How do you describe your achievements?

How to Describe Your Achievements: Stand Out and Shine!

Why Describing Your Achievements Matters

We’ve all been there: you’re updating your resume, working on a personal project, or preparing for an interview, and suddenly, you’re faced with the question, “How do I even describe my achievements?” You start doubting yourself, wondering if what you've done is even worth mentioning.

Well, let me tell you, describing your achievements effectively is crucial – whether you're in a job interview or just sharing your accomplishments with others. It’s not just about what you did, but how you present it. How do you show that you’re not just another person in the crowd, but someone with real value to offer?

Know What Counts as an Achievement

So, first things first: what counts as an achievement? It’s easy to think you need some huge, life-changing success to show off. But, trust me, achievements come in all shapes and sizes.

Big Wins vs. Small Victories

You don’t have to have won an award or closed a multi-million dollar deal to talk about an achievement. It could be as simple as improving a process at work, solving a problem others were struggling with, or leading a successful project. I remember a conversation with my friend Lisa, who used to feel like her accomplishments were “too small” to matter. But after a chat, she realized that streamlining an office workflow was a huge achievement for her team – it made everyone’s life easier and saved time!

It’s all about perspective.

The Power of the STAR Method

One trick I swear by (and that I’ve used countless times in interviews) is the STAR method. It’s simple but powerful. You can describe any achievement by breaking it down into four parts:

• Situation: What was happening?

• Task: What did you need to do?

• Action: What steps did you take to tackle the problem?

• Result: What happened because of your actions?

I used this when describing a project I led at work. Instead of just saying, “I led a successful project,” I broke it down:

• Situation: “We were falling behind on our deadlines, and morale was low.”

• Task: “I needed to come up with a way to get the team back on track.”

• Action: “I reorganized our workflow, held team meetings, and kept everyone motivated.”

• Result: “As a result, we not only met our deadlines but exceeded expectations.”

Can you see the difference between the two ways of presenting the same thing? The STAR method adds depth, and people will instantly understand why that achievement matters.

Quantifying Your Achievements: The Numbers Game

Here’s a little secret: people love numbers. When you can attach figures to your achievements, it makes them feel more concrete and impressive. This could be a percentage increase, the amount of money saved, or even the number of people impacted.

Remember the project I just mentioned? Instead of just saying, “I improved our workflow,” I could say, “By implementing a new workflow system, I increased team efficiency by 30%.” It’s simple, but those numbers give your achievement weight.

Real-Life Example: How I Measured Success

A while ago, I was tasked with increasing engagement on our company’s social media platforms. At first, it was just a vague goal. But by the end of the campaign, I could proudly say that I increased followers by 50% and boosted engagement by 40%. And trust me, saying that out loud – or writing it down – made me feel like a real pro.

Be Honest and Humble, but Confident

Now, here's a tricky part. It's essential to be honest about your achievements. You don’t want to overhype yourself, but you also don’t want to downplay your successes. I once had a colleague who would say things like, “I just did a little thing, no big deal” when talking about major wins. It always struck me as frustrating, because what they were doing was incredible – but they didn’t want to own it!

Here’s a good rule of thumb: Be honest, but don’t shy away from taking credit for what you’ve done. If you were a key player in a success, say so! Just be careful not to overstate your role.

Tailoring Your Achievements to the Situation

Not all achievements are created equal, and depending on the context, some will shine brighter than others. For instance, if you're applying for a job, you'll want to emphasize achievements that align with the role. If you're talking to a potential client, you might want to highlight past successes that demonstrate your reliability.

I once struggled with this when I was asked to present my achievements at a networking event. I wasn’t sure whether to focus on my technical skills or my ability to lead teams. But after chatting with a mentor, I realized that the key was tailoring my story to my audience. For that particular event, talking about how I led a cross-functional team to success would resonate more than my technical achievements.

Wrapping Up: Make It Real, Make It Yours

Describing your achievements isn’t about bragging – it’s about owning your successes and showcasing the value you bring. By breaking things down, using the STAR method, adding numbers, and staying confident but humble, you’ll be able to present your achievements in a way that makes others – and yourself – take notice.

So, what’s one achievement you’re proud of? How would you describe it? Take a moment to think about it – and remember, you’ve earned the right to shine!

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How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

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