Work Performed

What Does "Work Performed" Mean?

Work performed refers to the specific tasks, duties, or projects an individual has completed within a job, project, or contract. It emphasizes the tasks performed and services rendered, focusing on actions taken and outcomes delivered, rather than the expected responsibilities outlined in a job description.

In Job Applications; employers often ask for a description of work performed to evaluate real-world experience and achievements beyond generic duties. As it requires insight into completed assignments, operational activities, and efforts made in previous roles.

In Legal or Contractual Contexts; work performed may refer to services completed according to the terms of a contract or agreement, often tied to billing, invoicing, or project evaluation. This includes services performed, labor provided, and functions carried out as defined in the scope of the agreement.

In Project Management; work performed is commonly used in status reports and scope-of-work documentation to indicate tasks that have been completed.

Types of Work Performed

Physical Work

This includes manual labor and hands-on tasks such as construction, assembly line work, equipment operation, or physical repairs. It often involves using tools, machinery, or physical exertion to complete tasks.

Intellectual Work

Intellectual work involves mental tasks like research, writing, data analysis, problem-solving, and strategic planning. It is common in academic, administrative, and professional settings.

Creative Work

Creative work covers artistic and imaginative output such as designing graphics, writing content, creating music, filming videos, or developing innovative products. This type of work relies heavily on originality and aesthetics.

Technical Work

Technical work focuses on specialized knowledge and skills, including coding, troubleshooting software, engineering systems, and managing networks. It often involves working with complex tools or platforms.

Interpersonal Work

This type of work relies on communication and relationship-building. It includes customer service, sales, counseling, and teaching—any role where influencing or assisting people is key.

How Is This Work Performed?

When someone asks, "How is this work performed?" they are seeking clarity on the process, tools, or approach used to complete a task or responsibility. This question focuses on the methods and techniques behind the outcome. It may refer to workflows, systems, team collaboration, or compliance with specific standards.

For example, a recruiter may ask a candidate to explain how a particular result was achieved to understand their problem-solving skills or technical approach. In project reviews or audits, this question helps break down complex tasks into clear steps, highlighting how efficiently and effectively work has been carried out. It also supports performance assessments and ensures transparency in both job roles and contract-based projects.

Examples of Work Performed (By Role)

Book Editor

A book editor may have performed tasks such as editing over ten manuscripts for grammar and structure, managing proofreading workflows across publishing stages, and collaborating directly with authors to finalize content. These are specific, measurable outcomes that go beyond a simple job title.

Software Developer

A developer's work performed can include building APIs, fixing critical bugs in production environments, and deploying mobile app updates to app stores. These executed tasks show hands-on involvement and a high level of technical job performance.

Graphic Designer

For a graphic designer, work performed may involve creating full brand identity kits, designing banners for online marketing, and preparing print-ready assets for product launches. These tangible outputs reflect both creativity and technical design execution.

Customer Support Representative

In this role, work performed might include resolving over 100 customer support tickets each month, escalating product issues to engineering teams, and maintaining a 95% satisfaction score. These accomplishments highlight responsiveness and communication.

Marketing Executive

A marketing executive may have launched several targeted digital campaigns, optimized paid ads to improve ROI, and grown the company's email subscriber list by 15%. These project contributions reflect strategic planning and the execution of high-impact responsibilities.

Work Performed vs Duties and Responsibilities

Focus

"Work performed" emphasizes the specific actions taken and results achieved in a role. It is centered around real accomplishments and outputs. On the other hand, "duties and responsibilities" refer to the general expectations and assigned tasks listed in a job description, regardless of whether they were completed or not.

Nature

The nature of work performed is action-based and outcome-driven. It includes details like what was built, created, launched, or resolved. In contrast, duties and responsibilities are ongoing obligations or functions tied to a role, such as managing a team or preparing reports.

Purpose

The main purpose of stating work performed is to showcase actual contributions and impact, which helps employers understand what value you delivered. Meanwhile, duties and responsibilities help define the scope of the job and outline what the employee is supposed to do on a regular basis.

Example

For instance, a web developer's duty might be "responsible for developing websites." But their work performed could be described as "built five responsive websites using React, improving site load time by 40%." This distinction helps demonstrate effectiveness and experience in a more compelling way.

Job seekers should prioritize describing their work performed in resumes and applications to stand out with measurable results. Employers, in turn, should look beyond listed duties to assess true performance.

Why Work Performed Matters (For Employers)

Understanding the work that has been performed by employees allows employers to better evaluate the relevance of their roles and how well their skills align with job requirements.

It makes it easier to compare candidates during hiring processes by focusing on actual achievements rather than just job titles.

This level of insight also helps assess the impact and effectiveness of employees' contributions.

It also helps in analyzing project deliverables and understanding the quality of job performance based on completed assignments.

In addition, documenting work performed is valuable for conducting performance reviews and ensuring that contractual deliverables have been met.

Why Work Performed Matters (For Job Seekers)

For job seekers, articulating the work they have performed offers clear proof of real-world experience.

It allows them to highlight specific achievements and demonstrate the impact they made in previous roles.

A well-structured record of work history, project contributions, and efforts made can significantly improve a candidate's appeal.

This information becomes particularly useful during interviews, where discussing results can set them apart.

Furthermore, documenting work performed builds confidence and enhances the credibility of portfolios, resumes, and LinkedIn profiles, making them more appealing to prospective employers.

Tips for Creating a Strong Portfolio of Work Performed

• Be Specific: List concrete tasks and outcomes.
• Use Action Verbs: Built, designed, implemented, launched, resolved.
• Include Tools/Skills: Mention software, techniques, and frameworks used.
• Provide Evidence: Add screenshots, links, or performance metrics when possible.
• Tailor It: Customize your portfolio or resume to fit the role you are applying for.

Work Performed Beyond Traditional Employment

Not all work happens in 9-to-5 jobs. Showcase work from:

• Freelance Projects: Describe client work, platforms used (e.g. Upwork), and deliverables.
• Internships: Detail the tasks handled and any feedback or results received.
• Volunteering: Nonprofit work, community organizing, or teaching sessions.
• Personal Projects: Apps built, blogs written, events managed, or anything productive.

How Recruiters and Employers Can Clarify “Work Performed”

Recruiters and employers can support candidates by clearly explaining what is expected when describing "work performed" on job applications. This can be done by adding helpful guidelines or examples to clarify the difference between duties and actual work completed.

Separating application fields for "job duties" and "work performed" encourages applicants to be more specific about their contributions. Employers should also provide an option to attach portfolios or supporting documents, allowing candidates to show real examples of their work. Additionally, hiring managers should be trained to evaluate the results an applicant has achieved rather than focusing solely on job titles.

Final Thoughts

Understanding what "work performed" means and how to present it clearly can make a major difference—whether you're trying to land a job, win a contract, or evaluate a team member.

By focusing on real accomplishments and clear results, you can turn a generic resume into a compelling story of value delivered. Recruiters and companies should also recognize the difference between what someone is expected to do and what they have actually done.

Start documenting your work performed today because what you have done is what truly sets you apart.