Recruiters don't have time to read through lengthy applications. Because of this, job seekers have to cram information into small documents. Resumes are often restricted to a single page. Deciding how to structure them and which data to include makes resume writing an art form. That's why job seekers have to use every trick to get across relevant information.
One of the most popular ways of data structuring is the use of bullet points. They give hiring managers all the data required to find the right candidate. When used effectively, bullet points can make an application stand out among the rest. Employees can use several strategies to increase their chances of getting hired. Let's explore them one by one.
General Bullet Point Tips
There are several general rules when it comes to adding bullet points. First, you should keep them simple and brief. Bullet points in the list should relate to the same theme (Education, Experience, Skills, etc.). Those who have trouble with this can ask "write my resume for me" service experts for help. Having 2-4 points in a list allows you to highlight your accomplishments and skills.
Remember to use the same formatting style for each list. It makes the document look better and easier to read for recruiters. There are several instances where job seekers can use this format. They can make each part of the resume unique and thus retain the attention of hiring managers.
Work Experience
This section highlights your responsibilities and accomplishments. Carefully read the job description before compiling the list. Add only past jobs and experiences related to the opening. It's important to introduce bullet points with an opening sentence. This way, recruiters will understand the context better.
Another aspect of writing a work experience section is using descriptive action verbs. The combination of an active voice and these verbs will more likely get the reader's attention. It's also crucial to highlight your achievements. Each item must be finished with impressive things you attained as part of the job.
Now, look at several examples of the effective use of bullet points below.
DevSoft | Project Manager, March 2018 - June 2021
Managed a five-programmers developer team and finished the project a month sooner
Maintained and developed the company website with Python and CSS
Coordinated an app developer 15-person team; took charge of the beta build release.
InSight | Marketing Specialist, May 2019–September 2022
Organized a marketing campaign to increase top product sales. Due to the effective social media, email, and PPC strategy, achieved a 20% sales increase over the previous quarter.
Oversaw and released marketing and communication materials. Developed online content, press releases, and direct mail content.
Led the research on brand building for an overseas line of products.
It goes without saying that the bullet points have to be adjusted to a specific job opening. Only list achievements and skills that will make the right impression. Focus on the most relevant information first. When bullet points begin with relevant information, they'll surely get the recruiter's attention.
Education
The section describing a job seeker's education looks better with bullet points as well. It goes beyond listing the educational institutions they attended. This section can include accomplishments, such as coursework and extracurricular activities. There are several examples of listing these achievements:
2009 MA in English Literature
Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
3.8 GPA
2004 MA in Computational Science and Engineering
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, MA
3.7 GPA
Relevant Coursework: Machine Learning, Computational Mathematics, Modeling and Numerical Methods, and Advanced Programming.
Extracurricular Activities: Science Fiction Society
In all education listings, bullet points should be added in reverse chronological order. If the job description allows it, mention education that's not directly related to it. In most cases, job seekers should stick to job-specific diplomas and certifications.
Skillset
Bullet points are also handy when it comes to describing a skillset. They highlight the most important things related to the job opening. Here are several examples of such lists in the skill section:
Programming
Database management
Problem-solving
Bug detection
Javascript
HTML
CSS
Sales and Retail Specialist
Product Knowledge - Expert
Customer Needs Analysis - Beginner
CRM Software - Advanced
POS Skills - Expert
Cashier Skills - Advanced
Notice that everything is simple and straight to the point. The key ingredient in all these cases is honesty. Exaggerating or lying on a resume will never work. You can do this, but the recruiters will find out sooner or later. Using this tactic can make future employers skeptical about hiring you.
Conclusion
Applying for a job can take anywhere from days to months. But the careful use of bullet points makes this process a lot faster. Keep them informative, brief, and fit for the job listings.
Don't forget these rules the next time you work on a resume. You'll end up on the top of every recruiter's list.
