How to Discover Your Accomplishments and Put Them Into Words

How to Discover Your Accomplishments and Put Them Into Words Since 2008, I have written thousands of resumes for clients in a variety of fields. From marketing and sales professionals to truck drivers and teachers, I feel like I have learned a little bit about a LOT of careers. Even though all of the professions are different, one thing remains the same â€" they all have to highlight their accomplishments and achievements. The tips below outline how to do thisâ€"no matter the career path that you may be on for the future. #1 â€" Think about numbers. If you know the number of accounts you managed, the number of customers you worked with, or the number of employees you supervised, then USE IT. There is a BIG difference between saying you managed accounts and saying you managed 52 accounts within a 6-month period. Quantify your accomplishments whenever possible. #2 â€" Review your reviews. If you have kept your performance reviews or end-of-year evaluations, then pull them out. Chances are â€" you will find that your boss or supervisor wrote some very nice things about you. Use this information to strengthen your skills section or align your areas of expertise. #3 â€" Ask other people. When we try to think of our own strengths, it can sometimes be challenging. However, if you think in terms of others, it becomes easier. From a perspective of a co-worker, it may be easier to think of what others would say your strengths or skills are in terms of a new job opportunity. Think about it: what would your co-worker or team member say about you? How would they describe you? #4 â€" Identify problems and how you solved them. If you tend to work in a non-sales environment, then it may be more challenging to identify quantifiable information. Instead, focus on the problems the company had and how you solved them. Perhaps you came up with a new process, workplace enhancement, or developed a standard operating procedure. #5 â€" Don’t Be Afraid to Focus on Volunteerism. Sometimes we think that volunteerism doesn’t count as “work.” However, if you organized projects, led people, and completed endeavors, then volunteerism is one way to encourage accomplishments within your resume. If you would like additional resume tips, check out our Top 5 Resume Tips to GET THE INTERVIEW. And, if you are a seasoned employee â€" check out our NEW Top 10 Resume Tips for Job Seekers Over the Age of 40.