How to Improve Your Resume Bullet Points
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One of the most common mistakes applicants make on their resumes is simply listing the tasks they were responsible for in previous jobs without explaining their accomplishments.
To truly differentiate yourself from other candidates with similar backgrounds, you need to go above and beyond the fundamentals.
By structuring your bullet points as described below, you’ll convey your skills and abilities in a more effective and believable way.
Types of Bullet Points
On your resume, you want to include a combination of achievement-based and task-based bullet points.
Achievement-based bullet points provide concrete examples of your impact on the organization. We recommend incorporating as many achievement-based bullet points into your resume as possible.
Task-based bullet points describe your skills and your main responsibilities in your position.
Ideal Number of Bullet Points?
You should aim to have anywhere from three to six bullet points for each position. Your most recent positions will likely contain the most information. Stick to the key points for some of your earlier experiences.
Recipe for Achievement-Based Bullet Points
Achievement-based bullet points are made up of three components:
- Main point
- Example
- Explanation
By weaving these three components together, you will create more convincing and engaging content.
Main Points
Your main points are the tasks you did day-to-day, which can include recruiting and interviewing candidates, making sales calls, or analyzing profit and loss statements.
Examples
Your examples take your main point one step further to make them more specific.
In other words, how were your day-to-day tasks specific to your role within the company?
- Recruiting and interviewing candidates for entry-level analyst roles
- Making sales calls to current and potential high-net-worth clients
- Analyzing profit and loss statements for the beverage division on a weekly, monthly and annual basis
Explanation/Elaboration
Your explanation, or elaboration, ties what you were doing into its impact on the company.
- Recruiting and interviewing candidates for entry-level analyst roles, helping expand the department by 20%
- Making sales calls to current and potential high-net-worth clients, consistently exceeding sales goals by 15%
- Analyzing profit and loss statements for the beverage division on a weekly, monthly, and annual basis to identify discrepancies, ensure accurate reporting and determine areas for improvement
Key Takeaway
By crafting evidence-based bullet points as demonstrated above, you’ll stand out from other applicants and increase your chances of landing interviews.
About Resume Pilots
Resume Pilots is a resume writing service that works with driven, successful applicants at all stages of their careers. Previous clients include finance and pharmaceutical CEOs, senior managers in top consulting firms, and recent graduates working for the largest global companies.
For more career-related tips and to learn more about Resume Pilots, visit www.resumepilots.com.