Resume Pro Tip: Say What You Did, Not Just What You Are

How to turn everyday roles into resume gold

When you're building a resume, especially as a student, it’s easy to feel like your experience doesn’t “fit” your future career goals. But here’s the truth: every job teaches valuable skills, skills that you can use in future roles. It’s all about how you describe them. Instead of using vague traits like “organized” or “hard-working,” show what you did. For example, if you worked in retail, you did more than just “help customers”. Instead, you might write:
“Assisted an average of 50+ customers per shift, resolving product questions and improving satisfaction scores.”
That shows communication, problem-solving, and customer service, all valuable in business, healthcare, education, and more.

If you worked in food service, you might say:
“Managed high-volume orders during peak hours while maintaining accuracy and speed.”
That demonstrates time management, attention to detail, and the ability to work under pressure.

Even student worker jobs like working at a front desk can highlight transferable skills:
“Greeted visitors and answered phones at the department front desk, directing inquiries and maintaining appointment schedules.”
That shows professionalism, multitasking, and communication, skills that apply in nearly every career field.

If you’ve held a leadership role in a club or student organization, don’t just say “club president”—show what you accomplished:
“Led weekly meetings for the Parkland Business Club, coordinated two networking events with local professionals, and increased membership by 30%.”
Or for a volunteer role:
“Organized a campus food drive event with 20 volunteers, managing logistics and supplies to complete the project in under three weeks.”

The key is to connect your experience to the skills employers care about. Just as importantly, be ready to talk about those experiences in interviews or conversations. If your resume says you’re “detail-oriented,” be prepared to share a moment when that skill made a difference.

Here’s a tip: when writing your resume, ask yourself, “What did I actually do?” and “How did it help someone or solve a problem?” That’s how you turn everyday work into career-building stories.

Want help aligning your resume and experience with your dream job? Check Parkland Career Services for online help and 1-1 appointment assistance.