Your resume isn’t just a list of previous jobs and educational history. It’s your chance to showcase what you can do for your prospective employer. Simply reciting your previous responsibilities is unlikely to secure you a new position. But discussing your professional achievements helps you stand out from the other candidates.

Maybe you consistently surpassed quarterly sales targets by 15%. Maybe you helped develop a new piece of groundbreaking software. Maybe you conceived and spearheaded a project to improve office organization.

Whatever your achievements, they should be listed proudly in your resume. The question is how. Find helpful advice and guidance on writing your resume achievements section alongside dozens of examples of resume achievements below.

In this guide:

⟩          Where Should You Add a Resume Achievements Section?

⟩          Structuring a Resume Achievements Section

⟩          Resume Achievements Examples

Where Should You Add a Resume Achievements Section?

Your achievements help quantify and qualify your work history. They detail what you accomplished in each role. You’ll want to add them throughout your resume. Focus on these three sections:

•   Resume Summary

•   Work History

•   Educational History

Your main emphasis should be on the first two sections. Include your proudest achievements in the resume summary. It’s a brilliant place to talk about any awards you’ve won, major contracts you worked on, or any other outstanding achievements.

Most recruiters don’t read resumes word for word. It’s a sad truth. However, if they read anything, it’s the resume summary. Your greatest accomplishments should be front and centre. That way, when recruiters browse your resume, they’ll quickly add you to the interview pile.

In your work history, you should list your achievements as bullet points in the same way you would add your responsibilities. In fact, if you can combine the two, it’s an effective and efficient way to write your resume.

Including resume achievements in your educational history is only appropriate for an academic resume or a recent graduate. Talk about any projects you completed, academic papers you worked on, or anything else notable.

Other sections on your resume where your achievements can be highlighted include:

•   Your volunteer experiences

•   Your projects

•   Your extracurricular activities

Structuring a Resume Achievements Section

What is an achievement? It might sound like a strange question. However, when candidates come to write their CVs, they often draw a blank. A resume achievement is anything you accomplished during a previous role that you feel is worth mentioning. It helps if that achievement is quantifiable.

Still not sure what to add? There are usually three forms an achievement could take:

1.     Timeframe. As the old saying goes, time is money. Completing a task ahead of schedule or doing something consistently for a set period is an achievement. For example, you could have delivered a project 1-month ahead of schedule or achieved a top customer satisfaction rate for three straight months.

2.     Scale. The bigger your achievement, the more impressive it becomes. Managing three people is one thing; organizing a team of fifty is another thing entirely. Scale also provides credibility, helping future employers imagine your potential in their company. Think of things like number of clients, size of budgets, or size of teams.

3.     Results. Effectiveness is one of the fundamental traits that companies look for in candidates. While they want to know you’re a team player, motivated, and pleasant to work with, companies will sacrifice a lot for a candidate who consistently delivers results. Specific results, such as a percentage increase in customer satisfaction rates, delivering a project under budget, or surpassing sales targets, are sure to catch a recruiter’s eye.

Of course, not everyone keeps track of their achievements in a role. (You should!) If that’s the case, the answer is simple. Go ask your previous employers for the information. Most employers are happy to help quantify the impact of your work.

Some jobs aren’t achievement-orientated. If you work in the care sector, for example, you can’t quantify the emotional support you provide, nor do employers want you to. In such cases, focus on the soft skills – the qualitative aspects of your work. Highlight the positive feedback from patients or families, mention any special recognition you received, and describe the personal impact your role had on the lives of those you cared for.

Resume Achievements Examples

Information Technology Resume Achievement Examples

Software Developer

•   Developed and maintained a robust e-commerce platform, increasing online sales by 25% in six months.

•   Optimized database queries, reducing load times by 40% and improving user experience.

•   Implemented a new feature set that resulted in a 15% increase in user retention.

IT Manager

•   Led a team of 10 IT professionals, maintaining 99.9% system uptime.

•   Developed and enforced IT security policies, reducing security breaches by 40%.

•   Implemented new technology solutions, saving the company $200,000 annually.

UX/UI Designer

•   Designed user-friendly interfaces, improving user satisfaction by 30%.

•   Conducted usability testing, identifying issues and increasing user retention by 20%.

•   Collaborated with development teams to implement design changes, reducing project delivery times by 15%.

Data Scientist

•   Analyzed complex datasets, providing insights that increased sales by 15%.

•   Developed predictive models, improving decision-making accuracy by 20%.

•   Collaborated with cross-functional teams to implement data-driven strategies, boosting overall efficiency by 10%.

Network Administrator

•   Maintained network infrastructure, achieving 99.9% uptime.

•   Implemented security measures, reducing network breaches by 40%.

•   Upgraded network systems, increasing speed and efficiency by 25%.

Corporate Resume Achievement Examples

Product Manager

•   Launched new products that generated $2 million in revenue within the first year.

•   Conducted market research, guiding product development to meet customer needs and increasing satisfaction by 20%.

•   Coordinated cross-functional teams, ensuring product releases met deadlines and quality standards.

Training and Development Manager

•   Designed and implemented training programs, increasing employee productivity by 30%.

•   Conducted workshops and seminars, improving skillsets and employee satisfaction.

•   Monitored training effectiveness, achieving a 90% improvement in knowledge retention.

Creative and Marketing Resume Achievement Examples

Graphic Designer

•   Designed impactful marketing materials, increasing brand recognition by 30%.

•   Collaborated with marketing teams to create cohesive visual campaigns that boosted engagement by 25%.

•   Implemented new design software, reducing project turnaround times by 15%.

Digital Marketing Specialist

•   Executed PPC campaigns, increasing click-through rates by 25%.

•   Optimized SEO strategies, improving organic search rankings by 20%.

•   Developed social media strategies, growing follower base by 35%.

Social Media Manager

•   Created and managed social media content, increasing follower engagement by 50%.

•   Analyzed social media metrics, providing insights that improved strategy effectiveness by 20%.

•   Developed influencer partnerships, boosting brand visibility and sales by 25%.

Content Manager

•   Developed and executed content strategies, increasing website traffic by 40%.

•   Managed a team of writers and editors, producing high-quality content that boosted engagement by 30%.

•   Optimized content for SEO, improving search engine rankings by 25%.

Marketing Manager

•   Executed a comprehensive digital marketing strategy, boosting website traffic by 50% in three months.

•   Managed a $500,000 advertising budget, achieving a 5:1 return on investment.

•   Launched a successful social media campaign, increasing brand engagement by 40%.

Administration, Customer Service, and HR Resume Achievement Examples

Human Resources Manager

•   Implemented a new employee onboarding program, reducing turnover by 25%.

•   Streamlined HR processes, cutting administrative costs by 15%.

•   Developed and facilitated training programs, improving employee performance by 20%.

Customer Service Manager

•   Reduced customer complaints by 30% through improved service protocols.

•   Trained and supervised a team of 20 customer service representatives, enhancing customer satisfaction by 40%.

•   Introduced a new CRM system, increasing efficiency and response times by 20%.

Executive Assistant

•   Managed executive schedules, ensuring 100% punctuality for meetings and appointments.

•   Organized company events, resulting in 98% attendee satisfaction.

•   Prepared reports and presentations, enhancing executive decision-making processes.

Healthcare Administrator

•   Improved patient care processes, increasing satisfaction scores by 20%.

•   Managed a team of 50 healthcare professionals, achieving a 95% compliance rate with healthcare regulations.

•   Optimized administrative workflows, reducing operational costs by 15%.

Legal Assistant

•   Drafted and reviewed legal documents, ensuring 100% accuracy and compliance.

•   Assisted in case preparation, leading to a 90% success rate in court.

•   Managed client communications, enhancing client satisfaction by 25%.

Administrative Assistant

•   Managed office supplies and inventory, reducing costs by 15%.

•   Coordinated schedules and meetings, ensuring 100% accuracy and punctuality.

•   Assisted in preparing reports and documents, increasing office efficiency by 20%.

Operations and Industry Resume Achievement Examples

Operations Manager

•   Optimized supply chain processes, reducing operational costs by 20%.

•   Managed daily operations for a facility of 200 employees, achieving a 98% on-time delivery rate.

•   Improved inventory management, reducing waste by 25%.

Supply Chain Manager

•   Streamlined supply chain operations, reducing costs by 20%.

•   Negotiated with suppliers, securing better terms and saving the company $500,000 annually.

•   Implemented inventory management systems, reducing stockouts by 30%.

Manufacturing Supervisor

•   Supervised a team of 50 employees, achieving a 95% production efficiency rate.

•   Improved workplace safety standards, resulting in a 40% decrease in workplace accidents.

•   Coordinated with the quality assurance team to enhance product quality, reducing defects by 20%.

Science and Industry Resume Achievement Examples

Research Scientist

•   Conducted groundbreaking research, resulting in three published papers in peer-reviewed journals.

•   Developed new experimental protocols, increasing research efficiency by 20%.

•   Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams, advancing project goals and securing $1 million in funding.

Environmental Scientist

•   Conducted environmental impact assessments, leading to 10% improvements in sustainability practices.

•   Developed remediation plans for contaminated sites, reducing environmental hazards by 30%.

•   Collaborated with regulatory bodies, ensuring compliance with environmental laws.

Mechanical Engineer

•   Designed and tested mechanical components, reducing production costs by 15%.

•   Collaborated with cross-functional teams to implement new designs, improving product performance by 20%.

•   Conducted failure analysis, identifying and resolving issues to improve reliability by 30%.

Finance and Business Resume Achievement Examples

Business Analyst

•   Analyzed business processes, identifying areas for improvement that increased efficiency by 30%.

•   Developed detailed reports and dashboards, providing insights that led to a 15% cost reduction.

•   Collaborated with stakeholders to implement new systems, enhancing operational effectiveness.

Financial Analyst

•   Prepared comprehensive financial reports, contributing to strategic decision-making that improved profitability by 10%.

•   Conducted in-depth market analysis, identifying investment opportunities that generated a 12% ROI.

•   Optimized budgeting processes, reducing unnecessary expenditures by 20%.

Quality Assurance Engineer

•   Created and executed testing protocols, reducing software defects by 30%.

•   Led a team of QA testers, improving product release cycles by 20%.

•   Implemented automated testing tools, increasing testing efficiency by 25%.

Project Manager

•   Led a cross-functional team of 15, delivering projects on time and within budget 95% of the time.

•   Streamlined project workflows, reducing project completion time by 20%.

•   Introduced agile methodologies, increasing team productivity by 30%.

Sales Manager

•   Exceeded annual sales targets by 20% through effective team leadership and strategic planning.

•   Trained and mentored a team of 10 sales representatives, improving overall sales performance by 35%.

•   Negotiated key contracts with major clients, resulting in a 25% increase in revenue.

Other Resume Achievement Examples

Public Relations Specialist

•   Developed and executed PR campaigns, increasing positive media coverage by 30%.

•   Managed crisis communications, maintaining company reputation during incidents.

•   Built relationships with media outlets, securing key placements that boosted brand awareness by 25%.

Event Coordinator

•   Planned and executed corporate events, achieving 95% client satisfaction.

•   Negotiated with vendors, reducing event costs by 20%.

•   Managed event logistics, ensuring seamless operations and positive attendee experiences.

Student

•   Achieved Dean’s List recognition for four consecutive semesters through academic excellence.

•   Led a team project in a marketing class, resulting in a top presentation grade.

•   Volunteered 50+ hours tutoring peers in calculus, enhancing their understanding and grades.

Barista

•   Delivered exceptional customer service, contributing to a 10% increase in regular customers.

•   Trained new employees on coffee preparation techniques, improving overall team efficiency.

•   Implemented a new inventory system, reducing waste and saving costs.

Receptionist

•   Greeted and assisted over 100 visitors daily, providing excellent first impressions.

•   Managed appointment scheduling, ensuring smooth operations for all departments.

•   Maintained and updated client records, improving office organization and efficiency.

Delivery Driver

•   Delivered packages on time, maintaining a 99% on-time delivery rate.

•   Provided excellent customer service, ensuring customer satisfaction upon delivery.

•   Maintained vehicle in top condition, ensuring safe and efficient deliveries.

Key Takeaways

Hopefully, there are enough resume achievement examples to get you started. Let’s recap some of the main points:

•   Your resume should emphasize professional and educational achievements rather than just listing previous responsibilities.

•   Prioritize including achievement in the resume summary and work history sections, as well as in the educational history for recent graduates or academic resumes.

•   Focus on quantifiable achievements in terms of timeframe, scale, and results. You can speak to previous employers to get the data.