Turning Tasks into Achievements on Your CV

When to List Responsibilities vs. When to Showcase Impact…

Hiring managers and recruiters scan CVs in seconds, and one of the biggest mistakes job seekers make is listing their daily tasks without demonstrating their impact. While responsibilities tell an employer what you were expected to do, achievements showcase how well you did it. So, when should you list tasks, and when should you highlight achievements?

This blog will break down how to strike the right balance, ensuring your CV stands out for all the right reasons.

1. The Difference Between Tasks and Achievements

• Tasks describe what you were responsible for—your job duties and expectations.
• Achievements highlight what you accomplished—your contributions, successes, and the value you added.

For example:

• Task: “Managed social media accounts for the company.”
• Achievement: “Increased social media engagement by 35% in six months, leading to a 20% boost in website traffic.”

See the difference? The second version shows measurable impact.

2. When to List Tasks on Your CV

Sometimes, listing key responsibilities is necessary, especially if:

• You’re in an industry where tasks define your role – In highly regulated roles (e.g., healthcare, legal, finance, or compliance), recruiters need to see that you performed essential duties.
• You’re applying for a job with similar responsibilities – If the new role requires specific tasks, listing them can help you pass Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) that scan for keywords.
• Your job was process-driven rather than outcome-driven – If your role didn’t have measurable outcomes (e.g., data entry, administrative support), listing tasks concisely may be unavoidable.
• You’re in an early-career role – If you don’t have major achievements yet, listing tasks can show recruiters that you have the necessary experience.

Example of a well-written task:  “Processed and maintained financial records in compliance with regulatory requirements, ensuring 100% audit compliance.”

3. When to Showcase Achievements Instead of Tasks

Highlight achievements when you want to:

• Stand out from other applicants – Many candidates share the same responsibilities, but achievements differentiate you.
• Demonstrate your impact in a previous role – Employers want to see how you added value, not just what you were supposed to do.
• Showcase progression and leadership – Achievements highlight career growth, leadership skills, and ability to solve problems.
• Prove you’re results-driven – Measurable results help convince recruiters that you’ll bring value to their company.

Example of transforming a task into an achievement:

• Task: “Handled customer complaints.”
• Achievement: “Resolved 95% of customer complaints within 24 hours, improving customer satisfaction scores by 30%.”

4. How to Turn Tasks into Achievements (With Formula)

If you’re struggling to turn tasks into achievements, use this formula:  Action + What You Did + Outcome (With Metrics, If Possible)

For example:

• “Responsible for training new employees.”
• “Developed and delivered a structured training program, reducing onboarding time by 40% and improving employee retention by 20%.”

If you don’t have hard numbers, focus on qualitative impact:  “Trained and mentored new employees, resulting in faster integration and improved team performance.”

5. Striking the Right Balance on Your CV

A great CV blends essential responsibilities with impactful achievements. Follow this structure:

• Job Title | Company | Dates of Employment
• Brief Summary (1–2 lines about the role)
• Key Responsibilities (2–3 bullet points if necessary)
• Achievements (3–5 bullet points showcasing measurable impact)

Example:

• Marketing Coordinator | ABC Company | 2020–Present
• Managed digital marketing strategies to enhance brand presence and customer engagement.

Key Responsibilities:

• Developed and executed marketing campaigns across social media, email, and digital ads.
• Coordinated with cross-functional teams to align marketing initiatives with business objectives.

Achievements:

• Increased website traffic by 50% through targeted content marketing.
• Launched an email marketing strategy that improved customer retention rates by 25%.
• Optimized paid ad campaigns, reducing cost per acquisition by 30%.

6. Final Tips for Crafting a High-Impact CV

• Prioritise Achievements – If you can quantify or demonstrate impact, do it!
• Be Concise – Use bullet points and avoid long paragraphs.
• Use Strong Action Verbs – “Managed” → “Led,” “Improved” → “Optimized,” “Responsible for” → “Achieved.”
• Tailor Your CV – Customize responsibilities and achievements based on the job description.

Final Thoughts

Your CV isn’t just a list of what you did—it’s a reflection of how well you did it. Knowing when to list responsibilities and when to showcase achievements can make all the difference in catching a recruiter’s eye.

If you need expert help crafting a results-driven CV that gets interviews, I’m here to help! Book a session today, and let’s make your CV stand out.