Why spend time on achievement statements?

Achievements are based on facts that demonstrate your past ability to contribute to an organisation.

They showcase your contributions above and beyond your normal job responsibilities and allow your resume to demonstrate your track record as opposed to only recording prior responsibilities.

They differ from responsibilities because they are specific examples that are quantified.

Creating achievement statements

To write strong achievement statements, start by thinking about your last position and how you contributed. Think in terms of what you did (actions) and the outcome. Look at our suggested actions and results below to help get you started.

Did you? (Action)

  • Take the initiative?
  • Create, develop or design something?
  • Implement administrative procedures/changes?
  • Participate in management decisions?
  • Manage an organisational change?
  • Play a key role in cutting costs?
  • Identify a need for a procedure?
  • Prepare documents or manuals?

What happened? (Result)

  • Improved quality
  • Reduced costs
  • Increased sales
  • Improved client services
  • Increased efficiency
  • Improved productivity
  • Improved morale
  • reduced time in process

Getting the structure right

Begin each achievement statement with an action verb and end it with a measure of success. This structure empowers you to convert your accomplishments into high-impact statements.

Begin achievement statements with an action verb:

  • Administered a program that…
  • Conduct a review of…
  • Created a system where…
  • Eliminated the need for…
  • Established a routine so that…
  • Installed a new technology which…
  • Improved the quality of…
  • Re-designed a program that…

End achievement statements with a measure of success:

  • …resulting in 10% increase in sales.
  • …allowing a faster response time to meet client needs.
  • …allowing faster processing of payments.
  • …reducing wastage by half.

These may also be positioned up front following an action verb.

Examples

  • Achieved a customer satisfaction rating of 99% by developing a high level of proficiency on new software during two months of systems conversion.
  • Exceeded annual sales quotas consistently by an average of 15% for three years by initiating a follow up system for contacting satisfied customers.
  • Increased the revenues of the soft drinks division of a major FMCG from $54 million to $125 million over three years with no increase in headcount.