IDENTIFYING ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Using starter sentences can help you identify your accomplishments. These accomplishment statements can help you write résumé content. You can build accomplishments into the content of your résumé, or have an entire accomplishment section. Identifying your accomplishments will also provide a base for developing answers to interview questions.
When you are considering your accomplishments, think about the things you have achieved, things you are proud of, things you were recognized for, or a personal goal you set and achieved. Accomplishments may be a big award or career defining moment, however, it is possible that you will be the only one who knows about the accomplishment. Accomplishments can be from your work, education, training, as well as in your volunteer and personal life.
Note: If you have already started your accomplishment list, as outlined in the Career Reflection post, you can use these starter sentences below to expand your list.
Accomplishment Statements
Read the following starter sentences. Each list is designed to help you identify successes from your work, academic and life experiences. Select any statement that you feel fits with your experience.
At the end of this series of starter sentences you will find an example of a success story that will help you write your own.
Work
I have helped my employer(s) by:
- making improvements by…
- streamlining systems by…
- making money by…
- saving money by…
- coming in under budget…
- increasing sales by…
I have helped my employer(s) by:
- building teams…
- expanding the business/service…
- identifying new ideas and opportunities…
- improving quality…
- making the company more competitive…
- helping achieve company goals…
- identifying solutions to problems…
I have helped my employer(s) by:
- taking the lead on projects…
- taking on special assignments…
- applying my computer skills…
- raising awareness/marketing…
- posting to social media …
I have helped my employer(s) by:
- making the workplace safer and/or healthier…
- writing winning proposals…
- meeting deadlines…
I have helped my employer(s) by:
- training and mentoring new employees…
- working well with co-workers…
- providing leadership for the team…
- offering my management and supervisory skills…
- providing excellent customer service…
- building relationships with customers/clients…
Education and Training
In school or in training my accomplishments have included:
- receiving a Diploma/Degree/Certification/License…
- receiving good grades/feedback…
- maintaining an excellent attendance record…
- writing and/or presenting reports..
- playing on a team…
- participating in a group…
- receiving an award and/or recognition…
- working on a job/co-op placement…
- helping others as a tutor/mentor…
Volunteer
As a volunteer my accomplishments have included:
- organizing events…
- fundraising…
- raising awareness…
- providing direct service…
Personal Life
In my personal life my accomplishments have included:
- family….
- friends….
- community…
- personal development…
Success Stories
Select at least 5 of the starter sentences and write a brief description. Include the problem your faced, the action you took and the outcome. Try to include details such as numbers and percentages. Think, how was the success of this project measured? What goals were met?
For example:
“I helped my past employer by offering my knowledge of computers. I researched and purchased project management software to address team communication problems. I installed the software on the server, set up individual access and trained all 40 team members. The software created a central location for scheduling meetings, tracking individual activities and progress and storing our email communication. We saw an overall improvement in communication and scheduling and we found that missed deadlines were reduced by 10%.”
For additional starter sentences, visit the post ‘Most Proud Of‘.
If you want to talk about adding accomplishments to your résumé email us at or call (705)745-1607.