What would you say has been your most outstanding achievement?
You’ve worked hard and made an impact, whether it be at your workplace, at university, in a volunteer role, or on a personal project, and you want to make it stand out on your job applications.
We’re here to help you understand how to express these accomplishments when preparing your resume.
In this article, we’ll give you everything you need to know about how to write up your achievements when looking for work, including:
- What the STAR method is and how to use it when writing your resume (along with STAR method resume examples)
- What the CAR method is and how to use it to outline your accomplishments (with examples)
- Where to include achievements on your resume
- Different example resume entries from varied job roles, volunteering, and educational experience to help you write your own.
If you need assistance with the specific wording when writing up these accomplishments, ResumeGiants’ AI resume-building tool can provide tailored suggestions.
Why Achievements Matter in 2025
Long gone are the days of simply listing your job duties on a resume. In 2025, employers and hiring software require proof of the impact you’ve made. That means achievements, not responsibilities, are what set you apart.
Many recruiters now use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). These tools scan resumes for keywords and measurable results, ranking candidates higher if they can show evidence of success rather than just listing tasks. This means you need to make sure your resume includes your achievements, including your direct impact and results.
For example, “Managed a sales team” sounds flat, while “Managed a 10-person sales team that increased yearly sales by 32%” shows a measurable impact that both a recruiter and an ATS algorithm will notice.
Another reason achievements matter more than ever is that employers are looking for candidates who demonstrate they can adapt and deliver results in changing environments.
According to NACE’s Job Outlook 2025 survey, nearly 90% of employers seek proof of problem-solving ability, and more than 80% want evidence of teamwork skills on resumes. These are best shown through specific accomplishments rather than generic role descriptions.
When you highlight your achievements, you:
- Prove your value with concrete numbers and outcomes.
- Differentiate yourself from candidates with similar job titles.
- Demonstrate adaptability by showing how you handled challenges and drove results.
- Align with employer expectations that focus on results-driven performance.
💡top tip
Even if you don’t have access to exact numbers, you can still show achievements by highlighting improvements, recognition, or efficiencies you created. For instance, “Redesigned filing system to improve efficiency” is stronger than “Maintained office filing system.”
What Is the STAR Method on a Resume?
Does the acronym sound familiar to you? You may recognize it as a job interview technique.
The STAR approach on a resume is a great way to present your accomplishments in writing too. This is because, with a STAR method resume, you will not merely list your accomplishments, you will:
- State the Situation (S) or “set the stage”
- Identify the Task (T) you were assigned
- Describe the Action (A) you took to fulfill the task’s objectives and the skills you utilized, and
- Summarize the Results (R) that made you stand out and which benefited your company
Listing professional or work accomplishments on a resume is more than simply describing your job duties or responsibilities in your experience section. Using the STAR method, you will really make that accomplishment stand out by providing details about what you did, how you did it, and why it made an impact.
A STAR method resume has been referred to as “storytelling” by some. Rather than using a checklist of bulleted points showing your daily responsibilities, you showcase how you applied your skills, faced and overcame challenges, set and reached goals, and attained a measurable outcome.
Is the STAR method good for resumes? Let’s take a detailed look at some examples from different resumes that show professional achievements and accomplishments.
How Can I Write About My Achievements on My Resume With the STAR Method?
Although it started off as an effective behavioral analysis method often used in job interviews to relate how one met various challenges, solved problems, and reached goals in a prior workplace, the STAR method has become increasingly integrated into professional resumes.
First, it’s important to understand what types of accomplishments are best to list on your resume. Which accomplishments can make your star shine brighter?
A great work accomplishment is one where you go above and beyond your normal job duties and exceed goals or expectations at a specific task or assignment.
For example, the following would not stand out as a great work accomplishment:
Wrong ❌
Oversaw customer database to track repeat business, maintain accuracy, and maintain sales.
However, adding details such as background information, actions taken, and numbers that show results can make a hiring manager take notice.
Take a look at this stronger example of an achievement in a resume:
Right ✅
Created customer database to track contact information and purchasing habits to identify and reach out to potential return customers, resulting in a 30% increase in repeat business and $28,000 increase in company revenue.
Basically, a great work accomplishment would be one that is defined by quantifiable results, shows your initiative, and has a positive impact on your managers, co-workers, and the company as a whole.
💡top tip
Thoroughly review the job posting for the job you are applying for and identify which skills and qualifications the employer is seeking. Then, select the accomplishments that best reflect what the employer is looking for in a candidate.
An effective way to present the STAR method on your resume is in a few bullet points hitting each part of the STAR acronym.
You can use AI chatbots like ChatGPT or Gemini to help you write these bullet points. Just make sure you edit the bot’s suggestions to make them accurate and fit with your written style, and follow the STAR method resume format we show here.
Resume achievements examples using STAR method
Check out this example of accomplishments at work using STAR method resume bullet points.
Experience
AI Project Manager
NextGen Solutions, Austin, TX
- [ Situation ] Tasked with improving project delivery times and ensuring AI-driven tools met compliance and accuracy standards.
- [ Task ] Implemented new workflows to integrate generative AI models into client software products while reducing costs and errors.
- [ Action ] Coordinated cross-functional teams to adopt Agile sprints, introduced automated QA testing for AI outputs, and trained staff on AI compliance best practices.
- [ Result ] Reduced project delivery times by 28%, cut QA errors by 35%, and achieved a 96% client satisfaction rate in 2024–2025.
If you wanted to summarize one of the achievements above into a single bullet point, it would look like this:
Experience
AI Project Manager
NextGen Solutions, Austin, TX
- Reduced project delivery times by 28% and cut QA errors by 35% by implementing Agile sprints and automated AI quality checks, resulting in a 96% client satisfaction rate in 2024–2025.
Here’s another example to help inspire you: a Healthcare Technology Specialist’s STAR method resume achievements.
Experience
Healthcare Technology Specialist
MedTech Innovations, Boston, MA
- [ Situation ] Assigned to improve patient data management and reduce delays in telehealth services.
- [ Task ] Lead the integration of AI-driven scheduling and electronic health record (EHR) optimization.
- [ Action ] Coordinated IT, clinical, and administrative teams to implement automated appointment reminders, AI triage tools, and secure data-sharing protocols.
- [ Result ] Reduced patient wait times by 22%, increased telehealth appointment completion by 31%, and improved provider efficiency by 18% across 2024–2025.
Again, if you wanted to condense one of these achievements into a single bullet point, it would look like this:
Experience
Healthcare Technology Specialist
MedTech Innovations, Boston, MA
- Improved telehealth efficiency by 31% and reduced patient wait times by 22% by implementing AI-driven scheduling and EHR optimization tools in 2024–2025.
Resume Achievements Examples Using the CAR Method
Similarly, the CAR method also allows you to present a Challenge (C), describe the Action (A) you took to meet that challenge, and the Results (R) of your action or actions.
A resume entry for a Clinical Data Analyst using the CAR method could look like this:
Experience
Clinical Data Analyst
HealthFirst Network, Chicago, IL
- [ Challenge ] Hospital system struggled with fragmented data reporting, causing delays in patient care insights and compliance reporting.
- [ Action ] Consolidated multiple EHR systems into a unified dashboard, integrated AI-powered data validation tools, and trained staff on data reporting best practices.
- [ Result ] Reduced reporting errors by 38%, improved compliance reporting time by 27%, and supported faster patient care decisions across three hospitals.
You could include the above information in one single bullet point too, if you need the space on your resume:
Experience
Clinical Data Analyst
HealthFirst Network, Chicago, IL
- Reduced reporting errors by 38% and improved compliance reporting time by 27% by consolidating EHR systems and implementing AI-driven data validation.
If you want to emphasize the impressive result of your actions in the workplace, you can change the order in which the information appears, placing the result first:
Experience
Clinical Data Analyst
HealthFirst Network, Chicago, IL
- Reduced reporting errors by 38% and improved compliance reporting time by 27% by consolidating EHR systems into a unified dashboard, integrating AI-powered data validation, and training staff on best practices.
Where to List Your Achievements on a Resume
There really is not one specific place where you should list your achievements on a resume.
Using the STAR method in your resume summary
When using a STAR format, a great place to make a start in listing your accomplishments on your resume is in your resume summary. Here, you can add a measurable achievement or two that are sure to catch a hiring manager’s eye.
Summary
Dedicated, attentive project manager with 15 years’ experience overseeing successful branding projects. Implemented 4 new social media-inspired branding campaigns at Company XXX over a 6 month period, increasing market share by 14%, brand recognition by 12%, and customer retention by 10%.
Once you have a hiring manager’s attention, don’t stop there; you can add more professional achievements in your work experience section.
If you need help writing your summary to include your achievements, try out the suggestions our AI summary generator has to offer.
Implement the STAR or CAR method in your experience section
Rather than simply listing your job duties under each Work Experience entry, add real numbers to highlight your achievements.
Take a look at this experience entry packed with accomplishments, taken from a Sales Manager resume.
Experience
Sales Manager
Sales Company X, Seattle, WA
[start date – end date]
- Managed 10-person sales team that increased yearly sales by 32% and profitability by 21%
- Achieved a 98% customer satisfaction rating in Q4 2023, up from an average of 92% over previous three quarters by opening a direct line of communication with clients via WhatsApp.
- Created and implemented a new sales training program that resulted in a 10% increase in sales closings over the first three months
- Designed and implemented a product upgrade promotion strategy using MailChimp and our current subscriber database that resulted in a 25% increase in upgrade sales over a 12-month period.
💡top tip
To keep your resume from being too long, select only your top two or three achievements for your STAR resume format.
Can I Include Achievements From Volunteer Roles on My Resume?
Remember that volunteer work also counts as experience, so if you achieved something special when volunteering, you can also list this on your resume.
If you do not have much or any paid work experience, list this in the experience section. If you have more years of working under your belt, you might choose to create a separate volunteering section.
Example of achievements from a volunteer position, using the CAR method:
Volunteer Experience
Volunteer Data Coordinator
Community Health Outreach, Atlanta, GA
February 2024 – Present
- Reduced data errors by 91% by introducing a cloud-based CRM and AI-powered cleanup tools.
- Secured 22% more grant funding through improved donor and patient record accuracy.
- Enabled a 30% increase in free health screenings by optimizing reporting and budget allocation.
Make the Grade with Your Educational Achievements on Your Resume
Not all of your achievements need to be work-related. In 2025, many employers value academic accomplishments, certifications, and technical training that show initiative and up-to-date skills.
Graduated with honors? Have you made the Dean’s List consistently over a few months or trimesters? Received an award for your hard work on a project?
This all reflects your hard work, diligence, focus, motivation, and attention to detail—examples of soft skills coveted by employers.
💡top tip
Highlight recent certifications in AI tools, data analytics, digital marketing, or healthcare technology, as these areas are in high demand and prove that you are future-ready
You would simply list these achievements in the education section of your resume in a bulleted list following the school’s name and degree earned:
Education
Rutgers University, 2025
- Graduated Summa Cum Laude with a B.S. in Data Science
- Google Career Certificate in Data Analytics (2024)
- Completed Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Fundamentals (2025)
- First Prize, National Case Competition in Healthcare Analytics (team project predicted patient outcomes with 92% accuracy)
- Dean’s List, 2023–2025
Key Points to Remember
In 2025, it’s a results-driven job market, and resumes in 2025 need to do more than list responsibilities; they need to prove impact. Employers and applicant tracking systems (ATS) are actively scanning for measurable results and action-driven language.
Potential employers are becoming more interested in seeing details of achievements and the stories behind them so they are able to determine not only if you have the skills they are seeking, but whether you are able to apply them adequately.
To that end, remember:
- Use STAR or CAR methods to structure your achievements clearly and persuasively.
- Prioritize measurable results — numbers, percentages, or specific improvements make your resume more compelling.
- Highlight achievements in your summary and under each role, not just duties.
- Include diverse accomplishments: professional results, volunteer successes, certifications, and academic honors.
- Tailor achievements to each job posting — align what you showcase with the skills and results the employer values most.
- Leverage modern skills and tools (AI, data analytics, digital platforms) when relevant, to show you are up to date with 2025 workplace demands.
By presenting your career through your achievements, you’ll not only demonstrate your skills but also prove to employers that you can deliver results. That’s the key to turning your resume into a powerful tool that opens doors.
FAQs
If you’re just starting out or changing careers, you can still list achievements from volunteer work, academic projects, internships, or part-time jobs. Focus on times you went above expectations, improved a process, or received recognition. For example, “Organized a student fundraising campaign that raised 25% more than the previous year.”
The best place to highlight achievements is under each role in your work experience section, where you can show them in context. You can also include one or two stand-out achievements in your resume summary at the top to grab attention quickly.
Quality matters more than quantity. Aim for two to three strong, measurable achievements per role. If you’ve had a long career, highlight the most recent or most relevant accomplishments instead of listing everything.
Responsibilities are what you were expected to do (e.g., “Managed a sales team”). Achievements are how you went above and beyond and the impact you made (e.g., “Led a 10-person sales team that boosted revenue by 32% in one year”). Achievements prove your value.
Yes. Academic achievements such as honors, awards, Dean’s List, or certifications are especially valuable if you’re a student, recent graduate, or transitioning careers. As you gain more professional experience, prioritize work achievements but still include relevant training and certifications.
Whenever possible, include numbers — they make your results tangible. But if you don’t have exact figures, you can still show achievements by highlighting improvements, recognition, or positive outcomes (e.g., “Improved customer onboarding process, resulting in faster setup times and better client satisfaction”).
Both work well. The STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) is great for longer, story-style explanations. The CAR method (Challenge, Action, Result) is shorter and works well for concise resume bullet points.
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