How to Write a CV Experience Section That Wows Recruiters
Your work experience section is the heart of your CV. Learn how to transform it from a boring list of duties into a powerful story of your achievements using the STAR method.
July 24, 2024
The Most Important Part of Your CV
If a recruiter only reads one part of your CV, it will be the Professional Experience section. This is where you prove you have the skills and accomplishments to succeed in the role. However, most people get it wrong. They list their job duties, not their achievements.
"Responsible for marketing campaigns" tells a recruiter what was on your job description. "Generated a 25% increase in qualified leads by launching a targeted social media campaign" tells them you get results.
Here’s how to write an experience section that makes an impact.
Step 1: Use the STAR Method
The STAR method is a simple framework for turning your duties into compelling, quantified achievements.
- S (Situation): What was the context? What problem needed solving?
- T (Task): What was your specific responsibility or goal?
- A (Action): What specific steps did you take? Use strong action verbs.
- R (Result): What was the measurable outcome of your actions?
Example Breakdown:
- Situation: The sales team was struggling with an outdated and inefficient lead tracking system.
- Task: My task was to implement a new CRM to improve efficiency and data accuracy.
- Action: I researched, selected, and managed the company-wide rollout of Salesforce, including training 25 team members.
- Result: The new system reduced manual data entry by 15 hours per week and improved sales forecast accuracy by 40%.
Step 2: Write Powerful, Action-Oriented Bullet Points
Now, combine your STAR story into a concise bullet point. Start with a powerful action verb and include the quantified result.
Putting it together:
"Spearheaded the adoption of a new Salesforce CRM for a 25-person team, reducing manual data entry by 15 hours per week and improving forecast accuracy by 40%."
Step 3: Tailor to the Job Description
For each job application, slightly tweak your bullet points to align with the keywords in the job description.
- If the job emphasizes "collaboration," make sure your bullet points reflect that.
- If they want someone with "data analysis" skills, ensure your achievements highlight how you used data.
Each bullet point should be a mini-case study of your ability to solve problems and deliver value.
Feeling stuck? Our CV Content Generator can help you craft professional, achievement-oriented bullet points based on your career details.
By focusing on your accomplishments and framing them with the STAR method, you’ll transform your experience section from a passive list into a powerful argument for why you should be hired.