Top 3 Resume Examples on How to Highlight Key Accomplishments

In a professionally written resume (whether it is a green resume or a general professional resume), the accomplishments for each of your previous positions will be clearly highlighted to facilitate resume-skimming and get readers’ attention. Clearly defined accomplishments help readers see at a glance the nature of your achievements — and your potential value in a new role. But the accomplishments themselves are only half the story — the way those accomplishments are conveyed is almost as important. Here are 3 examples of how your key accomplishments can be transformed with the dynamic, targeted writing and presentation in which a professional resume writer specializes.

Example #1

BEFORE:
I helped my company bring in about $750,000 in new revenue.

AFTER:
Generated $750K new revenue by forging C-level relationships in high-potential markets.

Though the accomplishment itself is the same—bringing in $750,000 in new revenue—the second is much more effective for two main reasons. First, it starts with a strong action verb (“Generated”) that instantly communicates the nature of the achievement. Second, it tells not only the result (the $750,000 new revenue) but also the cause (the relationship-building). Telling what you achieved is just as important as describing how you achieved it. A professional resume writer will do his or her best to gather such information when writing your resume.

Example #2

BEFORE:
The company asked me to lead a big software development project that involved collaborating with several divisions within the company. I managed the four million dollar project and brought it in on-time and within the allotted budget. Part of the reason was that I used my project management expertise and introduced best practices.

AFTER:
Delivered $4M software development project on-time/on-budget by leading cross-functional team and introducing project management best practices.

The meandering, wordy nature of the “before” example will lose readers’ interest quickly. It’s not exactly clear what was accomplished; the details drown in the first-person, narrative style. In the “after” example, the exact accomplishment is clear, as are the reasons why the client achieved it. Note the strong action verb and the concise summary of the accomplishment. If an accomplishment goes beyond 3 lines on your resume, you should strive to be more concise. Finally, note the use of the figure “$4M” rather than “four million.” You should always use numerals in a resume.

Example #3

BEFORE:
Used lean manufacturing techniques to reduce the number of employees and save approx. $500,000 annually.

AFTER:
Slashed annual costs ~$500K by initiating lean manufacturing techniques to reduce headcount and improve efficiency.

The “before” example comes close to doing things right. It starts with an action verb (though not a very strong one), uses numerals, and conveys both the cause and the effect. But look at what a few professionally written changes can do—the “after” example is more dynamic, conveying the very same accomplishment in a way that really makes it shine. “Slashed” is a strong action verb, and “reduce headcount” is a more concise, professional way of saying “reduce the number of employees.” And it’s always best to put the “effect” before the “cause.”

CleanTechies offers professional resume writing services specifically targeting green positions. Certified expert resume writers with years of experience and almost thousand of resumes written help job seekers at any career stage craft professional resumes. CleanTechies writes resumes targeting roles in renewable energy, resource efficiency, green building, and sustainable transportation as well as other environmental and sustainable positions. CleanTechies is dedicated to helping green job seekers pursue their dream careers.

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