3 Secrets How to Write Achievement-Based Executive Resume Bullets

achievement based executive resume

An achievement-based executive resume is one that focuses on what you accomplished while at your previous jobs. Ideally, this type of resume gives concrete examples of what you can do for your potential employer.

Writing achievement-based executive resume bullets are a sure-fire way to stand out from the crowd and increase your chances of being called in for an interview. Use our tips below to make the most of your achievement-based executive resume bullets.

Focus on CAR or STAR formats.

Using well respected interview techniques can make your resume writing process a lot easier when trying to focus on achievements.

CAR, for instance, stands for Context, Action, Result. The objective is to introduce a problem that you solved by providing the story behind it. STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) is similar in so far as you are also telling a story and highlighting how you are the hero in a situation.

If you’re writing a achievement-based executive resume bullet you can call upon these two techniques to help you find content. Obviously you don’t have room to go into the entire story on your resume (save that for the interview!), but you can use it to help you find the achievements.

Let’s say your company was running up against a major sales deficit. Your current model wasn’t working and as the Global Operations Director you noticed that perhaps you needed to adjust pricing and focus on some cross-selling. The end result was a huge increase in company revenue. A bullet in this case may read, “Increased margins by 14% and revenues by 27% with pricing and cross-selling initiatives.

Ask yourself some key questions while writing achievement-based executive resume bullets.

For every job description bullet, you should ask yourself "How do you know you did a good job?" or "What did that good job look like?"

This helps you focus on the results you achieved while at work. Ultimately, by helping yourself paint a picture you can then do the same for the person reviewing your resume.

It’s important to note that these numbers may not be so focused on revenue numbers. For example, if you are an HR executive you may have helped expand the company into new markets. That may read like this, “Led HR function on 2006 Asian expansion, which currently has 240 offices and 7000 employees.”

Focus on size and scope of environments worked.

When it comes to resumes, numbers talk. Figures can be extremely telling if what kind of environment you worked in and what results you accomplished.

For instance, strategic planning for a $5 million startup tech firm is a different job than strategic planning for a $200 million division of a $1.7 billion consumer products firm. So be specific with business situations when describing duties. This is when you can mention the size of budgets, number of employees and how much a company is worth.

For more examples of how to write achievement-based executive resume bullets visit our executive resume samples page.

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About Lisa

Lisa Rangel and The Chameleon Team are the only executive resume writing, LinkedIn profile development, and job landing consultancy who has been hired by LinkedIn and recognized by Forbes. Our 4-Stage META Job Landing System stems from decades of corporate and executive recruiting experience to position you to land your next 6 or 7-figure role faster.

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