Student Career Preparedness Resources: Resume Toolkit

Bullet Point Formula Sheet

A guide to writing strong, accomplishment-focused resume bullets.

The Core Formula: Action Verb + Task + Result (ATR)

This is the simplest, most beginner-friendly version.

1. Action Verb

Start with a strong verb that shows what you did.

• Examples: Coordinated, Assisted, Managed, Created, Led.

2. Task

State the specific responsibility, process, or activity.

• Examples: “customer check-ins,” “event logistics,” “inventory tracking.”

3. Result

Show the outcome, impact, or purpose — ideally with numbers.

• Examples: improved efficiency, reduced wait times, increased satisfaction.

Example (Before → After)

Weak:

• Worked the front desk.

Strong:

• Assisted students with daily check-ins and questions, reducing wait times by 15%.

Expanded Formula (STAR-Lite)

For bullets with a little more detail:

• S – Situation (optional context)
• T – Task (your responsibility)
• A – Action (what you did — your verb)
• R – Result (your outcome/impact)

Example:

• Supported a team of student staff during peak hours by managing check-ins and answering questions, resulting in smoother service and increased student satisfaction.

Plug-and-Play Bullet Templates

Students can fill these in directly:

• [Action Verb] + [Task/Responsibility], which resulted in [Impact/Outcome]
• [Action Verb] [Task] to [Goal], improving [Metric] by [#%]
• [Action Verb] [Task], supporting [Team/Department] in [Outcome]
• [Action Verb] [Task], ensuring [Quality/Accuracy/Customer Experience]

Examples:

• Coordinated weekly staff schedules to ensure full coverage during peak student service hours.
• Created marketing materials using Canva, increasing event attendance by 20%.
• Trained two new employees on procedures, improving accuracy and service consistency.

When Students Don't Know the Result

If they can't quantify outcomes, use value words:

Example:

• Maintained accurate inventory records to ensure products were restocked in a timely and organized manner.

Quick Self-Check

A bullet point is strong if it:

• ✔ Starts with a verb
• ✔ Explains a specific task
• ✔ Shows an impact or purpose
• ✔ Is concise (1–2 lines)
• ✔ Uses numbers where possible

Common Weak vs. Strong Resume Statements

Below are grouped examples covering customer service, office/administrative roles, campus jobs, retail, and projects.

• Weak statements list the task only.
• Strong statements follow the Action + Task + Result formula.

Administrative / Office Work

Weak:

• Filed documents.
• Entered data.
• Did office work.

Strong:

• Organized and filed student records, reducing document retrieval time by 30%.
• Entered confidential data into tracking systems with 100% accuracy and attention to detail.
• Managed appointment scheduling for two staff members, ensuring smooth office operations.

Campus Employment (Student Assistant, RA, Tutor)

Weak:

• Helped with events.
• Worked on the residence hall floor.
• Tutored students.

Strong:

• Coordinated logistics for 3–5 weekly student events, increasing attendance by 20% through targeted outreach.
• Supported 30+ residents by providing guidance, enforcing policies, and fostering a safe community environment.
• Tutored students in math fundamentals, improving average quiz scores by one letter grade.

Customer Service / Front Desk

Weak:

• Worked at the front desk.
• Helped students with questions.
• Answered phones.

Strong:

• Assisted 40+ students per shift with check-ins and questions, reducing wait times by 15%.
• Resolved routine inquiries by providing clear guidance on campus resources, improving service satisfaction.
• Managed phone and in-person communication to route students to appropriate departments efficiently and accurately.

Leadership and Initiative

Weak:

• Led the group.
• Solved problems.
• Was in charge of tasks.

Strong:

• Led weekly team meetings to delegate tasks and ensure all project deadlines were met.
• Identified inefficiencies in workflow and recommended changes that improved productivity.
• Initiated a new organization system for shared files, improving team access and reducing confusion.

Project Work (Academic, Class Projects, Personal Projects)

Weak:

• Did a marketing project.
• Worked on research.
• Built a website.

Strong:

• Developed a marketing strategy for a local business, leading to a 20% increase in online engagement.
• Conducted research and analyzed survey data to identify trends for a semester-long project.
• Built a fully functional website using HTML/CSS to showcase portfolio pieces and coursework.

Retail / Food Service

Weak:

• Responsible for checking people out.
• Stocked shelves.
• Helped customers.

Strong:

• Processed 100–150 transactions per shift with 98% accuracy, ensuring fast and friendly service.
• Restocked merchandise and monitored inventory levels, preventing product shortages.
• Provided customer support by answering product questions and resolving issues, contributing to positive store reviews.

Teamwork and Collaboration

Weak:

• Worked with a team.
• Helped group with project.
• Participated in meetings.

Strong:

• Collaborated with a team of 4 to create a class presentation, receiving top marks from faculty.
• Contributed research and visual design elements to group projects, enhancing final presentation quality.
• Supported teammates by sharing resources and coordinating tasks to meet project deadlines.

Technology / Digital Skills

Weak:

• Worked with Excel.
• Used Canva.
• Did social media.

Strong:

• Analyzed data using Excel formulas to create weekly reports for supervisors.
• Designed promotional flyers in Canva, boosting event engagement by 25%.
• Managed social media content calendar and posted updates, resulting in increased student interactions.