Awards are important for a candidate's resume because awards make a difference on the resume and attract more attention from the hiring managers. To list awards on a resume, selecting relevant awards, noting the details, quantifying awards, using action words, and emphasizing the award's impact is necessary. To put awards on a resume are noted as a separate section, under the relevant section, and within the objective section.
Academic, work and industrial awards play a significant role as examples of awards for a resume because achieving them demonstrates the candidate's dedication and determination toward the goals. Therefore, it's important to include awards on a resume because awards showcase the candidate's drive and commitment. However, it doesn't act as a barrier to being hired if awards for a resume are absent. It enhances the chances of getting the job if a candidate effectively showcases the successes and experiences in other sections of the resume.
Diverse honors and awards to put on a resume showcase a track record of excellence and standout accomplishments in various fields. Nonetheless, it is imperative to include the kind of awards to put on a resume if a candidate has awards that set them apart and contribute to attaining the job.
Awards To Put On Resume
Awards to put on a resume are important for a candidate's resume because awards make a difference on the resume and attract more attention from the hiring managers. Awards add the finishing touch and an important point to the resume after all the details, educational background, and work experience have been filled out. Awards for a resume are unique to the recipient and reflect the importance given to the work and achievements.
Highlighting significant achievements and leadership recognitions are good awards to put on a resume, demonstrating expertise and standout qualities. Therefore, it is necessary to include it on the resume, especially if there is any award relevant to the job being applied for. It is one of the indicators showing how much soft skills have developed. However, it's advisable not to emphasize it if the award is unrelated to the job and was obtained in a different context.
Academic Awards
The resume must include academic awards because academic awards demonstrate the candidate's successes, dedication to studies, and distinction throughout academic life. Academic awards increase the candidate's chances of being chosen by the hiring manager because awards reflect the commitment toward the goals and set them apart from competitors. To put scholarships on a resume is shown as an example of academic awards. The 8 academic awards are listed below.
- Scholarships
- High GPA
- Dean’s list
- Fellowships
- Grants
- Honor Societies
- Degree specific honors
- Departmental awards
High School Awards
High school awards must be noted on the candidate's resume because awards effectively demonstrate the successes, dedication, and overall display of soft skills. High school awards for a resume encompass achievements such as high GPA, perfect attendance records, excellent exam results, honor society membership, student government election, and many other significant indicators. Noting all the high school awards for a resume distinguishes the candidate and increases the chances of obtaining the job.
Dean's List on Resume
To write Dean's List on a resume is important because it showcases the level of success and dedication during the educational period. It is particularly noteworthy if someone has been on the Dean’s List multiple times, indicating consistent achievement. Therefore, to list Dean's list on a resume is crucial for the employer and attracts attention.
Work Awards
Work awards on the resume are highly important because work awards indicate the success achieved by the employee during the work tenure. Work awards directly relate to the job and capture the potential employer's attention. The candidate's work success within the company directly influences the selection process and sets them apart from other candidates. The 6 work awards are listed below.
- Best performer awards
- Employee of the month
- Leadership awards
- Qualifications and certifications
- Innovation awards
- KPI related recognition
Industrial Awards
Industrial awards must be noted on the resume because awards represent significant accomplishments directly within the industry. Industrial awards for a resume automatically enhance the likelihood of the candidate being accepted for the job, as recruiters perceive the achievements as major successes. The 3 industrial awards are listed below.
- Industry association awards
- Professional organization awards
- Publication awards
How to List Awards on Resume
To list awards on a resume, selecting relevant awards, noting the details, quantifying awards, using action words, and emphasizing the award's impact is necessary. The 5 steps to list awards on a resume are listed below.
- Select relevant awards. The most relevant award for the job must be chosen and added to the resume if the candidate has several awards. Recruiters are not particularly interested in resume awards or honors unrelated to the job. However, awards must be included in the resume to differentiate the candidate if there are awards directly related to the required job.
- Write the details of the award. The award details must be included to make it completely clear to the hiring manager. The details include the award's title, who or where the award was given, the date of the award, and the reason for winning the award.
- Evaluate the award. The level or rank at which the award was given must be noted on the resume. For example, mentioning the ranking draws more attention from the employer if a candidate was ranked 3rd out of 40 people.
- Use action words. The action words are compelling and enhance the representation of the award. Therefore, action words like achieved, earned, honored, etc., are appropriate when listing the award on the resume.
- Highlight the impact of the award. The candidate must emphasize in the resume how achieving the award impacted them in that field. It is important for candidates to explain why an award was given, what it offered, and how it enabled them to achieve the abilities.
Where To Put Awards on Resume
To put awards on a resume are noted as a separate resume awards section, under the relevant section, and within the objective section. Firstly, listing awards in a separate awards section resume is more practical if the candidate has numerous awards. It appears more organized and specifically attracts the attention of the hiring manager. Secondly, it is acceptable to note resume awards and honors under the relevant section if the candidate does not have a lengthy list of awards. For example, an award that pertains to education must be listed below the education section.
A similar consideration must be made for work experiences that relate to it. Thirdly, the objective section of the resume discloses whether the award is important to the applicant to be easily viewed and displayed. Thus, hiring managers know about the award when they review the resume at first glance.
Resume Awards Examples
Dean’s list awards in a resume example:
Awards
Dean's List for 5 semesters
Ball State University
Graduation year: June 2018
Awarded for maintaining a GPA of at least 3.5 in consecutive semesters, demonstrating consistent academic excellence.
Resume awards example for exceptional performance:
Awards
Employee of the month
Smart Company, 2019 May
An award was given for outstanding performance, exceptional teamwork, and consistent contribution to improving departmental productivity by 20%.
Leadership awards examples:
Awards
Industry Leadership Award
International Logistics Association, 2019
Achieved 33% improvement in overall efficiency and cost savings of $3 million annually for the organization through exceptional leadership and innovative strategies in optimizing supply chain operations.
What happens if you don't have any awards for your resume?
It does not hinder your chances of getting hired when you fill your resume with other indicators if you don't have awards for your resume. Instead, significant factors in work experience, impactful soft and hard skills, certifications demonstrating expertise in the field, and successful results achievable in the job all influence the hiring process if the candidate sufficiently fills out other sections of the resume. The sections are sufficient for the hiring manager and allow the candidate to stand out from others, increasing the chances of being hired when the sections are adequately filled.
Why list awards on your resume?
Listing awards on your resume is important because awards serve as indicators and evidence of achieved successes, setting the candidate apart from others. Awards for a resume validate the candidate's abilities and are considered one of the credentials. Honors and awards resume signifies that the candidate has achieved above the average in the field and showcases the strength of the skills. Awards for a resume serve as factors demonstrating the candidate's diligence and passion. However, it's crucial to include relevant awards in the field required rather than awards from different areas.
What are the differences between awards and accomplishments?
The difference between awards and accomplishments is that awards are recognitions given by an institution or organization for a specific achievement or success acknowledged by the public, but accomplishments are successes and achievements based on efforts and skills regardless of recognition. Awards are given based on specific criteria and selected under special categories, while accomplishments relate to the result of various processes. Awards are considered formal, whereas accomplishments are personal and professional successes and achievements.
