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Chapter 12

The Big Winner: An

Achievement

Resume

In This Chapter
➤ Why employers like achievement resumes

➤ When to let your achievement statements do the talking
➤ Why your achievement resume will make you look like a winner
➤ How to create your own achievement resume

Of all the resume formats, the achievement resume is the one I find to be most powerful. It
doesn’t fit all job seekers’ situations, but if it fits yours, it can have tremendous impact. The
achievement resume is frequently the most effective way to stop potential employers in
their tracks and get the salary dollars rolling in an upward direction. I bet you’d like that to
happen to you! This chapter explains what an achievement resume is and helps you decide
whether it’s the right format for you.

This Resume Packs a Punch!

Saying less is more effective than saying a lot, and that’s what the achievement resume is all
about: brevity and punch! With a few strong accomplishments, an achievement resume can
generate more questions and interest than pages of details. This type of resume works well
for sales professionals, top-level executives, and those who want to keep the spotlight on
just a few successes from their whole career.
Imagine how short and powerful a former U.S. president’s resume could be. Take Jimmy
Carter. Although he could fill pages and pages with his achievements, he doesn’t need mul-
tiple pages to make his point. At most, two lines such as the following will get him in the
door for any interview he’s after.

➤ 39th President of the United States
➤ Negotiator of 1979 Camp David Accords between Egypt and Israel