Quantify Your Resume AchievementsThe most difficult and time consuming section of any resume is the listing of your work experience, no matter what level you have reached in your professional career.
The key is to consider your career objective and prioritize your work in accordance with your goals.
Your professional experience should not only show-case the activities you have done in your previous jobs, but should demonstrate your qualifications in the way that motivates employers to want to know more.
Of course, what we mean is results, any tangible, measurable items that have an impact on the bottom line. Let your employers know that your project came within budget, that you exceeded the time line, that you acquired X number of new customers, or that you increased sales by a double-digit percentage. Some Resume samples where you can see what we mean are here
Quantify Your Resume With The Numbers That Show Real Results
Employers can wrap their minds around numbers, because they are focused on them daily. Numbers can be interpreted as 'added-value' in the employer's mind and act as a comparator against other candidates. You want to let your potential employer know that you can think in the same way they do and that you take results into serious consideration as you perform your job on day-to-day basis.
To get started with your work history, begin each description with an Action Word, such as managed, developed, communicated, etc. Do some research and use only the power words and phrases that are appropriate for your industry. Make sure that the statements you list first under your job responsibilities quantify your achievements – don’t be afraid to list sales figures, customer acquisition rates, budget and time-line successes, or any other figures which help put your responsibilities in a context of the business/field you are working in.
Always be specific as the only way your statements are truly quantified is if you include the numbers. Don't worry about commercial privacy unless your contract absolutely prevents from disclosure.
Saying that you acquired new customers is significantly different from saying that you increased the customer base by 10% or use the actual figure. 1734 can sound much more impressive than 10% even if it is the same thing!
Your prospective employer needs to know not only what you did, but how well you did it. Also, these statements should be aligned with your career objective you included at the top of the resume. If you want to get a job in project management, letting your employer know that you managed a team of 20 people and the overall results you achieved will effectively highlight your qualifications.
Although it is important to quantify your achievements on your resume, do not try to quantify everything as that gets very tedious for the reader. This shows your employer that you think in terms of exceeding your goals. All subsequent descriptions of your responsibilities should support the first one or two items on your list.
Cross Check When You Quantify Your Resume
As a final test, put yourself in the shoes of your employer. Cross-check the job description and make sure that you address the qualifications required for the job with the information on your resume.
When you quantify your Resume, you let your potential employer know you have what they are looking for, and you’ll be sure to make a great impression.
When you learn to Quantify Your Resume like this, you get off to a great start.
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