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How to Write Resume Job Descriptions (With Examples)

How to Write Resume Job Descriptions

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.

Focus on Skills and Achievements

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. 

Include Keywords

If you are submitting resumes to organizations that add them to  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. 

Be Selective About What You Include

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 2023 – 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 Your Achievements

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 2023 – August 2024

• 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.

Make Your Jobs Sound Better

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. 

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• Sample Job Descriptions to...

Sample Job Descriptions to Help You Enhance Your Resume

5 min read · Updated on November 07, 2024

It doesn't matter what you do for a living; when you decide to look for work, you instantly become a marketer.

As a job seeker, you are required to advertise your qualifications and professional reputation — in other words, your personal brand — to employers and recruiters in your desired field online, in person, and on paper.

One of the most important documents you'll need to update or create for this process is your professional resume. A great resume is written with a specific job goal in mind. It should be tailored for each job application by showcasing your most valuable and relevant skills in a way that positions you as an ideal candidate for the job you want.

Why use job descriptions when creating your resume

In order to ensure that your professional resume is supporting your career goals, gather a few sample job descriptions that describe the type of position you're interested in and qualified for. Then, compare the skills and qualifications on your resume with the desired qualifications in the sample job descriptions.

By reviewing job description examples, you'll be able to identify what technical and soft skills, credentials, and work experience matter most to an employer in your target field.

This will aid your job search in many ways. First, it will help you determine if you're missing any important skills that recruiters are looking for . Once you have this information, then you can take steps to build up those skill sets with courses, certification programs, side projects, or internships to become a more attractive job candidate.

Second, these sample job descriptions will help you decide which of your current qualifications should be highlighted throughout your professional resume and cover letter.

And finally, you can use example job descriptions to find the right words to describe the roles and responsibilities you held in each job listed in your work history.

How to get started using job descriptions for your resume

To help you get started, take a look at the sample job descriptions below. For additional example job descriptions, search for listings on your favorite online job boards, and check out the following links from Workable.com .

Search for two types of sample job descriptions:

Job posts that are similar to roles you've previously held; and

Listings that represent the type of position you're currently targeting.

In both of these instances, don't worry about the job's location. For the purpose of this exercise, instead only focus on the job description and its requirements.

Use the sample job descriptions that match titles in your work history to beef up your professional resume's Employment History section. Click on the following link to learn how to use these job listings to brag about your experience .

Once you've found three to five sample listings that describe your job goals, copy and paste the text of each job description into a Word document and bold any phrases that routinely pop up. Then, highlight each term that describes a qualification you possess. Use this information to edit your resume and cover letter so that your key accomplishments and skills match those desired by your target employer. Your end result should be a professional resume that mirrors the employer's requirements.

Sample Job Descriptions:

Account Manager Sample Job Description

View the job description for account manager

Accountant Sample Job Description

View the job description for accountant

Administrative Assistant Sample Job Description

View the job description for administrative assistant

Business Analyst Sample Job Description

View the job description for business analyst

Cashier Sample Job Description

View the job description for cashier

Customer Service Representative Sample Job Description

View the job description for customer service representative

Host/Hostess Sample Job Description

View the job description for host/hostess

Machine Operator Sample Job Description

View the job description for machine operator

Medical Assistant Sample Job Description

View the job description for medical assistant

Office Manager Sample Job Description

View the job description for office manager

Operations Manager Sample Job Description

Project manager sample job description.

View the job description for project manager

Receptionist Sample Job Description

View the job description for receptionist

Research Assistant Sample Job Description

View the job description for research assistant

Retail Sales Associate Sample Job Description

View the job description for retail sales associate

Sales Director Sample Job Description

View the job description for sales director

Sales Manager Sample Job Description

View the job description for sales manager

Security Officer Sample Job Description

View the job description for security officer

Senior Account Manager Sample Job Description

View the job description for senior account manager

Senior Accounting Manager Sample Job Description

View the job description for senior accounting manager

Senior Business Analyst Sample Job Description

View the job description for senior business analyst

Senior Project Manager Sample Job Description

View the job description for senior project manager

Senior Sales Associate Sample Job Description

View the job description for senior sales associate

Senior Software Developer Sample Job Description

View the job description for senior software developer

Senior Software Engineer Sample Job Description

View the job description for senior software engineer

Server Sample Job Description

View the job description for server

Software Developer Sample Job Description

View the job description for software developer

Software Engineer Sample Job Description

View the job description for software engineer

Store Manager Sample Job Description

View the job description for store manager

Waiter/Waitress Sample Job Description

View the job description for waiter/waitress

Click on the following link for more job-search advice .

Still need help with your resume? Take advantage of our free resume review today!

Recommended Reading:

The Essential Parts of a Resume Explained

Free Download: Resume Worksheet by TopResume

How to Tailor Your Resume for a Specific Application

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See how your resume stacks up.

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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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