An accomplishment statement is a short bullet point on your resume that shows a result you achieved, not just a duty you had. A simple way to write one is the APR formula: the action you took, the problem or project, and the result.
There are many reasons to write accomplishment statements for your next resume. They are among the most important parts of it, and they can decide whether you get the job or lose it to someone else. This article explains why they matter and how to write them.
What is an accomplishment statement, and why does it matter?
You may be asking what an accomplishment statement is, and why you need one. Accomplishment statements are short descriptions of your achievements that belong in your resume, usually under your work experience. You can also place them under your education, or in a section of their own. They highlight what you have achieved, and that is why many employers pay close attention to them when they decide whom to hire.
Strong accomplishment statements can make you stand out from the other applicants and help you get the job, especially when the other resumes only list duties. Of course, that depends on the results you can show.
For more help with your application, read how to write a motivational letter for a job application.
How to write a great accomplishment statement
Because accomplishment statements usually begin with a bullet, they are often called bullet statements. They are also called action statements, since they show an action you took to solve a problem or handle a situation. A simple way to write one is the APR formula: Action + Problem or Project + Result. Describing what you did, what it was about, and the positive result it had shows a future employer that you can solve problems.
For example: Automated the weekly sales report, saving the team four hours of work each week. The action is automated, the project is the weekly sales report, and the result is four hours saved each week.
Every great accomplishment statement contains at least one of the following, or a combination of them:
- The results or outcomes of your work
- Specific skills you have learned
- Experience that you can demonstrate
- The scope of what you managed, such as budgets, teams, the size of accounts, and other figures
Start each statement with an action verb, and use numbers where you can: they make a result concrete.
Get things accomplished
The more experience you have of solving difficult problems, the stronger your accomplishment statements will be. If you do not have many achievements to write about yet, you can create some. You can volunteer and use those experiences as part of your accomplishments. Some people work unpaid for a while, as interns, until they learn the ropes and gain experience. If a family member or a friend has a business, you can help them as well.
In the long run, being able to show an employer that you can solve problems goes a long way. Present your accomplishments so clearly that it is hard for them not to offer you the job. How to write a resume shows where they fit on the page, and before you send it, the Spell Checker helps you make sure no typo spoils the impression they make.