements are not only collected by a professional resume writer when customizing a resume.
Taking stock of all your achievements serves other important purposes:
To set your personal and professional goals for the following year
Tracking the progress of projects you are working on
For performance evaluations or an annual review
To support your candidacy and qualifications in a job interview
To showcase your results for a raise or a promotion
To remind you of your achievements and milestones when you need a boost
When applying for recognition such as awards or academic scholarships
To fully identify and elaborate on achievements, the process of information gathering involves delving deeper for the results by asking the right questions:
What were you commended on during this role?
What did you achieve in this particular role that you were most proud of?
What challenges have you met?
What actions did you take? What were the results? How have you solved those challenges?
What were the results of your past performance reviews?
Have you completed any interesting projects?
Have you met or exceeded any targets?
Have you received any accolades or recognitions?
Have you participated in community roles that demonstrate leadership skills?
Here are some ways that you can effectively keep track of your accomplishments:
Keep track of your milestones online and offline in an actual folder. Use reliable tools such as MS Word, Excel, and Outlook.
Use a chart, notebook or diary to stay organized and keep track of details. Note what works for you.
Take screen shots of your LinkedIn recommendations.
Use appreciation emails to create an engaging portfolio.
Remember: achievements are not only based on professional experience. Reflect back to your academics, community volunteering, training, temporary work, professional associations, conferences, freelance projects, and even social networking events. Think creatively!
Achievements: An Insightful Means of Reflection & Growth
Every jobseeker offers unique value that differentiates them from the competition. Knowing this missing puzzle piece will equip you with the critical information needed to showcase an outstanding resume that communicates your distinct brand.
Gathering achievements will also help you to understand the bigger picture about your career path -- what you have gained and contributed on a professional level.
For more information about crafting a resume that articulates results, contact Lori Jazvac, Certified Resume Strategist/Career Consultant at Creative Horizons Communications – Resumes.