Writing Achievement Bullets, Not Duty Lists

Why this matters

Duty lists describe the job spec—you and every predecessor did those tasks. Achievements show impact: time saved, revenue raised, complaints reduced, audits passed. UK recruiters shortlisting for NHS, retail, or office roles use the same shortcut: bullets that prove difference get interviews.

Practical steps

1. Formula: Verb + task + result + (optional) scale. "Reduced stock discrepancies by 18% over six months by introducing weekly cycle counts across three sites."
2. Mine your year. What did you improve, fix, launch, or rescue? Ask colleagues what they remember—you forget your wins.
3. Use numbers when honest. Percentages, £ values, team sizes, customer volumes—even "200+ calls weekly" beats silence.
4. Show progression. Promotions, expanded remit, training others—signals trust.
5. Keep mixed lengths. Two lines max per bullet; three to five bullets per recent role.

Common mistakes

• Copying job description text verbatim from old contracts.
• Claiming team results without clarifying your part in interview anyway—still hint at "I led…"
• Vague superlatives: "dynamic," " passionate," "synergy."
• Including every task from five years ago at equal weight.

Watch

Sustained effort over time produces the outcomes worth putting on paper—grit beats buzzwords.

Capture raw notes in Job Near Me Learn, polish bullets on your digital CV, and rehearse the stories behind top three achievements in mock interviews so numbers survive scrutiny.

Further reading

• National Careers Service – what to include