How to Write Achievements on a CV

When it comes to adding achievements on a CV, are you making yourself out to be a doer or an achiever? If you aim to capture the attention of recruiters or hiring managers, including achievements can help you distinguish yourself from other candidates.

Integrating experience and skills in your CV is essential, and the incorporation of achievements can enhance it, capturing the attention of potential employers. This article explores the importance of including achievements into a CV, presents valuable tips on incorporating them seamlessly, and offers examples to guide you in presenting your accomplishments optimally.

For more inspiration, refer to our career blog on how to write a good CV.

Tips on how to write achievements on a CV

1. Quantify your achievements

Whenever possible, use numbers to quantify your accomplishments. This adds a tangible and measurable aspect to your achievements, making them more impactful. For example, instead of stating "Increased sales," you can say "Boosted sales by 20% within six months." 

This approach not only communicates the extent of your accomplishments more effectively but also enhances the credibility and specificity of your contributions, enabling potential employers to better comprehend and appreciate your professional achievements.

2. Highlight relevance

Tailor your achievements to align with the specific job you're applying for. Focus on the skills and outcomes that are most relevant to the position, showcasing your ability to meet the employer's needs. 

For example, if you are applying for a marketing manager position, you might highlight your achievements in a way that aligns with the specific requirements of the role. Instead of a generic statement like "Implemented successful marketing strategies," you could tailor it to the job by stating, "Devised and executed targeted digital marketing campaigns, resulting in a 30% increase in online engagement and a 25% rise in lead generation." 

3. Use action verbs

Begin each achievement with a strong action verb to convey a sense of proactivity and accomplishment. Words like "achieved," "implemented," "led," or "improved" can enhance the impact of your statements.

4. Show impact

Clearly articulate the impact of your achievements. Whether it's cost savings, process improvements, or successful projects, emphasise the positive outcomes of your contributions.

• Implemented strategic cost-cutting measures, resulting in a 15% reduction in operational expenses.

• Negotiated vendor contracts, leading to annual cost savings of £50,000.

• Revamped workflow processes, reducing project completion time by 20%.

• Introduced efficiency protocols, resulting in a 30% improvement in team productivity.

Where to add achievements on a CV

Strategically incorporating achievements into your CV can significantly enhance its impact. While the traditional approach involves a dedicated "Achievements" or "Accomplishments" section near the top of your CV, an alternative method is to integrate them within your work experience descriptions. Whether in a dedicated section or seamlessly woven into your work history, effectively showcasing your achievements is pivotal in making your CV stand out to potential employers. Examples of where to include achievement on a CV: 

1. Personal Profile

Start your CV with a brief professional summary or objective that includes a few key achievements. This gives employers a quick overview of your capabilities.

For more examples, refer to how to write a personal profile. 

2. Work Experience

Integrate achievements into each role in the work experience section. Create a separate subsection for accomplishments to draw attention to your notable contributions.

Sustainability Coordinator, nternational Research Institute Scotland | 2018 - 2023

Played a pivotal role in supporting various sustainability projects, coordinating corporate sustainability plans and engaging with stakeholders to foster a culture of sustainability. Assisted in the development and dissemination of sustainability reports, ensuring accuracy and compliance with relevant standards. Organised and facilitated workshops and meetings to educate employees and stakeholders on sustainability practices and initiatives.

• Managed a water conservation project that saved 20% in water usage across company operations within the first year, contributing to the company's reputation for environmental stewardship.

• Instrumental in organising an annual sustainability fair that increased community engagement, attracting over 3,000 participants and securing sponsorship from five major industry players.

For more examples, refer to our article on how to write work experience on a CV. 

3. Education

If your achievements highlight specific skills, consider incorporating them into the education section to reinforce your proficiency.

Bachelor of Business Administration, University of London, UK | 2022

• Achieved Upper Second-Class Honours (2:1)

• Thesis: "Exploring Strategic Management in the Modern Business Landscape"

For more examples, refer to our article on how to write education on a CV. 

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Examples of achievements to add to your CV

Cleaner

• Implemented an efficient cleaning schedule, reducing overall cleaning time by 20% and ensuring consistent cleanliness throughout the office.

• Received recognition for outstanding attention to detail by employers during surprise inspections, maintaining a consistently high cleanliness standard.

Pharmacist

• Collaborated with doctors to develop effective medication plans resulting in a 10% increase in patient adherence to prescribed treatments.

• Decreased medication costs by 10% through effective inventory management, sourcing cost-effective suppliers, and minimising drug waste via storage and expiration tracking in accordance with the pharmaceutical guidelines.

Retail

• Designed over five merchandise layouts and increased sales of products by 5%.

• Supported customers with queries and handled any issues on the shop floor, receiving “Employee of the Month” for six consecutive months.

Civil service

• Facilitated the successful implementation of a new digital service, resulting in a 40% reduction in response time.

• Successfully contributed to the delivery of 15 policies by conducting research and collaborating with senior officers.

Software developer 

• Created Xamarin unit testing framework and delivered over 1000 unit tests.

• Established and communicated test plans and cases for development and quality assurance (QA).

• Migrated views, controls, and features towards Xamarin.Forms and embedded within Xamarin.Native.

Academic

• Published a research article titled "Exploring the Role of Cognitive Processes in Memory Formation" in a reputable peer-reviewed journal, contributing to the advancement of knowledge in the field.

• Received the Best Presentation Award at a national conference for effectively communicating complex research findings on the impact of cognitive processes on memory consolidation, demonstrating excellence in research and presentation skills.

Student

• Successfully increased social media engagement by 20% by implementing a content calendar and strategic posting.

• Contributed to optimising email marketing campaigns, resulting in a 15% improvement in open and click-through rates.

• Improved marketing systems such as CRM and automation systems, including Salesforce, Eloqua and Workfront.

Football

• Scored 30 goals in 50 appearances, consistently contributing to the team's offensive strategy.

• Demonstrated exceptional leadership qualities during critical moments, motivating teammates to maintain peak performance under pressure.

• Contributed to consecutive championship wins and reinforced top regional standing.

Marketing

• Implemented an email marketing strategy, resulting in a 15% boost in click-through rates.

• Spearheaded a customer feedback survey, leading to a 25% improvement in overall customer satisfaction.

• Managed and grew the company's Instagram presence, achieving a 30% increase in followers over the internship period.

Physiotherapist

• Facilitated the recovery of professional athletes, enabling them to return to their respective sports 30% faster than the average rehabilitation timeline.

• Implemented specialised injury prevention workshops for local sports teams, resulting in a 20% reduction in sports-related injuries during the competitive season.

Admin

• Received commendation for exceptional organisational skills and attention to detail.

• Implemented streamlined administrative processes, resulting in improved workflow and cost savings.

• Awarded Employee of the Year for positive feedback from colleagues and superiors for outstanding customer service and professionalism.

Supermarket

• Implemented a customer engagement initiative, leading to a 15% increase in overall sales within the first quarter of its implementation.

• Optimised stock management procedures, reducing stock discrepancies by 20% and ensuring accurate product tracking.

• Consistently received feedback from customers for outstanding service, contributing to a 95% customer satisfaction rate.

Care assistant 

• Designed and implemented a new system for tracking patient progress and treatment plans, resulting in a 20% increase in patient satisfaction.

• Conducted training sessions for new staff on best practices for patient care and safety.

• Collaborated with the healthcare team to develop a new protocol for managing patients with complex medical needs that resulted in a 30% reduction in hospital readmissions.

Finance

• Led a cross-functional team in a successful cost reduction initiative, saving the company £100k annually.

• Implemented new financial reporting systems, improving the accuracy and timeliness of financial data by 25%.

• Negotiated favourable terms with lenders, securing a £20 million credit line to support company expansion.

Sales

• Increased revenue by 20% in the first quarter of employment through effective upselling techniques and building customer relationships.

• Achieved 100% accuracy in processing orders and maintaining inventory records, reducing errors and improving customer satisfaction ratings.

Barista 

• Introduced innovative coffee brewing techniques, increasing customer satisfaction by 20%.

• Recognised for consistently achieving top sales performance, contributing to a 15% revenue boost.

• Received the "Barista of the Month" award three times for exceptional service and dedication.

Nurse

• Implemented an infection control initiative, resulting in a 20% reduction in hospital-acquired infections.

• Received recognition for exceptional patient satisfaction scores, consistently exceeding departmental benchmarks.

Receptionist

• Implemented a new visitor sign-in system that significantly reduced wait times and improved the overall experience for clients and guests.

• Received positive feedback from management and visitors, acknowledging the enhanced efficiency and professionalism of the front desk operations.

Waitress

• Awarded "Employee of the Month" for exceptional customer service performance and positive customer feedback.

• Provided exemplary table service that increased our guest base by 40% within six months.

Teacher

• Successfully applied a hybrid learning model by combining face-to-face and online teaching during COVID-19.

• Improved grade average from 55% to 70% in one year by introducing additional after-school lessons.

• Developed lesson plans for Years 9, 10, and 11 with a class of an average of 20 to 25 students.

 HR

• Implemented a new applicant tracking system, resulting in a 20% reduction in time to fill job vacancies.

• Coordinated and conducted a company-wide employee engagement survey, resulting in a 10% increase in overall employee satisfaction.

Key takeaways

Incorporating key achievements into your CV is a powerful way to demonstrate your value to potential employers. By following these tips and using examples as a guide, you can effectively showcase your contributions and make a compelling case for why you are the ideal candidate for the job.

Next steps?

Craft a focused CV and cover letter for a particular job using our Builder, or explore our CV Writing Service. Select from our professional templates or browse through CV examples and samples. For extra assistance, explore our collection of cover letter templates and CV templates.

FAQ

What if my job isn't achievement-oriented?

If your job isn't achievement-oriented, focus on highlighting your responsibilities, skills, and any positive impact you've made in your role. Emphasise tasks completed, projects managed, or skills gained. For more tips, refer to the below articles:

• What Are the Top 10 Soft Skills to Put on a CV

• How to Improve Your CV Guide: Examples and Tips for Success

What should I put on a CV if I don't have achievements?

If you don't have achievements, consider showcasing your skills, responsibilities, and experiences. Highlight specific tasks you've excelled in, projects you've contributed to, or skills you've developed that are relevant to the desired position.

How to format achievements on a CV?

Format achievements on a CV by using bullet points, quantifying results where possible, and emphasising the impact of your actions. Use action verbs to convey a sense of accomplishment and make the content easy to read.

How to identify your best CV achievements?

Identify your best CV achievements by reflecting on your career highlights, considering instances where you exceeded expectations, contributed to significant projects, or received recognition. Choose accomplishments that align with the job you're applying for.

What CV achievements to avoid?

Avoid including achievements on your CV that are irrelevant to the job, too personal, or difficult to verify. Focus on accomplishments that demonstrate your skills and suitability for the specific role you're seeking.