Let's face it: the job market is cutthroat competition. Not only are you up against applicants who hold some phenomenal skills and experiences, but also against the eyes of hiring authorities, who review at least thousands of résumés in a day. But how do you make yours stand out?

Your accolades are the best place to start. More than shiny trophies, they are actually material proof of your effort, talent, and capability for excellence. Think of them as personal endorsements—sort of a seal of approval from the very people who know best.

Why Awards Matter

Put on Credibility: Awards, in general, just make what you claim weightier. It will create belief with the hiring manager if you have been recognized for doing good work in your field.
Standing out from the crowd: An award is unique among hundreds of similar resumes; it makes him different-something very unique in his selling point, which makes him different from other competitors.
More Visibility: An award can bring in the recruiters' notice. It's like a beacon that you're one of the best types of candidates.
Confidence Booster: Awards provide added advantage in building self-esteem and raising performance during interviews.

Knowing you have been recognized with certain achievements, you would likely show confidence in shining during the interview process. So, never look down on awards. An award is a good weapon that may enable you to obtain your dream job.

Choosing the Right Awards for Your Resume

All awards are not equal, and listing what to include in the resume will help in making this strategic choice. This is aimed at trying to find those awards which, for that particular job applied for, will serve best to expose skills and achievement.

Types of Awards to Consider

Academic Awards: Dean's List, Valedictorian, or scholarships in case you have a high GPA.
Professional Awards: These sometimes come from professional bodies or associations and indicate experience and expertise in the concerned field.
Company Awards: Cover things like Employer awards, Employee of the Month, Outstanding Achievement Awards-something that makes a statement about value to your team and organization.
Community Awards: A Volunteer or community service award shows the commitment a person has to really try and make a difference.
Industry Awards: You could add in the awards that you received for the contribution you made to any particular industry.

Where to Showcase Your Trophies

Create a separate section: Your awards deserve attention. This calls for creating a separate section on your resume for award highlights.
Be Specific and Succinct: Mention the title of the award, who gave you that award, and in what year.
Quantify the Award: When possible, quantify the evidence that the award is an illustration of your skills and accomplishments.
Example: If you were awarded for exemplary sales, talk about the numbers in terms of units or percentage increased.
Tailor It for the Job: Make it fit the job, whereby you list those awards that are relevant to the job position.

Examples of Great Awards

To give you a gist of what kind of awards may raise eyebrows on your resume, here are a few examples:

Academic Achievements

Dean's List: Indicates you are one of the top performers of your class.
Valedictorian: you are top of your graduating class—a tremendous honor.
National Merit Scholar: An award given for outstanding academic ability and potential.

Professional awards

Employee of the Month: This means you are a high achiever in your workplace.
Salesperson of the Year: You have sold above expectations and showed capacity to bring revenue.
Industry Leader Award: You are recognized as a top professional in the industry.

Company Accomplishments

Meritorious Achievement Award: This would denote some great achievement related to your organization.
Innovation Award: You demonstrated great initiative in problem-solving.
Team Player of the Year: For your outstanding performance and dedication to teamwork.

Community Awards

Volunteer of the Year: You have done so much through volunteer work.
Community Service Award: You have put yourself out to serve the community.
Humanitarian Award: You were compassionate and showed empathy on the job.

Industry Awards

Best New Product: Your creativity has gained recognition from professionals in the field.
Industry Innovator: You are an innovator in your field, effecting much-needed change and progress.
Lifetime Achievement Award: You made an enduring contribution to your field.

How to Shine Your Awards

To make your awards stand long, keep in mind the following tips:

Be Choosy: Select the accolades associated with a job you are applying for and that genuinely reflect what you had going on.
Contextualize: Explain why the award is significant and how this demonstrates your abilities.
Outcome: Describe the good results or successes that have occurred since the award was won.

Use strong action verbs to describe achievements; this will make your achievement section the most captivating.

Bring in the Shine of Your Awards

Remember, awards are way more than just pretty trophies that lighten up a shelf; they can be dynamic tools that help you be noticed within a very competitive job market. By placing the relevant awards on your resume, you will build up your credibility, manage to rise above the competition, and eventually get the job you have always wanted.

Remember to only highlight those awards that present your skills and achievements in the best manner. Quantify the achievements, where possible; tailor your award sections to fit the job description to which you are applying.

Ready to Take Your Resume to the Next Level?

To help you create an efficient, professional-looking resume with a minimum of fuss and bother, you might want to try using an AI-powered full-service resume templates & builder like the one at HireQuotient. Our tool can help you craft a resume that underlines your skill, experience, and awards in a manner sure to impress the employers for whom the results will matter. At HireQuotient, you are able to build a professional-looking resume that stands out from the crowd and helps increase your chance of landing that dream job.

Awards to Put on Your Resume: A Guide to Boosting Your Credibility