PAR Format Examples
Format 1
This format format packs everything into a single paragraph. Many resumes are written in this style. What stands out? Nothing. The writer assumes the reader will read through the entire paragraph out of curiosity. Won't happen.
Format 2
- Oversaw buying and marketing plan development for seven stores totalling $5.4 million in annual sales.
- Negotiated and placed media buys (radio, TV, print, yellow pages, in-store flyers and community marketing events based on demographic analysis to gain the greatest promotional value for each market.
- Increased traffic 18%.
- Improved 2005 fourth quarter sales 30% to $1.4 million, representing an ROI of 57% over invested co-op advertising dollars.
This presentaton breaks everything into four bullets. Many resumes are written in this style. It's better than the first format, but what stands out? Again, nothing. If you write everything in bullet form—or in bold face or in italics—nothing stands out. "When you emphasize everything, you emphasize nothing" (that's a basic copywriting rule). So save the formatting enhancements for what you want to emphasize.
Format 3
Oversaw buying and marketing plan development for seven stores totalling $5.4 million in annual sales. Negotiated and placed media buys (radio, TV, print, yellow pages, in-store flyers and community marketing events) based on demographic analysis to gain the greatest promotional value for each market.
- Devised and executed new merchandising strategies that increased traffic 18%.
- Improved 2005 fourth quarter sales by 30% to $1.4 million—a ROI of 70% for invested co-op advertising dollars.
This format is easier to read and increases the positive impact. It's the "gold standard" for showcasing accomplishment statements on a resume because: (1) Differentiates between job duties and accomplishments (aka “scope”) and (2) Shortens the entire presentation into more readable chunks of information.
More examples: PAR accomplishment statements
- Reduced customer complaints by 22% in 6-mongh period by conducting over 45 service technician training programs throughout 8-state region.
- Exceeded annual sales quota consistently over 15%—average for each year over three years—by creating a program that followed-up contact with existing customers.
- Saved $2 million through benefits redesign while maintaining overall quality and employee satisfaction.
- Saved over $3 million by implementing a comprehensive cost-reduction, productivity and quality-improvement program.
More resume writing tips
- Delete all articles ("a, an, the"). It's standard resume-writing form. Eliminating these words makes your writing sound clipped and telegraphic. You'll add a barb of urgency (every little bit counts).
- Delete all pesonal and possessive pronouns (I, you, he, she, we, they, me, him, her, his, them, hers, their, its, our, mine, yours and so on).
- Use active voice
Passive voice (weak): [I was] responsible for writing and editing weekly reports.
Active voice (stronger, and fewer words): [I] wrote and edited weekly reports.
- Write in conversational style
See Two Ways to Stand Out and Make Your Resume Memorable
