You’ve posted your resume to the big box job boards, applied to corporate websites, blasted your resume to hundreds of sites, and hoped and prayed while waiting for a response. Nothing happens – No phone calls, no emails, and no text messages from recruiters saying they loved your resume and would like to meet you. What could be amiss?
If you used the SAME exact resume for every job application, that could be your problem. Resumes are not one size fits all. Your resume is more than just a laundry list of previous jobs and responsibilities. It should be a specific advertisement of how great you are for the job you are applying! Let’s take a look at the specifics of an accomplishment-based resume.
What is Accomplishment-Based Resume?
An accomplishment-based resume focuses on your achievements as they relate to the specific job you are applying. The resume lists the achievements, awards, innovations, inventions, and the ingenious of who you are and the skill set you have to offer. Let’s look at an example of an Administrative Assistant who makes travel arrangements as part of their job:
Responsibility-based statement:
“Duties include arranging travel, scheduling meetings, and managing a 10-line switchboard.”
Accomplishment-based statement:
“Saved $250 per round-trip airline ticket while arranging domestic and international travel for senior executives.”
In this example, the responsibility-based statement says this person performed a job ( Boring…..chances are there will not be a phone call). The Accomplishment-based statement says this person not only performed their job, but saved the company money while doing it. This speaks of initiative and creativity which is essentially creating value to the company. A recruiter would be more likely call this person to find out more ways this person created value while performing their job duties.
How to create an Accomplishment-Based Resume
As you think about how to create your accomplishment statements for your resume, ask yourself a few questions:
1. When was I the most proud in my previous/current position?
2. What steps did I take to complete the task or fulfill the responsibility?
3. What was the final outcome and who was positively affected by the task or my efforts?
As you answer these questions, you will find yourself with a list of accomplishments, value statements, and skills to add to their resume. Instead of stating job responsibilities, you can illustrate how effective you are in performing job duties. In essence, painting a complete picture of a professional and not just a worker. You can use the answer to question 3 above to create the accomplishment-based statement for your resume.
Ending Thought: Successful professionals do three things: make money, save money/time, and create something new. Successful job seekers create accomplishment-based resumes and include these three values within their accomplishment statements. Taking this approach could lead to the phone call for an interview and the job of your dreams.
Good hunting!
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Holly Bunn is a resume writer, career coach, and motivational speaker with more than 15 years of experience in Human Resources, recruiting, and technology. She is sought out as a subject matter expert on resumes, LinkedIn, job search, and career management. Holly has delivered job search workshops and written resumes for hundreds of job seekers who have secured interviews and landed jobs. Her clients experience success almost immediately after applying her winning techniques. For more information on career coaching or resume help, contact Holly at (305) 791-6965 or holly@msresumehelp.com.
e a job search plan – target the job you want. A focused job search plan creates optimism, hope, and direction – a purpose. Decide if you want the same job you had or is this an opportunity for a promotion, new career, or time to start your own business. Listen to 
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