Trying to make your résumé stand out among the hundreds of other candidates fighting for the same position is a key factor in earning a first interview. The work section of your CV needs to stress tangible achievements, not merely list your job duties. Hiring managers are interested how you will help their company’s operations and bottom line when you become an employee.
Let’s take a look at some tips for writing an achievement oriented résumé — one that will get you in the door for an interview.
Action Verbs, Action Verbs, Action Verbs
When detailing your work achievements, don’t skimp on the action verbs. Consider leading off each sentence with a verb detailing your accomplishments. “Managed,” “Designed,” “Implemented” — that’s the kind of verbiage that catches a hiring manager’s eye. An occasional adverb — like “successfully” — also makes a good fit in front of an action verb.
Quantify any Tangible Achievements!
Be sure to quantify any achievements in your CV’s work history section, as prospective employers want someone results-oriented. If one of your projects saved the company money, detail the amount saved. If it led to any kind of increase, note the percentage improvement. Expect to be asked to support this information during any subsequent interview.
Make a Checklist before Writing your Work History
To help jog your memory when writing the work history section of your CV, it helps to create a checklist for detailing the quantifiable achievements throughout your career. For each job achievement, take into account any related dollar amounts, percentages, raw numbers, as well as time. Detail this information in a clear, concise manner paired with liberal use of action verbs.
Following this checklist for each position throughout your career allows you to write an effective résumé with a work history section that gets you noticed by an HR manager.
If you need additional résumé tips or any other advice to help your job search in one of the STEM disciplines, talk to the experts at Scientific Search. As one of the leading STEM staffing agencies on the East Coast, they have the recruiters on hand to help ensure the quality of your résumé and the success of your job hunt. Schedule some time with them today!
