Let’s face it! Today’s job market is ultra competitive, so your resume needs to be as well.
Most job seekers struggle to make their resumes standout and one place they especially have trouble is describing their accomplishments. Including what you did every day is simple enough, but adding in measurable accomplishments through resume bullet points is more difficult.
Let’s dive into some concrete examples of bad vs. good resume bullet points to help you elevate your resume to the next level.
Your Resume Needs Measurable Accomplishments
Your resume is more than just a list of your job experiences—it’s a marketing document designed to sell your skills and accomplishments to potential employers. The way you phrase your achievements can make a significant difference in how your resume is perceived, not just for interviews, but the types of jobs and salary you’ll be able to secure.
Let’s look at how to turn vague, generic statements into powerful, specific ones that highlight your true value.
Examples of Bad vs. Good Resume Bullets
1. Data Analysis
- Bad: Conducted complex data analysis
- Good: Analyzed over 20,000 data points from 1,500 participants
Why It Works: The good example specifies the scale and scope of the analysis, providing concrete numbers that highlight the complexity and impact of the work.
2. Team Leadership
- Bad: Led a cross-functional team
- Good: Led a team of 7 people across Marketing and Analytics
Why It Works: Mentioning the number of team members and the departments involved adds clarity and showcases your ability to manage diverse groups.
3. Sales Improvement
- Bad: Significant improvement in sales
- Good: Grew sales by 12% in 3 months
Why It Works: The good example quantifies the improvement, making it clear and impressive to potential employers.
4. Communication Skills
- Bad: Excellent communication skills
- Good: Presented to audiences of 100+ at 5 industry conferences
Why It Works: By specifying the audience size and the number of events, the good example provides tangible evidence of your communication abilities.
5. Leadership Abilities
- Bad: Strong leadership abilities
- Good: Managed a team of 15 and maintained an 87% retention rate over 5 years
Why It Works: This example is powerful because it includes both the size of the team and a retention rate, showcasing long-term leadership success.
6. Problem Solving
- Bad: Innovative problem solver
- Good: Implemented QuickBooks to handle 300+ invoices per month, reduced errors to <1%
Why It Works: The good example gives specific details about the problem-solving method and the quantifiable results.
7. Customer Service Expertise
- Bad: Expertise in customer service
- Good: Handled 50+ customer inquiries daily, achieving a 98% resolution rate
Why It Works: The good example quantifies the workload and success rate, making your expertise clear and impressive.
8. Marketing Strategies
- Bad: Effective marketing strategies
- Good: Increased website leads by 40% in 6 months
Why It Works: By quantifying the increase in leads and specifying the timeframe, this example shows tangible marketing success.
9. Organizational Skills
- Bad: Highly organized
- Good: Coordinated schedules for 100+ part-time and full-time staff across 4 retail locations
Why It Works: The good example provides details on the scope of the organizational tasks, highlighting your ability to manage complex schedules.
10. Event Planning
- Bad: Successful event planning
- Good: Planned and executed an annual conference with 300+ attendees
Why It Works: Specifying the size of the event makes the achievement more impressive and clear.
11. Software Development
- Bad: Proficient in software development
- Good: Developed and launched 3 mobile applications for iOS and Android with 100,000+ downloads each
Why It Works: This example gives a clear measure of success in terms of the number of applications and their reach.
12. Project Management
- Bad: Successful project management
- Good: Managed 10 projects, with $X to $Y budgets, delivering 93% on time and under budget
Why It Works: Providing the number of projects and the success rate gives a clear picture of your project management skills.
Remember: It’s not just about what you did—it’s about how well you did it and the results you achieved. Take the time to revise your resume bullets, and you’ll be well on your way to landing that next big opportunity.
Love this, but need more help? Here’s 30 resume writing tips to get hired faster.
FAQ
Q: Why are specific resume bullets important?
A: Specific resume bullets are important because they provide concrete evidence of your skills and accomplishments. They help potential employers understand the scope and impact of your work, making you a more attractive candidate.
Q: How many resume bullet points per job?
A: Your resume should be brief and to–the–point, with that in mind, no more than 5–6 bullet points per role.
Q: How can I quantify my achievements on my resume?
You can quantify your achievements by including numbers, percentages, and other measurable details. For example, instead of saying “improved sales,” you could say “increased sales by 20% in six months.”
Q: What should I avoid when writing resume bullets?
Avoid vague statements, jargon, and clichés. Instead, focus on clear, specific, and quantifiable descriptions of your accomplishments. Also, avoid using passive language; active verbs are more impactful.
Q: How often should I update my resume?
It’s a good practice to update your resume regularly, at least once a year, or whenever you complete a significant project, receive a promotion, or acquire a new skill. This ensures that your resume is always current and ready for new opportunities.
Q: Can I get professional help with my resume?
Absolutely! Professional resume writing services can provide expert guidance and help tailor your resume to your career goals. They can also offer tips and strategies to make your resume stand out to potential employers.
Make Your Resume More Effective & Secure More Job Offers
Writing a resume that stands out means providing concrete quantifiable evidence of your achievements. By transforming vague statements into specific, impactful bullets, you can make your resume more compelling and attractive to potential employers.
Ready to improve your resume? Check out my resume writing services to get professional help tailored to your specific job search goals.
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