Too often, job seekers leave achievements off their resumes that don't fit a certain mold. Don't be afraid to list professional accomplishments that are useful and relevant to your career. Here is a list of ten accomplishments you probably didn't know you could claim on your resume.
1. Any Project You Contributed To
Describe any work project you worked on, even if your participation was not supported by your manager. Your work still matters.
2. Any Good Idea You Came up With
If you offered a brilliant idea that your company implemented, don't be afraid to take credit for it. Show hiring managers the value you can bring to their companies.
3. Volunteer Work
Volunteer work can and should be discussed on your resume, as it shows you're a well-rounded individual with varied interests. Your volunteer experience is an opportunity to learn and strengthen skills such as communication, problem solving and teamwork.
4. Work Performed as a Favor
Just like volunteer work, any work you performed as a favor to a friend or colleague counts. Work doesn't necessarily have to be paid or confined to the 9-to-5 time block to be relevant to your career. Ask your friend or colleague provide you with a recommendation or testimonial in exchange for your services.
5. Non-Official Accomplishments
If you've performed tasks outside your formal job description, include them on your resume Those non-official responsibilities and accomplishments help beef up your work experience.
6. Skills You Learned at Work
Mention any important skill you learned while on the job, whether it was in a formal class environment, online or directly from another employee. On-the-job-training is often considered to be superior to traditional classroom training, because you learned to apply new skills in a real-world setting.
7. Leadership
If you took ownership or led others on a group task or project, it definitely warrants a mention in your resume. It doesn't matter whether you were given the leader role or grew into it naturally; it still counts as leadership and managerial experience.
8. Late Successes
Even if a project you worked on or idea you came up with didn't bring the company success until after you left the company, it still counts. Your contributions led to a better company, no matter when it happened.
9. Unfinished Projects
If a project you were a part of never came to pass, you should still claim it on your resume, especially if you learned a useful skill.
10. Someone Else's Responsibilities
If you carried out a certain set of responsibilities, they belong on your resume, even if they were technically a part of someone else's job description. In fact, performing tasks designated for someone else shows that you are a team player who's willing to go above and beyond to get the job done.
Your resume is your opportunity to sell yourself to potential employers. Include relevant projects and responsibilities, whether they were unfinished, non-official or unpaid. Just make sure every claim you make within your resume is truthful, and be prepared to answer questions about each of your professional accomplishments.
Photo courtesy of patrisyu at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
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