The secret to writing Resume Bullet Points that get you hired is not to write them… until you’ve analyzed the job description you’re applying for. Below is a video along with instructions to write bullet points that prove to HR Managers you’re the real deal and give your Resume ranking a bump in applicant tracking systems.
Check out the video below
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1. Add Power Words to your Resume bullet points
Most resumes start with the same, overused words which fail to separate you from the competition & don’t add any value to your Resume. Power Words are high value impact verbs that communicate your value immediately before an HR Manager even reads the rest of your bullet point.
Below are some examples of Power Words, click here for a 185 Power Words you can use in your Resume Bullet Points.
- Designed | Formulated | Built | Developed
- Increased | Expanded | Maximized | Outpaced
- Enhanced | Reduced | Delivered | Sustained
2. Add Key Words to your Resume bullet points
Today’s Resumes are scanned by Applicant Tracking Software looking for specific key words. The software scans your Resume before a HR Manager even sees your application and eliminates roughly 70% of applications. In order to beat Applicant Tracking Software be sure to reuse the words and phrases from the job description you’re applying for throughout your Resume Bullet Points.
Below I’ve highlighted words from a job description I’d recommend reusing…
Project Manager responsibilities
- Meet with clients to take detailed ordering briefs and clarify specific requirements of each project
- Delegate project tasks based on junior staff members’ individual strengths, skill sets and experience levels
- Track project performance, specifically to analyze the successful completion of short- and long-term goals
- Meet budgetary objectives and make adjustments to project constraints based on financial analysis
Project Manager skills
- 5 years’ experience in project management
- Familiarity with SmartSheet software’s collaboration and time management tools
- Experience with process improvement and inventory control
- Working knowledge of Microsoft Excel
- Excellent client-facing communication skills
Think of the person the HR Manager is really trying to identify in the job description, select the words or phrases that most accurately describe that person.
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3. Add Verifiable Results to your bullet points
Most people will write Resume Bullet Points that communicate what they ‘did,’ rather than what they ‘accomplished.’ Such bullet points prompt a recruiter to search for another candidate who appears to have achieved more on the job (even if they actually haven’t)! Avoid this by adding Verifiable Results to your Resume bullet points.
Verifiable Results are empirical, achievement-oriented phrases that use numbers to demonstrate the impact you created on the job. They communicate your value and give an HR Manager an idea of the specific return on investment they can expect if they hire you.
Phrases like those below (it’s OK to estimate!)
- Reduced manual processing time by 15%
- Increased revenue from $55k to $120k in 2 years
- Added 30 new clients to portfolio
- Saving $10k in CPA expenses
- Expanded ADP Internship program to 13 schools
Wrap it all together
In short, Resume Bullet Points should start with a Power Word, are followed by a Key Word (or phrase!) from the job description and end in a Verifiable Result. I’ve rewritten two bullet points below for you using all three!
Old Bullet Points
- Used data to save business on accounting expenses
- Worked across lines of business to complete banking software updates
New Bullet Points
- Leveraged SmartSheet software to meet budgetary requirements saving $10k in CPA expenses
- Delegated project tasks across lines of business to repair 400+ banking software defects
Thanks so much for reading!
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