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.
Career Services
19000 Hubbard Drive
Dearborn, MI 48126