We recommend spending 30 minutes on this section
Like your summary statement, resume bullets should be short, sweet, and to the point. You want to make sure the information that really matters is available at a glance. To help you do that, we've come up with three guiding principles:
Guiding Principles
1.
Show, don't tell: It's not enough to claim you have a skill or let your job titles do the talking. Instead, demonstrate your skills with specific accomplishments. If you're a gifted negotiator, talk about a deal you clenched. If you have a natural talent for organization, mention something you've done to make the office more efficient. As much as possible, try quantify your achievements with metrics like sales numbers, new customers, or increased earnings. The more concrete you can be, the better.
2.
Make it relevant: You don't have a lot of space – so only include information that's relevant to the job at hand. Cut out fluff like old jobs or irrelevant awards and certifications. Instead, focus on your transferable skills. Highlight things you've done in previous jobs that show you're a great fit for the new role.
3.
It's you, not them: Every sentence in your resume exists for one purpose: to explain to potential employers how your skills are a perfect complement for their needs. There's no need to dwell on your past. This is your chance to prove you can do the job, even if you've never done it before.
Before writing your resume bullets, pull up a few job descriptions from employers hiring in your new field. As you write, you can consult them for inspiration and guidance about which skills to emphasize.
Crafting Resume Bullets
Here's a template for crafting concrete, effective resume bullets:
Let's break it down
[Active Verb] + [Contributions and Skills Used] + [Result].
It's really that simple! Here's a great real-life example:
Prospected leads and nurtured relationships individualized follow-ups and in-person meetings growing sales pipeline from 20 qualified prospects to 300 over two months.
Take a step back and look at 2-3 of the bullets you have built. What patterns do you see?
Are you analytical, strategic, a strong problem-solver? Use this to start to identify what’s authentic to YOU.
Jot down the above thoughts so that you can come back to them as we prepare for network and company building.