How to write an accomplishment statement

[Monirul Islam]

Accomplishment statements, also sometimes called descriptive statements or action statements, are your opportunity to highlight your most relevant accomplishments to the position you are seeking. Effective use of language is the key in communicating your talents to employers so state your experience clearly, allowing the reader to understand your value and what you will bring to the position.

When writing an accomplishment statement, these 3 questions should always be answered:

What was the action you took to complete the task
What was the problem or task
What was the RESULT or outcome of your actions
Accomplishment statements should always include an action verb and follow these 4 guidelines:

Focus more on what you actually accomplished and less on your job duties.
Use quantitative measurements with an emphasis on tangible results.
Start your statements with impactful language (e.g. an action verb).
Focus only on skills and accomplishments relevant to the job you are applying for.
For example:

Good: Hosted networking events
Better: Hosted networking events that increased membership and promoted community awareness
Best: Hosted 15 networking events drawing an attendance of over 2,000 community members and resulting in an increase in membership of 30%.
You can use a mix of "Better" and "Best" throughout the resume. Use the examples below for ideas on how to compose effective accomplishment statements of your own.

Examples of Quantitative Statements
Reconciled end‐of‐day receipts with cash and credit transactions to account for daily sales averaging $1,500
Researched and wrote feature articles for Brandman Speaks, a biweekly student newspaper with a readership of over 11,000
Handled late accounts effectively, securing $5,000 in past‐due accounts
Gained a reputation for working well on a team, receiving "Team Player" award
Raised over $10,000 at annual fundraiser, increasing attendance and media coverage from previous year
Maintained internet site as it grew to 2,000‐plus pages and images that generated 200 hits daily
Awarded "Sales Associate of the Month," September 2010
Examples of Qualitative Statements
Entrusted to work and uphold protocol within corporate office among high‐level executives
Organized database to track business contacts and was commended for attention to detail and accuracy
Broadened and maintained an extensive network of contacts and clients
Interacted with diverse customers on a constant basis, promoting excellent communication and customer service skills
Managed daily operations of upscale bar and restaurant including opening and closing operations, inventory management, new employee training, customer service, and sales
Praised for the ability to solve difficult problems independently and efficiently

Source: https://www.brandman.edu/news-and-events/news/2017/08/17/13/05/writing-an-accomplishment-statement