Magic CV Formula: How to Describe Achievements on Your CV

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One of the most common mistakes I see on CVs from job applicants is listing actions of what was done without describing the outcome. Listing achievements in your resume and job application can help you stand out in the job seekers crowd by offering a more complete picture of not only what you’ve done but more importantly what impact your work has led to.

At a quick glance your CV or resume should have some numerical metrics. If it doesn’t then read on.

Before you start for each job on your CV ask yourself these 5 questions:

Question 1: What did you do at that job?

Question 2: Who or what did your work influence 4Ps [process, project, person, or product]?

Question 3: How much or how many of [Answer to question 2 here]?

Question 4: How did you do [Answer to question 1 here]?

Question 5: What was the result of [Answers 1,2,3,4]?

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Here is a formula that can help you improve the bullet points in your CV.

Action Verb [in the correct tense past for the past and present for the present] + Noun[4Ps: Person, Project, Process, or Product] + Measurement + [Technique if applicable] + Result = 1 bulleted achievement        

Here’s the step-by-step breakdown of this achievement formula:

Part 1 of 5:

Action Verb- Answers the question ‘What did you do at that job?’

This is the easy part of the formula, and most people get it right. ?Examples include strong action verbs such as "managed," "generated," "created," or "improved." This creates an active and engaging statement that clearly defines your role. Note: You do not have to start the bullet point with the pronoun ‘’I’’ as the recruiter knows the CV/resume is about you so its redundant to start each bullet point with ‘’I’’.

Moreover, you should not have the pronoun ‘’we’’. Some candidates make this mistake in their CVs/resumes and more commonly in interviews. To clarify, this is a mistake if you are applying for an individual role but of course you can say we if you are applying as part of a team for a team consultancy or another group role.

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A list of 100+ action words for your CV: Accelerated Accomplished Achieved Acquired Administered Advised Analysed Applied Appraised Arranged Assessed Averted Avoided Bought Centralised Collaborated Compiled Completed Conceived Concluded Conducted Consolidated Controlled Converted Counselled Created Cultivated Captivated/Diversified Documented Edited Effected Eliminated Enacted Enforced Enabled Evaluated Expanded Familiarised Forecast Formed Formulated Generated Guided Implemented Improved Improvised Initiated Inspired Installed Investigated Instigated Intervened Invented Invested Launched Led Lightened Managed Maintained Merged Minimised Measured Modernised Monitored Obtained Organised Operated Originated Performed Persuaded Pioneered Planned Positioned Predicted Prepared Presented Prevented Processed Procured Proposed Proved Reported Resolved Reviewed Saved Scheduled Selected Simplified Shaped Specified Standardised Stimulated Succeeded Surpassed Supported Supervised Taught Tested Trained Translated Treated Uncovered Unified Utilised Verified        

 It's also important to describe how you did things for example... Competently Effectively Promptly Reliably Consistently Efficiently Quickly Smoothly Clearly Kindly Quietly Well        

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Part 2 of 5: Noun- Answers the question ‘Which of the 4Ps did your work on or influence?’

A quick grammar lesson first. A noun is a word that names something such as a person, place, thing or idea. In the context of a CV this could be a process, project, person, or product (4Ps). This provides context for your action and connects it to something tangible in the workplace. For example, a social media campaign you designed, or a team you managed.

Part 3 of 5: Metrics AKA Numbers – ‘How much or how many?’

On average a recruiter scans a CV for 7 seconds before deciding to proceed or not with a candidate for further recruitment stages. In 7 seconds, one thing that is super easy to spot is numbers! A metric demonstrates the impact of your achievement. A number can be a percentage, financial amount, or any numerical data such as level of satisfaction of certain clients that shows the significance of your work. Including metrics makes your achievements more credible and memorable. ?

Part 4 of 5: Technique (If relevant only) – How did you do it?

If applicable, you can add details on the strategy, method, or skills used to achieve the result. This is optional but can provide extra credibility and relevance to a specific job. It would be hard to make a technique up.

Part 5 of 5: Outcome—and the ultimate magic sauce – What was the result?

Finally, state the positive result or impact of your action. What was achieved or improved? Focus on outcomes that align with the role you’re applying for, whether it’s generating profit, gaining prospective clients, or financial savings through an initiative you led.

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Example

Managed a team of 5 (Action Verb + Noun) to create a social media campaign on something (Noun), leading to increasing followers by 200% (Metric) and increasing sales by 25% (Outcome).

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Your turn.

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Take a bullet from your CV.

?______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Improve the bullet according to the technique above!

?______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________?

Now, rinse and repeat for every bullet point in your CV and have a master template.

Remember, not every CV attached to a job application should include every professional achievement you have had. A CV that looks like this loses sight of the tasks that are most relevant.

Good CVs are tailored, results oriented, specific and memorable. ?

The best CVs land you an interview and ultimately an amazing job!

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