Bullet points are staple features of resume formats, but a long, monotonous list of work duties can overwhelm your job applications without offering any proof of performance success. Bulleted lists are designed to convey a high volume of information in limited space, so use this classic format to showcase your most appealing professional qualities and prevent recruiters from tossing your resume.
Writing a one- or two-page resume is difficult and dreary when you use every line to make flat statements about how you provided support to upper management or reviewed client claims to identify insurance risks. Regardless of what job you’re applying for, your competition wants to work in the same industry and most likely performed similar job duties. When used effectively, bullet points should add structure, improve readability and emphasize your distinct skills by breaking up the resume format, integrating more white space and organizing key points into concise bits of information.
A resume format dominated by bullet points is hard for busy hiring managers to skim. Think strategically, and use short bulleted lists to incorporate clear examples of performance results. Start each bullet with an action verb that pinpoints your impact, and close the statement with a quick explanation of how your initiative directly improved profit or workflow. For example, instead of saying that you wrote and edited an educational newsletter for students and families, clearly state that you increased parent involvement by 60 percent by creating and publishing a family-outreach newsletter.
As the previous example demonstrates, relevant numerical data adds credibility to your claims. Hiring managers expect all applicants to make empty or exaggerated claims about their strong leadership skills, unparalleled work ethic and professional passion. Make your job applications stand out by leaving no room for doubt. Hiring managers respond to proven track records, and they are more willing to research candidates who offer straightforward results they can easily verify with past employers.
One way to make yourself attractive to recruiters is to show proof that other industry authorities are impressed by you. Bullet points let you highlight professional awards and specialty certifications, providing an alternative to weighing down your resume format with boastful summaries chronicling how invaluable you were to every employer you’ve ever had. Information about award and certification recipients is generally available to the public, so you don’t need to clutter your resume format with extra descriptions. At the same time, mentioning your accolades briefly provides hiring managers with genuine evidence that you take pride in your work and that your efforts expand beyond doing the bare minimum.
Bullet points are an asset to any resume format, but don't hesitate to cut content that doesn't apply to a specific job position. If you can’t relate each success statement to a function of your target position, consider editing out these weak spots to ensure your resume is polished and concise.
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