One of my very own teaching consultants, we will call her Jill, was vying for a full-time job and asked me for help with her resume. She gave me a standard line I am used to hearing, which was “I have no accomplishments or awards” to put at the end of her resume. I pressed her for several minutes and then gave up as our conversation and my probing were yielding no additional results. I admittedly was at a loss because this was not a usual outcome in my coaching.
Why is it important to list accomplishments or awards on your resume?
- They give your reader insight into how you have been recognized for your efforts
- It establishes value you have provided to others that is worthy of public recognition
- It give you a chance to “brag” about how you stand out without seeming like a braggart
- It arms you with information to share during interviews that has more of a “wow” factor
Fast forward a few more minutes and through further discussion about the education section of her resume, Jill casually mentioned she had received over $50,000 in scholarship funds toward her undergraduate education to a private college. I was floored. Fifty thousand smackeroos-that was a ton of money fifteen years ago and is still a ton of money today when college funding is becoming more and more difficult. I pointed out to her that the scholarship she was “poo-pooing” was a huge and impressive accomplishment not awarded to “just anyone” and should absolutely be added under her education section to add more “wow” to her resume. I knew I was on to something with Jill.
Once again I pressed her to find out what committees she had led and what other possible monies she has received. Jill did not disappoint:
- Selected to serve on a board to implement a program funded by an $80,000 stipend divided among a small, hand-picked team of educators to create a community-based educational program to benefit hundreds of inner-city elementary school students over two years.
- Chaired the ESL committee to provide educational resources to one hundred plus English as a Second Language students and oversaw the training of incoming, novice ESL teachers.
- Earned a Master’s Degree while working full-time.
What can you do to enhance any awards or accomplishments on your resume? Reflect back on your career and ask yourself the following:
- What special project or award was I selected for and why?
- What is an example I can include of leadership at work or in the community?
- Have I created or founded a project, program or process outside of work?
- Did I earn any monies or special recognition during my continuing education? Think of trade schools, career programs, undergraduate or graduate programs. (Only include high school if you are a recent high school or college grad.)
- What place did I or my team finish in a special program or project?
- Have I set any records at work, in the community or with a hobby that can be related to my career field? (Say you are in a sales role and you raised the most amount of money at a school bake sale to fund playground equipment. This is a tangible sales skill outside work.)
Can you share an example of a personal or professional accomplishment you have listed on your resume that you believe gives it a “wow” factor?
Coming up in our next Promoting U! Blog series: Promoting You: Four Ways to WOW during Your Job Interview
