What awards and accomplishments should you add to a resume?

Awards and accomplishments can make your resume shine, demonstrating not only your skills but the impact you’ve had in your field. But how do you decide what kind of awards and accomplishments to include? 

In this article, Remote shares how to identify, categorize, and effectively highlight the awards and accomplishments that belong on your resume.

Why add awards and accomplishments to your resume? 

Awards and accomplishments provide tangible evidence of your expertise and dedication. Awards show recognition of your excellence by peers, employers, or institutions, while accomplishments highlight your ability to deliver tangible results. 

Awards and accomplishments in your resume showcase your unique value, build credibility on your skills, and your ability to succeed. You can make your resume much more compelling and memorable to hiring managers by adding any awards and accomplishments. Plus, they act as compelling talking points during interviews.

Achievement vs. accomplishment: What’s the difference? 

While the terms "achievement" and "accomplishment" are often used interchangeably, they have distinct meanings that can add depth to your resume. 

An achievement refers to a specific milestone that demonstrates excellence, often tied to recognition or awards. This includes examples like exceeding sales targets or earning certifications. 

An accomplishment emphasizes completed efforts or contributions that have had a meaningful impact, such as implementing a successful project or streamlining processes to increase efficiency. It is a measurable action you took to deliver results.

What kind of awards can you include on a resume? 

List awards that are relevant to the job position that you are applying for. Listing a baking award might not directly help you land a tech role unless it ties to leadership or creativity.

With that in mind, here are some types of awards to include to build a strong resume:

1. Professional awards  

Professional awards include industry-recognized honors, certifications, or accolades that highlight your professional achievements. Those could be your title as employee of the year, or awards for innovation or leadership.

Be specific about the award's name, its purpose, and the criteria for receiving it, as this helps employers understand the significance of your achievements.

2. Academic achievements

Including academic awards on your resume is a great way to show your dedication, intelligence, and ability to excel, particularly if you’re early in your career or applying for roles that value educational achievements. 

Highlight awards like honors, scholarships, or academic distinctions that are relevant to your field. Mention the name of the award, the institution that granted it, and the criteria for earning it to provide context. These achievements show potential employers your commitment to excellence, making you a stronger candidate.

3. Certifications or licenses 

Some certifications can double as awards, especially when they are competitive or highly regarded. Certifications and licenses on your resume show your qualifications, expertise, and commitment to professional growth, which are qualities that employers are looking for. 

Highlight certifications that are directly relevant to the position, such as technical credentials, industry-recognized certifications, or specialized licenses, like a Project Management Professional certification, a CPA license, or a healthcare-related certification. Be sure to include the name of the certification or license, the issuing organization, and its validity or expiration date if applicable.

4. Personal recognition 

Personal recognitions can effectively highlight your character, dedication, and the unique contributions you bring to a team or community. It can be recognition from the press or media, titles from third-party organizations or groups as “volunteer of the year” or “mentor of the year.”

Personal recognition shows your qualities for teamwork, commitment, and passion for making an impact. When listing personal recognition, provide context by briefly explaining the criteria for the award and the organization or group that granted it.

Examples of accomplishments to add to your resume  

Accomplishments go beyond job responsibilities; they highlight the results you’ve achieved as personal milestones, developing innovative solutions, or excelling in team leadership. 

Showcasing accomplishments with clear, quantifiable details gives employers concrete evidence of your abilities and sets you apart from other candidates. Here are some ideas of accomplishments to inspire you:

Work accomplishments

Work accomplishments are one of the most impactful sections of your resume, showcasing your ability to deliver results and add value to an organization. Examples include exceeding sales targets, implementing cost-saving initiatives, or introducing process improvements that increased efficiency. 

Focus on achievements that are quantifiable and relevant to the position you’re applying for, such as "increased customer retention rates by 30% through updated customer service strategies" or "developed a training program that reduced onboarding time by 25%."

Personal accomplishments

Personal achievements can add depth to your resume by showcasing your character, determination, and the unique qualities you bring to both professional and personal endeavors. These accomplishments demonstrate skills and values that may not be evident from your work history but still contribute to your qualifications for a role. 

When including personal achievements on your resume, ensure they are relevant to the role or reflect transferable skills. For example, volunteering in a leadership role or organizing a successful charity event highlights organizational skills and initiative, all of which are valued in a professional setting.

Team accomplishments 

Team accomplishments highlight your role in driving group outcomes and demonstrate skills like communication, problem-solving, and adaptability. When including team achievements on your resume, focus on your specific contributions and how they added value to the collective outcome. 

Examples include successfully completing a group project under tight deadlines, contributing to a team initiative that improved company performance, or helping your team exceed group goals. For instance, you might include "collaborated with a cross-functional team to implement a new CRM system, reducing customer response time by 30%." Such achievements not only highlight the team’s success but also your contributions.

How to highlight awards and accomplishments on your resume 

After identifying what awards and accomplishments to include, here are some these tips for integrating them into your resume: 

Create a dedicated section  

If you have multiple awards or notable accomplishments, include a specific section in your resume. Label the section clearly like "Awards and accomplishments" or "Professional accomplishments."

Position it prominently, either after your work experience or education, depending on relevance. Organize the information in bullet points for easy readability, including the name of the award, the granting organization, and the date received. Briefly describe the significance of the award or accomplishment, focusing on measurable outcomes or skills demonstrated.

Integrate the job description  

To effectively highlight awards and accomplishments on your resume, integrate them with the job description to show their relevance to the role. Carefully review the job posting to identify key skills, qualifications, and attributes the employer is seeking, and align your achievements to these criteria. This also helps your resume pass an applicant tracking system and get noticed by a human recruiter.

Use action verbs 

When listing your awards and accomplishments, use action-oriented language and emphasize outcomes to make your contributions stand out. Start with strong action verbs like "achieved," "led," or "developed," and include specific metrics or outcomes wherever possible. Action verbs engage the reader and help you present your success in an impactful way.

Quantify your success

Quantifying your success brings your awards and accomplishments to life, painting a vivid picture of your success. Metrics demonstrate not just that you perform well, but that you consistently deliver measurable value. By presenting specific, quantifiable details, you make your accomplishments more compelling and help potential employers clearly see the tangible contributions you can bring to their organization.

Remote Talent highlights your success

Awards and accomplishments are more than resume fillers‌ — ‌they’re proof of your value. Thoughtfully selecting and presenting them on your resume can set you apart from other candidates. 

Better yet, Remote Talent gives you the boost you need to get your next remote job. We connect top talent like you with verified remote companies that are looking for skilled candidates. Wherever your awards and accomplishments lie, Remote Talent can help showcase your skills to the right employers.

Filter for remote or hybrid roles, by location, and pay range in advance, so you can connect with employers that fit your unique needs. Find your next role through Remote’s job board and create your free profile today.

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