Who Method
Build Strong Resume Bullet Points with WHO Logic
Writing a resume can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re trying to describe your experience in a way that stands out. That’s where the WHO method comes in. It’s a simple, powerful way to turn vague job descriptions into clear, impressive bullet points to show off your skills and impact.
Even if your job doesn’t seem related to your career goals, it still counts! College jobs, volunteer work, and team leadership all build transferable skills. WHO logic helps you show employers how those experiences matter.
What is WHO?
WHO stands for:
- W – What did you do?
- H – How did you do it?
- O – What was the Outcome or purpose?
This method helps you go beyond just listing tasks. Instead, you demonstrate to employers how you contributed and what results you achieved.
Let’s say you worked in a restaurant.
| Before WHO (Vague) | After WHO (Strong) (includes strong past tense verb) |
|---|---|
| Responsible for food prep and serving | Employed customer service skills to serve customers in an efficient and friendly manner to meet customers’ expectations and increase overall profits |
See the difference? The second version shows what you did, how you did it, and why it mattered.
How to Use WHO
- Pick one task from a past job, internship, volunteer role, or project.
- Ask yourself:
- What did I do? (List the task)
- How did I do it? (List the tools, techniques, pace, or strategies)
- What was the outcome? (List the result in effect, numbers, percentages, or other purpose)
- Combine your answers into one clear bullet point (Start with a strong verb in the past tense and construct your sentence to show how you did it and what results were attained).
More Examples
| Vague | WHO version with a strong past tense verb |
|---|---|
| Dealt with customer complaints | Diffused customer conflicts by finding effective solutions that met customer needs and aligned with store policies |
| Worked on financial reports and analysis as needed | Conducted financial analysis to support senior leadership in developing the business segment’s long-range financial plan of more than $30 billion over the next five years |
Need Help?
You don’t have to do this alone! The Career Center is here to support you. Whether you’re just starting your resume or refining it for a job application, a Career Coach can help you:
- Choose strong verbs
- Avoid common resume mistakes
- Make sure your bullet points shine
- Tailor your resume to a job posting
Visit us on the 2nd Floor of Andorfer, Room 229
Email: Careercenter@indianatech.edu
Schedule an appointment with a career coach through Handshake