resume job description sample

Resume Job Description: Samples & Tips To Help You Enhance Your Application

In This Guide:

What is a resume job description, responsibilities vs accomplishments: how to enhance your resume job description, how to write your resume job description with achievements if you’re a newly grad, how do i tailor a resume to a job description effectively, looking for a resume job description example.

Getting your resume done is one of the most unnerving parts of the job application process.

Do I have enough experience? Which positions should I list? Can I mention my volunteer work history? Should I or should I not include a photo on my resume ?

These are just some of the questions that ran through my mind when I was preparing my resume.

I spent days researching the best resume practices out there, trying to craft the perfect document that was sure to land me the job.

I wanted my resume to stand out. To make an impact on the hiring managers. I wanted it to work.

And you know what? I made it work.

Surprisingly, all I did was tweak one part that hadn’t crossed my mind before – the job description .

So, stick around and let me tell you the story of how one section can make or break your application.

In this guide, you’ll learn:

• What a resume job description is and why it’s important;
• How to make sure you write a job description that blows all the other candidates out of the water;
• How to tailor your job description to the specific position you’re applying for.

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Now, let’s start with the question on everyone’s minds.

To put it short, a job description section on your resume shows the prospective employers your past work experience (paid, internship, and volunteer), as well as your key skills and accomplishments demonstrated at a specific job.

It’s one of the most important resume sections .

It shows a hiring manager what you’ve achieved, what you’ve learned, and how that can be applied to the position they’re offering.

What a well-written resume job description does is highlight the fact that your skills and accomplishments are not only relevant to the job at hand – they’re exactly what the company needs.

When writing about your work history, don’t just list your duties at a past job – that’s boring and, to be honest, recruiters don’t really care.

What’s important to them is that you have the necessary experience, skills, and drive to manage and excel at the task you’ll need to handle.

Hopefully, you now know what a job description section is.

So, to make sure you write one that gets your resume noticed, I’m going to give you some hot tips, coming straight from the experts.

Let’s get right to it!

Focus on your skills and achievements

As I said, recruiters don’t really care about all the daily duties and responsibilities you’ve had before, even if your past job is relevant to the one you’re applying for.

I guarantee, every other applicant that’s held a similar position will have had similar duties. Your job title itself lets the recruiter know what they are.

It doesn’t matter what you did, but how you succeeded at it.

So, what you need to do is highlight your accomplishments and skills while you outline your duties. This shows the hiring manager that you can bring value to the company.

You don’t need to go into too much detail – a simple statement, such as “Created a custom client dashboard that reduced support tickets by 50%” is enough to show what you’ve brought to the table.

However, you can’t just throw any old achievement in there. You need to curate your content. So…

Vet your experience and select the most relevant information

You don’t have to list your entire work history when you write your resume job description, just as you don’t have to list every single responsibility.

What helps is to pinpoint which part of your experience will be the most important to the recruiter and focus on that.

Prioritize the information you include in your job descriptions. You may have achieved tons of things at your past job – but which one is the most relevant? Find out and put it first.

Try and put yourself in the employer’s shoes.

Will a recruiter looking for a web developer be impressed by how you increased Walmart’s Pepper Jack sales by 30% in a week?

Probably not, unless it’s his favorite cheese.

So, research the company, the position, and what is most important to them, and then match it to your skills and accomplishments.

Let the numbers speak for you

Take any achievement of yours. Can the information be represented by symbols and numbers? If yes, then do just that.

People find reading concrete symbols and signs easier than reading words.

Let’s go back to our cheese example from before. Which of the following statements is more impressive:

“Increased cheese sales” or “Increased Pepper Jack sales by 30% in 1 week by leading a successful marketing campaign”?

Even something as ordinary as cheese can sound fancy when you throw in raw data like that.

Be very specific when talking about your achievements and quantify as much as possible.

Make attention-grabbing section headers

Your work experience section is perhaps the most important part of that document. So, make it stand out .

You don’t have to name the section anything specific – Work Experience, Work History, Experience, Employment History – all of these are fine.

Just make sure it’s clearly visible. Go for all-caps, or bold, or add an accent, contrasting color.

The Enhancv resume builder lets you give all your sections custom names, so you can let your personality shine through and better reflect your expertise.

Put your work experience in a visible spot

I’ll say it again – your work experience is one of the most important sections of your resume.

Most recruiters will say that the resume job description is their main source of information on whether the potential employee will do well at a certain job.

So, it makes sense to put it somewhere where it can’t be missed.

Add this section right after your resume summary and before any others, such as Education , Languages , and Skills .

List your resume job descriptions in a reverse-chronological order

This is a very popular and quite useful tactic, and it’s perfect for most resumes, with minimal exceptions.

Start with your current or last job . Move on to the position before that, then the one before that , you get it.

By doing this, you guarantee that the hiring manager sees the best of you and your abilities.

Use between 3 to 5 bullet points for each job

The easiest way for a recruiter to scan through your work experience section is if you use bullet points to list your achievements, skills, and duties.

For each position, use from 3 to 5 bullets. The more recent the job is, the more bullet points you can use. The farther back you go, the fewer you need, and you can only list the most relevant information.

You don’t need a bullet for every single achievement and skill, either. You may have succeeded in a lot of different areas, but not all of them will be important in all cases.

Customize your resume and tailor the information to the job description.

Start each bullet point with an action verb

Eliminate any unnecessary words wherever possible. Hiring managers don’t need all the fluff, and no one wants to read through a 3-page essay about your previous work experience.

Keep it short and sweet.

Start each bullet with an action verb to make it clearer and more powerful.

Another helpful tip is to begin with the successful result of your actions, followed by the action itself.

“Increased Pepper Jack sales by 30% in 1 week by leading a successful marketing campaign”, remember?

Recruiters are more likely to remember the result than the process.

Include the benefit your actions and results had on the company goals

As I mentioned before, you need to decide on what will be most important to the company.

Not only do they want to know that you can succeed at the job, but they also want to know what you can bring to the table, what value you can add.

Give the hiring manager context, too. Show them how your skills can be used in practice.

I understand that it’s easier to write a resume when you have experience. It can be difficult for those straight out of college to figure out what kind of experience they can include.

I’ve been in that position, too.

Just because you don’t have any actual paid work experience doesn’t mean you’ll have to leave that section blank, though.

If you’ve only just graduated and you don’t have that much relevant experience, you can place the education section first, focus on your academic achievements, and put the resume job description after.

In the actual work experience section, you can highlight any other relevant experiences, for example – unpaid internships, volunteer work , student organizations, etc, up to 4 or 5 positions.

For your resume to really succeed, it’s important that you tailor it to the specific job you’re applying for.

You shouldn’t send the same resume with every application, just as you wouldn’t send the same cover letter.

But how do you tailor a resume to a job description ?

Don’t worry, it’s not as scary as it sounds!

One of the first things you should do is read the job description that came with the job offer. Read it once, then read it twice, then read it three times.

What you’re trying to do here is identify what’s most important to the company and what they’re looking for in an employee for this particular position. They want to know what you can bring to the table.

Match the content of your resume to the job description. If you’re applying for an engineering job , don’t talk about your time as a cheese salesman, unless parts of what you learned and achieved are really relevant.

A helpful trick is to pay attention to the keywords. Go over the job description and the position requirements and highlight any key ones.

Think of stuff like “detail-oriented”, “resourceful”, and “communication skills”.

Then make a list of all your skills and achievements.

Match those skills to the keywords. The more matches you make, the better your chances of writing a resume that lands you that coveted interview.

Sprinkle those words around your resume, and especially in your work experience section. This will help you pass the automatic sorting system, as well as catch the eye of the recruiter that scans resumes for keywords.

So, follow all the tips from above and you’ll be well on your way to crafting a stellar resume that gets you hired!

I know this can all seem daunting.

So, to help you out, I’ll give you some of our best examples of a great resume job description. And if you want more full resume examples to guide you, I’ve got you covered.

Take a look at this accounting analyst resume.

Now take a look at the following bullet:

“Participated in implementing automated accounting processes that reduced errors of accounting items by 55%”.

It has everything – it starts with an action verb, it quantifies the achievement – overall, I’d say it’s not half bad, wouldn’t you?

Now, let’s switch it up and examine this baker’s resume:

Let’s start with the placement – this resume doesn’t put that much emphasis on the work experience section.

Personally, I’d give some more thought to whether my experience or my education is more important in this case. However, work experience definitely beats the way I spend my time, so surely it should come before it.

Let’s look at the resume job description. Which one of the following do you think is more impressive:

“Ensured all prepared items are appropriately labeled, covered, and rotated” or “Resolved conflicts between kitchen staff which increased the efficiency of the kitchen by 50%”?

Probably the second one, right? So, they probably should have put it first on the list.

Overall, there’s room for improvement here.

And last, but not least, let’s shift the focus to this teacher’s resume:

Here, they’ve got the placement right – experience is important for a teacher, after all.

The bullets following their most recent position highlight their skills and achievements, and they’ve kept in mind what would be important for this job.

I probably would have started with “Contributed to raising retention rate from 75% – 89%”, but other than that – a fine example.

So, there you have it – you now know what a resume job description is, why you need one, and how to write one that skyrockets your chances of success.

To summarise, here are the most important things to keep in mind:

• A job description section on your resume shows the prospective employers your past work experience, as well as your skills and accomplishments.
• When writing a work experience section, focus on your skills and achievements, rather than your duties and responsibilities.
• Keep the information relevant to the position at hand.
• Quantify your achievements – employers like numbers.
• Make your job description section visible, make sure it stands out.
• Use bullet points and start each with an action verb.
• Tailor your resume to the company’s needs and requirements, but keep it truthful.

I hope this post was useful to you. Do you have any other questions? Do you have any experience you want to share? You can do so in the comments!

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How to Write Resume Job Descriptions (With Examples)

How to Write Resume Job Descriptions

Focus on skills and achievements, include keywords, be selective about what you include.

• Prioritize Job Descriptions

Quantify Your Achievements

• Emphasize Accomplishments

Make Your Jobs Sound Better

When you think about job descriptions, it's likely that job ads posted by employers first spring to mind. But the most important job descriptions may be the ones you create yourself when you’re describing past positions on your resume.

These job descriptions show prospective employers what you have accomplished in the positions you've held. They also provide a synopsis of your experience and skills.

Well-written descriptions for each job you have held will help get your resume noticed and selected for interviews.

Here’s advice on writing job descriptions for your resume, what to include, how to quantify and prioritize your accomplishments, and examples.

What's the best way to write attention-grabbing job descriptions? Before you start adding job descriptions to your resume, you may want to make a list of accomplishments at each of your jobs. This will prepare you for writing your resume.

After you have written a job description, look for ways to make your explanation more concise:

• Craft effective impact statements.
• Highlight skills and achievements, providing only enough detail to support your premises.
• Edit out pronouns and articles.
• Begin phrases or sentences with verbs.
• Choose strong words— resume action words  like “initiated” and “supervised” are powerful and show that you’ve made an impact on your team.
• Having short descriptions that focus on the most powerful aspects of your role will help recruiters and hiring managers quickly take in and assess your experience. 

If you are submitting resumes to organizations that add them into  applicant tracking systems  (ATS), include as many industry and job-specific " keywords " as possible. When searching databases for potential candidates, employers seek resumes with the greatest number of "hits" on keywords.

Keywords are most often nouns, e.g., “customer service” or “computer skills.” To use keywords most effectively, be specific, use as many as possible, and sprinkle them throughout your resume. 

Your resume isn’t your entire  work history , and you don’t need to include every duty for each role. Determine the most relevant information by putting yourself in your potential employer's position: Will this information help convince the employer that you are a worthwhile candidate to interview?

You do not have to include every responsibility you ever had. Group together similar tasks. For instance, rather than listing "Answered phones" and "Responded to customer emails" in two bullet points, you can combine and say, "Resolved customer issues through phone, email, and chat conversations."

Prioritize Your Qualifications

Next, think about prioritizing the information you provide in each description. Present details that are of the greatest interest to potential employers first. 

Highlight your most relevant qualifications for the job by listing them first in the job description.

For example, consider a candidate seeking a job in interior design. The resume might reflect a retail experience in which 75% of the candidate's time was spent on the sales floor, and 25% was spent designing window and floor displays. Since the design of window and floor displays is most meaningful to an interior design employer, this should be listed before sales. 

Job Description Example

Sales Associate , Retail USA, New York, NY October 2021 - Present

• Designed all large windows using color as the primary focus.
• Created engaging point-of-purchase displays for slow-moving small items; increased sales of these items by 30%.
• Organized floor displays to maximize space and call attention to the latest merchandise.
• Utilized strong interpersonal and communications skills to serve customers; received employee of the month award twice.

Quantify as much information as you can (numbers, dollar signs, and percentages can all help to make your case). 

For instance, a bullet point that reads "Grew traffic 35% year-over-year" is more impressive—and informative—than one that reads simply "Improved traffic."

Employers like numbers. It's much easier to look at signs and symbols than it is to read words.

Nearly any description, for any job, can be  enhanced through the use of numbers . A waitress might start out with the description, "Took customer orders and delivered food." But a quantified description saying, "Served customers in an upscale 100-seat restaurant," provides much more insight.

Waitress, Maxill's Restaurant,  New York, NY January 2022 - Present

• Provided dining service for patrons at an upscale 100-seat fine dining establishment.
• Served meals, cleared tables, monitored five tables, and provided exceptional customer service to up to 30 customers.
• Trained new waitstaff on POS system, guest services, and restaurant policies and procedures.

Emphasize Accomplishments Over Responsibilities

It's important for employees to know you have the necessary experience to do the work required in the position. Still, many candidates will have this relevant experience.

To stand out, emphasize how you added value. Focus on accomplishments, rather than responsibilities.

As seen above, numbers can be your friend when it comes to  highlighting your accomplishments in your resume . As well, numbers provide context. For instance, you might say, "Increased revenue by 5%, after several years of decreasing sales."

Or, rather than saying, "Answered phone calls and dealt with customer concerns," you can say, "Resolved customer concerns, answering approximately 10 calls per hour. Became go-to person on the team for dealing with the toughest phone calls and most challenging complaints."

Employers want to know what you accomplished. Make it easy for them to see what you've done by using numbers and percentages.

While it is important to keep descriptions short, adding details and context can help show employers why you'd be a good match for the position. 

Customer Service Associate,  ABD Company March 2020 - August 2021

• Resolved customer concerns efficiently and expeditiously, answering approximately 300 calls per week.
• Achieved 100% of call performance goals for accuracy, speed, volume, resolution of issues, and customer satisfaction.
• Nominated for employee-of-the-month four times for excellent attitude and exemplary customer service skills.

There are easy ways to jazz up your resume job descriptions to  make your jobs sound super impressive . A few simple tweaks here and there can make your resume much better.

Key Takeaways

• Spend some time writing the job descriptions on your resume, since potential employers will read them carefully. 
• Focus on relevant skills and accomplishments—be choosy about the information you include, and place the most relevant information at the top of the job description. 
• Rather than simply listing out tasks, focus on what you've accomplished in each role, incorporating attention-grabbing numbers and percentages. 

• Career Blog

Resume Job Description for Work Experience: 20 Best Samples

As a job seeker, crafting a compelling and comprehensive resume is critical to landing your dream job. A clear job description is an essential element of a resume as it provides recruiters with an understanding of the skills, experiences, and accomplishments you possess. A well-written job description can make or break a resume, so it is essential to know how to write one that accurately captures your qualifications.

The goal of this article is to provide you with the best job descriptions for work experience that you can use to enhance your own resume. We’ve conducted extensive research and analysis to compile a comprehensive list of the 20 best job descriptions that showcase various industries and professions. By using these examples as a guide, you can create a compelling job description that highlights your skills and experience, making your resume stand out from the crowd.

This article is organized into four main sections as follows:

Importance of a Clear Job Description: In this section, we’ll take a closer look at why a clear job description is so critical to the success of your resume, and we’ll discuss the common mistakes job seekers make with their job descriptions.

How to Write a Great Job Description: In this section, we’ll provide you with a step-by-step guide to creating a job description that accurately reflects your skills and experience. We’ll cover the essential elements of a job description, and we’ll also provide tips for making your job description more engaging and compelling.

20 Best Job Descriptions for Work Experience: This section contains the heart of the article. We’ve compiled twenty of the best job descriptions we could find from various industries and professions. Each job description includes a summary of qualifications and key responsibilities, as well as tips on how to tailor the job description to your specific needs.

Conclusion: In our conclusion, we’ll summarize the key takeaways from this article and provide additional resources to help you continue improving your resume.

This article is a valuable resource for anyone seeking to enhance their resume with a strong job description. With the examples and tips provided, you’ll be well on your way to creating a compelling description of your skills and experience that will capture the attention of recruiters and hiring managers.

What is a job description?

A job description is an official document that outlines the responsibilities, duties, qualifications, and requirements of a particular job role.

A. Definition of job description

Job description is an essential piece of document that provides comprehensive and accurate information about a job position. It outlines the key responsibilities, duties, and requirements that candidates need to possess in order to be considered for the job.

B. Purpose of job description

The purpose of a job description is to define what the job entails and what qualities an ideal candidate should have. It serves as a guide for both employers and job seekers on what to expect from the role and what skills and attributes are necessary to perform the job successfully.

C. Importance of job description for employers and job seekers

For employers, a well-written job description is essential to attract the right candidates for the position. It not only helps them to identify and screen the right candidates, but it also assists in setting realistic expectations for the role. Additionally, a job description can serve as a legal document in case of any disputes.

For job seekers, a job description can provide a clear understanding of what the job entails, the qualifications required, and the skills needed to excel in the role. It can also help them to determine whether they are a good fit for the position, and whether the job aligns with their career goals.

A job description is a crucial document that can benefit both employers and job seekers by providing accurate information about the job position. It serves as a guide that helps employers to attract and select qualified candidates while enabling job seekers to determine whether a position is suitable for them or not.

Types of Job Descriptions

Job descriptions play a crucial role in the hiring process, as they serve as the primary source of information for candidates. They provide applicants with an accurate portrayal of the job and outline the expectations associated with the position. There are three main types of job descriptions: generic, tailored, and inclusive.

A. Generic Job Descriptions

Generic job descriptions are a one-size-fits-all approach. They are often used when companies hire for multiple positions with similar tasks and requirements. These job descriptions typically provide a basic outline of the role and tend to be less detailed, which can make it challenging for potential candidates to differentiate between similar positions.

However, generic job descriptions can still provide valuable insight into what the company is seeking in candidates and can help applicants determine if they meet the minimum qualifications for the role. They are also ideal for companies that are just starting to create job descriptions or hiring for entry-level positions.

B. Tailored Job Descriptions

Tailored job descriptions are customized to each position, with job duties, requirements, and qualifications that are specific to the role. They provide a more in-depth look at what the job is about and what is expected of the candidate. The customization allows the company to highlight certain skills and experiences that are unique to the position and their organization.

Tailored job descriptions are essential for finding the best-suited candidates for a particular role. They can also help the company minimize the number of unqualified applicants and reduce the time it takes to fill the position. However, it is crucial to ensure that the job description accurately reflects the position to avoid confusion among candidates and potential legal issues.

C. Inclusive Job Descriptions

Inclusive job descriptions not only outline the job requirements and qualifications but also ensure that the language used is inclusive and free of bias. Job descriptions need to exhibit diversity and inclusion while avoiding any language that may hinder qualified candidates from applying.

Inclusive job descriptions should use gender-neutral pronouns, avoid using words that could be perceived as discriminating (e.g., masculine or feminine), and avoid any assumptions about the candidate’s background (e.g., age, marital status, race, religion, or sexual orientation). By doing this, the company can attract a more diversified pool of candidates, which can lead to a more diverse workforce and a more diverse set of ideas.

Job descriptions play a vital role in the hiring process. Whether you opt for a generic, tailored, or inclusive job description depends on your company’s needs and the position being filled. It is essential to carefully consider what the job entails, what is expected of the candidate, and the company’s values and goals when creating any type of job description.

Benefits of using a job description in your resume

Incorporating a job description in your resume can bring several benefits to your job search. Some of these benefits include:

A. Clear understanding of job requirements

When you use a job description in your resume, you get a clear understanding of what the job entails. This is especially important when you’re applying for a job that you’re not very familiar with. By examining the job description, you can understand the skills, education, and experience required for the job, and tailor your application accordingly.

B. Aligning skills and experience with job requirements

Using the job description in your resume helps you align your skills and experience with the job requirements. You can focus on highlighting your skills and experiences that match the job requirements, making your application more relevant and attractive to employers.

C. Highlighting relevant accomplishments

Another benefit of using a job description in your resume is that you can use it to highlight your relevant accomplishments. By examining the job requirements, you can identify the accomplishments that are the most relevant to the job, and then highlight them in your resume. This can include projects you have worked on, results you have achieved, or any other accomplishments that demonstrate your skills and experience.

Using a job description in your resume can help you create a more effective application that stands out to potential employers. By understanding the job requirements, aligning your skills and experience, and highlighting relevant accomplishments, you can increase your chances of landing the job you want.

Key Elements of a Job Description

A job description is a crucial document that outlines the necessary details of a job opening. It serves as a roadmap for recruiters and hiring managers to define the role and responsibilities, qualifications, job location, and other important details of the position. Every job description must include certain key elements to ensure that candidates have a clear understanding of what they’re signing up for.

A. Job Title and Summary

The job title and summary section provides a quick overview of the job’s primary responsibilities, its level within the organization, and whom the position reports. This section should be concise and precise, accurately conveying the job’s purpose and essential functions.

B. Job Duties and Responsibilities

The job duties and responsibilities section outlines the specific tasks expected from the candidate if hired. List the essential functions of the job, the roles it interfaces with, and any supervisory or management responsibilities the job requires.

C. Required Qualifications

The required qualifications section lists the minimum qualifications for applicants to be considered for the position. Describe the education level, experience, and any specific technical or professional certifications required. Providing clear indicators of the expectations around qualifications helps ensure that potential candidates are appropriately qualified.

D. Salary and Benefits

You may choose to include a salary range for this role or simply indicate that it is competitive or like-minded to others within the industry. Likewise, you can refrain from listing every benefit, but at a minimum, mention that the position includes benefits such as healthcare coverage or retirement savings contribution.

E. Company Culture

The company culture section should describe the operating environment and employees’ work experience. Highlight the key pillars of your culture, such as collaboration, innovation, excellence, work-life balance, diversity, and inclusion. Candidates will appreciate knowing what it’s like to work for your organization in general terms, as it can inform how well they may fit into your team.

A well-crafted job description is vital in attracting top candidates for your company or organization. Make sure to include all essential elements of a job description, including the job title and summary, the job duties and responsibilities, required qualifications, salary and benefits, and company culture.

How to Incorporate a Job Description in Your Resume

When writing a resume, it’s important to incorporate the job description to optimize the chances of getting an interview. This involves the use of specific keywords and tailoring the resume to match the required skills and qualifications.

A. Use of Keywords

Many companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to filter through resumes and identify candidates who meet their requirements. Therefore, it’s crucial to include relevant industry buzzwords and terminology in your resume to ensure that it’s picked up by the system.

To identify the keywords to use, carefully read the job posting and take note of the skills, qualifications and job requirements mentioned. If you possess any of these skills or have related experience, ensure that they’re captured in your resume.

B. Tailoring Job Description to Match Job Requirements

Once you’ve identified the relevant keywords, tailor your resume to reflect the job requirements. This includes changing the work experience section to emphasize the experience that’s most relevant to the position you’re applying for.

Use bullet points and action verbs to highlight key achievements and responsibilities. The description should be concise yet detailed enough to showcase your range of skills and experience.

C. Demonstration of Related Experience and Accomplishments

Your resume should demonstrate your ability to fulfill the job requirements by showcasing your related experience and accomplishments.

Include quantifiable achievements, such as “increased sales by 20%” or “managed department budget of $1 million.” These help illustrate the impact you can have on the company and make you stand out from other applicants.

Emphasize any relevant certifications, awards, or volunteer experience that showcases your ability to learn, grow, and contribute to the organization.

D. Formatting and Presentation

Finally, formatting and presentation are critical when it comes to resumes. The resume should be easy to read, with clear headings and bullet points. Avoid using graphics or images, as they can distract from the content.

Ensure that the resume is consistent in formatting throughout and use white space effectively to make it visually appealing. Proofread the document thoroughly to eliminate any typos or errors.

Incorporating the job description into your resume is critical to showcase your qualifications to potential employers. Use of relevant keywords, tailoring of job descriptions to match the requirements, and demonstrating related experience and accomplishments are all key components to a successful resume.

Common Mistakes to Avoid in Job Description Writing

When crafting a job description, it is important to avoid certain common mistakes that can hinder your hiring process. Here are five mistakes to steer clear of:

A. Over-generalization

An over-generalized job description might make it difficult for potential candidates to understand the job responsibilities and requirements. Instead, it is important to emphasize specific duties and skills that the position requires.

B. Lack of Clarity

A job description that lacks clarity can lead to confusion and misunderstandings. Make use of clear language, and try to avoid ambiguity. Use bullet points instead of long paragraphs to help prospective candidates easily understand the job requirements.

C. Lack of Specificity

A job description that isn’t specific enough can prevent suitable candidates from applying. Be clear about the qualifications, skills, education, and experience required for the position. Include information about the company culture, work schedule, and environment, and make sure to use precise job titles.

D. Technical Jargon

Technical jargon can sometimes be difficult to understand for candidates who are not familiar with the industry-specific terms. In such cases, it is important to define technical terms and abbreviations or avoid using them altogether. This helps make your job description more accessible to a wider audience.

E. Discriminatory Language

Avoid using prejudiced language in your job description. Use neutral and inclusive language instead. This not only helps attract a diverse pool of candidates, but it is also a good practice that is respectful to all people.

Write concise and clear job descriptions that highlight specific job requirements, avoid overly technical language or discrimination, and use language that is easy to understand. By avoiding these common mistakes, you can attract the right candidates for your open position.

Best Practices for Writing a Job Description

When writing a job description, there are best practices that can help ensure that the document is effective and engaging. Some of the key practices to consider include:

A. Identify Target Audience

The first step in creating a successful job description is to identify the target audience. This means understanding who the ideal candidate is for the role and tailoring the description accordingly. Factors to consider may include the candidate’s level of experience, skills, and education, as well as their personality traits and work style.

B. Use of Action Verbs

A well-written job description should use action verbs to describe the duties and responsibilities of the role. This not only makes the document more engaging but also helps to clarify what is expected of the candidate. Action verbs should be specific and relevant to the role, such as “coordinate,” “collaborate,” or “analyze.”

C. Utilize Metrics

Including metrics in a job description can help the hiring manager understand what success looks like in the role. These metrics may relate to productivity, efficiency, or other key performance indicators. For example, a sales role may include metrics such as “increasing revenue by 20%” or “closing 50 deals per quarter.”

D. Consider Including a Company Summary

Finally, it can be useful to include a brief company summary in the job description. This can give candidates a better understanding of the organization’s culture, mission, and values.

By following these best practices, you can create a job description that attracts top candidates and clearly communicates the requirements of the role.

Examples of well-written job descriptions

When it comes to creating effective job descriptions, there are a few key things to keep in mind. First and foremost, your job description should be clear and concise. It should outline the most important responsibilities and requirements of the role, and it should be written in a way that is easy to read and understand. To help you get started, here are four examples of well-written job descriptions:

A. Sales Representative

Our company is seeking a highly motivated and experienced sales representative to join our team. In this role, you will be responsible for identifying new business opportunities, closing deals, and maintaining relationships with existing clients. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of sales success, excellent communication skills, and experience working with a CRM system.

Responsibilities:

• Identify new sales leads and potential customers
• Close deals and meet sales targets
• Maintain relationships with existing clients and identify upsell opportunities
• Provide exceptional customer service and support throughout the sales process
• Collaborate with our marketing team to develop and execute sales campaigns
• Use our CRM system to manage sales activity and track progress

Requirements:

• 3+ years of sales experience
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Proven track record of sales success
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Experience using a CRM system
• Bachelor’s degree in business or a related field

B. Marketing Manager

Our organization is seeking a driven and experienced marketing manager to lead our marketing team. In this role, you will be responsible for developing and executing marketing strategies that drive revenue growth and promote brand awareness. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of marketing success, excellent leadership skills, and experience managing a team.

• Develop and implement marketing strategies that align with company goals
• Lead and manage the marketing team, providing guidance and support as needed
• Create and execute marketing campaigns across various channels (e.g. digital, print, events)
• Analyze market trends and customer data to inform marketing decisions
• Collaborate with other departments to ensure alignment and consistency across all marketing materials
• Monitor and report on the effectiveness of marketing campaigns
• 5+ years of marketing experience
• Strong leadership and management skills
• Proven track record of marketing success
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Experience with digital marketing tools and platforms
• Bachelor’s degree in marketing or a related field

C. Financial Analyst

Our finance team is seeking a detail-oriented and analytical financial analyst to join our team. In this role, you will be responsible for analyzing financial data and preparing reports that inform strategic business decisions. The ideal candidate will have excellent analytical skills, experience with financial modeling, and a strong understanding of financial statements.

An Expert’s Tips for Utilizing Job Descriptions During the Interview Process

A well-written job description can help job seekers better understand a company’s expectations for the role, and can provide them with valuable guidance as they prepare for the interview.

Here are my tips for utilizing job descriptions during the interview process:

A. Using job descriptions as a reference

Job descriptions should be used as a reference when preparing for a job interview. Make sure you thoroughly read and understand the job description so that you can tailor your answers to the company’s specific needs. This will show that you have considered the job requirements and that you are the right fit for the position.

B. Prepare for common interview questions

Job descriptions can also help you prepare for common interview questions. Look for keywords and phrases in the job description that indicate what the company is looking for in a candidate. Use these clues to anticipate interview questions and prepare strong, specific answers that demonstrate how you meet the job requirements.

C. Ask clarifying questions

During the interview, it is essential to ask clarifying questions. The job description can help you come up with relevant questions that will show the interviewer that you are genuinely interested in the role and have done your research. Asking clarifying questions can also help you gain a better understanding of the company’s culture, expectations, and goals, which can help you make a more informed decision about whether the position is the right fit for you.

Job descriptions are a valuable resource to have during the job interview process. They can be used as a reference, help you prepare for common interview questions, and assist you in asking relevant clarifying questions. By utilizing these tips, you can make a better impression on the interviewer and increase your chances of landing the job.

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Resume Job Description Samples – 8 Tips to Follow

Natasha Serafimovska

Career Coach, Professional Resume Writer, Freelance Writer

When  looking for a job , your resume becomes a crucial element. From making a great first impression to showcasing all your achievements and potential, your resume has to portray your professional story in minutes.

Research has found that recruiters spend about  seven seconds  analyzing a resume before deciding a candidate’s fate. They spend most of that time scanning your resume’s job descriptions for any essential experiences and skills. From there, they determine if you’d be a good match for the job. 

That’s why giving your job descriptions the attention they deserve is vital. If you’re unsure of how to write a job description for a resume, you’ve come to the right place. Here we look at why your job descriptions matter. Then, we’ll demonstrate how to showcase your past achievements.

Table of Contents

What is a Resume Job Description?

Job descriptions are a crucial part of any resume. They contain information on past work experience, achievements, and any key benefits your work has brought to your employer. In essence, it’s a summary of all your duties and responsibilities. It can also include projects where you’ve gone above and beyond to exceed customer expectations, met harsh deadlines, or helped a team member. 

Why Having a Job Description is Important?

Job descriptions are usually the first place recruiters look to get an idea of whether or not you have the required experience. Your work experience is the main part of any resume. It showcases your personality, skills, and key qualities as an employee. Additionally, an applicant tracking system (ATS) often scans resumes for specific keywords. So, your job description is the perfect place to add those keywords.

Important Components of Resume Job Description

Knowing how to write a job description for a resume begins with accepting the fact that writing a job description is about engaging your reader. Job descriptions that are vague, long-winded, or poorly formatted make hiring managers lose interest. In worst-case scenarios, employers may even get the wrong impression of who you are as an employee.

Instead, keep your job description neat and to the point. The essential elements to include are:

• Name of employer
• Dates of employment
• Key results and achievements by relevance to the job ad you’re applying for
• Specific problems you’ve solved and how you’ve achieved that
• Specific projects you’ve led or you’ve been part of and the outcomes of those projects

Ensure you use consistent formatting throughout your resume and tailor your job descriptions to each new job .

Likewise, if you’re applying for a job in another city or state, make sure it’s clearly stated in your resume that you’re prepared to move for the job .

How to Write an Effective Resume Job Description

When beginning to write a job description for a resume, getting caught up in all the formalities can be easy. But in actuality, you only need to follow these eight tips to create an engaging job description.

Start with Basic Details about the Job

You can offer a one-line description of your primary focus in each role before going into more specific details about your accomplishments and key outcomes. 

Focus on Your Skills and Achievements

Hiring managers love reading what you’ve done for your past employers as that can give them an instant idea of what they can expect to get from you if they hire you. Instead of talking in general terms about your responsibilities, frame them in the context of specific results and achievements. 

Give Priority to Your Qualifications

Qualifications are particularly important if you’re straight out of university or don’t have much work experience. If that’s the case, they should go at the top of your resume. On the other hand, if you’re a mid-senior professional with years of professional experience, your qualifications should go at the bottom of the resume.

That said, don’t forget to include additional certifications and accreditations you’ve received post-university. Even if they’re not the most relevant qualifications for the job, they can demonstrate your desire to learn and grow, and that’s always a desirable quality.

Mention Relevant Experience

You may love gardening or writing Harry Potter fan fiction, but the hiring manager doesn’t care about that. Instead, write your job descriptions so that they speak directly to the requirements and job responsibilities outlined in the job ad. If they’re asking for someone who’s results-oriented and not afraid of taking initiative, write down specific examples that demonstrate these qualities in you. 

Emphasize Your Responsibilities

It’s important to talk about YOUR specific responsibilities and duties rather than the team at large. If you’ve worked on a bigger project with multiple stakeholders, narrow down your job description to your specific contributions to that project. Questions to ask yourself to target specific, noteworthy information are

• What were my responsibilities?
• What tasks did I complete?
• What soft and hard skills did I have to utilize?
• What was the result?
• What did I learn?

Include Keywords

Seventy-five percent of recruiters today use ATS software to sift through hundreds of resumes. These systems scan the resumes for specific keywords from the job ad. So, read carefully through the job specification and see what keywords repeat across the text. Then weave them through your job descriptions.

Add and Optimize Bullet Points

You don’t want the recruiter or hiring manager to struggle reading your resume. Make their job easy by clearly organizing your thoughts and adding bullet points where appropriate. 

You may be asked to elaborate on various points in your resume during an interview. So, there’s no point in lying about your achievements. Instead, try to be strategic about what aspects of your achievements you highlight and how you position them in the job description.

Resume Job Description Example

Global Director of Sales – Cisco  

January 2020 – Present

Chicago, IL  

• Manage a team of seven account executives and exceed sales targets through pro-active outbound sales and an active land and expand strategy;
• Exceeded sales targets by 15% in 2021 by delivering new sales training and incorporating a new strategy for identifying and qualifying leads;
• Shortened the sales cycle by 30% by updating the pitch deck and delivering more tailored client demos; 
• Liaised with product development to improve the functionality of a new product line and spearheaded its launch to market, resulting in 40% market penetration in the first six months

Frequently Asked Questions on Resume Job Description

What should you write in a job description.

Job descriptions should contain key information on the previous jobs you’ve had including

• Time of employment
• Specific accomplishments and results

How Much Job Experience Should I List on Resume Description

It depends on how long you’ve worked there. If you’ve only worked at a company for a couple of months, it doesn’t make sense to list half a page of tasks and responsibilities. Even if you’ve worked at a company for longer, you want to keep your descriptions to the point and not have your resume exceed two pages (three pages are acceptable for senior professionals with over ten years of work experience). So only include your best tasks and achievements, which should be condensed into 4-5 bullet points.

Why is a Job Description Important for a New Employee?

From an employer’s perspective, their job descriptions can help new employees understand their responsibilities better and uncover any skills gaps and needs for additional training. 

In today’s labor market where a single job ad can attract hundreds of applicants, it can be difficult to make yourself stand out. However, there are certain things you can do to increase your chances of getting noticed and landing that coveted job. 

Besides an impeccable and error-free cover letter, you also need a professional resume that speaks directly to the job ad you’re applying for. Your job descriptions, in this context, are your gold. They offer you plenty of space to highlight your achievements, skills, and willingness to go the extra mile. Put all these things together and you can rest assured that your diligence won’t go unnoticed.

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How to Tailor Your Resume Job Description (With Examples)

Customers Interviewed by:

Over 80% of job listings require, or strongly prefer, relevant professional work experience.

This means your resume job description needs to provide what the hiring manager is looking for. If it doesn’t, you won’t get an interview.

The problem is that most job-seekers only create one resume that they send out with every application. This saves time but the same resume is unlikely to satisfy the requirements of all the jobs you’re applying to.

To get more job interviews, you need to tailor your resume to each position. This article will show you exactly how to do that so you can increase your chances of landing your dream job.

What is a resume job description?

Your resume job description section is where you list your work history . Begin with your most recent job and work your way backward, listing previous positions in reverse chronological order.

This section is the most important part of your resume because it tells hiring managers whether you’re qualified for the role you’re applying to.

Your job description should contain the following:

• Job title 
• Company name 
• Company location 
• Dates of employment 
• Job responsibilities
• Measurable accomplishments

Your job responsibilities are the duties you’re expected to perform. They include things like answering phones, writing articles, managing a team, handling customer complaints, selling products, and entering data.

But a powerful resume job description doesn’t stop at listing job responsibilities – it also provides measurable accomplishments .

A measurable accomplishment is an achievement that you can describe with numbers or metrics.

While job responsibilities tell hiring managers what you did, measurable accomplishments tell them how well you did it.

Here are some examples of measurable accomplishments:

• Increased sales revenue by 25% in the first half of the year.
• Reduced customer complaints by 40% over a 12-month period.
• Led a team that completed a project 3 weeks ahead of schedule.
• Improved operational efficiency, resulting in a 15% reduction in costs.
• Grew the company’s social media following by 10,000 users in just 6 months.

It’s always a good idea to use bullet points to describe your responsibilities and accomplishments. This breaks down your information into easily-scanned digestible chunks.

Begin your bullet points with action verbs . These highlight your hands-on experience and make your resume more interesting to read.

Here’s an example of what a resume job description should look like:

The goal of your job description is to be concise and scannable while providing enough detailed information to give the hiring manager a good idea of your experience and skills.

Why should you tailor your resume job description?

Most companies today use computer software to help them hire employees. This software is called an applicant tracking system , or ATS .

When you send in your resume, it goes right into an ATS database. Hiring managers search the database for suitable resumes by typing keywords into the ATS search bar. These keywords are usually job titles and the skills needed for the job.

If your resume contains these keywords, it will be seen by the hiring manager. If your resume doesn’t contain these keywords, it will remain hidden in the database.

The point is this: The keywords a hiring manager will type into the ATS search bar will vary from job to job. By tailoring each resume for the specific job you’re applying to, you’ll increase the chances that a hiring manager will find it and offer you an interview.

How do you find relevant keywords?

At this point, you might be wondering, “How do I know which keywords the hiring manager will search for?”

The answer is simple. You can find the keywords in the job listing.

To tailor your resume, first read the listing of the job you’re applying to. Highlight the skills that are mentioned most often. Then, if you have those skills, add them to your resume.

There’s only one problem: Tailoring each resume takes time and effort. Which is why most job seekers don’t do it.

How to tailor your resumes faster and more effectively

There are now online tools available that make tailoring each resume much easier.

For example, Jobscan’s resume scanner uses AI-powered technology to analyze your resume against the job listing. It then tells you exactly how to tailor your resume for that particular job.

Jobscan’s resume scanner works like this:

Step 1 : Paste your resume into the scanner:

Step 2 : Paste the job listing into the scanner.

Step 3 : Click “Scan” or “Power Edit” (Premium users only).

The scanner runs over 30 checks on your resume and presents you with a score. The score tells you how well your resume is optimized for that particular job.

You’ll also learn exactly which keywords you need to add to your resume to increase your score.

Here’s an example of a score and keyword suggestions:

The keywords with red circles are missing from this resume. By adding them, you’ll boost your score.

For even faster resume optimization, try our Power Edit feature (available to Jobscan Premium users). Power Edit uses advanced AI technology for a smarter, more streamlined resume-tailoring experience.

For example, Power Edit can show you how to seamlessly integrate missing keywords into your resume. Just click on a missing keyword and you’ll be presented with multiple phrase suggestions you can choose from:

Power Edit can also help you  generate cover letters , optimize your  LinkedIn profile , and  track your job applications .

7 tips for for tailoring your resume

Writing a tailored resume job description that gets past the ATS and attracts recruiters is achievable. Here’s how you do it:

1. Use the top half of your resume’s first page

Together with your contact information and resume summary , your job description is one of the first things recruiters and hiring managers read in your resume. 

Since recruiters only spend around seven seconds before they either rule you out or move you to the next round, it is imperative that you put your job description section in the top half of your resume. 

2. Check the specific job listing of the position

Go line by line through the job listing and ask yourself these questions:

• “Does my resume job description section clearly state that I can do what’s required of this role?”
• “Am I using the same language found in the job listing?”
• “Have I highlighted any achievements or experiences that directly align with the key responsibilities or qualifications mentioned in the job listing?”

By doing this, you might find missing skills and keywords you should try adding to your resume to make it less generic.

3. Be specific

You need to tell the hiring manager exactly what you did at your previous or current employers. The best way to do this is to be specific.

Begin each resume job description with essential information about the job and company: your official job title, the name and address of the company, and the period in which you worked there. 

4. Match skills and keywords from the job listing

Mirroring the language, keywords , and buzzwords found within the job listing is the easiest way to demonstrate you’re a better match than the competition. 

To ensure that your resume can be found in the ATS, take words from the job listing and strategically place them in your job description and other resume sections.

But make sure you don’t stuff your resume with too many keywords.

5. Write your job title clearly

Recruiters will first search for people who have done the job before, so list your job titles clearly.

If you haven’t held the job before, mention it as part of your resume summary. Match your job title to the one in the job listing when possible.

6. Quantify your achievements

Be selective about what you include. Place an emphasis on accomplishments over job responsibilities. 

Use numbers and action verbs to describe your role and responsibilities. Numbers show how well you did your job. Action verbs make your resume more vibrant and interesting to read.

7. Do not lie

Emphasizing or deemphasizing your resume skills is not the same as lying on your resume (which we definitely don’t suggest).

Few applicants have every skill and meet every qualification. Tailoring your resume is about making sure hiring managers notice the ones you do have.

Examples of tailored resume job descriptions

In the examples below, the first part is the job listing with the relevant keywords highlighted. This is followed by a tailored resume job description for that listing. Finally, we’ll tell you why this job description works.

1. Sales manager job listing

Sales manager resume job description

Why this resume job description works:

• It clearly and specifically outlines key responsibilities and top achievements.
• It used metrics to show how the candidate seeks to constantly improve their leadership and communication skills . 
• It touches on the candidate’s experience with leading a sales team, which is a key attribute the company is looking for. 
• It matches the keywords found in the job listing.

2. Accountant job listing

Accountant resume job description

• It uses number to show how the candidate was able to cut costs and develop internal controls.
• It mentions which software the candidate knows how to use. Recruiters might filter candidates by specifying the type of software the company uses. 
• It includes the keywords GAAP and FASB but also spells them out. This is smart because there is no knowing whether recruiters will filter their search using the long-form or the acronym of a specific skill.

3. SEO specialist job listing

SEO specialist resume job description

• It matches keywords with what is in the job description. Some of the relevant keywords are incorporated in the Content Writer experience.
• It quantifies achievements, like the increase in website traffic.
• Everything is well-thought-out, concise, and specific.

4. Executive assistant job listing

Executive assistant resume job description

• It quantifies key achievements. 
• It mentions the number of supervisors that the candidate worked closely with and supported.
• It matches the skills in the job listing (e.g. attention to detail, organizational skills , interpersonal skills ).

5. Customer service job listing

Customer service resume job description

• It matches relevant keywords and skills found in the job description.
• It mentions that the candidate was Top Customer Service Representative of the year for five consecutive years.
• It includes a quantified key achievement.

How your resume job descriptions help you get more interviews

Here are three ways a well-written resume job description moves the needle in your job search:

• It establishes your credibility with prospective employers and shows them what you bring to the table.
• It is an advertisement for your abilities, experiences, accomplishments, growth potential, and career trajectory. 
• It shows that when hired, you can immediately start the ball rolling without much hand-holding and training.

To increase the chances that your resume will be found by a hiring manager, make sure you tailor it to the listing of the job you’re applying to. Tailoring your resume takes time and effort but it’s definitely worth it.

To speed up the process, try an online tool like Jobscan’s resume scanner . It will tell exactly what to do to fully optimize your resume for each position. The result is an AI resume that’s fully compatible with applicant tracking systems.

Key Takeaways

Your resume job description is a critical part of your resume. Use this real estate to prove to recruiters that you have what it takes to do the job right. When creating your job descriptions, be sure to:

• Include quantified achievements and specific responsibilities.
• Tailor your work experience section to the job listing of the position you are applying for. 
• Customize your resume for every job application you are submitting.
• Optimizing your resume to the specific job will help you get past the ATS and land your dream job.
• Try Jobscan’s resume scanner so you don’t miss out on the specific skills and accomplishments recruiters and hiring managers are looking for.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What does it mean to tailor your resume to the job listing.

Tailoring your resume involves taking the skills and responsibilities in the job listing and incorporating them into your resume job description.

What is the best resume job description format?

Your resume job description should be in the reverse chronological order format . This means you start with your most recent job and work backwards.

How far back should your resume work experience section go?

For most industries, you can list the past 10 to 15 years of your work history on your resume. 

How do you describe your work experience on a resume?

Include your official job title, the name and address of the previous company, and the time period in which you worked there.

What are technical, or hard skills, on your resume?

Hard skills are one of the most important resume keywords. These are technical skills learned through experience or training (e.g. project management, knowledge of software, data analysis). Match hard skills verbatim to the job listing when possible.

Which skills should you include in your job description for your resume?

Pay special attention to the skills mentioned first or multiple times. Start each new job entry with the skills and qualifications that are found in the job listing, even if they weren’t the most important part of your day-to-day responsibilities. 

How do you tailor your resume for a career change?

Follow the same process of leading with keywords from the job listing in your career change resume . Chances are, many skills from your previous career will be transferable to your new one. Be sure to provide context and translate phrases to match the job listing’s preferred terminology when needed. 

The summary section of your resume is going to be your best friend when seeking to change careers. This area of a resume is your opportunity to explain your expertise and how your existing skills will make you a great candidate for this new career.

How do you tailor your resume if you are a recent graduate with no experience?

If you recently graduated and don’t have experience to share on your resume, you can include volunteer work , projects, and internships.

If you are building your resume from scratch, try Jobscan’s resume builder . It’s 100% free and will help you create an ATS-friendly resume. It also allows you to scan your resume for missing keywords.

What are other tips on how to tailor your resume to the job listing?

• A generic resume is about you while a tailored resume makes it about them (and they all want it to be about them).
• Using bullet points instead of big paragraphs on your resume will make your resume easier to skim.
• Use color on your section headings to enhance your resume’s appearance.
• Corporate recruiters prefer to see skills in context. If they see a skill on your resume, they need to understand how and why you used it.
• Describe your accomplishments using data when possible with dollar amounts, percentages, or other measurables to prove your effectiveness.
• Tailoring your resume is also about removing information that distracts from your top hard and soft skills . Look at every line on your resume through the lens of, “Is this necessary to prove I’m a great fit for this job?”

Get help tailoring your resume

Manually tailoring your resume takes a lot of work. That’s why Jobscan created tools that speed up this process.

With Power Edit , the most important skills and keywords missing from your resume update as you work. 

Simply upload your resume, paste the job description, follow the keyword and formatting suggestions, watch your resume score go up, then export your tailored resume.

Do dynamic resume tailoring, ATS optimization , and formatting all in one place with Power Edit . For a closer look, check out this video .

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How to Write Resume Job Description [+ Examples]

• April 18, 2024
• In Resumes & Cover Letters

A well-written resume job description goes far beyond a dull list of jobs and duties. In fact, a strong presentation of your knowledge and achievements can increase your chances of landing the job. Primarily, your resume job description should offer insight into your value as an employee. With these 7 tips, you will learn how to write compelling job descriptions that grab the recruiter’s attention and open doors to new career opportunities.

Why is a job description important to an employer

A resume job description is incredibly important for several reasons:

• Establishing Credibility : A well-written job description in your resume establishes your credibility with prospective employers. It showcases what you bring to the table and why you are the perfect match for the job.
• Demonstrating Readiness for the Role : A strong job description shows recruiters and prospective employers that you can immediately start contributing without much hand-holding or training. It conveys that you have the necessary skills and experience to hit the ground running.
• Optimizing for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) : Tailoring your resume job description to the specific job you are applying for is crucial. Many companies use ATS to scan and rank resumes based on keywords and skills. By optimizing your job description with specific skills and keywords, you increase your chances of getting noticed by the system and advancing in the hiring process.
• Standing Out from Other Candidates : A well-crafted job description that aligns with the requirements of the position can help you stand out from other candidates. By highlighting your achievements and showcasing how your skills match the job description, you can make a strong impression on hiring managers.

In summary, a resume job description is essential for establishing credibility, showcasing your abilities, demonstrating readiness for the role, optimizing for ATS, and standing out from other candidates. By tailoring your job description to the specific job you are applying for and highlighting your achievements, you increase your chances of securing an interview and landing the job.

How to write an effective resume job description

Writing effective job descriptions in your resume is crucial for showcasing your skills, experiences, and accomplishments to potential employers. Here are some tips on how to write a resume job description:

Step 1: Include relevant information

Start the job description section at the top half of the first page of your resume. Include the job title, company name, location, dates of employment, and a brief overview of your responsibilities and achievements.

Step 2: Highlight accomplishments

 Instead of simply listing your job duties, focus on your measurable accomplishments and the impact you made in each role. Use specific examples and quantify your achievements whenever possible. This helps employers understand the value you can bring to their organization.

Step 3: Use concise language

 Craft impactful statements by using strong action verbs and removing unnecessary pronouns and articles. Begin phrases or sentences with verbs to make your descriptions more engaging and dynamic. Choose words that demonstrate your skills and show that you have made a positive impact in your previous roles.

Step 4: Tailor descriptions to the job

 Customize your job descriptions to align with the requirements and responsibilities of the position you are applying for. Highlight relevant skills and experiences that directly relate to the job you are seeking.

Step 5: Follow a reverse chronological order

Start with your most recent or current job and work backward in time. This format is commonly used and helps employers easily understand your career progression.

Step 6: Always use bullet points

Use bullet points to showcase the responsibilities and achievements for each previous job. Bullet points should be concise and to the point. They do not require long sentences or punctuation.

Including relevant keywords in resume job descriptions

Including relevant keywords in resume job descriptions is crucial for catching the attention of hiring managers and applicant tracking systems (ATS) that scan resumes.

• Review the job posting : Carefully analyze the job posting or job description of the position you are applying for. Identify keywords and phrases that are frequently mentioned and align with the requirements of the role.
• Identify core skills and qualifications : Identify the core skills, qualifications, and experience necessary for the job. These could include technical skills, industry-specific knowledge, certifications, or soft skills. Incorporate these keywords naturally into your job descriptions.
• Quantify achievements : Whenever possible, quantify your achievements and provide specific results or metrics. This not only makes your resume more impactful but also helps incorporate keywords. 
• Avoid keyword stuffing : While it’s important to include keywords, avoid overloading your resume with them. Use keywords naturally and in context, ensuring that your descriptions flow smoothly and remain focused on your accomplishments and responsibilities.

By including the right keywords, you increase the chances of your resume standing out and passing through ATS screenings.

Resume job description examples

Resume job descriptions are an essential part of your resume, as they provide specific details about your previous jobs and experiences. Including accurate and well-written job descriptions can help highlight your skills, achievements, and qualifications to potential employers. Here are some examples of resume job descriptions:

#1. Customer Service Job Description Example

Customer Service Associate, Timmy’s Retail, Columbus, Ohio January 2011 – March 2016

• Emphasized customer satisfaction by resolving circa 170 customer queries every week.
• Spearheaded weekly strategy meetings and suggested a new ticketing system that decreased response time by 23%.
• Named employee of the month 24 times for proactive attitude and high customer satisfaction.

#2. Executive Assistant Job Description Sample

Executive Assistant, BrightWay Inc., Boston, Massachusetts September 2017 – November 2020

• Developed and implemented a new filing system that increased productivity and saved up to 1 hour’s work daily.
• Realized $2800 in monthly savings by reducing unneeded expenses and finding better deals for office supplies.

#3. Front Office Job Description Sample

Front Office Receptionist, Lilly & Co, New York , New York May 2018 – November 2023

• Implemented a new appointment scheduling system, resulting in a 23% increase in efficiency and a cost savings of $7,500 per year.
• Providing support with various administrative tasks, which may include organizing files, entering data, and preparing documents.
• Providing general information to visitors and clients.
• Assisting with event planning and coordination.

#4. Project Manager Job Description Sample

Project Manager, Nordisk, Columbus, Ohio Jun 2019 – November 2023

• Designed an accelerated program roadmap, saving 25% on expenditures and delivering completed implementation three months ahead of schedule
• Directed a $2M corporate headquarters relocation project, delivering target outcomes on time and under budget
• Coordinating internal resources and third-party vendors to ensure the seamless completion of projects.

#5. Sales Manager  Job Description Sample

Sales Manager, Blue Hill Holdings, New York, New York July 2015 – December 2020

• Trained and onboarded 13 sales agents, 11 of whom are still a part of the company
• Increased annual sales revenue by 18% through the usage of a new sales system
• Utilized strong negotiation and communication skills to sign new clients, exceeding monthly sales goals by 34%

#6.  Supervisor Job Description Sample

Supervisor, Honeywell Gropup, New York , New York September 2017 – November 2023

• Led a team that successfully completed a project three weeks ahead of schedule, resulting in cost savings of $87,000.
• Successfully completed specialized projects, such as implementing a new customer service system that resulted in a 27% increase in customer satisfaction ratings.
• Coach, resolve issues, and provide guidance and support for individual development needs.

#7. Teacher Job Description Example

Teacher, Manhattan Upper School September 2017 – November 2020

• Developed and implemented lesson plans based on curriculum guidelines.
• Delivered engaging and interactive lessons to students.
• Assessed student performance and provided feedback and grades.
• Communicated with parents/guardians regarding student progress and behavior.

A strong resume job description aims to demonstrate the value and expertise that make you the perfect fit for the job. By following the tips above, you will create an impactful job description that will impress the recruiter and help you stand out.

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Accounting and Finance Resume Examples

Get a strong start on your finance or accounting resume by brainstorming how you’ve helped expertly manage assets or raise the bottom line. Where possible, quantify your results in terms of a clear percentage or dollar amount.

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Arts and Design Resume Examples

Even in your creative field, the resume is a simple tool for professional communication and should be formatted that way. Feel free to use a template if it helps you keep your resume simple and focused on career details. But also consider adding borders, shading, or other subtle effects that hint at your design expertise.

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Business Resume Examples

In today’s competitive business landscape, your resume is your introduction to employers, opening doors to new career advancement. To stand out among many candidates, align your resume with your goals and the specific job you want.

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Career Changes and Life Situations Resume Examples

When changing careers, focus your resume on transferable skills and experiences, even if they happened a long time ago or make up a small part of your background. These resume pages can guide you on common career-change scenarios. For more, see our advice on employment gaps and presenting your recent work history .

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Child Care and Pet Care Resume Examples

For a good child care or pet care resume, show you can provide a safe and active environment while building positive relations with parents, guardians, or clients. Note: This is one of the few fields where it’s common to cite references on your resume since they’re often key to your overall candidacy.

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Common Resume Formats Resume Examples

The guides below will help you build your resume using some of today’s go-to formats and word processors.

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Computer Sciences and Information Technology Resume Examples

For a good information technology (IT) resume, craft bullet points that show your relevant technical projects and achievements. Also, include a technical skills section so hiring managers know the various programs you can implement.

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Construction and Maintenance Resume Examples

A good resume focuses on your relevant experience. For construction, that means highlighting projects you’ve worked on and comparing their scope or budget to the projects that now interest you. And for maintenance, that means highlighting similar facilities you’ve worked for and the methods or equipment you used to keep a business operating smoothly.

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Customer Service and Retail Resume Examples

To start writing your resume for this field, brainstorm and jot down how you’ve helped raise satisfaction scores or drive revenue growth for the stores where you’ve worked. Also, see our guide on making customer service the focus of your resume.

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Education Resume Examples

When creating your resume for education jobs, use each section to show you can help provide positive learning experiences for students. And if you’re applying to a teacher position, highlight your skills in classroom management and parent relations.

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Engineering and Science Resume Examples

To write a good resume for engineering jobs, show you can design complex systems based on deep technical knowledge. Also, consider how you’ve applied math or science principles to find real-world solutions.

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Entertainment and Sports Resume Examples

A good entertainment-industry resume outlines the projects or productions you’ve worked on, emphasizing any that overlap with the types of projects that now interest you. A good sports-industry resume showcases your athletic achievements, leadership or teamwork skills, and all-around knowledge of your sport.

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Health and Wellness Resume Examples

Health care and wellness includes many job levels and specialties. But whether you’re applying to a role as a certified nursing assistant or chief medical officer, lab tech or life coach, you can write a great resume by showing how you help people overcome illness or achieve better physical and mental well-being.

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Law Resume Examples

When writing your resume for legal jobs, use each section to show you have strong knowledge in your specialized field. Employers want to know where you gained important skills like legal research, public speaking, or settlement negotiations. They also like to know how you can use those skills to expertly represent them or their clients.

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Management Resume Examples

For a good start on your management resume, take 10 minutes to brainstorm and jot down how you’ve helped teams work more quickly or cost-effectively. Also, gather any data available that helps you quantify these highlights in terms of a clear ranking, percentage, or dollar amount.

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Office and Administration Resume Examples

To make a strong resume for administrative roles, focus on your experience carrying out daily business functions for an office or facility. Also, give examples of how you helped streamline operations for better efficiency, service quality, or cost-effectiveness.

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Public Safety and Community Well-being Resume Examples

To write a good resume for public safety and community well-being jobs, show how you’ve helped protect the public, advance important causes, or support underprivileged groups.

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Restaurant and Hospitality Resume Examples

Hospitality is all about providing a great customer experience — highlight any skills and experience that show your ability to do just that.

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Sales and Marketing Resume Examples

To start writing your sales or marketing resume, brainstorm how you’ve helped engage clients, promote products, and grow revenue for past employers. Performance data is key to this field, so quantify your results in terms of a clear percentage or dollar amount whenever possible.

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Students and Recent Graduates Resume Examples

How to write a resume with little or no work experience? Focus on pertinent skills you’ve gained through school coursework, community service , or extracurricular activities. Also, flesh out your education section with details that help show you’re ready for your next career stage.

Most Popular Resumes in Students and Recent Graduates

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Transportation and logistics resume examples.

For a good resume in transportation, show you’re a pro at getting people or goods from point A to point B. And for a good resume in logistics, display you have the organizational skills to ensure manufacturing and other processes run smoothly.

Most Popular Resumes in Transportation and Logistics

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Writing and Editing Resume Examples

Your writing skills give you an obvious advantage in creating your resume. But you may still struggle with resume-specific editing or formatting standards. The guides below can help.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Resumes

How do you write a good resume.

Brainstorm your positive career experiences, then choose the most relevant ones to feature on your resume. Divide your information into distinct sections (like professional experience, education, or key skills), and use each section to show you can excel in your target job. Also write a brief profile summary of your top qualifications. Tailor your resume to each job application, using keywords from the job posting. Your resume should include your contact information, profile, experience, education, and key skills.

How long should a resume be?

For most people, a resume should be between one to three pages long , but it depends on your job goals and experience. Your resume should include relevant information, but not so much that it overwhelms recruiters and hiring managers.

What is the best resume format?

A reverse chronological resume format is widely accepted as the industry standard and is the best resume format for most job seekers. With a reverse chronological format, your most recent and relevant experience is at the top.

How many jobs should you list on a resume?

List all relevant job experience on your resume. A good rule of thumb is to include your three most recent jobs and go back as far as 15 years.

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Analyzing Job Descriptions to Enhance Your Resume

7 min read · Updated on July 30, 2024

Have you ever re-read your resume just before sending it out, wondering whether it is the best it can be?

This is your big chance to make a great impression, and a certain amount of nervousness is normal. From my experience, many job candidates find themselves fretting over word choices and second-guessing the accomplishments and skills they hand-picked.

Do your words represent you in the best light possible? Is there a way to minimize that last-minute resume anxiety? My advice is to do a quick side-by-side job analysis check to make sure that your resume speaks directly to the job description. This is relatively straight-forward when you have a great job posting description to start with. Other times, you might be working with a description that is incomplete or not detailed enough. In those situations, sample job descriptions can give you the information you need to eliminate second-guessing.

The anatomy of a sample job description.

When reviewing sample job postings, it helps to understand what you're looking at. That way, you can know what might be missing, which parts to pay special attention to, and what additional questions to ask of the recruiter or the hiring manager. Here is your quick outline of what makes up a complete position description.

The job title is the first thing that catches your attention when you come across a new opportunity. Unfortunately, job titles can often be misleading. Just because a position has a sexy title does not always mean that its duties align with what is typically expected. The reverse can also be true – a position without a high-ranking title might offer all the right challenges and opportunities for career growth. The lesson is clear: keep reading!

This is usually a brief (1-2 sentences) high-level description of duties and reporting relationships that come with the position. Look for general consistency with the job title, note key words and dive into the detail next.

3. Key functions

In a perfect world, this section will help address many of your questions. What daily job responsibilities are associated with the position? Would you be expected to have a supervisory role? What involvement and interaction will you have with other departments? How much customer contact is expected?

4. Skills needed to succeed

This section can help you identify critical skills that the hiring manager thinks are needed to succeed on the job. A well-written skill requirements section will include both soft and hard (or technical) skills. Be present to the fact that sometimes, this section is bulked up by technical job requirements and qualifications that aren't truly necessary. To be a better judge of what actually matters, consider reviewing multiple job descriptions for similar roles. That simple sanity check will help you establish a pattern.

5. Reporting hierarchy

Reporting lines are extremely important. A manager who reports directly to the CEO will have an experience of frequent and direct interaction with senior leadership, which can mean more exposure to big-picture decision-making and potentially a higher degree of pressure. On the other hand, a manager who is buffered from top management by four to five layers of reporting relationships will have fewer direct interactions with senior leaders. There is no right or wrong way to choose, but it does help to understand whether the setup of the position aligns with your professional preferences and goals.

6. Evaluation criteria and timeline

How will your supervisor know that you are doing a great job? Who defines success, how fair is that criteria, and how frequently can you expect feedback? Keep in mind that seeing a well-developed evaluation section in a position description is relatively rare. If it is missing from the position description, be sure to add it to the list of your questions to ask the hiring manager during the interview. Be alert in the event that he or she hesitates to give you a clear answer – that could be an indication that the company lacks clarity on what success in the role will look like.  

7. Compensation

Many sample position descriptions do not include an explicit salary range. Look for other tips and hints to give you a sense for whether compensation arrangements are likely to be competitive. For example, a job description that emphasizes performance bonus or the fact that the company is in the startup stages might point to a lower base salary. Keep in mind that the salary question during the job interview is not a recommended way of opening your interactions with a potential employer. However, gathering all the data you can will help you make the best decision.

8. Physical location

Consider whether the position will require you to relocate or result in a commute that is considerably longer than what you are accustomed to. If you will be expected to work in a part of town that has a bad reputation, be present to what that might mean for your safety and daily routines.

Three tips for getting the most out of sample job descriptions.

There are three important take-aways that job seekers should gain from spending time on job description research.

1. Look for patterns in tasks and critical skills . What seems to be most important to the hiring manager or employer? What will define your ability to succeed?

2. Try the job descriptions on for size . Will you actually enjoy doing this job on a day-to-day basis? Every position comes with a certain amount of responsibilities and tasks that you would rather not do, and most jobs have moments that are frustrating, boring or emotionally challenging. Focus on the big picture, and ask yourself whether the job will allow you the right degree of autonomy, control, creativity and opportunities for growth. Define the mix of attributes and characteristics that are most important to you, and choose accordingly.

3. Connect with people in the role you are considering or directly above it.   LinkedIn can prove to be an excellent source of introductions and connections for professional networking and research. The insights and feedback from individuals who have personal experience with the role you are considering can boost your confidence and help you prepare for the interview.

A bonus benefit of sample job descriptions.

There is one other benefit of reviewing sample job descriptions that is often left out of consideration. Reading them can give you the right words and focus points to describe your current job during the interview. It can also highlight how your past experience has prepared you for the challenges of the new position. By presenting your past work history in a way that logically supports your next step, you can tell a more compelling personal story, better connect with the hiring manager and touch on the right success factors.

Lastly, remember that the job description is meant to help you customize your resume and prepare for the interview. In a perfect world, the description should be informing, thoughtful and exciting. If you are feeling the butterflies or slight nervousness from the professional stretch that the opportunity would be requiring of you, dig deeper and channel that energy into preparation and research. On the other hand, if you walk away from the job description unmoved, that feeling will likely show during the interview. Consider looking at other options during the job search, so that your presence during the interview is fully engaged, enthusiastic and inspired.

Need help with your resume? Take advantage of our free resume critique today!

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20 Examples: How to Write Resume Job Descriptions

By Status.net Editorial Team on November 9, 2023 — 7 minutes to read

Crafting Compelling Resume Job Descriptions

Action verbs and power statements.

When describing your work experience, kick things off with strong action verbs. Choosing the right verb can create an impactful first impression. Look for energy-packed words like “pioneered”, “spearheaded”, “orchestrated”, and “streamlined” to describe your accomplishments.

For example, instead of saying, “Responsible for sales growth,” say, “Spearheaded sales growth by 20% in one year”. This demonstrates your go-getter attitude and leadership skills.

Quantified Achievements

Highlight your accomplishments with specific numbers and data. Employers appreciate concrete results and gravitate towards resumes that show how you made a difference.

If you managed to reduce costs, mention the percentage of savings. For instance, “Streamlined processes, leading to a 15% reduction in overhead expenses”. If you increased revenue, quantify it like this, “Implemented innovative strategies, boosting annual revenue by 25%”.

Adding numbers and percentages to your resume job descriptions gives employers a clear picture of your performance and capabilities.

Tailoring to Job Specifications

Customize your resume to the specific job description you’re applying for. Highlight your relevant experience and skills to catch the recruiter’s eye.

• Start by aligning your qualifications with the job requirements. If the role calls for strong team leadership, emphasize your experience managing teams. For example, “Led a team of 10 sales professionals, achieving 120% of quarterly sales target”.
• Similarly, if the job demands expertise in project management, focus on your achievements in that domain, such as, “Delivered three high-priority projects within budget and ahead of schedule”.

Tailoring your resume to the job specifications helps demonstrate that you’re the ideal candidate, making it easier for recruiters to spot your value.

Key Elements for Describing Work Experience

Relevance to job application.

When describing your work experience on your resume, it’s important to focus on the aspects that are most relevant to the job application. This will make your resume stronger and help you stand out to potential employers. Think about the skills required for the job and emphasize those in your job descriptions. For example, if you’re applying for a sales position, highlight your achievements in sales, customer service, and relationship building.

Work Achievements and Responsibilities

Showcase your accomplishments and responsibilities in each job description. Use bullet points to list your achievements and quantify them whenever possible. For instance, instead of writing “Responsible for sales growth,” you can say, “Increased sales by 15% in one year through effective customer outreach strategies.” This gives employers a clearer idea of your abilities and the impact you made in your previous roles.

Job Title and Employer’s Name

Don’t forget to include your job title and employer’s name in each job description. This information helps hiring managers understand the level of responsibility you had in your previous roles. Even if the job title isn’t well-known, it can still provide context about your experience. For example:

• Sales Associate, ABC Electronics
• Project Coordinator, XYZ Software

Duration of Employment

It’s essential to mention the duration of your employment for each job on your resume. Include the start and end dates in a standard format (e.g., MM/YYYY or Month Year). This helps potential employers understand your work history and assess your job stability. Also, if you have gaps in your employment history, be prepared to explain them during an interview. Here’s an example of how to represent your duration of employment:

• Sales Associate, ABC Electronics (June 2018 – Present)

Sample Phrases for Resume Job Descriptions

The sample phrases provided can help inspire you to create compelling and results-oriented descriptions for your resume. When crafting your bullet points, focus on quantifying your achievements and impact using metrics, percentages, and dollars where possible. Highlight how you exceeded expectations, strengthened key relationships, saved money or resources, increased efficiencies, and took initiative to solve problems. The goal is to demonstrate your expertise, accomplishments, and value to potential employers in a clear, concise manner using the most relevant and impactful examples from your career experience.

• – Leveraged extensive knowledge of marketing strategies and analytics to spearhead innovative multi-channel campaigns, growing brand awareness by 32%.
• – Recognized for exceptional relationship management skills; consistently exceeded new business development targets by proactively identifying and qualifying leads.
• – Excelled at resolving complex client issues, employing active listening and problem-solving abilities to deliver personalized solutions that strengthened long-term partnerships.
• – Successfully guided globally distributed teams and high-budget initiatives to completion ahead of ambitious deadlines.
• – Praised for outstanding attention to detail and commitment to quality assurance.
• – Proven record of taking initiative to streamline workflows, resulting in a 28% increase in throughput while maintaining the highest service levels.
• – Known for versatility in tackling diverse responsibilities simultaneously; thrive in fast-paced environments demanding flexibility and adaptability.
• – Expertise spans full lifecycle of product development from concept ideation to commercial launch; hands-on contributions critical to multiple patent filings.
• – Proven track record of achieving results through direct reports, partners, and virtual teams globally; adapt leadership style to diverse cultures.
• – Managed a portfolio of client accounts valued at over $5 million, providing best-in-class solutions and achieving a 90% retention rate.
• – Developed comprehensive marketing strategies to launch three new product lines, generating over $2 billion in cumulative revenue.
• – Oversaw all aspects of product development from concept through commercialization, bringing cutting-edge innovations to market ahead of schedule and under budget.
• – Led a virtual team of 15 professionals to implement a major systems integration project, streamlining operations and processes across multiple departments.
• – Consistently exceeded sales targets by an average of 125% through effective lead generation, needs analysis, and solution presentations.
• – Reduced customer support tickets by 45% through implementation of new training programs and service protocols.
• – Authored standard operating procedures manual adopted enterprise-wide, establishing best practices for quality, compliance, and efficiency.
• – Analyzed financial reports and key metrics to recommend data-driven process improvements, reducing costs by over 20%.
• – Planned and executed conferences, trade shows, and events with hundreds of attendees, generating new leads and strengthening industry partnerships.
• – Recognized as a technical expert, supporting a wide variety of products and fielding complex troubleshooting requests from customers.

The key is to focus on concrete achievements, responsibilities, and skills. Quantify results when possible and use powerful action verbs to demonstrate your impact.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Avoid generic and vague phrases when describing your work experience. For example, instead of saying “Responsible for managing a team,” try using specific details like, “Managed a team of 10 to achieve a 15% increase in sales over a year.” This shows your actual accomplishments and their impact.
• Don’t exaggerate your achievements or inflate your job title. Stay honest and accurate in your descriptions to maintain your integrity with potential employers. If you need to quantify your achievements, use numbers and percentages to show your contributions.
• Beware of using too much jargon or technical terms that might confuse the reader. While it’s important to demonstrate your expertise, keep your language clear and straightforward. This can make it easier for the hiring manager to understand your qualifications and achievements.
• Avoid being overly modest when listing your accomplishments. Make sure to highlight your contributions and the positive outcomes they resulted in. Focusing on results shows how you have helped previous employers and demonstrates your value to potential new ones.
• Limit the number of bullet points per job to the most relevant accomplishments. Too many bullet points can be overwhelming and dilute the impact of your most impressive achievements. Aim for about 3-7 bullet points, prioritizing those that align with the requirements and expectations of the job you’re applying for.
• Always proofread your resume carefully and check for grammatical errors, typos, and inconsistencies in formatting. A polished, error-free resume displays professionalism and attention to detail – qualities that employers seek in potential candidates.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. what are some examples of effectively describing work experience in a resume.

To describe your work experience effectively, use action verbs and quantify achievements when possible. For example:

• Managed a team of 5 salespeople, increasing annual revenue by 20%.
• Designed and implemented a new marketing strategy, resulting in 30% more leads.

2. How can I highlight my skills and responsibilities in my resume?

To highlight your skills and responsibilities, use bullet points under each job title. Focus on your accomplishments and how they impacted the company. For example:

• Streamlined the invoicing process, reducing errors by 15%.
• Developed new customer service protocols, increasing satisfaction scores by 20%.

3. What are some tips for writing resume job descriptions when I don’t have much experience?

If you don’t have much experience, focus on transferable skills and relevant accomplishments. You can also include volunteer work, internships, or part-time jobs. For example:

• Assisted with event planning for a charity fundraiser, raising $10,000.
• Completed a marketing internship, contributing to a 10% increase in social media engagement.

4. Can you provide a few examples of well-written resume responsibilities and achievements?

Here are a few examples of well-written resume responsibilities and achievements:

• Oversaw budget and financial planning for a $1 million project, completing it within budget and on-time.
• Implemented a new training program for new hires, reducing onboarding time by 25%.

5. How can I tailor my resume to match a specific job description?

To tailor your resume, carefully read the job description and identify the skills and responsibilities the employer is seeking. Then, adjust your resume by emphasizing those skills and showcasing your accomplishments that are directly related to the requirements. For example:

• If the job description mentions project management skills, highlight your experience managing projects and their outcomes.
• If the employer is looking for a candidate with specific software knowledge, mention your proficiency with those tools and provide examples of how you have used them in past projects.
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How To Write Compelling Resume Job Descriptions (with Examples)

It’s no secret that a compelling, attention-getting resume can be the difference between landing your dream job and crash landing into a sea of comparably dull resumes.

A great resume gives you a significant competitive edge in the job market . Conversely, a bad resume can bring your job search to a stall .

It is true that your job descriptions are just one part of writing the perfect resume . But it is also true that well-constructed, engaging, compelling resume job descriptions are the backbone of a modern resume that stands out from the pack.

How To Structure Your Resume Professional Experience Section

With the exception of entry-level job candidates , most job seekers will have a work history comprised of at least a couple of past employers and sometimes multiple jobs within each employer.

While choosing the right resume format will be an individual process for every job seeker, this format will include an employment history section for most job seekers. In this section, you will list each past job and other relevant professional experiences (such as volunteer work ) in reverse chronological order.

At a minimum, each job description in this section will include the company’s name, your job title, and the dates you held the job title. Most job seekers will also include the basic details of the job, such as the job responsibilities and other relevant information, such as technical skills or other key skills .

But, to write a really compelling resume job description, the key is to go beyond the typical recitation of job responsibilities.

The Insider Secret to Writing a Compelling Job Description

It is all about storytelling .

Hiring managers don’t care about what you were supposed to do (which is what responsibilities and job duties tell them).

They care about what you did–as in what you accomplished . And more to the point, how your accomplishments benefited your past employers.

When you use a storytelling format to write resume job descriptions, you captivate hiring managers with relevant, memorable content that helps the hiring manager to make connections between your past work history and your future potential.

Here then, are some tips for writing compelling resume job descriptions. Start with the basics and consider the ABC’s of resume writing that will have hiring managers’ heads turning.

A: Allow Verbs (Not Adjectives) to Tell Your Story

Fill each resume job description with verbs. Adjectives can make the text more engaging but should be used sparingly (read: extreme moderation!). Instead, use concrete examples of accomplishments headed by verbs to describe your work history.

Too many descriptive adjectives can obscure and make your job description seem filled with fluff. Verbs, on the other hand, imply action and accomplishments.

Compelling verbs showcase what you have done and highlight ways you’ve turned challenges into successes without the story getting lost in a pile of pretty prose.

You can see how to do this in the following resume job description example. Note the extensive use of verbs (highlighted) in this job description.

Formatting your resume job description with a few bullet points will also make it easier to read. Try breaking out accomplishments with bullet points. Ideally, between three to five bullet points per job description though a couple more or less is acceptable. Typically, you should include fewer bullet points the further back you go in the chronology of your past jobs .

By definition, an accomplishment is something that has already happened. In other words, it happened in the past. This means that each bullet point should begin with a past tense verb. Powerful, active verbs deliver your message with a punch.

Finally, use a thesaurus and diversify your verbs. Repeating the same words can lower effectiveness, making your resume seem flat and redundant rather than persuasive. The following resume job description examples illustrate all of these suggestions in practice.

B: Bland is Boring – And That’s Bad

Your goal is to stand out from the crowd . If your resume job description text is more boring than bold, that’s bad – and probably not going to open any doors.

Think about it this way. Advertisers spend millions of dollars annually creating commercials that grab consumers’ attention.

They want to get as much use out of every dollar as possible. That’s why they create jingles. Jingles stick in your head, and ads often include loud voices and bright colors that are hard to ignore.

Similarly, your resume is an advertisement letting companies know that you are their best option – a credible candidate who knows how to deliver value and garner results in challenging situations .

You want the hiring manager to walk away from your resume humming the tune that says, “this is the candidate I’ve been looking for.” Your resume job description is your jingle, as shown in the following job description example.

There are three parts to telling a compelling story in the job description section of your resume:

• The challenge or situation: What was the situation in the company when you worked there? What were the significant challenges or problems you dealt with? What were your primary goals?
• The actions you took: What did you do to meet those challenges, solve those problems, or achieve those goals ?
• The results: What were the positive results of your actions concerning the challenges or problems? How did your employer benefit?

Reread the sample job descriptions shown throughout this post. Can you identify the three parts? This is called the C.A.R. approach to writing a resume , and it is one of the trade secrets of professional resume writers . Done well, this is a fail-proof way of getting your resume noticed.

C: Connect the Content

Hiring managers typically put real thought into every job posting. When you read a job ad, you will often find a detailed listing of qualifications sought by the hiring manager. As a job seeker, when you submit your job application , it only makes sense that your resume should include some of the same wording used in the job posting.

There are two reasons for filling your resume job description text with the words and phrases that potential employers use in job ads.

The first reason is that these words usually describe key skills–both hard skills and soft skills– that are important resume keywords . Including the most important resume keywords are essential for ensuring your resume performs well in applicant tracking systems (ATS) .

The following job description example shows a pro technique for fitting extra keywords into your resume job description section.

In the following resume job description example, the job posting made it clear that the employer was seeking a strong team leader and coach with the ability to improve the performance of a sales team . The story told in the job seeker’s resume showed how past relevant experiences prove that this job seeker is the perfect hire to meet the employer’s needs.

The second reason for using these keywords is that they help show connections between your relevant experience (shown in your C.A.R. scenarios ) and the company’s needs.

For example, if the job posting calls for “agility and resilience,” each resume job description should highlight the instances in your employment history demonstrating those characteristics. Make the connection between your compelling content and the position you want to fill.

D: Do Your Homework

Beyond carefully reading each job posting, you should do your homework and learn as much as you can about your next potential employers . Knowing more about the company to which you plan to submit a job application will help you give even more dimension to your resume.

Review the company website and the company profile on Linkedin .

Research the history, founders, upper management, and the path between the early days of business to the present.

Get to know the company philosophy and what drives its success.

Learn the company’s target markets and identify its main competitors.

Read company news releases to learn about newsworthy events.

Familiarizing yourself with these details will help shape your job descriptions. In addition, this will aid you in making even more connections between your relevant professional experiences and the prospective employers’ needs.

E: Edit (Twice)

It cannot be stressed enough: a compelling resume job description won’t help you if a potential employer discovers an error. Spelling and punctuation errors will put your resume in the “do not call” pile faster than it can make it to the printer.

Some of the most common (and essential) mistakes to look for include :

Spelling : relying on spellcheck is dangerous. Read and reread what you’ve written, in particular noting proper names that a spell check may completely miss.

Punctuation : some things don’t belong on a resume for any reason – like an exclamation mark. Be sure your hyphens, periods, and quotations are appropriately placed.

Grammar : compelling resume writing knows proper grammar and uses it wisely.

Formatting : even a minor resume format change can influence the overall look of your resume. Double-check that the appearance is consistent and highly professional from top to bottom.

Final Resume Job Description Considerations

To get the interview , creating a compelling, modern resume is a necessity for all job seekers.

Improving each job description in the professional experience section of your resume is an essential step in creating resumes that get attention and win interviews . To create compelling job descriptions that show your personality and professionalism remember to use verbs, connect the content, do your homework, and edit until you’re sure it’s perfect.

But if you feel at all overwhelmed , we are here for you! You do not have to struggle to create a perfect resume . Instead, let us write it for you! Book a free resume writing consultation today to learn more about our professional resume services . It is an investment in your career that will pay off many times over!

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes a resume compelling and stand out from the pack.

A compelling resume is one that tells a story about your accomplishments, not just your duties. It goes beyond listing basic job details, and it uses strong verbs to showcase actions and achievements. It also makes connections between your past experiences and the job you’re seeking.

What is the recommended structure for the professional experience section in a resume?

The professional experience section should be presented in reverse chronological order. It should include the company’s name, your job title, and the dates you held the position. Additionally, it should detail the job responsibilities and relevant skills you acquired during your tenure.

How can I make my job descriptions compelling?

The secret to compelling job descriptions is to turn them into stories of your accomplishments. Rather than just listing duties, focus on the challenges you faced, the actions you took, and the results you achieved. Using strong verbs instead of adjectives can help make your stories more impactful.

What is the C.A.R. approach in resume writing?

C.A.R. stands for Challenge, Action, and Result. It’s a technique for writing job descriptions on a resume. It involves outlining the challenge or situation you faced at work, the actions you took to tackle those challenges, and the results of your actions. This approach helps to tell a compelling story of your professional accomplishments.

How can I match my resume to the job posting?

You can make your resume match the job posting by including relevant keywords from the job ad in your resume. This can be important for passing through applicant tracking systems and for demonstrating to the hiring manager that your skills and experiences align with what they’re looking for in a candidate.

Why is researching about a potential employer important?

Researching about a potential employer helps you tailor your resume more effectively. It allows you to understand the company’s history, philosophy, target market, and competitors. This understanding can then be used to make more specific connections between your experiences and the employer’s needs.

Why is editing important in resume writing?

Editing is crucial to ensure your resume is free from spelling, punctuation, and grammatical errors. A single mistake can give the impression of carelessness and might prevent you from getting an interview. In addition, consistent formatting contributes to a professional appearance.

What if I'm overwhelmed by the resume writing process?

If you’re overwhelmed, you can seek professional help. There are services available that specialize in resume writing and can help present your experiences in a compelling and professional manner. These services can be an investment in your career and help you land the job you desire.

About the Author: Michelle Dumas

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