Achievements and Impacts
What this handout is about
A primary step in any successful employment search is designing a powerful resume. Your resume should be
designed to drive the reader to read it. Most resumes don’t accomplish this outcome. Readers typically stop


its worst outcome occurs when you can’t elaborate on your achievements and their impacts because the resume
doesn’t contain these stories. A powerful resume makes for a powerful interview.
Achievements
Impacts


is weak and can undercut any discussion about working as a server in a restaurant.
. 





• Provide excellent service to customers








Skills - a walking dead label
Languages:
Arabic and Spanish ()



of the page.
Technical Exper�se


Resumes and Verbs
What this handout is about
Verbs provide insights into your achievements and their impacts. While a few resume verb lists exist, be careful in randomly



contrary, select verbs that enhance telling your story and don’t undercut you as a professional.
Present versus past tense verbs
An internship verb to avoid










• Providing daily reports to supervisor detailing conduct of the inmates






 
 
3. Readers get aggravated
4. Readers stop reading

A verb that shouldn’t be le� out



power of why you were promoted.
• Promoted from ______________ to ________________ within _______ (
)
WHAT IS A RESUME?
A resume is a professional document that highlights
your education, job-related achievements and their
impacts, languages, software knowledge, and
activities.
Remember that your resume is a dynamic
document that will evolve as you gain experience and
develop abilities so focusing on creating a strong core
document will save you time in the future.
FORMATTING:
It is of utmost importance to keep formatting
consistent! Ensure that your resume is easy to read
and visually appealing. Avoid ready-made resume
templates and wizards. These will lessen the flexibility
of your document for future editing. Be sure to convert
your document to a PDF if you are asked to submit your
resume online as this will keep formatting intact and
consistent.
Include your GPA
Always include your cumulative average of 3.0 or
higher. If your cumulative average is below 3.0,
consider using your major GPA if it is 3.0 or over.
Highlight Relevant Experience
Be sure to quantify your accomplishments rather
than simply listing them. Include project experience
gained within your coursework. Use industry-
specific words when appropriate.
Prioritize leadership positions and activities
Highlight your leadership achievements and provide
impacts to these achievements. Develop your leadership
experiences in the same detail that you would your
work experience.
Use the label “Technical Expertise” or “Software
Applications” to list technical proficiencies
Design the list in a paragraph format with each
ability separated by a comma. Double-check
spelling because companies are creative in their
branding of software, for instance - “PowerPoint.
Prioritize the proficiencies with the most unique
listed first and with Word typically listed last.
Languages
List any foreign language and your comfort
level, e.g., fluent, conversational, and written.
GENERAL TIPS:
Be sure to adhere to the following when writing your
resume:
• Keep your resume to one page
• Make sure the design is easy to read
• Make sure to list current contact information
• Use your personal email instead of ECU’s
• Each bullet should have an achievement with its impact
• Check and recheck for spelling and grammar mistakes
• N
ever embellish your resume
INDUSTRY-SPECIFIC LANGUAGE:
Accounting - expenses, revenue, payroll, profit and
loss, balance, financial statements, government
regulations, analysis, budget, projections, tax, audit
Finance - financial analysis, portfolio management,
strategic, mergers and acquisitions, securities,
research, trading, derivatives, underwriting
Hospitality Management – all-inclusive, allotment,
amenities, average daily rate, best available rate,
channel management, facilities, global distribution
system
Management - benchmark, assets, bottom line,
continuous improvement plan, liabilities, revenue,
ROI, vision
Management Information Systems – software,
database, design, network, broadband, e-business,
web production, mobile computing, agile, analysis
Marketing - advertising, market research, strategy,
design, account management, media placement,
production, concept creation, sales
Risk Management – control, hazard, level of risk,
residual risk, risk control, inherent risk
Supply Chain - inventory control, systemize, multi-
task, strategize, quantitative analysis, schedule
Resume Guidelines
ADDITIONAL GENERAL TIPS
• Resumes should be no longer than 1 page unless you have at least 3-5 years of
professional experience
• Font size should be NO SMALLER than 11 pt. font
• Margins should be NO SMALLER than 0.7”
• Utilize the tab, spacebar, and enter key to easily create and format your resume
• Do NOT use COLOR or a computer-generated template
• Avoid underlines and lines; automatic tracking systems (ATS) will reject the document
• Do NOT use the ITALIC Font Style due to words in Italics are more difficult to read
• If you have room, you can space out your information to better fill the page design
CONTACT INFORMATION
Required for all Resumes: Name, Email, phone number, address (NO STREET LOCATION)
Email:
Include a professional email address. Do not use your ECU email. Email addresses
such as “beachbum@hotmail.com” are not professional. Never use your current
employer’s email address.
Note: Not all email providers are created equal. AOL and Hotmail accounts date your resume.
Phone:
Use a reliable phone number and include the area code. Make sure you have a professional
voicemail recording
RESUME HEADER EXAMPLES:
Example 1
• Use if the employer is located closer to your permanent address’ location
• Avoid street locations because they could trigger biases that shouldn’t but do exist
(
A 415 AREA CODE NUMBER SOLD FOR THOUSANDS DUE TO THE BIAS OF HAVING THAT AREA CODE)
NAME
PROFESSIONAL EMAIL ADDRESS PHONE NUMBER WITH AREA CODE
Town or City, State Town or City, State
Current Address Permanent Address
Example 2
NAME
PROFESSIONAL EMAIL ADDRESS
PHONE NUMBER WITH AREA CODE
TOWN or CITY, STATE
NAME
PROFESSIONAL EMAIL ADDRESS PHONE NUMBER WITH AREA CODE
TOWN or CITY, STATE
Example
EDUCATION
Possible Degree listings for ECU College of Business Students:
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Accounting
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Finance
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, International Business
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Management
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Marketing
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Operations and Supply Chain Management
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Risk Management and Insurance
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Management Information Systems
Bachelor of Science in Entrepreneurship
Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management
Master of Business Administration
Master of Science in Accounting
Master of Science in Sustainable Tourism and Hospitality
Dates:
• Month Year indicates your graduation month year (EVEN IF IT HAS NOT OCCURRED YET)
• Place dates on the right to emphasize your position and the company
• GPA: Always include your cumulative average, if 3.0 or over. If your cumulative average is
below 3.0, consider using your major GPA if it is 3.0 or over.
Example
East Carolina University College of Business, Greenville, NC May 2024
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
Major GPA _/4.0
EXPERIENCE
• Always start listing your employment experience beginning with the most recent company/job
• Bullets should be written as achievements with measurable impacts. Read your bullet and ask So. If the answer
is not provided in the bullet, you need to add an impact to the achievement (
WHAT YOU DID).
• Always begin your bullet statement with a strong skill-based verb
• Write past tense verbs for past jobs and typically present tense verbs for a current position
• Avoid using “ing” verbs at the beginning of your bullets
• Do NOT place periods at the end of your bulleted statements
• List dates on right to focus the reader’s attention on your position and the company
• Do NOT use pronouns -- “I, me, my, we, their” etc.
Example
Company Name, City, State Month, Year
Job Title
• Describe your achievement and its impact by starting your bullet with a strong skill-based verb
• Developed a social media strategy that resulted in a sales growth of 10% within the first month
(
AN EXAMPLE: WHAT YOU DID AND ITS MEASURABLE OUTCOME)
Previous Company Name, City, State Month, Year
Job Title
• Describe your achievement by starting the statement with a past-tense action verb
• Achievement and its impact
BULLETS
The impacts, the results of your achievements, provide the “wow” for the reader. The “wows” keep the
person reading. Achievements and impacts should be used instead of self-proclaimed statements. Self-
proclaimed statements use adjectives and adverbs, which result in weak measurements (NO WOW).
A Weak Bullet:
• Digitized inventory tracking and check-in for 100+ new products and updated point
of sale system for transactions resulting in a more efficient system
Stronger Bullet
• Digitized inventory tracking and check-in for 100+ new products and updated point
of sale system for transactions saving 5 hours weekly or $200 per store
A POWERFUL BULLET (THE RESULT OF EXTENDING THE IMPACT OF $200 FROM ONE STORE TO ALL STORES)
• Achieved $1.2 million in potential labor costs savings for 117 NC stores by digitized
inventory tracking and check-in for 100+ new products and updated point of sale
system for transactions
LANGUAGES
• List languages horizontally, separated by commas with the most unique language first
• If an employer request fluency in a specific language, prioritize that language first in your horizontal list
• Common labels used are fluent or conversational
• If you are proficient in writing a language, then include that insight
SOFTWARE APPLICATIONS or TECHNICAL EXPERTISE
• “SKILLS” is an old label that does not provide the power of a specific label
• “SOFTWARE APPLICATIONS” includes all unique computer programs and APPS while the label
“TECHNICAL EXPERTISE” adds hardware knowledge
• List horizontally your technical abilities with hardware and software prioritizing the most unique first
• Do not use bullets or create multiple columns; Readers skims so columns will be missed
• Common labels used are proficient or advanced
Examples
LANGUAGES Russian, Arabic, and Spanish
SOFTWARE APPLICATIONS
UML, SQL, HTML, PHP, WordPress, Visual Basic, Visio, Access, Microsoft Expression Web, Excel,
PowerPoint, and Word
OR
LANGUAGES Russian, Arabic, and Spanish
TECHNICAL EXPERTISE
Network Configuration, WAN/LAN, UML, SQL, HTML, PHP, WordPress, Visual Basic, Visio,
Access, Microsoft Expression Web, Excel, PowerPoint, and Word
SCHOLARSHIPS or HONORS or LEADERSHIP or ACTIVITIES ACHIEVEMENTS
• Prioritize scholarships, academic awards, volunteering, leadership, and community roles
• Because bullets are on the left, dates can be placed on the left for these headings. All bullets
on the left allow the reader to skim faster or ignore the bottom content
(
SEE SMITH AND SWOOP RESUME EXAMPLES)
• If the reader might stop due to no GPA or a low GPA, place any scholarships below
EDUCATION to trigger more reading. Any insights such as scholarships, academic honors, and
certifications could keep the reviewer reading downward after reviewing the GPA. However,
if you have a strong GPA, do not bury it with additional insights by the number
• A long activities list could trigger readers to review your GPA. If the GPA is low or not shown,
you have created an unintended argument that you have issues with time management
• NO HIGH SCHOOL awards or activities
SKILL-BASED VERBS
PRESENT TENSE FOR CURRENT POSITIONS AND ONLY PAST TENSE FOR PAST POSITIONS
Administer
Delegate
Govern
Replace
Analyze
Deliver
Guide
Report
Assign Demonstrate Hire Orient Research
Accelerate Design Implement Originate Resolve
Achieve Designate Improve Oversee Restore
Acquire
Detect
Increase
Reverse
Adjust Develop Initiate Persuade Review
Advise Discover Install Plan Revise
Advocate Dispense Instruct Prepare Reward
Allocate Disprove Interpret Prescribe Route
Apportion Distribute Interview Present Save
Assess
Draw
Invent
Secure
Audit Eliminate Investigate Preside Select
Arbitrate
Enhance
Justify
Sell
Chart Engage Launch Procure Serve
Collect Establish Lead Produce Settle
Compile Evaluate Lecture Program Solve
Complete
Examine
Log
Spearhead
Compose Execute Maintain Propose Supervise
Conduct Exercise Manage Protect Supply
Confirm Expand Market Provide Test
Control Expedite Moderate Purchase Train
Coordinate Evaluate Monitor Recommend
Transform
Correspond
Fabricate
Motivate
Tutor
Counsel Formulate Navigate Recruit Upgrade
Create
Gain
Negotiate
Utilize
Critique Generate Operate Refer Write
REMEMBER TO INCLUDE KEYWORDS FOR THE INDUSTRY IN WHICH YOU ARE APPLYING
Matthew Swoop
Swoopmat@yahoo.com 999-444-3333
Raleigh, NC
Education:
East Carolina University College of Business, Greenville, NC May 2023
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Marketing
GPA: 3.86/4.0
Cape Fear Community College, Wilmington, NC May 2019
Associates in Business Administration
GPA: 3.55/4.0
Professional Experience:
Next Evolution Marketing, Greenville, NC June 2017 – June 2019
Marketing Intern
• Drove sales upward by 10% by writing and editing 150+ sales and marketing materials and
implemented guerilla marketing tactics
• Contributed to the distribution and delivery of marketing materials valued at over $100,000 to
expand the customer base
• Measured and tracked 200+ responses to current marketing campaigns
• Performed analysis of marketing and sales data for a client base of 100 accounts
CK Special, Raleigh, NC June 2015- August 2016
Sales Associate
• Used suggestive selling techniques to increase sales by 15% for December 2015
• Completed cash register transactions of up to $5,000 each shift
• Responded to 10-30 customer requests or concerns per week
Languages: Fluent in French, Conversational in Spanish
Technical Expertise:
Skilled in Google Analytics, Keyword tracking, and Search Engine Optimization; Experienced in Photoshop
and Adobe X; Proficient in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and Word
Honors and Activities:
2022-2023
Member of the American Marketing Association
2021-2022
Member of Omicron Rho Chapter of Phi Kappa
2017-2023
Volunteer for Food Bank of Eastern and Central NC
2019-2022
Dean’s List
Samantha Smith
Smithsam@gmail.com 252-555-5555
EDUCATION
East Carolina University College of Business, Greenville, NC May 2024
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Management Information Systems
GPA 3.8/4.0
TECHNICAL EXPERTISE
• Programming Languages/Software Applications: SQL, Visual Basic, Access, C++
• Networking: Ethernet Connections, Novell Systems
• Hardware/Operating System Platforms: Cisco, Windows, Macintosh OS
TECHNICAL EXPERIENCE
Database Management Project, Greenville, NC
HTML Coder
• Created a business application using SQL and Access to insert, update, delete, and
query information
• Developed a database to efficiently track and record information concerning product
sales and period reports
Analysis of Business Information System, Baltimore, MD
• Collaborated with a group to develop a business application using SDLC to design the
management system
• Applied data analysis techniques to evaluate and improve business operations
resulting in 10% time savings
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Equis Corporation, Charlotte, NC June 2020 – Present
Online Support Customer Service Agent
• Assist 10+ customers per day with internet issues, utilizing multiple
troubleshooting methods to resolve 100% of issues
• Provide customer service to online customers in a fast-paced environment to maintain
a 97% satisfaction rate
• Update and maintain 1000+ customer accounts database, daily
ECU Student Union Dining Services, Greenville, NC
Crew Supervisor
• Supervised and scheduled a crew of 17 students by assigning various duties,
responsibilities, and workstations in accordance with work requirements
• Interviewed and trained 5 new staff members regarding policies and procedures
• Managed the dining area, which fed more than 200 students daily
HONORS AND ACTIVITIES
August 2019 – Present
Vice President of the East Carolina AITP
December 2018 - Present
May 2017 – Present
Member of the Gamma Beta Phi Honor
Fraternity
December 2018 – May 2019
Mentor at the Greenville Boys and Girls Club
Spring 2017
Chancellor’s List
Alex Smith
919-555-5555
Professional_Ema[email protected]
Raleigh, NC
EDUCATION
East Carolina University College of Business, Greenville, NC May 2024
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Management
GPA: 3.84/4.0
Wake Tech Community College, Raleigh, NC Aug. 2020 – May 2022
GPA: 3.5/4.0
INTERNSHIP
The Little Bank, Raleigh, NC May 2022 - Aug. 2022
Intern
• Shadowed operations manager handling daily duties
• Collaborated to develop and implement a marketing strategy to reach new
customers resulting in a 10% within one month of launching the campaign
• Developed spreadsheet to record training of staff about Compliance Standards
EXPERIENCE:
Outback Steakhouse, Greenville, NC Jan. 2021 - Present
Waiter/Trainer
• Placed 60+ customer orders daily
• Supervise and train 15 employees on restaurants policies and procedures
• Reconcile all sales, cash, credit, checks, and other accounts to balance and
pay 5 hostesses and 2 bartenders nightly
Target, Raleigh, NC Sept. 2020 - May 2021
Retail Associate
• Assisted over 150 customers daily in finding and selecting merchandise
• Balanced register of $500+ and accurately completed 20-50 transactions each shift
• Ensured that shelves were stocked with appropriate inventory levels
LANGUAGES: Fluent in speaking, reading, and writing French and Spanish
SOFTWARE APPLICATIONS: Proficient in Microsoft Excel, Access, PowerPoint, and Word
HONORS and ACTIVITIES:
Dean’s List Fall 2022-Present
Golden Key International Honor Society Member
College of Business Scholarship Recipient 2022- Present
Intramural sports participant (
SOFTBALL, SOCCER, AND FOOTBALL) 2022- Present
Australia/New Zealand Study Abroad participant with ECU June 2022
Habitat for Humanity Volunteer May 2019-2021
TAKING STEPS
YOUR RESUME
TO BE A BETTER COMMUNICATOR
A resume should:
• Connect with a potential interviewer
• Direct and hold their attention
• Promote understanding/memory of your achievements and impacts
• Drive them to interview or select you
Bullets should:
• Provide details about your achievements and their impacts
• Prioritize the achievements within a position
• Give impact to the achievements
• Use appropriate number of arguments to substantiate the achievements
(TOO MANY BULLETS UNDERCUT THE VALUE OF A STUDENT’S CLAIMS)
A resume should:
• Connect with a potential interviewer
• Direct and hold their attention
• Promote understanding/memory of the your achievements and impacts
• Drive them to interview or select you
Bullets should:
• Provide details about your achievements and their impacts
• Prioritize the achievements within a position
• Give impact to the achievements
• Use appropriate number of arguments to substantiate the achievements
(TOO MANY BULLETS UNDERCUT THE VALUE OF A STUDENT’S CLAIMS)
READERS react to poorly written documents as follows:
1. Readers slow down
2. Readers misunderstand
3. Readers get aggravated
4. Readers stop reading
Persuasive
Organized
Clear
a resume needs to be more than persuasive, organized, and clear;
a resume must be
VALUABLE
achievements and measurable impacts provide value
AVOID
FILTERS
OBJECTIVES
Poorly Designed Resume
Class lists
SPELLING ERRORS
Gaps in Experiences
self proclaimed statements
• Have impeccable communication skills
• Performed excellent cashiering and bagging duties
• Provide excellent customer service
Avoid self-proclaimed statements
Interpersonal Skills:
• Works well with others in order to reach common goals and solve problems
• Tolerant and determined attitude during times of stress
• Flexibility to changing work environments
• Proficient listening and mediating abilities
• Introduces humor into monotonous presentations and procedures
Avoid advise that undercuts you
• Maintain an accurate count of inmates assign to designated dormitory
• Supervise and monitor different activity in the prison yard
• Conduct inspections and search for weapons, illegal contraband and drugs
• Maintain the safety and security of the inmates, and staff
• Prevent assaults and escapes of the inmates from the facility
• Restrain and secure aggressive and violent inmates
• Ensure that the inmates are following the rules
• Providing reports to supervisor detailing conduct of the inmates
Responsible for security of inmates
1998-99
past positions require past tense verbs
“responsible for” is weak; this person could have lost 500 inmates
better – “oversaw security of 2,500 inmates without out major incidences”
• Learned how to work in a team in order to get a job done on time
• Worked with staff
• Reported to supervisor, when needed
Unintended Arguments
each of these has at least one unintended argument; the first bullet has 2
the first bullet states that the person just learned how to work in a team --
find the 2
nd
one
MAKE YOUR READER’S EYES REACT
• Developed a comprehensive corporate communication strategy
that increased the company’s growth 15%
MAKING A BETTER ARGUMENT
ITS IMPACT
AN ACHIEVEMENT/SKILL
• Managed employees and coordinated with area businesses
• Oversaw accounts receivable
• Implemented online scheduling
• Managed employees and coordinated with area businesses
• Managed 120 employees and developed relationships with 50 local
area businesses
• Oversaw accounts receivable
• Oversaw account receivables for five large apartment complexes
with over 2500 residents
• Implemented online scheduling
• Implemented online weekly scheduling for 250 employees
• Managed employees and coordinated with area businesses
• Managed 120 employees and developed relationships with 50 local
area businesses
• Oversaw accounts receivable
• Oversaw account receivables for five large apartment complexes
with over 2500 residents
• Implemented online scheduling
• Implemented online weekly scheduling for 250 employees
• Managed employees and coordinated with area businesses
• Managed 120 employees and developed relationships with 50 local
area businesses
• Oversaw accounts receivable
• Oversaw account receivables for five large apartment complexes
with over 2500 residents
• Implemented online scheduling
• Implemented online weekly scheduling for 250 employees
SKILLS
An old term that doesn’t describe your achievements
F O R E I G N S K I L L S
the department is not called foreign skills
Languages: Russian, Spanish
Software/Applications:
UML, SQL, HTML, PHP, WordPress, Visual Basic, Visio, Access,
Microsoft Expression Web, Excel, PowerPoint, and Word
OR
Languages: Russian, Spanish
Technical Expertise
UML, SQL, HTML, PHP, WordPress, Visual Basic, Visio, Access,
Microsoft Expression Web, Excel, PowerPoint, and Word
these are prioritized from the most unique to everyone
should have this expertise (Word – least unique)
Internships
Honors and Activities:
OR
Scholarships/Honors
OR
Leadership Experience
Activities
OR
Awards
apply these based on your achievements
For instance, if you have multiple
internships, place the heading
“internships” before “work experience”
Y O U R
RESUME
HOW DOES YOUR RESUME BRAND YOU?
YOU ARE
Y O U R
RESUME