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Resumes: Showcasing your skills with impact
Your resume offers a snapshot of your experience and is often the first
impression you make on an employer. Given that recruiters typically spend only a few seconds
scanning each resume, it’s essential to use a clear, concise format that highlights the most
relevant information up front.
A well-crafted resume can be your gateway to an interview. However, even small
mistakes—such as unclear
wording or formatting issues—can reduce your chances. To ensure your resume is strong and
competitive,
consider scheduling a review session with a CAPD staff member.
Using PAR statements to highlight achievements
To effectively communicate your skills, experiences, and contributions,
structure your bullet points using PAR statements:
-
P - Project: Describe the PROJECT - the context, task, or responsibility you
were
given. What was the
situation or challenge?
-
A - Activity: What ACTIVITY did you do? - Outline the specific actions or steps
you
took to address the
task or solve the problem.
-
R - Results: What were the RESULTS? - Highlight the outcomes, benefits, or
impact of
your work. Use
numbers, percentages, or qualitative outcomes when possible.
Writing strong resume bullet points
Start each bullet with a clear action verb that reflects a skill the
employer is seeking. Add context by briefly describing the task or project. Use keywords from the
job description, and connect your action to a purpose or result. Highlight any achievements or
outcomes that show your impact.
Use numbers to show impact
Quantifying your results helps employers understand the value of your work. You can use numbers to
show:
-
Scope: Led a team of 8, Supported 300+ users
-
Efficiency: Reduced processing time by 25%
-
Cost/Revenue: Saved $10,000 annually, Increased sales by 15%
-
Performance: Improved customer satisfaction scores by 20%
How to best represent your experiences
Recruiters spend only a few seconds scanning your resume so clarity is key.
-
Avoid paragraphs: Large blocks of text make it hard for employers to find key
details.
-
Use bullet points: Break information into short, focused statements (1-2 lines
each).
-
Start with action verbs: Use strong verbs like organized, developed, led, or
improved.
-
Show results: Include outcomes or numbers where possible.
Example (weak vs. strong)
Paragraph Format (Hard to Scan):
-
I was responsible for organizing team meetings and helping improve communication,
which resulted in better collaboration and faster project completion.
Bullet Format (Clear and Concise):
-
Organized weekly team meetings to improve project coordination
-
Streamlined communication process, reducing delays by 30%
