How to Write an Accomplishment Statement

Accomplishment statements are those little bullets under each experience on your resume that capture the actions you took and the results that came from them. They go beyond simply stating what you did. These simple statements serve as proof of the value you brought to a role/experience. You'll want to:

  • Focus on your performance, value, or the results of your actions, not your responsibilities
  • Provide context and give evidence (quantify or qualify)
  • Promote yourself rather than report on your self

Step 1: Think of a time when you ...

  • Made a difference in your school, or community. How did you make it happen?
  • Saved time or money for an organization, team or club;
  • Received recognition or an award for a job well done
  • Organized an event which had a successful outcome
  • Approached your work in a way that was different from a colleague or peer

Step 2: Create a statement using the CAR method

  1. C - What was the CHALLENGE/CONTEXT you faced? What were the problem(s) or issue(s) you encountered?
  2. A - What was the ACTION that you took? What did you do in response to the problem or issue? What skills did you use?
  3. R - What were the RESULTS you obtained? What was the benefit of your actions? They can be qualitative (e.g., improved staff morale) or quantitative (increased event participation by 50%).

Step 3: Transfer to your resume

  • Start with a Skill Action Verb (PDF)
  • Try to vary your approach so that each bullet point does not look or sound the same.

Example Accomplishment Statements

Researched and wrote a paper on the effects of cyberbullying on pre-teenagers, and was invited to present findings at a national conference for Safe Schools.

  • Challenge/Context: addressing cyberbullying on pre-teenagers
  • Action: researched and wrote
  • Result: invited to present findings at a national conference for safe schools

Maintained positive client relations and dealt with conflict in a highly professional manner when contacting companies regarding overdue accounts and recovering outstanding debts.

  • Challenge/Context: overdue accounts and recovering outstanding debts
  • Action: contacted companies in a highly professional manner
  • Result: maintained positive client relations and dealt with conflict

Demonstrated initiative to develop a computerized database which saved 4 hours per week from previous method and increased office efficiency.

  • Challenge/Context: needed a computerized database to improve efficiency
  • Action: took initiative to develop a database
  • Result: saved 4 hours per week