Hot News 100+ Powerful Achievement Statements to Transform Your Resume and Get Noticed Why You Struggle to Define Your Career Path and How to Overcome It Navigating Security Clearance: An Introductory Guide for Your Career Global Employment: Resumes and CVs Across Different Parts of the World Use Soft Skills on Your Resume to Land Interviews Decoding Employment Background Checks: What You Need to Know Harnessing Soft Skills for Interview Success How to Make Your Resume Using Microsoft Word How to Get a Hiring Manager’s Attention with a Letter of Interest The Best Subject Lines to Use When Emailing Your Resume Crafting Standout Resume Bullets: Examples to Showcase Your Accomplishments and Land the Job Writing a resume that gets noticed can be challenging, especially when it comes to highlighting your achievements in a way that captures the attention of hiring managers. Achievement statements are a powerful way to showcase your value, but it can be difficult to know where to start. That’s why we’ve created this comprehensive list of over 100 sample achievement bullets to help you transform your resume and land the job you’re after. Whether you’re looking for inspiration or ready to write, these examples are designed to help your resume shine. Why Achievement Statements Matter on Your Resume Adding specific achievements to your resume makes a strong case for your candidacy by demonstrating your proven impact. Unlike a simple list of duties, achievement statements show what you accomplished and how you added value in past roles. Here’s how they help: Illustrate Your Value: Show the difference you made in a clear, quantifiable way. Showcase Skills in Action: Give examples of how you applied your skills to achieve results. Enhance Hiring Appeal: Set yourself apart from other candidates by emphasizing your unique contributions. How to Write Effective Achievement Statements Achievement statements generally start with an action verb, followed by details of the accomplishment, and ideally include quantifiable metrics. Here’s a quick formula to get started: [Action Verb] + [What You Did] + [Results/Metrics/Impact] Examples: Increased monthly sales by 20% through targeted email campaigns. Reduced inventory waste by 30%, saving the company $5,000 annually. 100+ Sample Achievement Statements for Your Resume Use these examples as inspiration when creating your own achievement statements. We’ve categorized them based on skills and industries to make it easy to find examples that fit your background. Leadership and Management Achievements Led a team of 10 to achieve a 35% improvement in project completion times. Directed a cross-functional team to successfully launch a new product, resulting in $1 million in revenue within the first quarter. Implemented new scheduling protocols that reduced labor costs by 15% over six months. Coached and mentored 5 junior team members, all of whom achieved promotions within a year. Successfully managed a $500,000 budget, coming in under budget by 8% for the year. Sales and Marketing Achievements Exceeded quarterly sales targets by 20% for five consecutive quarters. Designed a digital marketing campaign that increased brand awareness by 40%. Achieved a 25% conversion rate on leads, resulting in $250,000 in new sales. Expanded client base by 15% within six months through targeted networking strategies. Increased email engagement rates by 35% through segmentation and personalized content. Customer Service Achievements Resolved customer complaints with a 95% satisfaction rate over two years. Implemented a new customer feedback system, reducing negative feedback by 30%. Trained 10 new customer service reps, leading to a 25% reduction in call handling time. Achieved a 97% customer satisfaction score by proactively addressing client issues. Developed a new protocol for handling complaints, reducing response time by 50%. Finance and Accounting Achievements Reconciled accounts that had been unbalanced for over two years, saving $25,000 in hidden expenses. Created an automated reporting process that reduced monthly reporting time by 40%. Negotiated vendor contracts, saving the company $15,000 annually. Reduced outstanding accounts receivable by 20% within three months. Developed and implemented a cost-saving initiative that reduced expenses by $10,000 monthly. Administrative and Support Achievements Streamlined office procedures, resulting in a 30% increase in efficiency. Organized company-wide events for 200+ attendees with a 98% satisfaction rating. Reduced supply costs by 15% through renegotiating vendor contracts. Created a filing system that improved document retrieval times by 50%. Trained three new administrative assistants, improving team productivity by 20%. Human Resources Achievements Reduced employee turnover by 15% through the implementation of retention strategies. Conducted successful recruitment drives, hiring 25 employees within a three-month period. Implemented an employee feedback system, increasing engagement by 30%. Reduced hiring costs by 25% by introducing efficient screening processes. Launched a training program that led to a 40% improvement in employee performance. IT and Technology Achievements Improved system uptime by 15% through proactive monitoring and maintenance. Developed a cybersecurity protocol that reduced breach attempts by 40%. Led a system migration that was completed 20% faster than projected. Reduced IT response times by 30% by implementing a new ticketing system. Automated routine tasks, reducing man-hours by 50 hours per month. Healthcare Achievements Improved patient satisfaction scores by 20% by optimizing patient intake procedures. Reduced average wait times by 15% through process improvements. Trained a team of five nurses, improving team efficiency by 25%. Streamlined appointment scheduling, reducing cancellations by 30%. Increased patient retention by 20% by enhancing the patient follow-up system. Education and Training Achievements Designed a new curriculum that improved student test scores by 15%. Achieved a 90% student satisfaction rate in courses delivered. Organized workshops for 100+ students, improving knowledge retention by 20%. Improved training completion rates by 25% through engaging course materials. Increased enrollment in adult education classes by 30% in one year. Project Management Achievements Delivered projects 10% under budget through effective resource allocation. Reduced project timelines by 20% by implementing Agile methodologies. Increased stakeholder satisfaction to 95% through clear communication and updates. Managed a $2 million project from inception to completion on schedule. Developed a project tracking system, reducing missed deadlines by 30%. Operations Achievements Improved operational efficiency by 25% through streamlined processes. Reduced manufacturing waste by 40%, saving $50,000
Global Employment: Resumes and CVs Across Different Parts of the World
In an increasingly interconnected world, the pursuit of work opportunities beyond one’s home country has become a common aspiration for many professionals. Whether it’s the allure of exploring new cultures, seeking better job prospects, or simply broadening one’s horizons, the concept of finding work abroad has gained significant traction. However, this endeavor comes with its own set of challenges, including adapting to the diverse practices of crafting application documents like resumes and CVs. These documents serve as the initial gateways for individuals to secure interviews and, ultimately, their dream jobs. This article delves into the intricacies of resumes and CVs across various regions, focusing on the differences between the United States and international preferences while shedding light on why these variations exist and how they impact the global job search. Resumes vs. CVs: A global perspective The foundational distinction between resumes and CVs lies in their purpose and scope. Resumes are concise, one-to-two-page summaries of an individual’s qualifications, work experience, skills, and achievements. Their succinct nature aligns with the United States’ and other countries’ preferences for a document that swiftly highlights key competencies without delving into excessive personal details. On the other hand, CVs, short for curriculum vitae, are more extensive documents, offering an in-depth overview of a candidate’s professional and academic journey. The scope of CVs often extends beyond work experience to encompass research, academic pursuits, publications, and awards. The United States, Australia, and Canada: Resumes as legal safeguards In the United States, Australia, and Canada, the use of resumes is strongly influenced by anti-discrimination laws. These countries advocate for a streamlined approach to application documents to prevent potential biases based on personal information. Resumes adhere to a format that focuses on professional achievements, skills, and qualifications, sidelining personal attributes that might lead to unconscious biases. The resume’s brevity ensures that hiring decisions are based on merit rather than extraneous details. The UK, New Zealand, Asia, and the European Union: Embracing comprehensive CVs Conversely, countries like the United Kingdom, New Zealand, various Asian nations, and the European Union generally embrace CVs due to their comprehensive nature. These regions value a holistic understanding of a candidate’s background, appreciating the inclusion of a wide array of experiences, such as academic accomplishments, research contributions, and awards. Hiring managers across these areas seek a nuanced depiction of an applicant’s journey, enabling them to make informed decisions based on a broader spectrum of qualifications. Country-specific practices United States: Resumes are the go-to document for job applications, emphasizing qualifications and achievements. Canada: Similar to the U.S., resumes are preferred to maintain a focus on professional accomplishments. Australia: Resumes dominate the application process, ensuring equal opportunity by minimizing personal information. United Kingdom: CVs are standard, allowing candidates to provide a holistic view of their professional and academic history. New Zealand: CVs are favored for their comprehensive nature, enabling candidates to showcase a diverse range of accomplishments. European Union: CVs are widely used to present a thorough overview of a candidate’s background, including academic and research pursuits. Asia: Most Asian countries prefer CVs, valuing a comprehensive picture of a candidate’s qualifications, skills, and experiences. Craft your path forward In the pursuit of international employment opportunities, the variance in document preferences reflects a cultural interplay between professionalism, anti-discrimination measures, and the desire for comprehensive insights. The divide between resumes and CVs exemplifies the evolving landscape of global job searches, where tailored application documents align with distinct legal, cultural, and professional landscapes. As professionals continue to seek diverse career paths across the world, understanding these differences becomes pivotal in crafting impactful application materials that resonate with employers and transcend borders. Elevate Your Global Job Search with Expertly Crafted Resumes Navigating the intricacies of international employment demands a tailored approach that aligns with regional preferences. Are you ready to seize opportunities around the world? Our professional resume writing services are here to help you shine on the global stage. Unlock Your Potential: Let our experienced team create resumes that transcend borders, showcasing your qualifications and accomplishments while adhering to cultural norms and legal frameworks. Whether you’re eyeing positions in the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia, or beyond, we understand the nuances that make your application stand out. Crafted for Success: With a deep understanding of diverse industries and regions, we craft resumes that capture your unique journey, skills, and achievements. Our commitment to excellence ensures that your application materials align with the expectations of hiring managers worldwide. Secure Your Dream Job: Don’t leave your international career to chance. Join countless professionals who have unlocked opportunities with our tailored resume-writing services. Your next adventure awaits – let us help you seize it. Contact Us Today
Use Soft Skills on Your Resume to Land Interviews
When it comes to navigating the job search landscape, one universal truth stands tall: showcasing your skills that align with the job is essential. While you meticulously curate your list of hard skills, drawn from your experience and education, there’s a dimension that holds the potential to elevate your resume and secure that coveted interview—soft skills. The distinction between hard skills and soft skills often swirls in the world of resume writing. But what lies beneath these terms? How can you harness the might of soft skills to stand out and secure that crucial interview opportunity? Decoding Hard Skills and Soft Skills Your abilities honed through experience and education constitute hard skills. From conducting competitor analysis to coding new software, hard skills encompass measurable competencies. These skills boast quantifiable achievements tagged with numbers, currency symbols, or percentages. On the other hand, soft skills don’t spring from textbooks or workplaces. They mirror personality traits that enhance your professional prowess. Unlike their hard counterparts, soft skills are immeasurable and qualitative in nature. Navigating the Divide: Examples of Hard and Soft Skills Imagine a registered nurse proficiently administering an IV—that’s a hard skill. Conversely, when the same nurse compassionately educates patients about recovery expectations, that’s a soft skill. Your resume, LinkedIn profile, cover letter, and interview responses should seamlessly blend both hard and soft skills. The Ripple Effect of Soft Skills In today’s dynamic work culture, organizational ethos plays a pivotal role. Soft skills, particularly those tied to communication, social interaction, and emotional intelligence, hold tremendous sway. Employers seek candidates who mesh seamlessly with their team’s dynamics and cultural fabric. High emotional intelligence, a prized soft skill, is especially sought-after in leaders. Traits like flexibility, adaptability, empathy, self-management, and problem-solving reflect this intelligence, shaping a harmonious work environment. Flexibility and Adaptability: Navigating Changing Tides In an era where change is the new constant, adaptability and flexibility have emerged as coveted soft skills. The ability to navigate shifting landscapes has become pivotal for professionals. Empathy: The Bridge to Productive Collaboration The foundation of productive collaborations lies in empathy—a skill that fosters understanding and rapport. The more effectively you connect with your peers, the higher your productivity soars. Self-Management: Cultivating Accountability and Efficiency Self-management envelops a spectrum of attributes like accountability, transparency, time management, and organization. Displaying your capability to manage your own time effectively underscores your productivity and goal achievement. Problem-Solving: Illuminating the Path to Innovation Employers value those who can autonomously identify issues and devise solutions. Soft skills in problem-solving allow you to approach situations with fresh perspectives, enhancing processes and driving innovation. Soft Skills: The Universal Equalizer Soft skills are pertinent whether you’re stepping into your first role or boasting years of experience. A blend of soft skills can set you apart from the competition, showcasing your fit for the company and team. Consider this scenario: Every nurse is skilled in vital sign measurement. But if you’re the nurse who also possesses the ability to comfort needle-phobic patients, you’ve gained a competitive edge by showcasing a soft skill that resonates with a personal touch. Unearthing the Most Valued Soft Skills The importance of specific soft skills varies from job to job. A glance at the job description offers insights into the crucial skills employers are seeking. For example, here are some qualifications you might find for a Collections Agent position listing: Collection experience in a call center setting Strong Quality Assurance scores Excellent verbal and written communication skills Effective communication, negotiation, and problem-solving abilities Proficiency in navigating computer systems High School Diploma/ GED required Age requirement: 18 years or older Note the emphasis on communication skills—oftentimes, the linchpin of soft skills. Different roles will necessitate distinct soft skills, such as teamwork, persuasion, leadership, collaboration, and conflict resolution. Elevating Soft Skills: The Path to Enhancement While soft skills are inherently part of your personality, you can certainly enhance them: Practice: Set personal goals and practice skills that need improvement, like time management. Seek Feedback: Solicit feedback from trusted individuals on your handling of various situations. Take Courses: Online platforms like Coursera, Udemy, and LinkedIn Learning offer courses to bolster skills like creative thinking and teamwork. Emboldening Your Resume with Soft Skills Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) aren’t solely programmed to seek technical skills—they’re on the lookout for soft skills as well. Amplifying your soft skills in your resume is essential to getting past the ATS and impressing a hiring manager. Skills Section: A Soft Skills Showcase Incorporate soft skills into your ‘Core Competencies‘ list—a succinct display of your strengths. This section’s skimmable nature ensures it passes the 6-second test. Summary Paragraph: Weaving Soft Skills into Your Narrative Your summary paragraph, akin to an elevator pitch, should seamlessly weave in your soft skills. After all, your summary is your first impression—make it resonate. Professional Experience: Infusing Soft Skills into Achievements Whether your professional experience section uses paragraphs or bullet points, you can integrate soft skills. While hard skills thrive on numbers, soft skills thrive on qualitative achievements. Beyond Buzzwords: Authentically Portraying Soft Skills Steer clear of buzzwords that diminish the impact of your soft skills. Instead of stating you’re a “hard-working team player,” illustrate your dedication through actions. Crafting a Cover Letter with Soft Skills Today, cover letters wield increased importance. They provide a platform to convey your uniqueness and soft skills authentically. The Culmination: Embrace Your Soft Skills Journey As you prepare to embark on your job search, remember to compile a comprehensive list of your skills. This roster should encompass technical skills, experience, and the invaluable soft skills that make you the remarkable professional you are. Ready to showcase your full potential? Elevate your resume with our expert assistance. Let Always Typing’s award-winning resume service help you highlight your unique soft skills and craft a winning application. Unlock interview opportunities and make your mark in the job market. Get started today! Contact Us Today
Harnessing Soft Skills for Interview Success
Embark on a journey to interview triumph as we unveil the secret to success: your soft skills. Explore how the art of communication, empathy, and adaptability can elevate your candidacy in our latest article, ‘Soft Skills Win Interviews.’ Unleash your potential and transform your career path today.
How to Make Your Resume Using Microsoft Word
Are you ready to create your new resume, but you’re not feeling confident about how to make your resume using Microsoft Word? No need to worry. You don’t have to be skilled in using Word because this tutorial will help you create a resume using a step-by-step format. How to Make Your Resume Using Microsoft Word It can be tempting to take advantage of the many templates offered by MS Word, but the best thing to do is design your resume from scratch. #1. Microsoft Word Templates It may seem like an overwhelming process to create your resume using Microsoft Word. For this reason, some job seekers will decide to use a Word template to create their resumes. There are an abundant amount of resume templates available for use. However, 75% of resumes are rejected by the ATS system. Unfortunately, these systems can’t always distinguish many of the bells and whistles that can be included within one of the resume formats offered by MS Word. Although it may seem quicker and more pleasing to the eye, your resume is less likely to make it into the hands of a recruiter. This is why we strongly recommend creating a resume from scratch. #2. Design Your Resume From Scratch In addition to your resume surviving the ATS system, the likelihood that your resume will cross a recruiter’s desk improves when you design your resume from scratch. Which also affords you the opportunity to maintain control of the entire process. Job seekers can start with the frame of their resume and then guide it to fit each potential career opportunity they apply for. How to Format a Resume in Microsoft Word You’ll want to start with the layout of the resume. Set your margins, include the key sections, and use the styles and tools for the headers and specifics in your sections. Layout The key to creating an efficient resume is to include all the proper elements. Not only is it important to set up the formatting so that the ATS will accept your resume, but it is also crucial to include all the information required per each job search you’ve conducted. Set 0.5, 0.75, or 1-inch margins all around to ensure there is enough white space for a clean look on your resume. Be sure to use a legible font in your resume. While you can use more than one font throughout your document to help differentiate headers and the body of the resume, try to limit it to no more than two font styles. Cambria, Arial, and Calibri are three of the most widely used fonts for resumes, though there are about eight acceptable fonts. When setting the formatting for your “Paragraphs”, make sure to use “Multiple” line spacing at 1.06 and set it to “6 pt” in the “Before” box, so the lines are set correctly. Customize your resume by applying the “Font” options for size and color and the “Styles” options for different headers and dividing sections. Make sure to include all your key sections in the body of your resume. There are other sections you can add as well. Such as, if a potential employer values candidates that volunteer. Do your research so you can tailor your resume accordingly. Key Sections: Contact Title Objective Skills Experience Education Other Sections: Awards Affiliations Internships or Volunteer Work Certifications Contact Section The first thing you need to do in this section is to type your name on the first line. You’ll want to distinguish your name from the other text by using either all caps or small caps. If you choose, you can also highlight your name and increase the font size and/or make the font bold. Then, on the next line type your city, state, zip code/postal code. While it is no longer a requirement to include your address, it is imperative that you include the zip or postal code within your contact information. Recruiters can specify zip codes within a certain perimeter for potential candidates using the information that was gathered in the Applicant Tracking System. Be sure to follow up with your phone, email, and any other online portfolios which are prudent to the available job opportunities on consecutive lines. Title and Objective Statement Section You’ll want to also employ the style of using all caps or small caps, increase the font size, and bold the title here in this section so that it emerges from the rest of the text on the page. It would also be beneficial to center the title on the document. The summary statement should include elements that are conducive to the job you are applying for. Be sure that it is around 3-5 sentences which include some specific attributes that your experience highlights. Always include at least one achievement, and be mindful of any keywords the job posting listed. Skills The skills section is where you will start including headers to help divide the content within the segment. You’ll want to type the word “Skills” on its own line. Repeat the same method in each of the other sections of your resume. Continue on to the next line, where you will blend your professional, pertinent skillset. Your soft and hard skills list should be limited to no more than 12 skills overall. Professional experience This section is where most of the information in the body of your resume will appear. You will want to list your professional experience with your most recent employer first and the previous ones after. Try to remain within a 10-15 year timeframe within this section. Itemize each job experience as such: List the name of the company first and the timeframe that you worked there, using the MM/YYYY format. Then, you’ll list the title of your position followed by no more than 3 to 5 bullet points. An action-based resume works well, so be sure that you use a verb to start off each bullet point. In the event you were employed for multiple roles at
The Best Subject Lines to Use When Emailing Your Resume
The jobseeker pool is vast, and the average hiring manager only spends around 60 seconds reviewing a resume before they decide to read it. Are you currently trekking through the job market? Then, you are keenly aware that most of today’s interviews are landed using an online medium. If you plan to email your resume, you need a subject line that will grab the recruiter’s or hiring manager’s attention quickly. The last thing any job candidate would want is to have their resume sitting in an inbox unread because the recruiter didn’t even bother to open it. This is why it is important to be aware of the best subject lines to use when emailing your resume. Fortunately, there are a few guidelines you can follow so your email will stand out. Let’s review the best email subject lines to use to help your resume get distinguished from the rest. Guidelines for the best email subject line Maybe you’re asking yourself what is so important about a subject line when your resume is full of the vital information that recruiters need to surmise your qualifications. The subject line for resume email attachments is the first thing a recruiter is going to notice amongst the data lingering in their inbox. Therefore it needs to make a lasting impression. It’s your introduction, your chance to capture the reader’s attention. It’s also how to avoid your email resume becoming another remnant in the spam folder. Be Professional Remember, you’re applying for a job. Recruiters won’t respond to emails with subject lines that are too familiar. While being friendly isn’t necessarily a bad thing, using laid-back language instead of sounding like a professional is not a good idea. It will negatively impact the chances of getting your email read, much less acquiring the interview you desire. You also want to keep a professional email address. It’s also a part of the introduction process. Recruiters are more likely to assume that “jennybaxter” is more professional than someone using an email that starts with “dogowner99”. It’s great that you love dogs. But, it won’t help you come across as a qualified candidate. If you don’t already have a professional email, go ahead and make a new one. There are plenty of free email accounts out there, like Gmail for instance. Just keep it simple. First name and last name or initial and last name using whichever email platform you choose. You could also include a nod to your career such as “jbaxterwriter” as an efficient choice for career purposes. Keep it Brief Make sure to keep your subject line short and to the point. There’s only a certain amount of characters allowed, typically around 50 or 60 per most email services. If you’ve made your subject line too long, then the intended receiver won’t even be able to view it. Remember the goal is to catch their eye quickly. Did you know that over a billion and a half people check their email on a mobile device? Different devices can limit even more of the viewing data available to mobile users. This means you want to capture the recruiter’s attention within the first 20 characters or so. List the most crucial details right away, so your subject line will hold their gaze and encourage them to continue with the rest of your email resume. Try to avoid using any soft skill keywords in the subject line, remember recruiters don’t want to feel like they’re being peddled a new product. They want candid facts that are going to help them make an informed decision about a potential candidate. The easier you make the process for hiring managers, the faster your resume will come across their radar. Follow directions It’s always important to check if any job openings that you are applying for have any specific requirements that are listed when submitting a resume. Details matter. Some employment opportunities may require certain attributes regarding the open position that should be listed in the subject line. Keep in mind, specifics are often employed to help filter emails to the proper channels. In particular, things such as position name, job location, position ID#, and candidate name as applicable. Here is an example of a subject line with those requirements: “Sound Engineer, Nashville, Job ID# 8321, Jane Doe.” Additionally, you may be required to enclose certain files within your email aside from your resume, such as a cover letter and portfolio. Referral Referrals can help candidates establish a sense of trust with a recruiter. If someone has referred you to the company, make sure to include their name in the subject line of your email. Here is an example of a subject line that includes a job referral: “Referral from Robert Frost: John Smith, Resume for Consumer Relations Expert.” Employee referral programs will offer an incentive to the employee for referring candidates to open positions within the company. This will help solidify your credibility with the recruiter. Proofread Make certain to proofread and edit your email subject line before sending it through. You don’t want a misplaced comma, forgotten period, or random typo to prevent your email from being accessed. Keep that first impression on a positive note! In Closing The subject line of your email is your chance to fascinate the job recruiter in less than a few seconds. Keep it short, but always professional. Make sure to follow any instructions listed in the job opening, so that you can secure your future career! If you have any reservations about your current resume retaining the recruiter’s interest once they’ve moved past your subject line, Always Typing Resumes has got your back! Contact Us Today
