Resume and Cover Letter Fundamentals Course: Writing achievements with results

1. Question 1 of 16

   What is the difference between a duty and an achievement on a resume?

   • AA duty is what the job required; an achievement is a result you got
   • BThere is no difference; the words mean the same thing
   • CA duty is paid work; an achievement is volunteer work
   • DA duty is a recent job you had; an achievement is a job from long ago
   Show answer

   Answer: A. A duty is what the job required; an achievement is a result you got

   Job Bank says not to just list your duties. Describe what you achieved and the results.

2. Question 2 of 16

   How should each resume bullet point usually begin?

   • AWith the word "I"
   • BWith the date you did the task
   • CWith the words "Responsible for" or "Duties included"
   • DWith an action verb, such as "Trained" or "Reduced"
   Show answer

   Answer: D. With an action verb, such as "Trained" or "Reduced"

   Starting each bullet with an action verb makes it short and shows what you did.

3. Question 3 of 16

   Why is "Completed the project" stronger than "Responsible for the project"?

   • AIt shows the task was actually finished
   • BIt hides how big the project was
   • CIt uses the word "I" correctly
   • DIt is longer and sounds more formal
   Show answer

   Answer: A. It shows the task was actually finished

   "Responsible for" leaves the outcome unclear. A verb like "completed" tells the reader what happened.

4. Question 4 of 16

   Which bullet describes an achievement, not just a duty?

   • AWas responsible for scheduling the breaks of all cashiers
   • BDuties included helping customers and using the till
   • CHard-working team player with great communication skills
   • DCut checkout wait times by 20% by changing break times
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Cut checkout wait times by 20% by changing break times

   An achievement shows a result, ideally with a number. The others list duties or general claims.

5. Question 5 of 16

   Job Bank advises avoiding which words on a resume?

   • AI, my and me
   • BSkills, education and experience
   • CManaged, trained and led
   • DCanada, province and city
   Show answer

   Answer: A. I, my and me

   Job Bank says to avoid personal pronouns and write as if someone else is describing you.

6. Question 6 of 16

   Which kinds of numbers make a resume bullet stronger?

   • AYour age, and the year you finished high school or college
   • BYour home address and postal code
   • CTeam size, sales amounts and percentages of improvement
   • DThe number of times you were late
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Team size, sales amounts and percentages of improvement

   Job Bank suggests using figures such as the size of a team, sales volume or percentage gains to show your results.

7. Question 7 of 16

   Which phrase is a buzzword that you should replace with real evidence?

   • ATrained 4 new cashiers
   • BReduced shipping errors by 10%
   • CForklift operator certificate
   • DResults-driven team player
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Results-driven team player

   Buzzwords like "results-driven" and "team player" are vague. Replace them with specific achievements that prove the skill.

8. Question 8 of 16

   Instead of writing "excellent communication skills," what should you do?

   • ARepeat it in every section
   • BPut it in the email subject line
   • CWrite it in bold capital letters so that it stands out
   • DShow the skill with a specific example in a bullet
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Show the skill with a specific example in a bullet

   A claim is weaker than proof. Describe something you did that shows the skill, such as training staff or writing reports.

9. Question 9 of 16

   Which verb tense is the usual choice for bullets about a job you no longer hold?

   • APast tense, such as "trained" and "reduced"
   • BPresent tense, such as "trains"
   • CFuture tense, such as "will train"
   • DA mix of tenses in each bullet
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Past tense, such as "trained" and "reduced"

   Past jobs are finished, so their bullets use the past tense. Use the present tense only for the job you have now, and stay consistent.

10. Question 10 of 16

    Nora has little work experience and no numbers to show. What can she do to make her bullets strong?

    • ALeave the bullets out completely
    • BInvent numbers that sound impressive to the employer
    • CWrite long paragraphs instead of bullets
    • DUse strong action verbs and specific details
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Use strong action verbs and specific details

    When you have no numbers, strong verbs and specific details still show what you contributed. Never make up results.

11. Question 11 of 16

    Lina used a forklift twice during a training course. The job ad asks for forklift experience. What should her resume say?

    • ADescribe her training accurately without claiming more
    • BSay she is an expert forklift operator
    • CLeave out the training and claim a licence
    • DSay she has two years of hands-on forklift operating experience
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Describe her training accurately without claiming more

    Job Bank says not to overstate your skills. Employers may check, and you must be able to explain every claim in an interview.

12. Question 12 of 16

    Which is the best rewrite of "Helped with inventory"?

    • AExcellent inventory skills and a positive attitude
    • BI was helping out quite a lot with all of the inventory work
    • CCounted and recorded 1,200 items weekly with no errors
    • DResponsible for many different inventory duties
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Counted and recorded 1,200 items weekly with no errors

    The rewrite starts with action verbs, shows the scale with a number and gives a result.

13. Question 13 of 16

    Why should you use different action verbs across your bullets?

    • ASo the resume becomes longer
    • BSo the resume does not sound repetitive
    • CBecause an ATS rejects any repeated word
    • DBecause each verb may be used only once by law
    Show answer

    Answer: B. So the resume does not sound repetitive

    Varying your verbs keeps the resume interesting to read. A thesaurus can help you find other words.

14. Question 14 of 16

    Read the resume entry. Which bullet only describes a duty, with no result?

    Server, Maple Grill, Edmonton, AB (2022 to 2024)
    - Responsible for taking orders and serving tables
    - My section got the best tips most weeks
    - Trained 6 new servers on the menu and the point-of-sale system
    - Raised dessert sales by 15% in 3 months by suggesting pairings
    - Hard-working, reliable team player

    • ARaised dessert sales by 15% in 3 months by suggesting pairings
    • BHard-working, reliable team player
    • CResponsible for taking orders and serving tables
    • DTrained 6 new servers on the menu and the point-of-sale system
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Responsible for taking orders and serving tables

    "Responsible for" describes the job's duties but not what was achieved.

15. Question 15 of 16

    Read the resume entry. Which bullet goes against Job Bank's advice about personal pronouns?

    Server, Maple Grill, Edmonton, AB (2022 to 2024)
    - Responsible for taking orders and serving tables
    - My section got the best tips most weeks
    - Trained 6 new servers on the menu and the point-of-sale system
    - Raised dessert sales by 15% in 3 months by suggesting pairings
    - Hard-working, reliable team player

    • AResponsible for taking orders and serving tables
    • BRaised dessert sales by 15% in 3 months by suggesting pairings
    • CMy section got the best tips most weeks
    • DTrained 6 new servers on the menu and the point-of-sale system
    Show answer

    Answer: C. My section got the best tips most weeks

    The word "My" is a personal pronoun. Job Bank advises leaving out I, my and me.

16. Question 16 of 16

    Read the resume entry. What is the best fix for the last bullet?

    Server, Maple Grill, Edmonton, AB (2022 to 2024)
    - Responsible for taking orders and serving tables
    - My section got the best tips most weeks
    - Trained 6 new servers on the menu and the point-of-sale system
    - Raised dessert sales by 15% in 3 months by suggesting pairings
    - Hard-working, reliable team player

    • AWrite it in capital letters so that it stands out to the reader
    • BReplace it with a specific example that proves reliability
    • CAdd the words "very very" before reliable
    • DMove it to the top of the entry
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Replace it with a specific example that proves reliability

    "Hard-working, reliable team player" is a set of buzzwords. A fact, such as covering extra shifts, shows reliability instead of claiming it.

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