Bullet Points Make a Big Difference in Your Resume

By Julianne Crum, GCDF
Career Coach

When a recruiter looks at your resume, her or she is assessing a number of things about you and your candidacy for the position for which you are applying. Aside from the review of your qualifications, the recruiter also checks any successes you are showcasing and skills that relate to the position. Having a resume which immediately grabs attention and entices the recruiter to keep reading can be especially important when you’re attending a networking event such as a virtual career fair.

What Information to Use in the Bullet Points of Your Resume

To craft stand-out bullet points on your resume, use these key tips below:

1. Use action verbs: Start each bullet point with an action verb to immediately grab the reader’s attention. For example, words like manage, construct, analyze, create, plan and collaborate are all great words for starting a bullet point. These words will keep readers engaged and push them to continue reading about how you were successful in your position.

2. Quantify your statements: Include quantification in your statements to show the hiring manager how you can be successful and an asset to their company. Showing how you increase revenue or cut company costs is impressive to any hiring manager, which will only increase your chances of landing an interview.

As an example, you could say, “Supervised team of 20 sales personnel which produced $500,000 in sales monthly.” The recruiter will see how many employees you managed, as well as how much in sales you are able to produce from a team, monthly.

3. Tailor your statements to the job announcement: One thing to note is that you shouldn’t be using the same resume to apply for two different positions. To tailor your bullet point statements to a position, arrange them in order from the most relatable to the least relatable. Also, be sure to include any keywords from the announcement on your resume to ensure you are speaking the employer’s language.

4. Remove unnecessary information: While it can be easy to want to include every job duty under each position you have worked in, stay away from over-sharing irrelevant information when crafting your bullet points. Every bullet point listed should be relatable to the position you are applying for or the employer you are targeting.

Bullet points are a crucial aspect of your resume, as they tell your professional story and encourage the reader to understand that you are the right candidate for the position. By using bullet points in your resume, you are sure to show the reader you are prepared and ready for the next steps in the application process.

If you want to chat with a Career Coach about your resume before our upcoming Public Safety and Health VCF on Wednesday, January 23, reach out to us by emailing careerservices@apus.edu.