Bullet point statements are one of the most important parts of your résumé because they help the reader quickly understand the skills, experiences, and knowledge you have to offer. Rather than simply listing responsibilities or tasks, effective bullet points demonstrate the value you brought to a role, project, or organization. Well-written bullet points will clearly connect your experiences (such as coursework, internships, campus involvement, part-time jobs, or research) to each opportunity you pursue. Follow the steps in this section to help develop strong bullet points for your résumé.
Formatting Bullet Points
- Aim to keep your bullet point statements concise (one sentence, typically 1-2 lines in length).
- Do not include personal pronouns (“I,” “we,” etc.). Start each bullet point statement with a strong action verb to demonstrate a skill or achievement.
- Pay attention to the tense – if the experience occurred in the past, the bullet should be written in the past tense.
Developing Bullet Points
Step 1: Brainstorm
Think about the skills and competencies you want your readers to know about you. These could be broad industry-related skills or tailored/unique skills.
If you are using your résumé to apply for a specific role, this is when it is especially important to carefully read the position description to understand the required and preferred qualifications, and tailor your résumé content accordingly.
As you brainstorm, consider how you can integrate the eight key career competencies identified by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE). Employers across all industries place high value on these competencies (which include Career and Self Development, Communication, Critical Thinking, Equity and Inclusion, Leadership, Professionalism, Teamwork, and Technology) and your bullet points should provide specific examples of how you demonstrated these skills in action.
Step 2: Construct Your Bullets
Each bullet you write should include three main elements about the experience you participated in:
What You Did
What was one responsibility you had or one task you performed?
How You Did It
How did you complete that task? What transferable skills, technical skills, or career competencies did you use?
Why You Did It
Why was it important for you to use those skills to perform that task? Explain the impact you made to the organization or people benefiting from your work.
When starting the beginning phases of bullet development, it can often be helpful to start by making a list of all the WHATs first, and then going back to fill in the HOWs and the WHYs.
Step 3: Show, Don’t Tell
Use action verbs to show your reader how you used the transferable/technical skills outlined in step 2. Each bullet statement you write should start with a strong action verb and have at least one or two more incorporated throughout it.
Step 4: Quantify if Appropriate
Consider adding quantification to your bullet statements to fully showcase your impacts and accomplishments.
Building Your Bullet Points: Examples
Example 1: Campus Job (Student Worker)
A student employee at the library wants to highlight their customer service, communication, and problem-solving skills developed while assisting visitors and students at the information desk.
| WHAT | HOW | WHY |
| Assisted students and visitors at library information desk | Using communication and problem-solving skills | To answer questions and support daily library operations |
Final Bullet
- Assisted 50+ students and visitors weekly at the library information desk by answering questions and resolving concerns, contributing to efficient daily operations
Example 2: Group Project
A student wants to demonstrate collaboration, research, and presentation skills gained through a team-based class project.
| WHAT | HOW | WHY |
| Conducted research and presented findings | Using analytical and presentation skills | To explain important concepts to classmates |
Final Bullet
- Collaborated with 4 team members on a semester-long class project by conducting research, analyzing data in Microsoft Excel, and delivering a presentation that effectively explained key findings and concepts to a peer audience
Example 3: Retail or Food Service Job
A student wants to highlight communication, multitasking, and customer service skills developed in a fast-paced work environment.
| WHAT | HOW | WHY |
| Processed customer orders | Using communication and multitasking skills | To maintain efficient service during busy shifts |
Final Bullet
- Managed 75+ customer transactions per shift in a fast-paced environment while maintaining order accuracy and positive customer interactions
Writing bullet statements takes time, and you may write several drafts before finalizing one you think best resonates with your audience. A career coach can help you build your bullet points.
You can also utilize AI tools to help you enhance and refine your bullet points once you have written a draft. Read more about the best practices for using AI for your resume here.
