How to write bullet points on a resume

Let's talk about how to write bullet points on a resume.

You've likely seen recommendations about adding metrics, percentages, dollar amounts, etc., in the bulleted lists under your work experience section. And it's true that we want to see numbers and evidence whenever possible. But that's not the complete picture of what we're after.

As a job seeker, your goal is to show how your specific contributions impacted the companies you worked for.

Why were you essential to your employers? What was your ROI as an employee? How did you support your products and services? How did you make your company a better place?

A small trick that I like to use when writing bullet points is asking, "Why does this matter?"

Here's an easy example to demonstrate the point. Let's say, as a marketer, you:

• Pioneered successful podcast launches, authored in-depth industry reports, and championed A/B testing methodologies.

First of all, well done. These are great starting points. Now, let's dig a bit deeper.

1. What were these podcast launches, and what specifically about these launches made them successful?

2. Tell me more about these in-depth industry reports. What was their purpose? Were these lead magnets? Who was the target audience for these industry reports, and why was it important for them to receive these reports?

3. What did your A/B testing do specifically for your company's product or service? Did you improve on pre-existing click-through rates? Did they increase conversion rates? What did the data look like?

As I read your answers, what I want is to start finding reasons to covet you as an employee of my hypothetical company. If I ever needed a marketer, I'd want to be convinced that you should be my marketer. That you're the exact person who could solve my problems and make my company as successful as possible. 

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