Anyone who has researched resumes will find advice, over and over again, about the importance of having a results-based resume. Why is it so important? Because results help define the level of your skills, whereas words are just that…words. Writing how you have done something or stating that you completed a project does not give the reader any idea into how well you accomplished those tasks and the input you provided to ensure completion. This can prove difficult. In fact, talking about oneself can prove to be hard for many, and most reject the idea of “tooting your own horn”.
But when you include measurable results on your resume, the reader is given a comprehensive picture on many things – your work ethics, skills, how you work with others, your ideas, unique abilities, knowledge, and most importantly, the value you can bring to their organization.
- To get started on this, when thinking about your job and what to include on your resume, consider:
- Which special projects were you assigned to and why?
- Are you considered an expert? Or referred to by others as the “go-to person”?
- Did you implement anything that saved money, time, improved processes, provided efficiencies, or increased communication?
- How do you work with others? Are you part of a team and a contributing participant? What have you contributed and what was the resulting impact?
- Did you lead any initiatives? Or lead teams?
- Are you an idea generator, a problem solver, or a solutions expert? Were they implemented and what were the results?
- Have you been recognized internally or externally (e.g., clients, customers) for a job well done, team effort, or results of a specific project?
These are just a sampling of questions that can give you an idea of how to view your experience from the “value added” perspective-rather than just a list of what you worked on. It is important to think more about the value you provide and the results you delivered – not just that you’re “doing your job”. Remember, you are a key part of your organization and your efforts contribute to the achievement of organizational goals, so quantify those results and give your resume the punch it needs to get noticed.
Thank you to one of our resume experts, Jasmine Marchong, for this article and the resume tips. Want more Resume and Cover Letter Tips? Watch these helpful videos Hallie has created by clicking here.
