18 Accomplishments Examples & How to List Them on a Resume

Have you ever sat down and thought about the impression you give hiring managers when you list your work responsibilities? No matter what industry you’re interested in, it’s better to list achievements than simple work tasks. A great way to improve your resume is by perusing accomplishments examples for a resume. It’s sure to catch the attention of recruiters and might even get you a job interview.

One of the top things you can do to stand out from other applicants is to list your achievements. The hiring manager expects you to be capable of the responsibilities in the job description. You can show you are the best choice when you jot down your greatest achievements and accomplishments.

When you elect to take time to put effort into your job achievements, it shows that you’re more than just a job title. Instead, you’re someone who goes above and beyond and anyone can see that. While you may not know how to create compelling achievements right now, this guide will share all the information you need.

We’ll explain why work achievements are so important and how to list them to move yourself one step closer to being hired. In addition, you’ll learn where to list the achievements and which ones to focus on. We’ll also share numerous accomplishments examples that you can use to brainstorm your own!

What Are Professional Accomplishments and Why Should You List Them in Your Resume?

When we talk about resume accomplishments, we’re largely speaking about achievements at work. You want to use a set of key accomplishments that fit the job description that you want to apply for. We’ll share some work accomplishments below so you get an idea of how to set these up to create a successful resume.

Many people who write resumes focus on job responsibilities. They use past work as a basis to show they can handle the position. That’s useful but not as effective as highlighting work achievements. Responsibilities are largely the same for all employers in a specific role. Achievements are unique and proven descriptions of what you have managed to achieve in past positions.

Below is a quick example of the difference between these two terms:

·       Responsibility: Resolves disputes and handles customer complaints.

·       Accomplishments: Create an effective system to manage complaints and resolve disputes, which created 25% better customer satisfaction in 90 days.

When you read both of them, you can see which one is more interesting and shows the skills that someone has. Responsibilities state what you do, while accomplishments look at what you do, the results of what you do, and how long it took for those results to be evident.

Types of Work Achievements to Include on Your Resume

While you can put any achievements you like on a resume, it’s best to stick to key achievements you had at work. It’s even better if your accomplishment statements are related to the position you are applying for at this moment. There are other options, though, which we’ll share in our accomplishments for resume examples.

If you aren’t sure which accomplishments to list, look at the job description. This will give you insight into what will have the biggest impact on a hiring manager. You want to show that you are totally prepared for this new position and will put in the hard work to find success.

This is the goal when you are creating a resume with achievements. Look at the responsibilities in the ad and consider which of your achievements match up with those. These are the things you want to emphasize through accomplishments and other parts of the resume.

Also, keep in mind that hiring managers will be more impressed by recent achievements. If you have some great accomplishments from the last year or two, those should be listed rather than older ones. You can add older accomplishments but limit how many you include.

When you start to create accomplishments for your resume, there are several types. However, the main goal is to add data and numbers when it is available. A few examples include:

· Time periods (for example, note that you finished a project four weeks early or helped bring in 50 customers in three months)

· Percent increases and decreases

· Number of people (for example, write how many people you supported as an administrative assistant, how many customer requests you handled each day as a customer service representative, or the number of people you trained as a supervisor)

· Dollar amounts

Prioritize any numbers or data you have, but not every entry has to be numerical to add it. For example, students or recent grads may choose to include academic achievements. You can also add things like industry awards as accomplishments.

Sometimes, you might need to network with coworkers and colleagues to come up with ideas. Research may be needed to quantify all the information. There may not always be a way to be as specific as you want. However, the more you can include results and numbers, the better off you will be.

Sample List of Accomplishments to Put on Your Resume: 18 Accomplishment Summary Examples for Various Jobs

Now that you have all the basic information about why accomplishments are so important, we want to share a few examples of accomplishments that job seekers can use. You can use our summary of accomplishments examples to flesh out your work information and show how much you will offer if you’re given a chance to work for the company that you’re interested in.

Industry #1: Engineering

Engineering is a world where your accomplishments can make a huge difference in whether you move forward or not. Job seekers should prioritize accomplishments based on their specific sector of engineering, which you’ll see below. Potential employers are sure to be impressed by your past job duties.

Example for Software Engineer

“Managed and led a team of eight in the pursuit of developing new financial management technologies.”

Example for Mechanical Engineer

“Installed, repaired, and maintained new technology equipment for the communications industry, including NTR-SF145 and NTR-1509G2B.”

Example for Electrical Engineer

“Designed and installed a functioning two-channel encoder for a modulator inside of a four-week deadline, surpassing expectations by two weeks.”

Industry #2: Advertising and Marketing

For those in advertising and marking, you can check out an example of a summary of accomplishments below. We’ll share three very distinct positions since marketing is a huge industry with tons of roles. Look into the one closest to your position for a great idea of where to start.

Example for Graphic Designer

“Created 12 to 14 ads every week, including logos, banners, business cards, posters, and flyers.”

Example for Email Marketing Specialist

“Used marketing list sign-up numbers to create 25 email templates that were implemented across the company, resulting in excellent feedback from customers and sales team.”

Example for a PR Specialist

“Directly supervised seven PR and marketing campaigns across my first year.”

Industry #3: Finance, Human Resources, and Business

For another example of accomplishments on a resume, you can look at the business, finance, and HR sector of a business. You definitely want to add numbers and data to these achievements to show what you have done in the past and will be capable of in the future.

Example for HR Specialist

“Invited over 20 industry experts and motivational speakers to provide speeches and lectures for employees on how to build confidence and morale in the workplace.”

Example for Business Analyst

“Architected and analyzed existing business intelligent models to measure ROI. Reviewed and monitored options, costs, and risks of the company’s $3 million budget.”

Example for Financial Analyst

“Led, managed, and coordinated 60 projects and budget deadlines to create an average annual return of 6.5%.”

Industry #4: Administrative

The following accomplishment statements examples are tied to the administrative sector. You can get an idea of the right achievements to use as an assistant, receptionist, or similar position. This is a springboard to fill with your own best work.

Example for Administrative Assistant

“Saved $5,000 on yearly office supplies by working out a deal with the current supplier.”

Example for Receptionist

“Implemented an innovative CRM with new reporting abilities to cut costs by 25% and increase efficiency.”

Example for Office Manager

“Oversaw 10 office assistants in high-volume business. Led the team to grow contracts by 25% each year.

Industry #5: Programming and IT

If you code or work in IT, you know how much achievements and data matter. Use bits from the examples below to make sure your resume gets a second look. Action verbs and quantified data are both great ways to make a positive impression.

Example for Web Developer

“Prototypes an average of 20 new product features each year.”

Example for Software Engineer

“Built security into product features to create 100% compliance with industry best practices.”

Example for UX Designer

“Built a mobile note-taking app that has been downloaded over 15,000 times.”

Industry #6: Education and Teaching

Tons of people are involved in education in various roles. Show a potential employer that you’re the one they want to hire by weaving accomplishments into your resume. Below are several examples for different roles within this sector.

Example for Tutor

“Tutored five students for the SAT, all of whom receive scores over 1,500.”

Example for Teacher

“Received Teacher of the Year award in 2021 after showing strong skills in teacher/parent communication.”

Example for Professor

“Supervised two Ph.D. dissertations, 9 MA theses, and 22 BA theses.”

Whether you focus on retention of customers, lowering labor costs, mentoring assistants, or working with a new system, these types of accomplishments can be what get you into an interview. Show the new job that you’re the right person for the position.

How to List Your Accomplishments on Your Resume

At this point, you’ve seen many professional accomplishments for a resume. You know what achievements to put on a resume for the job and industry you’re looking for work it. However, the way you craft these accomplishments matters. If you’re wondering what some accomplishments would look like, we’ll share that information below.

Step #1: Brainstorm Your Past Work Results

What kind of job are you looking for and what sort of employment have you had in the past? This is something to ask yourself throughout the job search, including during the creation of resume accomplishments. Are you moving into a position where your past sales goals will look great? Add those in rather than achievements unrelated to the position.

Think about all the things you’ve done in past positions and which of them fit your current search for employment. Make a list so you can go over it later without forgetting anything that might be important to note. This will help you get through the next steps.

Step #2: Turn Your Accomplishments into High-Impact Statements

Whether your job title is software engineer or food service worker, you can create accomplishments that stand out.  After you’ve brainstormed, you’re already halfway there. You know what you want to share, it’s just a matter of deciding how to do so. It is often easier than you might expect.

Let’s say you used to be a teacher. You brainstormed and wrote down the following: When I started work at ABC School, students were only passing crucial state exams 65% of the time. By sharing a love for history and creating a new curriculum, my students passed 90% of the time at the end of the year.

Yes, that is a good description but you need to cut it down and make it short and impactful. Here’s an example of what you might write on the resume: Significantly boosted the pass rate of sixth-grade students from 65% to 90% on state aptitude testing.

Step #3: Quantify as Much as Possible

You can see in the example above how numbers are used to quantify accomplishments. This is precisely what you want to do with your achievements. Maybe you were able to get great results from a marketing campaign you implemented in a shorter time frame than anyone else has in the company. Use numbers to show that in a way that really indicates how much you accomplished.

You might be in a totally different role and talk about numbers of people or amount of products instead of months or years. That’s fine, too. The important thing is to use metrics to show what you are capable of.

Step #4: Incorporate Job Description Keywords

Another thing you pay attention to in terms of the job description is keywords. You’ll notice that certain things are listed as needed or desired and your job achievements should use some of those important words. It not only ties your achievements to the new position but it can also ensure your resume even ends up being read.

Applicant tracking systems (ATS) are used by most businesses today to cut down on the work associated with hiring. This technology can scan a resume and look for certain keywords. People who have many of them are going to be noticed and their resumes will be shared with the hiring manager. So add in those keywords whenever possible.

Where on a Resume to List Your Work Accomplishments

Now that you have some examples of accomplishments, you might wonder where you should list those things. The answer isn’t as simple as “everyone should place their achievements under this resume section.” The right place will depend on your specific history and which achievements you want to promote.

Doing this right could make you the new employee of a brand you love. We’ll go over the various options you have below.

Option #1: Work Experience Section

The most common way to share those percentages and dates for maximum impact is in the work experience section. This is the most appropriate place to utilize because a modern resume is set up to make this simple. Instead of bullet points with responsibilities, tailor them as accomplishments and move forward.

Option #2: Resume Objective

Whether you’re a project manager or an attorney, you should also include some of your achievements under the resume objective. The resume summary is a great spot because it’s often the first thing that a manager reads when picking up your document. Since it’s standard to include quantified data here, make use of it for the biggest accomplishments you have.

Option #3: Other Areas

Depending on the job seeker’s needs, you can also add achievements to other areas. For instance, students might include some achievements under education. Others might have sections like volunteering and projects where some of this data can go. It really depends on the job, your history, and what appeals to you.

Final Points on Examples of Summary of Accomplishments

At this point, you understand the importance of resume accomplishments and have seen several resume achievements examples. If you need additional help with your document, look into how to make a resume and use some resume profile examples to create a fantastic resume that anyone will be happy to see.

Beyond that, make sure you create a cover letter to go with all your resume information. If you want to make things even easier, you can use our resume templates and resume builder to get everything done in minutes instead of hours. Good luck!

FAQs

How should I list my achievements if I don’t have the data?

If you can research data, it can be a good use of time. However, sometimes there may be no way to do that. Resume accomplishment examples can give you an idea of how to move forward. State your achievements with action verbs and power words for the best results even without data.

How to list achievements as a student without experience?

If you’ve never worked, you aren’t likely to have accomplishments like satisfaction rate or customer adherence. However, that doesn’t mean you have no achievements. Utilize the education section to share your educational accomplishments that pertain to the position as a way to make your resume shine.

How to turn job responsibilities into accomplishments?

If you want to show up other potential team members by adding accomplishments to your resume, it isn’t as complicated as you might think. Incorporate results, use numbers, and add powerful words to transform a responsibility into an accomplishment that will make you stand out.

Should you include awards on a resume?

When you write a resume, you might question whether awards should be listed. We’re here to tell you that you should absolutely include these things. Anything that makes you stand out in a positive way is worth showcasing on your next resume.

What can I put for awards on my resume?

The bottom line is that it depends on your work history. If you have an award that is relevant to the position, add it. Awards that have no bearing on the position you want can be left off. Think about whether it’s important to you and the position and decide whether it should be added.

Should you add unrelated achievements to your resume?

It’s best to work with work achievements that are relevant to the new position. However, you can also add personal achievements examples or unrelated information in some situations. If you can add more related achievements, that’s preferred since the employer wants to know you’re a good fit.

Can college students list academic achievements on their resume?

Yes, a recent graduate or current student can add academic achievements. In fact, it’s good career advice to do that if you have a lack of professional experience on the job. Try to keep it to things relevant to the position for the best results. Awards, honors, GPA, and other items can also be used.

What are some academic achievement examples to list on a resume?

If you’re putting a focus on education instead of the experience section, there are many ways to do so. Some examples might be appearing on the dean’s list, being president of a club, running a group, or being an editor. There are tons of accomplishments to place under academics.

What are examples of leadership accomplishments?

There are many ways to include leadership accomplishments on a resume. You could state how many team members you have trained in a certain period, talk about how you participated in interviews for new staff, or did public speaking to sway public opinion.