From overlooked to shortlisted: the importance of achievements for your CV and interview preparation

Let's be direct: your CV probably reads like a basic job description.

You’ve carefully listed every responsibility you’ve ever had, creating a precise record of what you were supposed to do. But by doing this, you're likely joining the many job seekers who, without realising it, are making themselves invisible in today’s competitive job market.

As a career and interview coach, I see this mistake daily. Talented professionals present a CV that clearly states their job titles and responsibilities but says little about their unique contribution or value. Then they wonder why they’re not getting shortlisted.

The big mistake: why responsibilities aren’t enough

Think about it from a recruiter or hiring manager’s perspective. They’re busy and reviewing dozens, sometimes hundreds, of applications. They’re not just looking for someone who did the job, they want someone who made a real difference.

When your CV simply lists responsibilities like:

• “Managed a portfolio of client accounts.”

• “Prepared and presented monthly performance reports.”

• “Coordinated project activities and communicated with stakeholders.”

  
  

…what are you actually telling them?

That you showed up for work? That you did what was expected?

Anyone who’s ever held that role could write the same thing. These are baseline duties – not differentiators.

This is the trap many professionals fall into: thinking that listing tasks proves competence. In reality, it blends you into the background. It forces the hiring manager to guess your value – and they don’t have time for that.

The crucial question: “So what?”

Every bullet point on your CV triggers an unspoken question in the reader’s mind: “So what?”

They want to know:What was the outcome? What value did this person create?

Let’s look at some common examples and how to shift the focus:

• “Managed a portfolio of client accounts.”

  
  

  So what? Did you grow those accounts? Improve retention? Drive revenue?

• “Prepared monthly performance reports.”

  
  

  So what? Did those reports help leadership make better decisions? Highlight inefficiencies? Lead to cost savings?

• “Coordinated project activities.”

  
  

  So what? Did your coordination result in on-time delivery? Budget savings? Stakeholder buy-in?

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This simple question – “So what?” – is the difference between a flat list of duties and a compelling career story.

Achievements: the proof hiring managers actually want

Achievements are tangible proof of your performance. They show how you’ve gone beyond the basics to make a real impact – solve problems, improve processes, increase revenue, reduce waste, lead successful projects, or innovate in your role.

Your responsibilities describe the scope of your role.Your achievements prove how well you performed.

And in today’s job market, hiring managers are looking for proof. They don’t want to guess whether you added value – they want to see it in black and white.

Why your CV achievements make interview preparation easier

Writing your CV with clear, quantified achievements doesn’t just get you interviews – it makes you better prepared for them too.

In a competency-based interview or any job interview using behavioural questions, you’ll be asked to give real-life examples that show your skills in action. These questions often start with:

• “Tell me about a time when…”

• “Give an example of how you handled…”

• “Describe a situation where you…”

If you’ve already crafted achievement-focused bullet points using the STAR method, you’re a step ahead. You’ll have strong, structured examples ready to go.

Your CV becomes your cheat sheet. You don’t have to scramble to remember stories – you’ve already documented them clearly and confidently.

How to turn responsibilities into achievements

Stop listing what you were responsible for. Start showcasing what you actually achieved. Here’s how:

🔁 Change your mindset

Every bullet point should show what you achieved….not just what you did.

🔢 Quantify everything – metrics are impactful!

Numbers are attention-grabbing and persuasive. Include percentages, revenue figures, time saved, costs reduced, customer retention stats – anything measurable.

❌ “Managed social media accounts.”✅ “Increased LinkedIn engagement by 120% and grew follower base by 2,000 in six months through targeted content strategy.”

❌ “Coordinated team meetings and project updates.”✅ “Led weekly project meetings and aligned cross-functional teams, reducing delivery delays by 30%.”

💪 Use strong action verbs

Start bullet points with verbs like:Developed, Delivered, Improved, Reduced, Implemented, Generated, Increased, Transformed, Streamlined.

❓ Apply the “So what?” test

After writing each point, ask yourself: So what was the outcome? Why did it matter?

If you can’t answer that, the point may need rephrasing – or removing.

⭐ Master the STAR or CAR method

Use the STAR framework (Situation, Task, Action, Result) or CAR (Challenge, Action, Result) when preparing both your CV and interview answers. It’s especially useful for behavioural interview preparation, helping you tell clear, results-focused stories that demonstrate your value.

Write a CV that works for you

Your CV isn’t just a record of employment. It’s a marketing tool – one that highlights your strengths, tells your career story, and sets you up for interview success.

By replacing vague responsibilities with strong achievements, you’ll:

• Stand out from other applicants

• Show exactly how you’ve added value in your previous roles

• Be far better prepared for job interviews

• Build confidence in your career narrative

  
  

Whether you're preparing your CV, updating your LinkedIn profile or preparing for an interview, focus on achievements. It’s the clearest, most effective way to show your value – on paper, and in person.

If your CV isn’t getting you interviews — or if you’ve got an interview coming up and want to feel more prepared — Book a free 15-minute chat with me and we’ll talk about where you’re stuck and how to improve your CV or interview answers so you can show your true value with confidence. I’d be happy to help!