Make Your Achievements Stand Out

An effective resume summarizes your work history, lists your most important professional achievements and convinces hiring managers that you would be a great hire. Although some job seekers are shy about mentioning their professional achievements, do not worry about being modest during a job search. Show potential employers why you are the right fit for the job.

When you write a cover letter, don't be shy about mentioning some of your most important professional achievements. If you are applying for sales jobs, for example, potential employers want to know if you are the top salesperson in your district or region. Be sure to mention any awards you received from past employers, industry organizations or local networking groups. Talking about these achievements shows hiring managers you are committed to your career.

Your cover letter and resume should include numbers to back up your professional achievements. Telling a hiring manager you saved your company money is not a very specific achievement. The hiring manager might be left wondering if you saved the company a few dollars or a few thousand dollars. Be specific with all of your statements. "I saved my department $27,400 in one quarter by implementing new purchasing guidelines" is a much more effective way of communicating your professional achievements to a hiring manager.

If you have held the same job for a long time, it can be difficult to remember all of your professional achievements. Save copies of your performance reviews, commendations from managers, and positive letters from customers and vendors. If you are having trouble coming up with professional achievements to list on your resume, refer to these documents for examples of past successes. Quote past managers or clients to make an impact on hiring managers.

When you mention your professional achievements in your resume or cover letter, try to use recent examples. If the only achievement you mention is from 1999, hiring managers might wonder why you didn't include examples from the last two or three years. Include achievements that are relevant to the position you desire. If you are not applying for a sales job, mentioning your sales track record may not be as important as mentioning your experience implementing new organizational systems or saving money when your company was in a financial crunch.

Creating an effective resume is one of the most important ways to convince hiring managers that you are an ideal candidate for their job openings. If you are looking for a job, make sure all of your application materials mention your professional achievements. These achievements should be as recent and relevant to the job as possible. Showcasing your achievements can help you make it to the next step of the hiring process.

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