The Resume Bullet Formula: Action + Scope + Result
Short answer: Start with a strong verb, say what you worked on and at what scale, and finish with the measurable result. If you lack numbers, use time saved, frequency, size, or scope.
The formula
Action verb + what you did + scale + result. Example: "Automated weekly sales reporting for 12 regions, saving 10 hours per week."
Before and after
| Before | After |
|---|---|
| Responsible for customer support tickets | Resolved 60+ tickets per week with a 96% satisfaction score |
| Worked on website redesign | Led redesign of 15 pages, lifting mobile conversion 9% |
| Helped with budgeting | Built departmental budget model that cut forecast variance to 3% |
No numbers? Use these proxies
- How many people, accounts, or items?
- How often (daily, weekly)?
- How much time or money saved?
- What was faster, bigger, or cleaner afterwards?
Never invent results
Estimates are fine when honest ("approximately 30%"). Fabricated numbers fall apart in interviews and reference checks.
FAQ
How many bullets per job?
Three to five for recent roles, fewer for older ones.
Should every bullet have a number?
Aim for a majority, but clarity matters more than forcing a metric.