Job responsibilities on Common App - How detailed should I be?

I'm currently filling out the Common App and got to the part about work experience. I have a part-time job, but I'm not sure how to frame it. Should I focus on basic tasks or try to highlight skills that might relate to college? Also, how formal should the language be? A bit stressed on making a good impression here.

I understand how this part of the application can be stressful, but let's work through it together. The key thing to remember is balancing clarity with relevance. Make sure to include both the basic tasks that are part of your job and any skills or responsibilities that demonstrate traits colleges admire – such as leadership, initiative, or teamwork.

For example, if you have a part-time job at a café, don't just list 'served coffee to customers.' If you helped train new employees or managed inventory, those are valuable details. Also, consider the soft skills you may have honed, like time management or customer service, and describe how these experiences will help you contribute to the college community. In terms of language, you don't need to be overly formal, but you should be professional and avoid slang or casual text-speak.

The descriptions should be concise but descriptive enough to give admissions officers a clear picture of your role and its relevance to your personal and academic growth. Remember, this is an opportunity to show another facet of who you are beyond your grades and test scores. If you're making a good impression at your job daily, you're likely to make a good impression here with clear and honest writing.