List Awards, Honors, and Accomplishments on Your Resume (Examples)

List Awards, Honors, and Accomplishments on Your Resume (Examples) Today’s job market is highly competitive, especially for those who are just graduating from school. They often find themselves up against rival applicants with far more actual work experience. Unfortunately, they typically need to rely on their resumes to separate themselves from that competition and land the interview they need to get hired. But how can they do that without the relevant work experience that others may possess? To overcome that challenge, they need to demonstrate that they have real achievements and ambition. The best way to do that is to properly list awards, honors, and accomplishments on their resumes. Why List Awards, Honors, and Accomplishments on a Resume? The fact is that hiring managers need to see something that suggests that you’re a better employment prospect than those other applicants. Without a solid work history to rely on, you will need to focus attention on other achievements. The good news is that your accomplishments in school can often help to showcase your capabilities. They can serve to demonstrate your ability to complete tasks, your ambition, and your competencies. More importantly, they reveal that you were a cut above other students at your school something that could indicate that you’ll also be an exceptional employee if you’re hired. Which Awards, Honors, and Accomplishments Matter? Most experts will recommend that you focus attention on the most relevant awards, honors, and accomplishments. The problem is that few define “relevant” in that context. How can you tell which achievements will matter to any given employer? Yes, you should be proud of all your awards, honors, and accomplishments â€" but will a hiring manager care about the same things you value? In the end, it depends upon how you shape your message, and how you document those awards, honors, and accomplishments. For example, let’s look at some common achievements that you may want to include in your resume: Academic or athletic awardsScholarshipsAwards provided for excellence in voluntary activitiesAwards that target specific academic achievementsJob-related awards, if you have ever been employedPlacement on the Dean’s list or honor rollExceptional grade point averageLeadership positions at your school Keep in mind that achievements should only be limited to things that go above and beyond ordinary expectations. There is no added merit attached to showing up on time, getting along with others, or doing required work according to instructions. Those are all admirable, but they involve nothing more than meeting basic expectations. When you’re listing awards, honors, and accomplishments, you should focus on your truly exceptional achievements. Examples ofAwards and Honors on a Resume Example: You should be listing these awards on honors at the very bottom of your resume beneath your education section. Possible titles include: Awards and HonorsAwardsProfessional Development and Awards You can even combine it with your education section Education and Awards Since these awards, honors, and accomplishments are often difficult to tie to employment qualifications, you need to be careful to properly shape your narrative. Only include information that bolsters your prospects for getting hired. That means omitting any awards or achievements that are completely irrelevant to employment. Forget about that state fair cook-off award you won several years ago â€" unless you’re applying for a job as a chef. Chances are that an accounting firm won’t care that your chili was voted best in the state three years in a row! Be specific about the awards, honors, and accomplishments and avoid vague language. If you were on the Dean’s list for two straight years, don’t just write that you received good grades. Instead, write: Dean’s List 2016-2017, with 3.9 GPA. Received Student of the Year award in 2017, while at ABC University We wrote a good post here on how to include making the deans list on your resume. Accomplishments On a Resume Accomplishments on a resume would usually be listed as a bullet point under the work experience section or under your education/internship section. For leadership posts or other accomplishments, detail not just what you did but the impact that your actions had. For example: University Student Advisory Council, 2016-2017. Introduced two fund-raising programs that increased student participation by 28% and overall donor activity by 132%. Also worked to establish the ABC Student Scholarship program, which helps disadvantaged students cover textbook expenses. Creating a Resume Section for Awards and Honors Finally, you should work to highlight these awards, honors, and accomplishments by separating them into their own section. This will enable you to make sure that these high-points are seen by the hiring manager. This also provides an opportunity for you to develop some consistency in how the information is presented. For each of these achievements, include: The type of award, honor, or achievement â€" and when you received itWhat it recognizesWhy it was important, and what you did to achieve itWhether it was a school, city, regional, or national award or honor For example, suppose that you were honored for your work as a student journalist on campus: 2017 Student Journalist of the Year Given in recognition of outstanding contribution to the world of student journalism and awarded for my series of stories on the increased student dropout rate at ABC University. The award offered national recognition from a coalition of newspaper and broadcast media. Your Awards, Honors, and Accomplishments Could Be Difference-Makers! The bottom line is clear: in a competitive job market, even your school awards, honors, and accomplishments matter! Just be sure to tailor your resume to accommodate them and shape your message to highlight their relevance. Used properly, they could provide the push you need to get your foot in the door for that job interview you need. Be sure to check out our Resume Writing Instructions and Checklist for more helpful tips for a better resume!