Awards on Resume

Should You List Awards on Resume

In most professional contexts, especially in North America and Europe, listing relevant awards on your resume can be beneficial. Awards demonstrate recognition for exceptional achievements, showcase your skills, and highlight your potential value to a prospective employer. However, it's crucial to consider the industry, job level, and regional norms when deciding whether or not to include them. In some countries like Germany and Japan, resumes are more focused on qualifications and work experience rather than awards, so their inclusion may be less common.

Why to List Awards on Resume

• Recognition of Achievements: Awards showcase your ability to excel in your field and provide tangible evidence of your skills and achievements. This can help you stand out from other candidates, especially when applying for competitive positions.

• Industry-specific Relevance: If the job you're applying for requires specific skills or competencies, relevant awards can validate your expertise in these areas. For example, if you're a graphic designer, showcasing design awards demonstrates your creativity and professionalism.

• Alignment with Company Values: Some companies value recognitions as indicators of potential cultural fit. If a company places a high emphasis on innovation, for instance, winning an innovation award can make you a more attractive candidate.

Where to List Awards on Resume

• Professional Summary or Introduction: Briefly mention key awards at the beginning of your resume if they are particularly impressive or relevant to the position you're seeking.

• Skills Section: If an award showcases a specific skill, it can be included in this section. For example, if you won a public speaking award, list it under "Communication Skills."

• Work Experience Section: Mention awards relevant to the job you held during that period within the corresponding job description. This is especially important for performance-based or achievement-oriented roles.

• Education Section: If an award was earned as part of your academic studies, include it in this section. For example, academic honors, scholarships, or research awards can be listed with your degree information.

Examples of How to List Awards on Resume

Academic Achievements

• Award: Dean's List (2018 - 2020) What's Good: This award demonstrates academic excellence and commitment, which can be appealing to employers in various industries.

Professional Achievements

• Award: Graphis Advertising Annual Silver Award (2021) What's Good: This award showcases your creativity and expertise as a graphic designer, making you an attractive candidate for design-focused roles.

What to Avoid While Listing Awards on Resume

• Irrelevant Awards: If an award is not relevant to the job you are applying for, it may take up valuable space on your resume without adding any real value.

• Overemphasis on Awards: While awards can be impressive, they should not overshadow your qualifications and experiences. Ensure that a balanced perspective is maintained throughout your resume.

• Incomplete Information: Provide enough detail about the award to give context but avoid long descriptions or unnecessary details that could distract from your qualifications.

• Incorrectly Listed Awards: If an award was received as part of a team, ensure you correctly note this and don't claim individual credit for a group effort.

How to List Industry-specific Awards on Resume

Listing industry-specific awards on your resume can significantly enhance its impact, demonstrating your unique achievements and dedication within your field. Here are some best practices to follow:

• Highlight Relevance: Only include awards that are relevant to the job you're applying for. For instance, if you're a marketing professional, an award in marketing would be more impactful than one from a completely different field.

  Example 1: Industry-specific Awards on Awards Resume

  • Awarded "Best Marketing Campaign of the Year" by [Marketing Association] for the successful launch of [product/service name]. The campaign generated a 30% increase in sales and a significant boost in brand awareness.

• Include Details: Provide sufficient details about each award, such as the organization granting the award, the year, and the specific category. This information adds credibility and helps hiring managers understand the significance of the award.

  Example 2: Industry-specific Awards in Awards Context

  • Received "Young IT Innovator of the Year" by [IT Association] in 2021. The recognition was for developing a groundbreaking solution that improved data security and efficiency within the industry.

• Order Wisely: List your awards after your professional experience but before any other achievements or sections like certifications, volunteer work, or skills. This order ensures that hiring managers first notice your relevant work experience and industry-specific accomplishments.

• Use a Consistent Format: Maintain consistency in the format of your awards section. Use bullet points for easy readability, and ensure all entries include the award name, organization granting it, the year, and a brief description of the achievement.

• Emphasize Impact: Quantify the impact of your achievements where possible, such as by providing figures or percentages that demonstrate the results you generated. This approach allows hiring managers to quickly understand the value you bring to their organization.

By following these best practices, you can effectively showcase industry-specific awards on your resume and set yourself apart from other candidates.

How to List Creative and Artistic Accolades on Resume

Best Practices for Creative and Artistic Accolades Section

• Highlight Relevant Achievements: Focus on accolades that are directly related to the creative or artistic field you're applying for. For instance, if you're a graphic designer, mention awards won for your design work.

  • Example: "Received 'Best Graphic Design' award at the International Design Awards 2021 for the project 'Rebranding Project A'. The jury appreciated the innovative approach and impactful visual elements."

• Detail Context: Provide context to help recruiters understand the significance of your achievements. This could include information about the competition, number of entries, or judges' comments.

  • Example: "Won 'Best Emerging Artist' at the Local Art Fair 2021. Competed against over 500 artists and was selected for the top 10 out of 20 finalists by a panel of renowned art critics."

• Quantify Achievements: If possible, quantify your achievements to demonstrate the scale or impact of your work.

  • Example: "Received 'Best Animation' award at the International Film Festival 2020 for the short film 'Fragile'. The film was viewed by over 5 million people online."

• Use Action Verbs: Start each bullet point with a strong action verb to make your achievements clear and impactful.

  • Example: "Achieved 'Best Photography' award at the National Photography Contest 2019 for the series 'Urban Decay'. The series showcased the contrast between old and new in urban landscapes."

• Arrange in Chronological Order: List your accolades in reverse chronological order, with the most recent achievements first. This helps recruiters quickly understand your track record of success.

  • Example: "Awards and Recognition"
  • 'Best Graphic Design' award at the International Design Awards 2021 for the project 'Rebranding Project A'
  • 'Best Emerging Artist' at the Local Art Fair 2021
  • 'Best Animation' award at the International Film Festival 2020 for the short film 'Fragile'
  • 'Best Photography' award at the National Photography Contest 2019 for the series 'Urban Decay'

Example 1: Creative and Artistic Accolades on Awards Resume

In a resume for a graphic designer applying for a creative director position, the Creative and Artistic Accolades section might look like this:

• Creative & Artistic Accolades
  • Received 'Best Graphic Design' award at the International Design Awards 2021 for the project 'Rebranding Project A'
  • Nominated for 'Innovation in Design' award at the Global Design Congress 2020 for the project 'Digital Interface Redesign'
  • Featured in the 'Top 50 Graphic Designers Under 30' by DesignRush 2019

Example 2: Creative and Artistic Accolades in Awards Context

In a resume for an artist applying for a residency program, the Creative and Artistic Accolades section might look like this:

• Creative & Artistic Accolades
  • Won 'Best Emerging Artist' at the Local Art Fair 2021. Competed against over 500 artists and was selected for the top 10 out of 20 finalists by a panel of renowned art critics.
  • Received 'Artist of Distinction' award from the National Foundation for the Arts in 2019, recognizing exceptional artistic achievement.
  • Featured in a solo exhibition at the City Art Gallery in 2018. The exhibition received critical acclaim and was visited by over 3,000 people.

How to List Community Service Achievements on Resume

Best Practices:

• Highlight Relevant Experience: Focus on achievements that are directly related to the job you're applying for. If the role requires teamwork or leadership skills, make sure to highlight instances where you demonstrated these in a community service setting.

  Example: "Led a team of 10 volunteers in organizing a city-wide cleanup event, resulting in the collection and disposal of over 500 pounds of trash."

• Quantify Your Achievements: Wherever possible, provide numbers or specifics to give your achievements context and showcase your impact. This could be the number of people you helped, the amount of money raised, or the hours spent volunteering.

  Example: "Organized a fundraiser that raised $2,500 for a local homeless shelter."

• Use Action Verbs: Start each bullet point with a strong action verb to make your achievements stand out and show your initiative. Some examples include "organized," "led," "raised," "managed," or "facilitated."

  Example: "Managed a weekly after-school tutoring program for underprivileged children, ensuring 100% attendance and a noticeable improvement in their academic performance."

• Include Awards & Recognition: If you've received any awards or recognitions for your community service work, be sure to mention them. This demonstrates your commitment and dedication.

  Example: "Awarded 'Volunteer of the Year' by the local YMCA for outstanding contributions to community service."

• Keep it Concise: Remember to keep your community service section concise and easy to read. Aim for 4-6 bullet points, and ensure each one is impactful and relevant.

Example 1: Community Service Achievements on Awards Resume

• Organized a charity event that raised $5,000 for cancer research (Awarded 'Outstanding Fundraiser' by the American Cancer Society)
• Led a team of 20 volunteers in building homes for low-income families through Habitat for Humanity
• Spearheaded a blood drive at school, resulting in the collection of over 150 units of blood (Recognized with a 'Community Service Award' by the Red Cross)

Example 2: Community Service Achievements in Awards Context

• Volunteered as a mentor for at-risk youth through Big Brothers Big Sisters, earning 'Mentor of the Year' award in 2018
• Participated in a monthly food drive for a local food bank, contributing to the distribution of over 5,000 meals per month
• Organized a successful 5k run to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer's research, attracting over 300 participants and raising $10,000.

How to List Professional Recognitions on Resume

Best Practices

• Highlight Relevance: Include only professional recognitions that are relevant to the position you are applying for. For instance, if you are applying for a position in the medical field, awards or certifications related to your expertise would be appropriate.

  Example: "Awards and Certifications: Recipient of the 'Excellence in Pediatrics' Award (2018), Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (CPNP) by the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB)."

• Chronological Order: Arrange your professional recognitions in chronological order, with the most recent achievements listed first. This makes it easy for recruiters to quickly understand your career progression and accomplishments.

  Example: "Professional Recognitions: Awarded 'Top Sales Representative' of the Year (2021) at XYZ Corporation; Received 'Outstanding Achievement in Customer Service' award (2019) from ABC Inc."

• Specific Details: Include specific details about the recognition, such as its name, year received, and any relevant organizations or associations involved. This gives recruiters a better understanding of your achievements and their context.

  Example: "Professional Recognitions: Selected as a 'Rising Star' in Real Estate by Realtor Magazine (2016); Recipient of the 'Distinguished Salesperson' award from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) (2014)."

• Quantifiable Achievements: If possible, quantify your achievements to show the impact and scale of your accomplishments. For example, mention the number of awards won or the percentage increase in sales you achieved.

  Example: "Professional Recognitions: Named 'Salesperson of the Year' for achieving a 30% sales growth at ABC Corporation (2017); Received the 'Top Achiever Award' for consistently exceeding sales targets by 25% (2018)."

• Create a Separate Section: Professional recognitions should have their own dedicated section in your resume, typically after work experience and education sections. This makes it easy for recruiters to find and evaluate your accomplishments quickly.

  Example: "Professional Recognitions: [List awards and certifications here]"

Example 1: Professional Recognitions on Awards Resume

In this example, let's assume a graphic designer named John Doe is applying for a senior design position at a renowned advertising agency. He wants to highlight his professional recognitions effectively in his resume.

Professional Recognitions:

• Winner of the 'Adobe Design Achievement Award' (2018)
• Named one of the top 50 young designers by Design Boom (2016)
• Received the 'Best Graphic Design Student Portfolio' award at the International Design Conference (2014)

Example 2: Professional Recognitions in Awards Context

For this example, consider a software engineer named Jane Smith who is applying for a position as a lead developer at a tech company. She wants to showcase her professional recognitions effectively in her resume.

Professional Recognitions:

• Recipient of the 'Microsoft Outstanding Technical Achievement Award' (2019)
• Selected as a finalist for the 'TechGirlz Rising Star Award' (2018)
• Received the 'Google Code-in Winner' award (2015) in the category of Best Documenter

How to List Academic Awards on Resume

Best Practices

• Highlight the award's name: Clearly state the name of the award, including any prestigious titles or affiliations that may increase its recognition. For instance, "Dean's List" or "Phi Beta Kappa".

  Example: "Academic Achievement Award - Recipient for achieving a GPA above 3.5 during the academic year 2020-2021."

• Provide context: Mention the institution where you received the award, as well as the timeframe to demonstrate your consistency and dedication.

  Example: "Academic Achievement Award - Recipient for achieving a GPA above 3.5 during the academic year 2020-2021 at XYZ University."

• Emphasize key achievements: Briefly mention any special criteria or requirements you had to meet to earn the award, as it showcases your unique abilities and determination.

  Example: "Academic Achievement Award - Recipient for excelling in rigorous coursework focused on Computer Science and Engineering."

• Quantify accomplishments: If possible, use numbers or percentiles to demonstrate the significance of your achievements. This can help illustrate your academic prowess compared to your peers.

  Example: "Academic Achievement Award - Recipient for ranking among the top 10% of students in the Computer Science program."

• Keep it concise: Remember that a resume should be brief and easy to scan. Avoid using excessive details or flowery language, as recruiters will often skim through resumes quickly.

  Example: "Academic Achievement Award - Recipient for maintaining a GPA above 3.8 during my undergraduate studies at XYZ University."

Example 1: Academic Awards on Awards Resume

• Awards
  • Academic Achievement Award - XYZ University (2020-2021)
  • Dean's List - XYZ University (Fall 2019, Spring 2020, Fall 2020)
  • National Merit Scholarship Finalist - ABC Corporation (2016)

Example 2: Academic Awards in Awards Context

• Awards

  • Academic Achievement Award: Recipient for achieving a GPA above 3.5 during the academic year 2020-2021 at XYZ University, focusing on Computer Science and Engineering.

  • Dean's List: Recognized as one of the top students in my graduating class during Fall 2019, Spring 2020, and Fall 2020 for maintaining a GPA above 3.5 at XYZ University.

  • National Merit Scholarship Finalist: Selected as a finalist for the National Merit Scholarship in 2016 by ABC Corporation for academic excellence and leadership potential.