In my workshop on résumés, I explain how to transform your activities into accomplishments. (Ideally, every bullet point on your résumé should adhere to what I call the “V.N.R.” formula.)
Well, once you have accomplishments, here’s another tip: Use adjectives. Adjectives qualify your work, making even the best accomplishments even more impressive.
Here’s an example I just came across (it inspired this post):
“Served as Wolf Blitzer’s producer for assignments, relied upon to manage his editorial projects, trips, and newsmaker interviews.”
That’s a good (summary) bullet point; it’s straightforward and substantive. But what if we added a few adjectives, like this?
“Served as Wolf Blitzer’s go-to producer for challenging assignments, relied upon to manage nearly every aspect of his editorial projects, trips, and top newsmaker interviews.”
These descriptors are powerful; they separate your résumé from that of your peers.
Here are a few more examples from my own résumé:
☑️ Implemented the widely lauded White House initiative, Startup America.
☑️ Directed an award-winning, digital-marketing program for On the Road With Free Enterprise.
To be sure, every bullet point doesn’t need an adjective. But sometimes an adjective can give your work that extra sizzle that makes it stand out.
