example of personal achievement essay

Essay About Achievements: Top 5 Examples and 6 Prompts

Are you having problems writing your essay about achievements ? Then, continue reading this article for samples and prompts to guide you in your writing .

Achievement influences our expectations and self- growth . It’s also often connected with an individual’s progress in life. It gives way for recognition in attaining a goal through standards . 

Achievement acknowledges successes, productiveness, and involvement. But sometimes, achieving doesn’t result in a feeling of satisfaction. Writing an achievement essay is usually based on experiences from yourself or others. You can explore different viewpoints, such as what they consider an “ achievement ,” how to overcome weaknesses, or why they want a specific achievement . Below are 5 examples and 6 writing prompts to assist you in your essay:

1. The Greatest Achievements In Life by Gerard Reese

2. greatest professional or academic achievement by james taylor , 3. essay on achievements from my professional life by bdoan, 4. my accomplishment by taylor wood, 5. when my weakness became my greatest accomplishment by jay merrill logan, 6 writing prompts on essay about achievements, 1. ways to achieve within different settings, 2. achievements in the small things, 3. how to build confidence, 4. the power of overcoming fear, 5. steps to be successful, 6. guide to building a strong character.

“Nobody succeeds on the first try, we take our mistakes and learn from them. Mistakes are the things that help us strive for greatness, which is why failure should not be viewed as something negative, but more as something we can use to attain [what] we want in life.”

Reese’s piece on achievement talks about learning from failure and trying again until you reach success. Time and failure are contributors to our achievements . He emphasizes that failure can be a steward and teacher to help us get where we want to be. He also provides lists of individuals who encountered crises in their lives until they reached their most successful phases. 

“My father always instilled in me the importance of education. He knew very well that in order for his children to be successful he needed to set them up for success and place them in a position where we would be afforded the opportunity to succeed.”

Family significantly impacts one’s interpretation of what achievements are about. Taylor’s essay highlights the idea of what his father taught him about education and success. He mentions how he embarked through life while keeping his father’s acknowledgment of his potential in the field he has chosen. His essay shows that family shapes one’s belief about what’s considered a successful life.

“I consider the experience in Japan as a big achievement and an important step in my career. The fact that I could master the complex situation gave me much self-confidence and showed that I could manage people successfully even in difficult situations. Today, this unique ability of handling teams attributed me as a strong leader for my people.”

Bdoan’s essay focuses on past experiences and how she handled cultural differences and beliefs, leading to her successful professional life. To achieve fulfillment in work, she breaks the barrier, communicates effectively, and embraces Japanese culture, which she set as a significant setting stone in her career life.

“Through the influence of my best friend, I have motivated myself to spend two hours during the night before I go to sleep to master the lessons the teacher has discussed in class. This helped me greatly since I would no longer have to cram and study everything for the exams later.”

Wood’s essay highlights the external factors that contributed to his achievements . External factors can lead a person to success or frustration. Through a piece of great advice, he changed his lifestyle by allowing himself to move forward and build a quality life. He compares this to Newton’s First law of motion, which he quoted and put at the beginning of his essay.

“…the more I thought about my own greatest personal academic achievement , I realized it was simply getting an A in a college history class my freshman year. Succeeding in this upper-level history class set the tone for all my future college courses and gave me the confidence I needed to achieve greatness, and I am not even a history major.”

Logan talks about his worst subject, History. He recounts how he approached his professor and overcame his weakness. This essay points out that words from others can influence self- growth and confidence. He says he developed faith in his study during college and attained his most outstanding accomplishment.

Are you having problems connecting your ideas smoothly? See this guide on transition words for essays.

After reading through the samples above, it’s time to explore your desired achievement subjects. Here are six prompts about achievements you can use:

Everyone sets expectations for themselves, dependent on the environment they’re in. It can be at work, school, or home. In these cases, the result is just as important as the process.

You can focus your essay on a relatable viewpoint, such as a student who wants to get A+ grades or an office worker who wants to get the Employee of the Month Award. Discuss ways they can excel in their surroundings. Your essay will serve as a guide to help them grow personally and professionally.

Achievements don’t need to be grand. Sometimes, simply getting out of bed is an achievement , especially for those suffering from mental illnesses such as depression. Center your essay on the simple things that can be considered achievements in their way. 

Your essay will not only serve as a reminder that it’s essential to appreciate the small things. It will also comfort those who are going through a hard time.

This topic asks you to highlight the relationship between confidence and achievements . You can interview someone confident in themselves. Ask for tips on building confidence and relay them to your readers while explaining the opportunities they can get by believing in themselves more.

In this busy world, fear is one of the most significant setbacks for people in accomplishing their goals in life. In this essay, you can explain to your readers how acknowledging their fears will help them advance.  

You can also conceptualize the effect of anxiety in achieving your desires and help you set your standard in developing self- growth . Feel free to share your experience with fears and how you plan to deal with them.

To be successful is everyone’s goal . However, sharing steps and tips on how to achieve success is general prompt many writes about. To make your piece stand out, you can tailor it to a group of individuals. For example, a student’s image of success is going on stage and graduating with honors.

Someone’s character is critical to achieving achievements . You can write about a well-known individual who went against the usual route of how success is reached. Such as Steve Jobs, who founded Apple but was a college dropout. 

There are many ways to reach a goal . Tell your readers that they don’t need to follow the conventional method of accomplishing things to get their hands on the achievements they crave.

Do you want to be more confident with your writing ? Here are 11 essay writing tips you need to learn today!

“What Is Your Greatest Achievement?” Top Sample Answers

By Status.net Editorial Team on July 18, 2023 — 18 minutes to read

• How to Structure Your Answer Part 1
• Sharing Your Successes Part 2
• “What Is Your Greatest Achievement?” Example Answers Part 3
• Example Answers by Career Stage Part 4
• Showcasing Soft Skills Part 5
• How to Avoid Common Mistakes Part 6
• “Can you share an example of a personal goal you achieved?” Part 7
• “How did you overcome a major challenge?” Part 8
• “What was your role in a significant project?” Part 9
• “What was a difficult problem you solved at work?” Part 10
• “How have you contributed to the growth of a company?” Part 11
• “What is a unique skill or expertise you have…?” Part 12

Part 1 How to Structure Your Answer

When asked about your greatest achievement in a job interview, it’s important to understand what the interviewer is looking for in your answer. This question is an opportunity for you to showcase your skills, accomplishments, and qualities that make you an excellent candidate for the position. It’s essential to provide an answer that highlights your best abilities, preferably one related to the job for which you’re interviewing.

To answer this question effectively, you should select an example of an accomplishment that demonstrates your capabilities, your ability to overcome challenges, and your dedication to your work. Be sure to explain the situation, the actions you took, and the positive results of your achievement. It’s also essential to express how this achievement has contributed to your personal growth or career development.

The STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, and Result) is a helpful way to organize your response:

• Begin by describing the  situation  you faced, providing enough context for the listener to understand your initial challenge. Be specific about the circumstances and the environment, whether it was a demanding project at your previous job or a personal milestone.
• Next, explain the  task  you had to accomplish. Tie this to your job description or responsibilities when possible, making sure to highlight the relevance of this accomplishment to the role you’re interviewing for. Keeping the focus on your past will help demonstrate that you have a history of success.
• After setting the stage, move on to the  action  you took and the steps you followed to overcome the challenge. Be specific, as this shows your problem-solving abilities and thought process. Take this opportunity to emphasize the qualities that enabled you to achieve this outcome, like perseverance, creativity, and teamwork.
• Finally, detail the  results  of your actions. Use specific numbers or quantifiable achievements to illustrate the impact of your success. Showcase how your accomplishment positively affected your team, organization, or even yourself personally. This will emphasize your ability to make a meaningful difference through your efforts.

By employing the STAR method, you’ll effectively highlight your greatest professional accomplishment in a way that showcases your strengths and adds credibility to your application.

Remember that your greatest achievement doesn’t have to be world-changing – it just needs to showcase your own growth and abilities.

Part 2 Sharing Your Successes

When asked about your greatest achievement, it’s important to share a success story that highlights your relevant skills, experience, and qualities. Consider a recent achievement that showcases your abilities as a candidate and relates to the job description you’re applying for.

For instance, if you’re applying for a team lead role, you could talk about how you guided your team through a tough project. Describe the challenges you faced, the strategies you employed, and the results you achieved. Make sure to emphasize the teamwork and leadership skills you developed along the way.

In case you have a strong educational background or an impressive feat in your field, don’t hesitate to mention it. Your academic accomplishments are worth noting, especially if they align with the strengths required for the job you’re pursuing.

Always try to demonstrate how your achievements translate into potential value for your prospective employer. To do so, relate your successes to the job description and show how your skills and experience make you the ideal candidate. This proves your capability to handle tasks and challenges with confidence and expertise.

While sharing your successes, try to remain clear, knowledgeable, and neutral in your tone. Avoid making exaggerated or false claims and keep it brief by focusing on the essential aspects of your achievement.

Part 3 “What Is Your Greatest Achievement?” Example Answers

“My greatest achievement was completing a challenging project ahead of schedule while working as a project manager. I organized and motivated my team, resulting in a successful and timely project completion. This accomplishment showed my ability to lead and manage a team under tight deadlines.”

“In my previous role as a marketing coordinator, I increased social media engagement by 40% within six months. Through strategic planning and constant analysis of our campaigns, I was able to boost our brand and effectively engage with our target audience.”

“As a sales representative, my greatest achievement was consistently exceeding my sales targets for three consecutive quarters, resulting in a promotion and a recognition award from my company. I believe my dedication to understanding clients’ needs and my proactive approach to problem-solving helped me achieve this success.”

“One of my greatest achievements was completing a marathon. This was a personal goal of mine that required months of training and dedication. I had to push myself physically and mentally to cross the finish line, but the feeling of accomplishment was indescribable. It taught me the importance of setting goals and working hard to achieve them.”

“My greatest achievement was starting my own business. It was a risky move, but I had a vision and was determined to make it a reality. I had to navigate through various challenges, such as securing funding and building a customer base, but the hard work paid off. Seeing my business grow and thrive was incredibly fulfilling.”

“One of my greatest achievements was when I successfully led a team of X members to complete a project that had been delayed for months. I created a detailed plan and delegated tasks based on each team member’s strengths. I also held regular meetings to ensure everyone was on the same page and motivated to complete the project. As a result, we were able to finish the project on time and within budget, which impressed both our clients and our manager.”

“My greatest achievement was volunteering for a humanitarian organization. I spent several months working in a developing country, helping to build infrastructure and improve the lives of local communities. It was a challenging experience, but also incredibly eye-opening. Being able to make a positive impact on people’s lives was a humbling and rewarding experience that I will never forget.”

“One of my proudest achievements was when I organized a charity event that raised over X amount of dollars for a local nonprofit organization. I worked tirelessly to reach out to potential sponsors, coordinate volunteers, and promote the event through social media and other channels. It was a rewarding experience to see the community come together and support a great cause, and I learned a lot about leadership, communication, and event planning in the process.”

“My greatest achievement was writing and publishing a book. It was a project that I had been working on for years, and finally seeing it in print was a dream come true. The process required a lot of discipline and perseverance, but it was worth it in the end. Being able to share my ideas and stories with others was a rewarding experience.”

“I consider my greatest achievement to be when I was able to increase sales by X% in my previous role. I accomplished this by analyzing customer data to identify areas of improvement, developing new marketing strategies, and training the sales team on effective communication and customer service. I also maintained strong relationships with key clients and followed up on their feedback to continuously improve our products and services.”

Part 4 Example Answers by Career Stage

Entry-level sample answer.

As an entry-level job seeker, your greatest achievement might be related to your academics or internships:

“During my final year of college, I led a team of students for our capstone project, which focused on creating a marketing campaign for a local non-profit. Our campaign resulted in a 20% increase in donations for the organization. This experience allowed me to develop my communication skills and demonstrated my ability to create a real-world impact.”

Mid-Career Sample Answer

At the mid-career stage, your greatest accomplishments likely center around your work experience and professional development:

“One of my proudest moments was when I was promoted to Team Lead after just one year at my current company. This was a recognition of my hard work and dedication, and it gave me the opportunity to mentor and support the career growth of the junior members of our team. This role has reinforced my passion for helping others succeed and has driven me to continuously improve my leadership skills.”

Experienced Professional Sample Answer

As an experienced professional, your greatest achievement often showcases your significant contributions to the success of your organization:

“In my previous role as Project Manager, I successfully led a team to complete a high-visibility project under tight deadlines and within budget. This project helped the company secure a prestigious new client, resulting in a significant increase in annual revenue. My ability to coordinate a diverse team, prioritize tasks, and communicate effectively with stakeholders was crucial to the project’s success.”

Part 5 Showcasing Soft Skills

When discussing your greatest achievement, it’s important to highlight your soft skills, such as communication, teamwork, and creativity. These skills are often highly valued by hiring managers and can help you stand out as a job candidate.

Communication Skills: Think of an accomplishment where your communication skills played a key role. For example, perhaps you successfully negotiated a deal between two disagreeing parties or presented a complicated project in an easily digestible manner to a diverse audience.

Teamwork: Reflect on a time when you collaborated well within a group to achieve a shared objective. You might have led a team in completing a project on time and under budget, or resolved conflicts among team members to achieve a common goal. Showcasing your ability to work in a team environment can highlight how well you’ll fit into the company’s culture.

Creativity: You can highlight your creativity by describing an achievement that required innovative thinking or problem-solving. This could be a marketing campaign that generated significant results due to its unconventional approach or a solution you developed to improve a process within your organization.

Related: What Are Soft Skills? (and How to Showcase Them)

Part 6 How to Avoid Common Mistakes

Keep in mind these tips to avoid common mistakes:

• Avoid lying about or exaggerating your achievements. Recruiters can usually spot false claims, which will damage your credibility. Instead, focus on being genuine and authentic in sharing your accomplishments. Using specific details and examples will help convey your achievements in a more meaningful way.
• Avoid coming across as arrogant or bragging about your success. Instead, express your pride and gratitude for the opportunity you were given to achieve your goals. Keep a humble and realistic attitude when discussing your accomplishments.
• On the other hand, don’t downplay your achievements by only talking about your greatest strength. While your strengths may be related to your accomplishments, focus on providing a well-rounded view of your overall success.
• Avoid focusing only on personal successes. Remember that recruiters seek candidates who can contribute to the success of the company. Emphasize how your achievements have benefited others, such as your team, clients, or the organization you were working for.
• Ensure that you are well-prepared for the interview, as stress and nerves can cause you to lose focus and become less articulate. Take the time to thoroughly research the company and reflect on your professional experiences, so you feel ready to discuss your achievements.

Tips on Preparation

Before the interview, research the organization’s mission, culture, and goals. This will allow you to tailor your response to align with the company’s values. It’s essential to understand what hiring managers are looking for in an ideal candidate.

Create a list of potential achievements and practice talking about them. This will make it easier for you to recall the details during the interview. However, be careful not to memorize your responses word-for-word, because you want your answer to sound natural and genuine.

When sharing your achievement, keep the focus on the positive impact you made and the outcomes you achieved. However, don’t forget to mention any challenges you faced and how you overcame them. This will help you come across as resilient and determined.

Try to acknowledge any team effort involved in your accomplishment. While you want to highlight your role, it’s essential to show that you are a team player and can collaborate well with others.

Confidence is key when discussing your greatest achievement. Speak with conviction and pride, communicating the significance of your accomplishment and its relevance to your potential performance in the role.

Additional Questions: Example Answers

Part 7 “can you share an example of a personal goal you achieved”.

When discussing your personal goal, explain your motivation for setting it, the steps you took to reach it, and any obstacles you faced along the way. This will demonstrate your ability to set ambitious targets and work diligently to achieve them.

Reflect on a time where you set a goal for yourself and successfully achieved it. It could be an educational milestone, physical fitness achievement, or a creative pursuit.

Example Answer 1

“One personal goal I achieved was learning a new language. I had always been interested in learning Spanish, so I enrolled in a language course and practiced speaking with native speakers. I also watched Spanish movies and listened to Spanish music to immerse myself in the language. After several months, I was able to have conversations in Spanish and even travelled to a Spanish-speaking country to practice my skills.”

Example Answer 2

“One personal goal I achieved was completing a volunteer project to renovate a community center. While I was the project leader, I was grateful to have a dedicated team of volunteers who worked tirelessly to complete the project on time. We faced several challenges, such as limited resources and unforeseen construction issues, but we worked together to overcome them. Through our efforts, we were able to provide a safe and welcoming space for members of the community to gather and participate in activities.”

Part 8 “How did you overcome a major challenge and achieve success?”

• Give a brief overview of the challenge you faced: explain the context and why it was a challenge.
• Next, describe the steps you took to overcome the challenge. Be specific and highlight any innovative or creative approaches you used.
• Finally, explain how you were successful in overcoming the challenge. Describe the positive outcome and any lessons you learned from the experience.

“One major challenge I faced was during my previous job, where I was leading a team that was struggling to meet its targets. I realized that the team lacked clear communication and direction, so I took the initiative to schedule regular team meetings to discuss our progress and identify areas of improvement. I also provided individual coaching to team members who were struggling. Through these efforts, we were able to improve our performance and meet our targets.”

“One major challenge I faced was during my college years when I struggled with time management and procrastination. I realized that I needed to develop better habits and discipline to succeed, so I started using a planner to schedule my tasks and set daily goals. I also joined a study group to stay accountable and motivated. Through these efforts, I was able to improve my grades and graduate with honors.”

Part 9 “What was your role in a significant project or accomplishment?”

Your role in a significant project could vary depending on your experience, skills, and the nature of the project itself. Consider a time where you successfully managed a project, led a team, or played a crucial part in developing a new product or service. Describe your specific responsibilities in that role, the challenges you faced, and how your actions ultimately contributed to the project’s success.

“In a previous job, I was part of a team that was responsible for implementing a new customer service program. My role was to lead the training and development efforts. I developed training modules and provided ongoing coaching to customer service representatives to ensure that they were equipped to provide excellent service to our customers. I also worked closely with the IT team to develop a new customer service platform that streamlined our processes. Through these efforts, we were able to improve customer satisfaction ratings and reduce customer complaints.”

“In a previous job, I was part of a team that was responsible for organizing a charity event. My role was to lead the marketing and outreach efforts. I developed a social media campaign and reached out to local media outlets to promote the event. As a result, we were able to attract a record number of attendees and raise a significant amount of funds for the charity.”

Part 10 “What was a difficult problem you solved at work and how did you do it?”

This answer can be an opportunity to showcase your analytical and problem-solving skills. Think about a situation where you identified a difficult issue, analyzed its root cause, and implemented an effective solution. Related: What is Problem Solving? (Steps, Techniques, Examples)

Describe the problem, the steps you took to analyze it, and the methods you used to solve it. Highlight how your solution improved the situation or resulted in a positive outcome for your team or company.

“One difficult problem I solved was a technical issue that was affecting our company’s website. I worked with the IT team to identify the root cause of the issue and develop a plan to resolve it. I also communicated regularly with stakeholders to provide updates on the status of the issue and manage their expectations. Through our efforts, we were able to resolve the issue and minimize the impact on our customers.”

“One difficult problem I solved was a conflict between two team members who had different work styles and personalities. I facilitated a meeting between the two and encouraged them to share their perspectives and concerns. I then worked with them to develop a communication plan and set clear expectations for their roles and responsibilities. We were able to resolve the conflict and improve collaboration within the team.”

Related: How to Manage Conflict in the Workplace [with Examples]

Part 11 “How have you contributed to the growth of a team or company?”

Contributing to the growth of a team or company can take many forms, from increasing sales to improving internal processes. Reflect on specific actions you took that had a measurable impact on an organization’s development.

Mention the context in which you made these contributions and the outcomes that resulted from your actions. Did you help secure a crucial client, streamline a process, or mentor junior team members? Show how your skills and expertise played a role in the company’s growth.

“In a previous job, I contributed to the growth of the company by developing a new sales strategy. I identified areas where we could improve our sales processes and developed a plan to implement changes, such as introducing new sales incentives and improving our customer relationship management system. I also worked closely with the sales team to provide training and coaching to improve their performance. We were able to increase our sales revenue and improve our market share.”

“In a previous job, I contributed to the growth of the company by implementing a sustainability program. I identified areas where we could reduce our environmental impact, such as reducing energy consumption and waste. I then developed a plan and worked with the facilities team to implement changes, such as installing energy-efficient lighting and composting food waste. Through these efforts, we were able to reduce our environmental footprint and improve our reputation as a socially responsible company.”

Part 12 “What is a unique skill or expertise you have that contributed to an achievement?”

Everyone has unique skills or expertise that can contribute to their accomplishments. Consider the specific abilities that have allowed you to excel in your field or achieve noteworthy successes.

Examples could include a specialized knowledge or proficiency in a specific technology, a talent for building relationships with clients, or strong presentation skills that have helped you win over stakeholders. Describe a situation where your unique skill played a vital role in achieving a desired outcome.

“One unique skill I have is my ability to adapt to change and learn quickly. In a previous job, I used this skill to transition to a new role that involved working with a new technology platform. I spent time learning the platform and working with the development team to identify areas where we could improve its functionality. As a result, we were able to improve the user experience and increase adoption of the platform, which had a positive impact on the company’s productivity.”

“One unique skill I have is my ability to think creatively and outside the box. In a previous job, I used this skill to develop a new product line. I researched market trends and identified a gap in the market for a specific type of product. I then worked with the design team to develop a unique and innovative product that met the needs of our target audience. Through these efforts, we were able to launch a successful product line and increase our market share.”

• 30 Smart Answers to "What Is Your Greatest Weakness?"
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10 personal achievements examples that can inspire yours

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What are personal achievements?

Why highlight your personal achievements, 10 examples of achievements for a resume, how to highlight accomplishments in a resume or job interview, use strong language, don’t sell yourself short.

Hiring managers are busy people. Between back-to-back meetings, endless emails, and negotiating offers, it’s no wonder they spend only seven seconds reviewing a job seeker’s resume . 

If the resume they’re reading happens to be yours, it better stand out . A great CV should quickly show recruiters why you’re the best candidate for the job by being short, well-organized, and tailored to the position to which you’re applying.

And most importantly, it should be more than a list of previous job descriptions. It should highlight your track record of successes and achievements.

Listing your greatest achievements shows potential employers you can produce great outcomes for them because you’ve done it before. Whether you improved customer satisfaction rates or exceeded sales expectations, highlighting your accomplishments shows you value hard work and follow through on your commitments.

And don’t stick to just professional accomplishments, either — your personal ones have the same effect. As long as they relate to the job at hand, personal milestones add to a recent graduate’s otherwise sparse CV or complement a seasoned professional’s diverse work experience. 

But you should be strategic with the accomplishments you choose to highlight. You want to use them to demonstrate transferable skills, experiences, or personal qualities that aren’t obvious in the rest of your document. 

To better understand how to accomplish this, let’s take a look at these ten personal achievement examples. Hopefully, you can use them to inspire your own.

Generally, an achievement is any previous success you’re proud of. This means anything from raising a family to earning a degree or overcoming a chronic illness. But when it comes to your CV, only highlight achievements that:

• Demonstrate your capacity to do the job at hand 
• Are based on specific, measurable results.

For example, a strong professional achievement could involve writing a new sales pitch at work that lead to a 50% increase in deals over your first year.

Personal achievements are, as the name suggests, successes in your personal life. These can include anything from building a house to running the Boston Marathon. In the context of your resume or a job interview, they should demonstrate your ability to:

• Solve a problem. Managers want employees who can think critically and address organizational problems. Your personal mission to install an extra speed bump on your street shows that you’re able to identify problems (like dangerous driving) and take steps to address them.
• Overcome a challenge. A defeatist mentality will surely lead to defeat. Personal achievements like running a marathon help prove your grit and can-do attitude to prospective employers.
• Realize your goals. If you can achieve your personal goals , you can achieve professional ones . A fundraiser organized for your local recreation center shows you can set a target and make a plan to hit it.

The personal achievements on your CV would shine even brighter if you won an award or some form of recognition for them. Mentioning a prize in your job application isn’t boastful but instead shows that others recognize your contribution.

An award in community service proves your commitment and actions had a noticeable benefit on your collaborators and neighbors.

Your first instinct might be to exclude your personal achievements from a job application. Why should your personal life have any bearing on your professional one? But in reality, accomplishments outside of your day job can help you through the recruitment process. They can:

• Help you land a job interview . Managers want employees with a track record of getting things done. Your list of achievements shows you’re more than capable of moving projects across the finish line.
• Facilitate a career change. Personal side hustles help sharpen new skills before transitioning into a new job. If you currently write social media content but would rather produce SEO blog posts, freelancing as a part-time blog writer helps you gain experience before applying for full-time roles. Plus, a personal Instagram account with several thousand followers proves you’re doing something right. 
• Land your first job after college. As a recent graduate, you may not have professional accomplishments to share yet. In this scenario, your personal and academic achievements become much more important. A person elected to student government or named to the Dean’s List every year of study will stand out from someone who coasted through their degree without doing much else.

You should be strategic when choosing achievements to put on a resume. Your personal accomplishments should highlight soft skills or hard skills you’ll use to fulfill job responsibilities. Your selections should also focus on results within a recent time frame, usually from the last year.

Here are some examples:

• Learned a new language. Not only is this a strong display of personal discipline, but it also can be useful for working with multi-lingual colleagues or clients.
• Earned a top GPA in a highly technical college program. Applying for your first job out of school is difficult. But acing your technical courses show you have the hard skills to be a great new employee.
• Launched a part-time freelance business or consultancy to develop new skills. This demonstrates an entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to self-development — valuable assets when applying to a role. 
• Organized an event to raise money for charity. Fundraisers are complicated affairs that involve a lot of people. This accomplishment demonstrates your teamwork and skills as a project manager .
• Earned a new degree or certification while working full-time. Returning to school as an adult requires commitment and hard work. Adding a new degree to your LinkedIn profile can help you earn a new job title later. 
• Helped a not-for-profit overcome its financial troubles. Pro bono work for other organizations helps establish you as a leader in your field and community.
• Traveled abroad to conduct academic research. International research requires funding. Plane tickets aren’t cheap, so your funders must have thought your study was important.
• Won a community service award for your volunteer hours. Awards are how groups recognize important people. Earning one for your community service shows you you know how to make an impact.
• Gave career advice to young professionals. Mentorship is an essential skill for a leader . Helping someone fulfill their potential can line you up for a manager job .
• Spoke on panels discussing issues facing your profession. Participating in industry conferences as a panelist or keynote speaker shows you’re a leader in your field.

Once you know the successes you want to highlight, you’ll have to learn how to talk about your achievements. For example, professional triumphs should pepper the Work Experience section of your resume.

And under each item, instead of simply listing your job responsibilities, list your biggest achievements in the role — “I exceeded sales targets every quarter since I started the position” sounds more impressive than  “I was responsible for meeting quarterly sales targets.”

However, personal accomplishments may not fit nicely in your “Work experience” section, meaning they’ll need their own headings elsewhere in the document:

• Education and certificates. Here you can list all of your academic achievements and professional certifications.
• Conferences. In this section, highlight the events where you gave a speech or sat on a panel. Even attending conferences might count if you participated in meaningful workshops or heard powerful lectures.

• Volunteer work. List fundraising activities or community service hours here.
• Extracurriculars. For the recent graduates among you, list your involvement in student government, college sports teams, or other kinds of clubs.
• Languages. Here you can mention the languages you know and the level at which you can write and speak them. 

You can also highlight your biggest achievements in your cover letter . Describing your involvement in key successes will set you apart from other candidates and make a good first impression on your recruiter.

Everywhere you mention your accomplishments, whether in your cover letter or your CV, make sure to use strong action verbs like “learned,” “delivered,” and “launched.” These words help connect you to the outcome, showing how your involvement led to the desired results. 

Here’s an example of weak language: “We organized an event that helped generate revenue for the hospital.” 

Here, we can’t tell how you contributed to the team. Even if you played a central role, this statement fails to demonstrate it to the reader.

Let’s word it differently: “I planned and executed a fundraiser for the hospital, which generated almost $4000 for patient care.”

Now we know our involvement in the project (planning and execution) and what impact it had (raised $4000 for patient care). This is much clearer and more impressive for the reader.

When creating your own ten personal achievement examples, remember the cardinal rule: focus on results. You want your employer to connect the dots between you and a positive outcome. Make it easy for them by detailing your successes .

Talk about how you woke up a 5 am every morning to train for a triathlon, sacrificed your Saturdays to mentor at-risk youth, or spent your evenings studying Spanish. Over time, these accomplishments add up. They should not only make you proud, but they’ll also make someone proud to hire you.

Enhance your resume today

Unlock your potential with expert coaching, tailored to highlight your achievements and skills.

Elizabeth Perry, ACC

Elizabeth Perry is a Coach Community Manager at BetterUp. She uses strategic engagement strategies to cultivate a learning community across a global network of Coaches through in-person and virtual experiences, technology-enabled platforms, and strategic coaching industry partnerships. With over 3 years of coaching experience and a certification in transformative leadership and life coaching from Sofia University, Elizabeth leverages transpersonal psychology expertise to help coaches and clients gain awareness of their behavioral and thought patterns, discover their purpose and passions, and elevate their potential. She is a lifelong student of psychology, personal growth, and human potential as well as an ICF-certified ACC transpersonal life and leadership Coach.

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Home / Essay Samples / Life / Personal Goals / The Best Thing I Ever Accomplished: My Greatest Achievement In Life

The Best Thing I Ever Accomplished: My Greatest Achievement In Life

• Category: Life
• Topic: Personal Experience , Personal Goals , Personal Strengths

Pages: 1 (544 words)

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