What do you see when you look at your resume? If it’s just a sea of words, it’s time for an upgrade. By integrating powerful, well-validated metrics into your resume, you will not only differentiate yourself from other candidates but also provide a clear, quantifiable picture of your accomplishments and potential value to an employer.
Why Metrics Matter
No matter your field or experience level, there are always aspects of your job that can be quantified. Including the right metrics on your resume helps recruiters and hiring managers grasp what kind of candidate you are and how you can meet their needs.
Finding the Right Numbers
Now, you might wonder, how do I find numbers and data that represent my experience? If you work in sales, finance, or inventory management, these figures might be more obvious. In other fields, quantifying your work might be a new exercise. Reflect on your daily responsibilities—do you manage a team? Note the size of the group you lead. Are you proud of a major project? Highlight the duration of the project and the number of people it impacted.
Validating Your Accomplishments
Including metrics means you must be able to back them up. Recruiters or hiring managers will likely ask you to explain the numbers on your resume. Avoid the temptation to exaggerate. Ensure that any number you include is accurate and defensible. You want to breeze through the interview, confident in the information you’ve shared.
Keeping Your Metrics Updated
Metrics are all around you, and it’s crucial to leverage them on your resume. Now that you understand the importance of metrics, make it a habit to regularly update your resume, even while employed. This proactive approach means you won’t scramble to find data when seeking new opportunities. Also, don’t forget to spruce up your LinkedIn profile with these stats to make it shine.
Remember, a resume that speaks in numbers is not just a summary of your professional journey—it’s a persuasive narrative that can open doors to new career opportunities. So, take the time to measure your success, and watch how it transforms your resume into a compelling story of achievement and promise.
If you don’t have a traditional resume because you work in a field that doesn’t require one, low or high volume production runs could be a good measurement to showcase.
Create a free Workforce account with Express or download the ExpressJobs app to always have a digital account of your employment history, education, references, and skill sets.
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