How to Create Strong Resume Bullet Points
From the office of Career Services, here is how to create a strong resume with specific bullet points
- Use bullet points with descriptive statements displaying skills, abilities, and professional accomplishments (begin with a power verb).
- Consider the job you are applying for - what are the qualifications and skills they are seeking?
Try to include quantifiable results (number of people on a team, cost reductions, etc.)
STAR Method
Consider the STAR method when reading a job description and brainstorming significant accomplishments you would like to highlight on your resume (this method is often utilized for interviewing too!):
Situation: What was the situation, problem, or conflict you were facing?
Task: What were you tasked with? What were your responsibilities or goals?
Action: What action did you take? What did you do to solve this problem? (start with action verbs)
Result: What was the result or outcome of your action? How did it benefit the organization?Can this result be quantified?
Outlining the Impact
Consider the following when forming a bullet point:
- WHAT skill am I trying to convey?
- HOW did I contribute or help accomplish the task/duties?
- WHY did I complete, influence, improve the situation/task?
- What was/is the IMPACT of my actions/accomplishments? (quantify accurately when possible)
Simple formula: Power Verb + What you did + Results/Purpose
BEFORE:
Events Coordinator January 2023 - Present
Public Health Society Dearborn, MI
- Responsible for organizing events and panels
- Use social media to market materials and events
AFTER:
Events Coordinator January 2023 - Present
Public Health Society Dearborn, MI
- Plan and coordinate panels on public health for audiences of 25–50 undergraduates on a bi-monthly basis.
- Identify and contact health professionals in the community to participate in panels
- Create marketing materials and publicize events through social media
EXAMPLE 1 Explained:
- First bullet point: highlights organizational skills and lets the employer know the scope, target audience, and frequency of the events.
- Second bullet point: indicates research and interpersonal skills used to secure panelists and demonstrates the ability to communicate with professionals outside of the university.
- Third bullet highlights a specific business skill and/or the ability to be strategic in
marketing, as well as familiarity with using social media for marketing purposes.- Could add in more action/result with the following:
- Create marketing materials and publicize events through social media. Increased attendance at several club programs by 75% (if you have an accurate figure)
- Could add in more action/result with the following:
BEFORE:
Research Assistant June 2022 - May 2023
University of Michigan-Dearborn Dearborn, MI
- Collected and analyzed data using statistical tools
- Composed an abstract and poster presentation
AFTER:
Research Assistant June 2022 - May 2023
University of Michigan-Dearborn Dearborn, MI
- Examined the effects of particle wear on the bony fixation of a simulated hip implant in vivo using micro computed tomography
- Conducted various biomechanical studies using an Instron machine and strain gauges on cadaveric specimens and anatomical surrogates
- Developed procedures for data management and analytics from simple descriptive statistics to multivariate techniques such as cluster analysis, factor analysis, multiple regression, and propensity score matching to text analysis.
- Composed an abstract and poster presentation to disseminate findings to the scientific community
EXAMPLE 2 Explained:
The ‘after’ bullet points are much more specific. They describe the actual tools and technologies that the research assistant used.
- The first bullet point shows that the student has experience working with animal models and a micro-CT.
- The second bullet lists an Instron machine which is used in biomechanics research and also materials testing and strain gauges which measure the change in length of a material and have many applications as well.
- The third bullet lists specific statistical tools that the student used and demonstrates some knowledge and expertise in that area.
- The final bullet shows that you know how to effectively communicate your findings. If you didn’t author an abstract, you might want to discuss a presentation you made to your research group or you can include the poster presentation that you will do at the end of the summer.