Describing Your Major Accomplishments: Examples & Statements

Accomplishments are an important foundation for communicating what you have done, why you fit, and what you offer an organization.

• Accomplishments indicate specifically what you have achieved during your career. For example:
  
  
  • A task you performed on a regular basis.
  • A project you managed.
  • A team in which you participated.
  • A sale for which you were responsible.
  • A portfolio you managed.
  • An award you received for a specific process.
• Accomplishments are used throughout the career development process.
  
  
  • Foundation of your resume to highlight skills, capabilities, and results.
  • Bulleted or described in your letters to identify what you can do for the organization and why you're a good fit.
  • Summarized and spoken in your 60-Second Commercial, interviewing, and other networking situations.
• In thinking about which accomplishments to highlight, consider what you want to do in addition to what you did.
  
  
  • Orient your accomplishments toward your desired audience and the skills they need.
  • This requires a clearly articulated sense of purpose plus an understanding of the needs of the individual, industry, position, or sector.

Six Guidelines to Write Accomplishment Statements:

• Begin with stimulating action verb (see List of Power Action Verbs)
• Write in the past tense.
• Show result gained from your action.
• Be brief, yet stimulating.
• Demonstrate what you are proud of.
• Suggest what skills you used

It may be helpful to refer to job descriptions and your performance appraisals to recall what you did in each position.

Accomplishments are compiled in three parts:

Situation: Why did you take the action?

• It was inefficient.
• It was too slow.
• I wanted to learn a new skill.
• Other.

Action: What did you do under that job description?

• Did I create something new?
• What tasks did I perform?
• Did I train someone?
• Did I coordinate something?
• Other.

Result: What benefit did you create from that action? (quantify where possible)

• Did I reduce costs?
• Did I improve productivity?
• Did I save time?
• Did I receive an award for something special?

What skills did I use to do this?

• Technical skills that relate to specific performance of tasks (computer, publishing, business analytics, etc.)
• Functional skills that are obtained by virtue of the field, industry, or sector in which one works (human resources, finance, marketing, government, finance, health care, etc.)
• Administrative skills that are the managing "getting the job done" skills learned in MBA programs (organization, leadership, project management, facilitation, communication, etc.)

Accomplishment statements include: Action and Result

Job Title

• Situation:
• Action:
• Result:
• Skills:
• Accomplishment Statement:

Job Title

• Situation:
• Action:
• Result:
• Skills:
• Accomplishment Statement:

Sample Accomplishment Statements:

• Created a new loan procedure that resulted in $200K savings to the bank and improved processing turnaround time by 50%.
• Modeled worldwide flow of trade and capital to predict multi-year exchange and interest rate movements.
• Directed sales organization in gaining market share in company's largest business segment despite negative economic indicators in the industry.
• Drafted a wide range of congressional testimony, speeches, and opinion-editorials concerning energy and defense related issues.
• Utilized Excel to develop a spreadsheet for determining salary plan impact on bank, which became standard tool bank-wide.
• Participated on task force charged with improving administrative processes, resulting in overall savings of $3MM annually.
• Created and presented a program to educate regional branches in common fraudulent practices.
• Complied and distributed weekly activity report to all vice presidents in a timely manner with the highest degree of accuracy.
• Prepared budget and profit-and-loss analysis for product lines, providing management with estimates of product profitability for strategic planning.

Build on Your Accomplishments with Pepperdine's Top-Ranked MBA Programs

Pepperdine University's Graziadio Business School offers highly respected MBA programs that help professionals like you translate accomplishments into long-term career success. Two standout options—Part-Time MBA and Online MBA—provide flexible, yet rigorous pathways to strengthening your leadership and business acumen. The university also provides additional top-ranked MBA programs, including:

• Full-Time MBA – Ideal for those ready to immerse themselves in an intensive, 12- or 20-month program. Offers global business exposure and personalized career services.
• Part-Time MBA – Designed for working professionals, with evening, weekend, and online classes customized to fit your schedule.
• Online MBA – Customized for professionals who want the flexibility to learn from anywhere while gaining hands-on experience, strengthening leadership skills, and exploring global business opportunities.
• Joint MBA Programs – For students seeking dual degrees such as JD/MBA or MBA/MPP, blending business with law or public policy.

Each program emphasizes core competencies that directly enhance how you learn and grow:

• Leadership & Strategy – Develop executive-level thinking and decision-making skills.
• Project Management – Master complex workflows that can be directly applied to your current role.
• Financial & Business Analytics – Quantify your accomplishments using advanced tools and methodologies.
• Communication & Influence – Refine how you present achievements in interviews, pitches, and meetings.

With Pepperdine's values-driven, entrepreneurially focused education, you get fully immersed in your education.
Whether you're seeking to shift industries, earn a promotion, or start your own venture, Pepperdine's MBA programs provide the structure, support, and skills to help you elevate your accomplishments—and your career—to the next level.