How to Write Strong Resume Bullet Points

The Problem with Duties-Based Resumes

Most people write resumes that read like a job description: "Responsible for managing the budget" or "Handled customer complaints". This tells the recruiter what you were supposed to do, but it doesn't tell them if you were actually good at it.

The Solution: Achievement-Based Bullets

Your bullet points should focus on outcomes and impact. The best formula for this is the XYZ formula (popularized by Google): "Accomplished [X] as measured by [Y], by doing [Z]."

Examples of the XYZ Formula

Weak: Handled customer service calls.

Strong: Improved customer satisfaction scores by 15% (Y) by implementing a new conflict-resolution protocol (Z), resolving over 50 calls per day (X).

Use Strong Action Verbs

Never start a bullet point with "Responsible for" or "Duties included". Start with a strong action verb like "Spearheaded", "Optimized", "Engineered", or "Generated".

Need help writing bullets? Try our AI Bullet Point Generator to format Google XYZ bullets instantly, or draft your full experience with our AI Resume Writer.