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I had an interview yesterday and the first thing they said on the phone was: “Wow! I love your CV.” Patrick
I love the variety of templates. Good job guys, keep up the good work! Dylan
My previous CV was really weak and I used to spend hours adjusting it in Word. Now, I can introduce any changes within minutes. Absolutely wonderful! George
Many experts say accomplishments for CVs and achievements for CVs are two different things. According to Merriam-Webster, CV accomplishments and achievements in CVs are synonyms.
Expert Hint: Mix CV accomplishments with responsibilities. For every five work section bullet points, stuff three with accomplishments and CV awards.
2. How to List Achievements for CVs
How do you show accomplishments on CVs?
What about awards on CVs?
Here’s the problem:
Most accomplishments for CVs will make the hiring manager yawn.
A few will make her leave nine voicemails in your inbox.
What achievements for CVs work best?
Do this:
Read the job ad closely.
Imagine the perfect candidate.
List only achievements in CVs that prove you are that candidate.
These CV accomplishments examples show how:
Job ad wants: (1) customer service (2) customer retention (3) efficiency.
CV work history says:Good Example
Maintained 99% positive (1) customer service scores.
(2) Customer retention for my clients was 29% above company average.
(3) Generated 10 more outgoing sales calls per day than others on the team.
Bad Example
Responsible for customer service and sales for consumer products firm.
Handled customer complaints resolution duties.
Tasked with making 8 sales calls per day.
The first of those CV achievements examples will make employers worry someone else will get you.
The second tells your job, but—
Not how good you did it.
Expert Hint: Where should you put accomplishments on CVs? In the bullet points for all your sections. List accomplishments for CVs or awards on CVs that prove key skills.
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3. Why Achievements in CVs Need Numbers
Numbers send achievements for CVs to the stratosphere.
Pretend you own a restaurant.
Should you tell people it gets “great Yelp reviews?”
Or—
It has “over a thousand 5-star Yelp reviews?”
Numbers matter in accomplishments for CVs.
They even help awards on CVs.
These CV achievements examples demonstrate:
Good Example
Developed 250+ graphic design projects per year.
Cut client costs by 22% in 15 months.
Increased client transactions 30% in one year.
Worked on team that received 2018 Webby Award, granted by a 2,000-member judging body.
Bad Example
Responsible for development of graphic design projects.
Cut client costs.
Increased client transactions.
Worked on a team that won a Webby.
Pow.
The first of those honours and awards CV examples could get you hired on the Avengers.
KPIs for Achievements in CVs
Need some help with numbers for accomplishments for CVs?
Use Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
They measure achievements for CVs to get you hired.
Make sure your KPIs fit what the job posting wants.
Sample Key Performance Indicators
Customer Retention
Accounts Payable
Efficiency
Leads
Quality Measures
Website Traffic
Cost
Website Authority
Delivery Time
Social Media Engagement
Customer Satisfaction
ROI
Membership
Conversion Rate
Employees Trained
Customer Turnover Rate
Sales Figures
Market Share
New Customers
Quota Attainment
Instals
Profits
Expert Hint: Not sure what KPIs best fit your job? Google your job title + “KPIs.” You’ll find metrics that add muscle to accomplishments for CVs and awards on CVs.
4. How to List Awards on CVs
“Holy cow, we’ve got to hire this one.”
Why show awards on CVs?
They’re some of the best accomplishments for CVs. They prove your skills.
But—
Don’t bury them.
Do list only awards this employer cares about.
Do add details that tie awards to skills.
Check out these honours and awards CV examples:
Job ad wants: web design skills.
CV says:Good Example
Award
Received a 2017 Webby Award for Excellence in Navigation and Structure.
Bad Example
Additional Activities
Facilitate monthly meetings for the Archeosxterix web developers' club.
Regular attendee, Eastern Oregon Web Developers Meetups.
Received a 2017 Webby Award.
My article, “Best Practises for Web Development: was linked to by TechSavvy.
Big difference.
The first of those awards and acknowledgements CV examples will make the boss reach for the phone.
The second buries the award in other achievements for CVs.
What CV awards should you list?
Three kinds:
Show honours and awards on CVs from professional associations. For instance, the PMI Fellows Award, CSS Design Award, or AMA Award.
Include honours and awards in CVs received by companies you’ve worked for. For example, the Baldrige Award or Shingo Prize.
In-company awards to put on a CV include Employee of the Month or performance-based bonuses.
Need awards to put on CVs?
Google your job title + “awards.” You’ll find CV awards that fit. You may even spot some easy-to-get honours and awards CV examples. For instance, small monthly contests.
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Key Points:
Here’s a recap of tips for writing an accomplishment section for your CV::
Match achievements in CVs to the job ad. If it shows you’ve got a CV skill the company wants, list it.
Add numbers to CV achievements. Say how much, how often, and how many. Add hours, dollars, percents, and numbers of people.
Awards on CVs build confidence. Add professional awards like the AIGA Medal or in-company awards like Employee of the Month.
Use the CVs accomplishments examples above for reference. Awards, improvements to company metrics, and personal achievements all make great accomplishments on CVs.
Still wondering how to list achievements in CVs? Not sure how to pick the best accomplishments for CVs? Leave a comment. We’re happy to reply!
Tom Gerencer is a career advice writer and a resume expert at ResumeLab. Tom has been featured on BBC News, NBC, The Economist, Business Insider, Fast Company, and dozens of other outlets. His insights, commentary, and articles reach over a million readers every month. With inside knowledge of key industry players and in-depth research, Tom helps job seekers with advice across all professions and career stages. Tom holds a degree in English from Colby College.
A CV job description is a CV section where you list your professional experience, usually in reverse-chronological order. It means you start with your most recent position and proceed backwards. Each entry should contain 3-6 bullet points. It is recommended to include 10-15 years of work history on your CV.