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How to Quantify Your Resume: What Recruiters Look For (50+ Examples)

One of the simplest and most effective resume strategies is to quantify your resume achievements with numbers and data. Here are recruiter-backed advice on how to do it with 50+ examples you can copy today!

3 years ago   •   11 min read

A 2018 study found that recruiters spend an average of 7.4 seconds skimming through each resume they receive. When you’re applying for jobs, you only have that brief window to hook a recruiter’s attention — so your resume needs to pack a punch.

How do you create a memorable, impactful resume that will help you get more interviews in 2024? One of the simplest and most effective strategies is to quantify your resume achievements with numbers and data. We’ll break down that concept in more detail below.

What does it mean to quantify your resume?

According to the previously-mentioned study, many hiring managers prefer to see resumes with bulleted lists of achievements in the work experience section . These bullet points should be short, bite-sized, and easily scannable for quick reading. The most memorable and effective bullet points feature examples of your past achievements quantified with specific metrics , as in the resume sample below.

Notice how each bullet point references specific numbers (e.g. “reduced development costs by 25 percent”) in connection with the candidate’s achievements. These points are great examples of quantified achievements. The more quantified achievements you can include in your resume, the more you will stand out in a recruiter’s eyes.

Easy ways to quantify your resume

There are many ways to add quantifiable metrics to the work experience bullet points of your resume. You should always choose numbers that are most relevant to your industry, whether it’s the amount of revenue you generated, the costs you reduced, or the processes you streamlined for greater efficiency. Here are some of the best and easiest ways to quantify your resume:

Revenue, profit, or sales generated

Increased (or reduced) x by y%, time saving, project or data size, quantity of work, time commitment.

Ultimately, any recruiter who is considering hiring you wants to know: can you add to their bottom line? Are you going to be a profitable addition to their company? Showing how you’ve generated revenue, boosted sales, cut costs, or increased profit for past employers can make you a very desirable candidate.

Of course, this metric works best with sales and business positions that directly generate revenue — not all jobs lend themselves to being quantified in this way. But if you can measure your impact in the number of dollars you’ve brought in, don’t be shy about saying so.

You should aim to quantify most of your bullet points with numbers, metrics and data. I’d recommend trying out the tool below to check if your resume has enough uses of numbers, data and quantifiable accomplishments. It's a good litmus test to figure out if you’ve checked all the boxes from a hiring manager’s perspective.

Example bullet points:

• Designed and executed company-wide digital marketing strategy that drove $500,000 in product sales
• Organized a series of community fundraising events with 250+ attendees; generated $100,000 in donations

You can use this versatile metric for any job where you’ve made a difference. If you’ve been in a marketing or similar role, you could discuss how you grew your brand’s readership or audience size. Or, in a customer service job, you could talk about how you achieved a reduction in customer complaints or negative online reviews. If you don’t know the exact percentage of the change you achieved, it’s okay to provide your best estimate.

You can also give examples of where you’ve improved processes or working conditions. Increasing productivity, employee satisfaction, and other aspects of the workplace can be very impactful for companies, so they’re valid metrics to call out in your resume.

• Led intensive customer service training for all sales staff, creating a 65% reduction in customer complaints
• Provided individualized coaching and feedback for employees on a quarterly basis, leading to a 25% increase in workplace satisfaction

You know the saying – time is money. Saving valuable company time can be as significant to the bottom line as directly saving money, which makes it an excellent thing to quantify on your resume. You can approach this on a small scale by detailing the number of hours you saved by streamlining the efficiency of your own projects, or on a larger scale by estimating the total number of man hours you saved for your company.

• Led 2 business analysts to automate repetitive process flows using Excel Macros / VBA and reduced analysis time by 10+ hours per week
• Built Tableau dashboard to visualize core business KPIs (e.g. Monthly Recurring Revenue), saving 10 hours per week of manual reporting work

Running a two-person team or planning a dinner for 5 people is very different from overseeing a 500-person department or organizing an event for 200 attendees. Make the scale of your accomplishments clear to a hiring manager by including quantifiable metrics like the size of your department, event, budget, or data set.

• Developed a prototype to identify key influencers on Twitter using clustering techniques over 100,000 data points in Python
• Managed a process re-engineering project to improve and consolidate end-to-end service processes; restructured communication flow among 10 departments, and cut down paperwork by 75%
• Directed agency fundraising revenue generation, daily program business operations, community outreach membership recruitment, and human resources in 30 suburbs in the city for organizations with assets of $8M

You can also choose to focus on the quantity of work you completed – for example, the number of projects completed, number of employees onboarded, or training facilitated. This doesn't need to be an exact figure, giving a range or an approximate figure is fine.

• Hired, trained, and managed over 355 part-time workers per year
• Coordinated mailing over 40,000 invitations , formal letters, and information packets annually

It's one thing to say that you're a committed employee, but quite another to have the numbers to back it up. If you were promoted ahead of schedule, routinely go the extra mile to help out, or have a track record of putting in overtime to make sure important deadlines are met, and you don't mind doing the same at your next job, go ahead and include those accomplishments.

• Promoted within 12 months due to strong performance and organizational impact (one year ahead of schedule)
• Worked 16 days nonstop to ensure all KPIs were met for on-time product launch

How to strengthen existing resume bullet points with metrics

By now, hopefully, you’re starting to see what a powerful tool these quantified bullet points can be. They convey confidence and send a strong message to hiring managers about your ability to excel in a job.

But what if you already have a resume that’s riddled with unquantified bullet points ? Not to worry — you don’t have to scrap the whole document and start fresh! Instead, you can rework each point, filling in more detail and adding those specific numbers to illustrate what you achieved, or use our handy bullet point builder to get you started.

Let’s look at a few “before and after” examples that will show you how to convert weaker, non-quantified bullet points into stronger, quantified ones. The weaker examples are vague and nonspecific, while the stronger ones are much clearer and more detailed.

How to use quantified metrics to create impactful power phrases

Once you have decided how to quantify your skills, you want to present these numbers in a way that will grab a recruiter's attention. That’s where power phrases come in.

Creating a power phrase is simple. Choose a task or project where you demonstrated a skill and decide how to quantify that skill using one of the methods above. Then all you have to do is choose an action verb from our list to start your statement, and you have a strong power phrase to add to your resume. Use these phrases throughout your resume, particularly in your resume summary and work experience sections, and to optimize your LinkedIn profile .

Compare your phrases against the template below, or use our Score My Resume tool to analyze the impact of your statements and provide feedback on how to improve your word choice, impact, brevity and style.

More examples of quantifying your resume, handpicked by recruiters

Examples are always helpful, so here's a collection of resume bullet points that are correctly quantified and handpicked from successful resumes.

• Analyzed data from 25000 monthly active users and used outputs to guide marketing and product strategies; increased average app engagement time by 2x, decreased drop off rate by 30%, and increased shares on social media by 3x over 6 months
• Spearheaded retail distribution expansion into 8 new territories and markets in South Brazil; resulted in 85% sales growth and the fastest growing sales location in South America in 2015
• Scripted and tested phone sales process; increased customers by 30% in 6 months
• Grew revenue from $1MM to $2.5M in one year by expanding channel partnerships; exceeded target by 150%
• Analyzed company's 24-month sales results to develop five-year monthly projections by revenue and customer type
• Developed and executed customer referral program, leading to 50% increase in referral business and $2MM of incremental revenue
• Led evaluation and selection of new CRM system; spearheaded a cross-functional team (Technology, Business Development, Management) to implement the system; successful adoption accelerated revenue growth by 25% in 1 year
• Led a 10-week engagement in a four-member team for a solar energy provider; assessed 30+ locations and provided a recommendation for the most suitable location of their new headquarters
• Led six-member cross-functional team across four offices to implement a new CRM system; system is used by 300+ employees globally

Pay close attention to the metrics and numbers used to quantify each bullet point. Like we discussed above, effective metrics can be dollar amounts (e.g. revenue, sales ), size of teams of users (e.g. employees worked with), or percentages.

For more resume bullet points and templates, visit sample resume bullet points .

How to quantify your resume for different industries

The best quantifiable achievements to choose vary depending on your industry. For instance, in sales, annual targets and increased revenue are good to focus on, while in education, innovative teaching methods and improved student test scores would be equally impressive. Similarly, streamlined workflows are great to highlight in project management, while in healthcare, you could mention the number of patient contacts or ongoing education credits.

Here are some more specific examples for various industries:

• Sales: "Revamped product presentation strategy, leading to a 25% increase in customer engagement and a 10% rise in sales."
• Data Analysis: "Leveraged data visualization tools to present monthly sales trends, leading to a more effective resource allocation strategy and a 10% reduction in overhead costs."
• Marketing: "Initiated a social media campaign that increased web traffic by 40%, contributing to a 15% rise in online sales."
• Education: "Redesigned the curriculum for 11th-grade biology, leading to an 18% improvement in average student scores."
• Project Management: "Implemented a new project tracking tool, leading to a 20% reduction in project completion times."
• Healthcare: "Introduced a digital patient record system, resulting in a 30% decrease in information retrieval time.”
• Manufacturing: "Implemented a Lean manufacturing technique, which reduced production time by 20% and increased overall productivity by 15%."
• Digital & E-commerce: "Optimized SEO strategies to boost the website's organic traffic by 35% over six months.”

Why do I need to quantify my resume?

Hiring managers don’t just want to hear about your talent and abilities; they want to see proof of what you’ve actually accomplished in the past. They want to know that you’ve had a positive impact in your previous jobs and that you’re capable of excellent work.

When you quantify your resume accomplishments with specific numbers, you’re not just making empty claims about your skills and experience -- you’re backing your claims up with evidence. Quantified achievements are far more meaningful and concrete than vague statements about what you were “responsible for” at a previous job, and they can also help differentiate you from your competition.

What should I do if I don’t have access to numbers from my previous jobs?

When you’re quantifying your achievements, you may not always know the exact number of dollars you brought in or the percentage of growth you created. If that’s the case, don’t panic -- all you need to do is provide your best guess.

For example, if you upgraded some machinery and made your company’s operations more efficient, you could estimate how many hours of labor those new machines saved per week. To take it a step further, you could multiply these weekly labor hours by the average hourly employee pay to give a rough idea of how much money the machines saved.

In certain jobs, such as those where you help coach, mentor, and guide other people , it may be challenging to think of tangible, measurable achievements to list on your resume. In these cases, you could focus on metrics such as the number of clients you’ve served or new team members you’ve hired.

What if I’m a student or recent graduate with limited work experience?

If you don’t have much work history yet, focus your resume on any relevant experiences you have had -- they could be courses you took in school, internships you’ve held, or extracurricular projects you’ve done. Recruiters know that those activities are valuable learning experiences, and they often teach you transferable job skills.

List these experiences on your resume as if they were jobs, and create bullet points for each one, as shown in the example below. Call out achievements that can be quantified, such as the number of donors you generated, networking events you organized, or students who participated in your training.

If you’re unsure of what skills to add to your resume, use the tool below to search for the role you’re applying to. It’ll let you know which skills are relevant to the job you’re applying to and which to add to your skills.

What if I can't think of any ways to quantify my accomplishments?

Some accomplishments are easier to quantify than others. If you worked in sales, finance, or anything else particularly number-driven, finding ways to quantify your accomplishments should be relatively easy. But what about people who work in positions that aren't so easily quantified?

Instead of adding numbers that don't relate to your core achievements just for the sake of data, try these strategies:

• Explain the scale of what you did. Did you tutor 12 children or organize an event with 400 attendees?
• Mention the frequency of ongoing duties. Did you send a weekly newsletter, daily status reports, or reconcile a monthly budget?
• Describe your time investment. Did you spend 10 hours per week volunteering at a shelter, or put in 60+ hour weeks in the leadup to a product launch?
• Estimate and make use of ranges. Nobody is going to meticulously check whether you saved your company 19% or 22% in overhead — just make sure whatever figure you use is approximately correct.

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How To Quantify Your Resume (With Examples)

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Resume Bullet Points

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Quantifying the bulleted information you include in your resume can be the difference between a glance and scheduling an interview .

Your resume should be easy to digest. It should be a quick read without dense paragraphs of information.

Don’t just droll on about your job duties and vague accomplishments. Quantify your achievements. It strengthens your resume and gets the attention of the people who matter most: your potential employers.

Key Takeaways:

Quantifying your resume provides proof of your capabilities and helps make your resume be unique.

Brainstorm your professional responsibilities and achievements to find quantifiable bullet points for your resume

There is a formula you can use to quantify your resume: action word + number = quantified achievements

Increases, frequencies, and volume are all good areas to find quantifiable numbers.

Why Quantify Your Resume?

How to choose resume bullet points, how to quantify your resume, examples of measurable accomplishments and action words, quantify resume frequently asked questions, final thoughts.

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You should quantify your resume because it builds credibility and helps you stand out to hiring managers.

It is one thing to say you did something and quite another to demonstrate your abilities. Quantifying your accomplishments and responsibilities helps to legitimize them.

Quantifying can take something from abstract concept to concrete proof. It shows what you’ve accomplished, what kind of impact you’ve had at your previous companies, which, in turn, shows a potential employer what you could accomplish for them.

The numbers highlight the impact you had, and the results yielded. They add professionalism and build credibility in the eyes of the hiring manager .

Quantifying your resume also gets the hiring manager’s attention. It provides them with information to compare against other candidates. So be sure to not only quantify your resume, but present it in the best possible terms.

Sure, it sounds simple. Add some numbers, and boom, your resume will give that recruiter the ol’ razzle-dazzle. Interview landed.

For some, it may be that simple. Those working in sales or marketing have easily quantified achievements they can list out without much thought.

If your position doesn’t necessarily yield results that are easy to quantify, on the other hand, it can be a little complicated.

There are steps you can take to simplify this process:

Brainstorm. The first step is figuring out what you want to include in your resume. Brainstorm a list of potential bullet points for each position you are including.

Try to think of more statements than you’ll need; you’ll be paring the list down as you go on.

Separate. Next, you’ll need to determine which of your responsibilities and accomplishments could potentially be quantifiable. Which of the listed items can you attach a definitive number to?

Quantify. Time to add your numbers. If you’re not quite sure how to do that, see below. I’ve got you covered.

Provide context. As tempting as it is to list out a bunch of numbers, you will need to provide a little context for each quantified achievement. Your potential employer needs to understand the impact in addition to the numbers.

Once you have your list of potential bullet points and you’ve identified all the easy to quantify items, it’s time to dig a little deeper.

Remember, you don’t want to toss the bullet points you’re not sure about. Some will still be quantifiable, and the rest may still be necessary. Not every bullet point needs to be quantified. In truth, some couldn’t possibly have a number attached to them.

That doesn’t mean they’re not necessary. You will have to judge what you need to include and what you can leave off. Make sure that you are painting a complete picture of your potential.

There is a relatively simple formula you can use to quantify your resume:

Action word + number = quantified achievements

You also need to provide context for your numbers, but this formula describes what you’ll be doing in the simplest of terms.

From this formula, you need to add some numbers. There are different ways to find numbers in your professional experience. You can:

Show an increase. Whether you increased sales numbers, employee retention, efficiency, or something else, you can quantify it.

Percentages can accomplish this: “Grew Australian market by more than 200%”.

List a ranking, standing, or award. Achievements, in this case, don’t necessarily have to be numerical. Specific awards can be considered quantifiable achievements. Being the first, last, youngest, etc., still counts.

The context here would be the year you won the award. Employers want to know you still possess the skills to repeat this achievement.

List frequency. This is a simple way to quantify your responsibilities. Show how often you completed a complicated task.

Show volume. This is another way to quantify your responsibilities. You can show the volume of work you completed, the number of employees you supervised, how many accounts you were in charge of, etc.

As the simplified formula mentions above, you will need to include action words with each bullet point. Action words, sometimes referred to as power words, are verbs used to describe your skills, tasks, and achievements .

Your word choice matters greatly here. The right words can help to make the statement more impactful.

Don’t say, “Wrote six white papers that earned 25,000 downloads”.

Instead, say, “Authored six white papers which resulted in 25,000 downloads”.

The second statement is much more powerful. Powerful statements will get you more attention from the hiring managers. Choosing the right action words and quantifying can help make a lasting impression that has the hiring manager reach for the phone.

Measurable accomplishments include:

Revenue generation

Lead generation

Sales growth

Closed sales

Publications

Conversions

Contracts won

Turnover rate

Order value

Customer acquisition

Customer satisfaction

Customer retention

amp; many more

Action words to include in your resume:

Coordinated

Established

Implemented

Incorporated

Spearheaded

Consolidated

Restructured

Streamlined

Collaborated

Don’t write off your responsibilities, though. These, too, are important, and many can be quantified. Your potential employers need a well-rounded view of your experience and potential. That means including duties and achievements for each position, not just one or the other.

How do I quantify my resume?

Quantify your resume by providing measurable responsibilities and achievements. Think about your past professional experience and come up with a list of quantifiable bullet points. Provide the most relevant information to match the job description and list the most impressive information first.

What are important numbers for a resume?

Numbers related to time, finances, locations, and size are important numbers for a resume. Numbers related to time can show how long or short a project lasted. Finances can show how you saved or made money for your company. Locations show a diverse experience. Size provides information that can be compared against other similar bullet points.

Does everything on a resume need to be quantified?

No, not everything on a resume needs to be quantified. However, it is best to have as many, if not all, bullet points be quantified. Quantifiable information adds credibility to your skills and experience. Quantifiable information also helps your resume stand out to hiring managers by giving them information unique to you.

Your resume and your cover letter are what stand between you and an interview. Your cover letter serves as your introduction , but your resume is what drives potential employers to consider you as a potential candidate.

By quantifying your resume bullet points, you can stand out as an ideal candidate, primarily if you focus on the job duties and achievements that most strongly display your potential in your applying position.

Choose your statements wisely and quantify when it makes sense. Your application will be more robust, and you’ll earn more interviews.

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Samantha is a lifelong writer who has been writing professionally for the last six years. After graduating with honors from Greensboro College with a degree in English & Communications, she went on to find work as an in-house copywriter for several companies including Costume Supercenter, and Blueprint Education.

Don Pippin is an executive and HR leader for Fortune 50 and 500 companies and startups. In 2008, Don launched area|Talent with a focus on helping clients identify their brand. As a Certified Professional Resume Writer, Certified Digital Career Strategist, and Certified Personal Branding Strategist, Don guides clients through career transitions.

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How to Quantify Your Resume Bullets (When You Don't Work With Numbers)

You’ve likely heard the advice to add numbers to your resume bullets. It helps recruiters really picture the impact you’ve made in your position, and it frankly just sounds more impressive.

See for yourself: Which person would you hire?

Person 1: Duties included taking field measurements and maintaining records, setting up and tracking project using Microsoft Project, and developing computerized material take-off sheets.

Person 2: Initiated and managed tracking systems used for the Green District water decontamination project, saving $125,000 on the overall project through a 30% decrease of staff allocation time.

Of course, I know what you might be thinking: Sounds great, but what if I just don’t really work with hard numbers? Maybe you’re in a role that requires softer skills, or maybe you don’t have hard data or sales reports to pull from.

That’s OK! Truthfully, no matter what you do, you can add some numbers and data to your resume to give it that extra touch.

Here are three ways to quantify your experience without being in an inherently quant-y field:

Not knowing the exact figure for things is often a big deterrent for using numbers in resumes. But one way to overcome this is to use a range.

It’s perfectly fine to not know exactly how many clients you see a month or how many calls you take a week, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t still quantify it.

Give it your best estimate, and the range will show that there is a bit of leeway. And, of course, focus on your impact .

Responsible for supervising undergraduate researchers.

Supervised 7-12 undergraduate research students each year who have all since gone on to graduate school in astrophysics, physics, or mathematics.

2. Frequency

Now that you know it’s fine to use a range, one of the easiest ways to add some numbers is to include how frequently you do a particular task (after all, that’s a number that applies to pretty much everyone).

This is particularly helpful in illustrating your work in high-volume situations—a hiring manager will be able to see just how much you can handle.

Completed first editing pass on articles.

Reviewed and evaluated 40-50 topical articles per week and made the decision to either pass articles to the editorial team or send articles back to authors for further revisions.

You’ve heard it before and you’ll hear it again: Employers across the board care about money—and saving it. Including the frequency of your actions give a great sense of scale, but an even more eye-catching way to do this is to talk about the bottom line.

Think about all the things you do that ultimately save your company money, whether it’s streamlining a procedure, saving time, or negotiating discounts with vendors. Multiply those actions by how frequently you do them, and pop them into your resume bullets (remembering, again, that rough numbers are OK).

Streamlined inspection process by upgrading sensing and marking devices.

Managed project to upgrade defect sensing and marking devices, resulting in the elimination of human inspection on line, saving $200,000 to $350,000 per year.

Or, if you’re more of a people-person and less of a figures-person, consider adding how many people you interact with or serve. Even soft skills come to life with a few numbers thrown in.

Responsible for chairing the Student Event Promotional Committee.

Chaired promotional committee of 12 and presented marketing plans to an audience of 40 to 60 students at weekly university senate meetings open to all 2,000 community members.

Numbers make such a huge difference in resumes—no matter what your work involves.

So, the next time you’re polishing your resume , try adding a few numbers to quantify your work and see how they really drive home the impact you’re capable of making.

How to Quantify Resume Using Data, Metrics, and Numbers

3 key takeaways 

• Understand what resume metrics are and the types you can use 
• Learn why you should quantify accomplishments on your resume 
• Discover the best way to quantify a resume to land your next interview

Quantifying your resume not only demonstrates your achievements but also presents your value in a concrete, measurable way. That’s why it’s important to take the time to quantify those resume achievements to stand out to hiring managers during the hiring process. 

And yet, why does it feel so hard?

But by the end of this post, you’ll know exactly why , where , and how to quantify resume metrics to help you land your next interview fast. 

What are resume metrics (& how do you use them)? 

Resume metrics are quantitative measures or data points that more clearly articulate the value you've brought to a previous role or project in your resume.

They provide a clear way to show your achievements and demonstrate your impact to potential employers.

Metrics on a resume could refer to various measurable achievements, depending on your role and industry. Here are some examples:

• Financial metrics : These include revenue generated, costs saved, budgets managed, sales made, or any monetary figures that show your financial impact.
• Operational metrics : These metrics can include processes improved, efficiency gains, time saved, production volumes, or any operational improvements you contributed to.
• Performance metrics : These metrics reflect individual or team performance, such as meeting or exceeding targets or KPIs, achieving high customer satisfaction scores, or ranking within the team or organization.
• Project or program metrics : If you've managed projects or programs, these metrics might include the number of projects managed, project sizes, project completion rates, or success rates.
• People metrics : For those in leadership or HR roles, these metrics can include the number of people managed or hired, retention rates, or team performance improvements.
• Marketing metrics : These could include the number of leads generated, conversion rates, increase in website traffic, or growth in social media followers due to your marketing efforts.

Remember, resume metrics aren't just about the numbers; they provide context that helps potential employers understand the scope of your job responsibilities and the impact of your work. 

One of the advantages of using Teal’s AI Resume Builder to craft your resume is that it comes with an AI-generated achievements option—helping you instantly draft achievements using keywords from the job description you’re working with: 

While you’ll need to verify and polish the information, this can give you a head start in beating the blank page and building a better, smarter resume.

Why you should quantify your resume

There are many reasons why you should quantify accomplishments on your resume. Here are the main ones to consider. 

1. Demonstrates impact and value 

Employers want to understand what you've accomplished in previous roles, and, more importantly, the impact of those achievements. When you quantify your resume work experience , you provide tangible evidence of the value you've contributed. 

2. Shows a results-oriented nature 

Employers value candidates who are results-oriented and can deliver concrete outcomes. When you quantify your work, it's a clear signal to hiring managers that you focus on results (not just tasks and activities). 

This can be especially valuable in roles where tangible outcomes are important, such as sales, project management, or any leadership position.

3. Enhances credibility 

Quantified achievements provide credibility to your qualifications and help your resume stand out. It's easy to claim you've "improved a process" or "led a team," but quantifiable bullet points show you're not just throwing around buzzwords. 

They show that you've taken the time to reflect on your work and can articulate your value in concrete terms.

4. Sets you apart from other candidates 

Many job seekers don't take the time to really quantify resume accomplishments on their resumes, often because they need help figuring out how to do it or they underestimate its importance. By quantifying your past achievements, you automatically distinguish yourself from a significant portion of the competition.

5. Compliments keywords searched for in the ATS

Many hiring managers and recruiters use resume scanning tools, such as Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), to file and search for strong applications that incorporate specific keywords. 

Incorporating those keywords as hard skills and soft skills alongside your metrics can increase your chances of being found by hiring professionals. And this is another reason to consider  building your resume with Teal . 

That's because the Teal platform automatically pulls keywords from the original job description so you can re-use them throughout your application materials, including your resume:

This way, you can increase your odds of getting your resume prioritized and use every advantage at your disposal in today’s competitive market. 

Different ways to quantify achievements on your resume

When writing a resume, quantifying achievements should emphasize the impacts your actions have had. 

Here are several more examples of ways you can express those achievements:

1. Money saved or generated

Any actions that lead to financial savings or increased profits or sales revenue are strengths on your resume that should be highlighted. This might include negotiating better vendor contracts, developing cost-saving strategies, or leading a successful sales or fundraising campaign.

Example achievement bullet point :

• Secured a vendor contract resulting in annual savings of $200,000.

2. Time saved

If your strategies or actions led to more efficient processes, quantify the time saved. This could be through automation, streamlined procedures, or improved task delegation.

• Implemented a new project management system, reducing project completion time by 30%.

3. Increased efficiency or productivity

If your work has helped to boost the efficiency or productivity of a team, department, or the entire organization, quantify these improvements.

Example professional summary inclusion : Introduced Agile methodologies to the software development team, increasing productivity by 40%.

4. Sales and revenue increases

If you are in a sales or marketing role, quantifying sales, revenues, or market share increases can be particularly impressive.

Example professional summary inclusion : Led a marketing campaign that resulted in a 20% increase in sales and a 10% growth in market share.

5. Volume of work

If you've handled a high volume of work or multi-tasked across several different projects, indicating this can show that you're hard-working and efficient.

General example : Managed a portfolio of 50+ clients while successfully meeting all project deadlines.

6. Improved metrics 

If your actions led to an improvement in any other key performance indicators or metrics, include those figures. This could be metrics related to customer satisfaction, product quality, employee turnover, or website traffic.

General example : Implemented new SEO strategies, increasing organic search traffic and website traffic by 60%.

7. Personnel growth or reduction

If you've been in charge of growing a team, that can speak to your leadership and recruiting skills. On the other hand, if you've managed a team during a period of downsizing or restructuring, this can show your ability to maintain performance during challenging times.

General example : Successfully grew a high-performing team from 5 to 15 members.

The goal of quantifying achievements is to provide concrete evidence of your skills and demonstrate the impact you could have on the prospective employer's organization.

How to quantify your work experience

Here's a step-by-step guide on how to effectively quantify your work history and resume:

Step 1: Review your job description and responsibilities 

Begin by revisiting your roles and responsibilities. 

• What were you hired to do? 
• What tasks were you accountable for? 

Start writing these down in a list for each job you've held and the specific responsibilities that came with it.

Step 2: Reflect on your accomplishments 

For each job, think about what you accomplished. 

• Did you exceed sales targets? 
• Did you improve a process?
• Did you manage a team that consistently outperformed others? 

Write down these potential resume accomplishments next to your responsibilities. 

Step 3: Identify the impact of your work 

Reflect on the impact of your achievements. This involves thinking through the ripple effect of your accomplishments. 

For example, did your cost-saving strategy enable other projects to be funded or did your improved process save employees time each day? 

These impacts can often be expressed as tangible resume metrics, which is what you’ll search for next. 

Step 4: Find the numbers 

Now, dive into the numbers. If you're in sales, this might be easy—look at your sales figures. But for other roles, you might have to think creatively. 

If you managed a project, consider the budget, timeline, or number of people. If you implemented a new process, calculate the time saved or efficiency gained.

For example, imagine you were the team lead on a project, and you reduced project meetings from three hours/week to one hour/week. While you can quantify the time saved, you can also roughly calculate how much money was saved. 

• Your team has five people 
• You saved two hours per week, per employee
• This equates to saving 104 hours per year in company time 
• If each colleague earns $30/hour, you can quickly run the math 
• One hour for five employees costs the company $150
• Over the course of the year, your team saved $15,600

Any hiring manager would be thrilled to see a candidate so focused on saving company money and driving a real financial impact. 

Step 5: Match metrics to achievements 

Based on your reflection and the numbers you've collected, decide which metric best represents each accomplishment. 

Refer back to the kinds of resume metrics we discussed earlier, and decide whether each achievement is best represented by a financial, operational, performance, project, people, or marketing metric.

Step 6: Write your quantified achievements 

With your metrics in hand, write out each achievement in a clear, concise way. Start with an action verb, clearly state your accomplishment, and end with the quantified impact (refer to the next section for examples).

Remember to keep it relevant—the most impressive numbers relate directly to the job you're applying for. Then, incorporate them as quantified resume bullets or within your professional summary.

Step 7: Review and refine 

Finally, review your achievements. 

• Are they clear and compelling? 
• Do they accurately represent what you accomplished?
• Would someone unfamiliar with your job understand them? 

Consider getting a trusted friend, mentor to review your resume for clarity, or use our free resume check for an analysis and holistic score.

The aim is not to overwhelm employers with numbers but to use them strategically to show the tangible value you've added to your roles.

This approach not only makes your resume more compelling but also shows potential employers that you're results-oriented, a quality that's highly valued in any role.

Use the Achievement Assistant to Incorporate Metrics Into Your Resume

Use the Achievement Assistant to create impactful achievements that focus on results, using numbers to back them up.

Get started with the achievement assistant for free .

Quantified resume examples 

1. marketing.

a) Unquantified : Managed social media campaigns. 

• Quantified : Managed social media campaigns that increased follower count by 35% and engagement by 50% over six months.

b) Unquantified : Conducted market research. 

• Quantified : Conducted market research that surveyed over 1,000 customers, leading to a 15% increase in customer satisfaction scores.

c) Unquantified : Developed SEO strategies.  

• Quantified : Developed and implemented SEO strategies that improved website ranking from 10th to 1st position on Google for 5 key terms.

a) Unquantified : Led sales team.  

• Quantified : Led a sales team of 10, exceeding annual sales targets by 25%.

b) Unquantified : Generated leads. 

• Quantified : Generated an average of 30 quality leads per week, resulting in an 18% increase in closed deals.

c) Unquantified : Improved customer relationships. 

• Quantified : Improved customer relationships, increasing repeat business by 20%.

a) Unquantified : Improved system performance. 

• Quantified : Improved system performance by 30% by optimizing code and implementing efficient algorithms.

b) Unquantified : Managed software development projects.  

• Quantified : Managed software development projects that delivered 5 applications on schedule and 10% under budget.

c) Unquantified : Implemented cybersecurity measures. 

• Quantified : Implemented cybersecurity measures that decreased security breaches by 50% in the first quarter.

4. Human Resources

a) Unquantified : Led recruitment efforts.  

• Quantified : Led recruitment efforts that filled 20 open positions within 60 days, reducing time-to-fill by 25%.

b) Unquantified : Developed employee training programs. 

• Quantified : Developed employee training programs that increased staff productivity by 15%.

c) Unquantified : Improved employee retention rates. 

• Quantified : Implemented strategies that improved employee retention rates by 20% year-over-year.

5. Project Management

a) Unquantified : Managed construction projects.  

• Quantified : Managed construction projects valued at over $500,000, delivering all projects on time and within budget.

b) Unquantified : Led process improvement initiatives.  

• Quantified : Led process improvement initiatives that resulted in a 25% increase in operational efficiency.

c) Unquantified : Oversaw project teams. 

• Quantified : Oversaw project teams of up to 20 members, completing 95% of projects ahead of schedule.

6. Customer Support

a) Unquantified : Resolved customer complaints.  

• Quantified : Resolved 100+ customer complaints weekly, achieving a 95% satisfaction rate.

b) Unquantified : Managed customer support team. 

• Quantified : Managed a customer support team of 15, reducing average call response time by 30%.

c) Unquantified : Improved customer service processes. 

• Quantified : Implemented new customer service processes, reducing customer complaints by 20%.

How to add metrics to your resume (the easy way)

Whether you’re entering the job market for the first time or a seasoned vet applying for C-suite roles, the lesson is the same: whenever possible, you should quantify professional achievements for your resume. Especially within the resume bullet points of your work experience.

The easiest way to do this is with the Teal Resume Builder . 

Teal has everything you need to build a stellar resume personalized to the job you’re after. Plus, when you use Teal’s generative AI, you can create professional summaries, resume accomplishments, achievements, and even cover letters all at the click of a button. 

So what are you waiting for? Sign up and join Teal for free , and get one step closer to securing your dream job!  

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of achievements are most effectively quantified on a resume, how can i quantify my resume if i work in a field that isn't traditionally data-driven, can i include projected outcomes or estimated results on my resume.

Nathan Thompson

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How to Quantify Your Achievements on Your Resume +Examples

In This Guide:

Why is it significant to quantify achievements on your resume, how to quantify achievements on your resume, examples of quantifying achievements on a resume.

In today’s competitive job market, it is important to take every opportunity to make your resume stronger.

A great way to do so is by quantifying your achievement on your resume.

Including numbers in your achievements descriptions might be the difference between a quick glance from the hiring manager, and scheduling an interview.

But before you add any numbers into your resume, you should know how to do it right.

In this article, we are going to help you by exploring the following questions:

• Why is it significant to quantify achievement on your resume?
• How to quantify achievement on your resume?

And just to get you ready even more, we are going to wrap things up with some great examples to help you quantify your own achievement in your resume.

So, if you are ready to use all the numbers in your favor in your resume, let’s dive in.

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You should always aim to make your resume as strong as possible.

One of the best ways to do so is by quantifying your achievements, but you might ask yourself why is that exactly.

The first thing you accomplish by including numbers along with your accomplishments is that they instantly grab the hiring manager’s attention.

Not only that, but they also give the information in your resume more credibility.

Furthermore, every number in your resume lets the hiring manager compare your results to those of other candidates, which can set you one step ahead of some, and will definitely take you ahead of the competition which missed out on quantifying their achievements.

Now that you understand the importance of quantifying achievements on your resume, it’s time to learn how to do it just right.

To do so, you only need to follow a few simple steps.

Keep track of your work

The first thing you need to do should become a habit for you, if you want to save up some valuable time.

If you constantly keep track of your work, and your achievements, it will not only be easier for you to add the quantified data to your resume once you start searching for a new job , but you will also see what you are good at, and what you need to work on.

So make sure you make a list, and keep it updated with every work-related accomplishment you get, along with the quantified result.

Numbers on your resume can be your greatest friends when it comes to job searching.

However, that does not mean that you should absolutely stay away from ranges.

There are a number of reasons why you might not include a specific number in an accomplishment on your resume, like:

• You don’t have access to a specific number
• You can’t calculate an exact number to quantify the achievement
• You prefer to use a range, rather than a specific number

Whatever the reason, using a range to quantify an achievement can be just as strong as an exact number.

Focus on the key metrics

Numbers on your resume are effective, but that only applies if you use them correctly.

You should not just throw them around anywhere you can, but instead you need to focus on key metrics.

Such metrics that can catch the hiring manager’s attention are:

• Money – when it comes to money, numbers are essential for every successful company. If you can show improved financial performance due to your achievements, you should absolutely include some strong numbers there, either as specific amount, or percentage
• People – you can also quantify people, which can mean many things – from clients you had, to a size of a team you had managed
• Time – another highly valued number you should include on your resume is the experience you have in specific positions, as the work experience is definitely the first thing a hiring manager is looking for on your resume

Last but not least, you need to check if all the numbers you have listed on your resume are actually correct.

It is really important for you to present accurate and real information to the hiring manager, and remain honest throughout the whole hiring process.

And now, as promised, we are going to wrap things up with some great examples of how to quantify achievements on your resume.

Managed a human resources team of 8 employees, serving an office of 380 staff members, maintaining strong professional relationship within the staff.

Managed a team of 15 employees with innovative techniques that lead to 32% increase in revenue from the previous calendar year.

Worked on a new online marketing platform that produced top-five results on all targeted keywords, yielding a 57% increase in organic search traffic and 24% increase in sales.

We are all done, now you know how to quantify your achievements just right.

Let’s go through all the essential steps one last time, you need to:

• Keep track of your work – create a list and constantly update it with your achievements, along with the quantified result from them
• Use ranges – if you can’t or don’t want to use exact numbers for some of your achievements, don’t forget that ranges can be just as strong
• Focus on key metrics – think about what the hiring manager would be interested in, and focus your numbers in that direction, rather than adding them everywhere
• Proofread – go through all the numbers you have listed, and make sure they all present the actual result, as you would want to be as honest as possible in the hiring process

Check out our examples one last time, and get ready to quantify your own achievement in your resume.

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Why and How to Include Numbers on Your Resume

Tips for Quantifying Your Achievements on Your Resume

The Benefits of Quantifying Your Resume

It’s all in the numbers.

• Tips for Including Numbers

Use Action Words

How to quantify the change, include how you got the results.

• More Options for Including Numbers

Back Up Your Resume With Facts

Morsa Images / Getty Images

Want to get the hiring manager’s attention? When you’re working in a job where your achievements are quantified, including numbers on your resume is the best way to get your application noticed . For example, if you’re in sales, listing how you exceeded your goals is a sure-fire way to impress a prospective employer.

Many employers expect to see numbers on your resume. Andrew Challenger, senior vice president, Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Inc., says, “Quantitative information is almost required these days to thoroughly describe the job candidate's achievements.”  

Showing what you achieved in a quantifiable way is important for other types of jobs, as well.

Even if you aren’t in a role where you are evaluated on your quantifiable achievements, numbers on your resume can help you get the interview.

Why? Because incorporating numbers into your resume shows employers, at a glance, what you have accomplished at work. It’s one thing to say that you’re good at your job. It’s another thing to demonstrate that you can accomplish your goals and exceed expectations.

Adding numbers to your resume is a great way to prove to employers that you have legitimate accomplishments in your work history. Of course, not all of your achievements will be quantifiable, but many of them will be.

Your goal is to figure out which numbers are the most crucial to your success and the best language to use in order to frame your achievements .

Tips for Including Numbers on Your Resume

What’s the best way to include numbers on your resume? Start by identifying any outcomes for your team that would be considered key indicators of success. Ask yourself what the bottom-line considerations are for your department.

Not sure? Ask your colleagues for their insight. They might have an entirely different perspective to offer.

For example, your department's success might be measured by one or more of the following factors:

• New clients acquired
• Sales revenue
• Cost reduction
• Cost savings
• Increase in page views
• Increase in profits
• Increase in user engagement
• Level of donations
• Number of cases closed
• Client retention
• Customer ratings
• Customer satisfaction
• Complaints resolved
• Billable hours
• Number of safety violations
•  Audit findings
• Reduction in overtime costs
• Retention of employees
• Loss prevention reduction
• Staff morale
• Credentials of a class of recruits
• Test scores by students
• Response time

Next, select the bottom-line areas that are most impacted by your individual work. Quantify the change over time resulting from your actions.

Establish a baseline for any of the indicators that you have chosen. The baseline might be tied to the calendar, such as the beginning of the year or a business quarter. If you have implemented a new initiative, then the baseline would be the state of things right before that activity began. 

Select action words that imply change to start out your phrases like increased, reduced, enhanced, expanded, eliminated, added, compressed, minimized, pruned, lessened, shrunk, downsized, augmented, grew, elevated, enlarged, diminished or shortened.

Need more examples? Here's a list of action words to get you started.

Show an Increase

Quantify the change by selecting a figure to represent the change that you have helped to generate. For example:

• Shortened wait time for new customers by 20%
• Increased billable hours in the third quarter by 15%

List a Range

If you have trouble assigning an exact number, then you might use some language that frames the change as an approximation or range. For example:

• Increased test scores by at least 10 points
• Increased test scores by 10-20 points

Include some reference to how you were able to generate the results that you are quantifying to increase the impact of your statements. For example:

• Increased sales by 15% after implementing a referral incentive program.
• Elevated the average customer rating from 4.0 to 4.5 after instituting a new customer service training program.

More Options for Including Numbers on a Resume

Share what you accomplished.

Another way to incorporate numbers into your resume is to represent the magnitude of your output or responsibilities, regardless of whether you can cite a change in key indicators.

For example:

• Generated an average of 110 billable hours each month over the first six months of the year.
• Taught mathematics to over 120 sixth-grade students, including 12 students who had been diagnosed with learning disabilities.

Show Your Commitment to Your Job

You may include numerical indicators of commitment to your work if you are willing to perpetuate that pattern with a new employer. For example, you could say:

• Worked 17 consecutive days to complete project on time and under budget.
• Worked an average of 55 hours a week to complete the audit before the end of the year.

Showcase Your Achievements

If you want to make your accomplishments stand out, use numbers and signs rather than words (10 instead of ten and % instead of percent) to get your achievements noticed. Here's an example:

• Successfully project-managed the acquisition and installation of state-of-the-art healthcare billing software that reduced errors by 25%.
• Created budget, forecast, and profit and loss reports that contributed to a 10% decrease in annual expenses.
• Eliminated backlog in financial reporting within 30 days of starting employment.

Make sure the numbers that you incorporate into your resume are accurate and will be supported by your references.

Share your resume with references , so they are aware of your specific assertions. Save any documents like performance appraisals or sales reports that confirm your numbers.

Challenger Gray & Christmas. " Writing the Modern Resume: Dispelling the Myths ." Accessed Aug. 28, 2020.

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How to Quantify Your Resume: What Recruiters Look For

In today’s competitive job market, a power-packed resume can be your golden ticket to your dream job. But how can you capture recruiters’ attention?

Well, one thing you can do is quantify your accomplishments with tangible metrics and measurable achievements.

By showcasing your impact, you demonstrate your value and potential to future employers. Let’s delve into the art of effectively including numbers, metrics, and accomplishments on your resume , with a focus on various corporate jobs and levels.

After reading these expert tips, you can use our  resume builder  to  create your own document quickly and easily.

Create Impactful Statements About Your Accomplishments

In the realm of resume crafting, the power of including impactful accomplishment statements cannot be overstated.

Rather than simply listing your job responsibilities, these statements highlight your strengths in a way that resonates with recruiters and sets you apart from the crowd.

When updating your resume , a key challenge is transforming routine job duties into noteworthy accomplishments. Consider how your actions went above and beyond the expected.

So, how can you describe your work history using metrics? Let’s break it down.

• Start with strong action verbs: Begin your accomplishment statements with power verbs that convey confidence and dynamism. Words like “achieved,” “innovated,” “led,” “initiated,” and “optimized” instantly command attention, compelling recruiters to read on.
• Quantify the impact: Numbers are your best allies when it comes to showcasing what you did exactly. They add depth and specificity to your statements, allowing recruiters to understand the scale of your contributions.
• Provide context : While numbers are crucial, they need context to truly shine. Explain the situation or problem you tackled, how you approached it, and the outcome. This not only helps recruiters understand the value you bring but also gives them insight into your problem-solving skills and strategic thinking.
• Tailor to the role: Customize your work experience statements to align with the job you’re applying for. Focus on resume metrics that directly relate to the role’s requirements and responsibilities.

Examples of Quantitative Accomplishment Statements

Let’s look at some examples of  how to include metrics in your resume.  The examples below are written for specific industries but could be adapted.

Sales: “Exceeding quarterly sales expectations, effectively finalizing deals worth $1.3M in revenue.”

Marketing: “Delivered a substantial 35% boost in website traffic by executing effective SEO strategies.”

Finance: “Effectively curtailed budget overruns by 22% through the meticulous implementation of expense tracking measures.”

Operations: “Engineered enhancements within the supply chain, achieving a substantial 20% reduction in delivery times and significantly enhancing customer satisfaction.”

IT: “Effectively executed cybersecurity measures resulting in a marked 55% decrease in security breaches.”

HR: “Revitalized the onboarding process, effectively reducing new hire training time by 25%.”

By focusing on action verbs, quantifiable metrics, context, and customization, you create measurable statements that pack a punch.

These bullet points go beyond informing recruiters of what you did – they demonstrate the value you brought to your previous roles and your potential to excel in the new ones.

Highlight Your Impact with Quantifiable Metrics on Your Resume

In the world of resume writing, numbers don’t just tell a story ; they paint a vivid picture of your professional prowess. Measuring your actions in concrete terms adds a layer of credibility and relevance that resonates with recruiters.

There are different ways to quantify your impact in the workplace with metrics, let’s dig into some of these. 

• Embrace the power of percentages : Percentages are a universal language of success. Whether you boost revenue, cut costs, or increase efficiency, expressing these improvements in percentages instantly conveys the magnitude of your accomplishments.
• Dollar signs and savings: Tangible monetary gains always catch attention. When you’ve contributed to revenue generation or cost reduction, be sure to include dollar amounts.
• Time is of the essence: Time-based goals you reach will demonstrate your ability to optimize processes. Did you expedite project completion? Slash delivery times?
• Quantifying project scale : When managing projects, quantify their scope. Mention the number of team members, clients, or markets you handled.
• Data-driven decision making : Employed data analysis to drive decisions? Highlight it.

Examples of Using Percentages on Your Resume

Similar to what we showed you earlier, here are some example metrics for different sectors of the labor force.

You can use these to inspire your own metrics-based resume statements.

Sales: “Surpassed quarterly targets, securing $1.7M in revenue, and outpaced industry performance by 40%.”

Marketing: “Steered a dynamic social media campaign resulting in a 65% surge in brand engagement, surpassing competitor benchmarks.”

Finance: “Implemented effective cost-saving strategies, yielding an 18% reduction in annual expenditures, notably below industry averages.”

Operations: “Engineered enhancements in the supply chain, achieving a 20% reduction in delivery times, significantly elevating customer satisfaction.”

IT: “Led a successful system upgrade, elevating network speed by 35%, surpassing established industry standards.”

HR: “Revolutionized the recruitment process, culminating in a 25% reduction in time-to-hire and a consequent boost in team efficiency.”

When your resume is peppered with quantifiable successes and metrics , recruiters gain a crystal-clear understanding of your capabilities. Your core competencies aren’t just words on paper; they’re proof of your value and potential.

Use Data on Your Resume to Show How You Exceeded Expectations

In the competitive resume crafting landscape, incorporating data-backed examples that show how you went the extra mile is like adding a touch of magic. These examples substantiate your claims, resonating with recruiters and setting you apart from the sea of applicants.

If your resume includes metrics, it is  much more likely to grab recruiters’ attention .

In my recruitment experience,  less than 20% of applications often  include any specific relevant achievements. By presenting data-supported feats that show you surpassed expectations, you demonstrate your capacity to make a real impact.

• Industry statistics and benchmarks : Incorporate industry-specific statistics or benchmarks to highlight your performance in an appropriate context.
• Case studies and success stories: Narrate your attainments in the form of mini case studies.
• Customer and client impact: If your achievements directly impacted customers or clients, quantify that impact.

Examples of Going Above and Beyond Your Targets

You might not be sure how to express this data on your resume. That’s why we’re here to help!

Look at these quantifiable work history sample bullet points for different industries and think about how you could adapt one or two of them to your own work history.

Sales: “Surpassing annual sales targets by 27%, going beyond industry norms.”

Marketing: “Executed an email campaign that yielded 12,000 new leads, outperforming typical industry conversion rates.”

Finance: “Implemented strategies that curtailed budget overruns by 12%, resulting in an annual savings of $300K for the company.”

Operations: “Engineered streamlined processes for inventory management, contributing to a notable 20% reduction in carrying costs.”

IT: “Led a comprehensive system security upgrade, contributing to a substantial 55% decrease in cybersecurity incidents.”

HR: “Pioneered a mentorship program that drove a remarkable 30% increase in employee retention rates.”

You’re not just claiming success; you’re showing it! This positions you as a candidate who delivers real results. What’s more, with each data-driven accomplishment, you’re telling a compelling story of your professional journey .

How to Make the Most of Your Resume Without Precise Figures

While quantifying accomplishments with precise numbers is impactful, not every role provides easily accessible metrics. Fear not, for there are ingenious ways to leverage available data and still demonstrate your value.

• Proximity and approximation : While you might not have exact figures, you likely have estimates.
• Rough percentages and ratios: When you lack exact numbers, even rough percentages and ratios can provide valuable context.
• Qualitative impact : Highlight the qualitative impact of your work.
• Comparative statements : Compare your efforts to the state of the department or business before your involvement.
• Industry insights: Leverage industry insights to provide context.
• Tangible outcomes: Focus on the tangible outcomes of your work. If you led a customer service initiative, discuss how customer satisfaction ratings improved noticeably due to enhanced support services. 

Examples Of How to Boost Your Resume Without Exact Data

If you are unsure how to write accomplishment statements without hard data to back them up , the examples below should be of some assistance. You can also  get help from AI tools like ChatGPT to write these resume statements .

Just be sure to edit them to sound like you rather than a bot.

Remember to…

• Emphasize your skill set . When exact numbers are elusive, emphasize the mix of soft and hard skills you employed. This is especially important now that skills-based hiring is on the rise.
• Solicit feedback . Reach out to colleagues or supervisors for qualitative feedback on your contributions.
• Be transparent. If you’re discussing accomplishments without specific numbers, acknowledge it. Remember it is never worth exaggerating or lying on your resume .

Sales: “Played a vital role in broadening the client base and maintaining steady revenue growth.”

Marketing : “Contributed significantly to impactful campaigns, leading to heightened brand visibility and increased engagement.”

Finance: “Assumed a crucial role in refining financial procedures, resulting in optimized processes and better outcomes.”

Operations: “Introduced enhancements to processes, effectively boosting operational efficiency and nurturing cross-team collaboration.”

IT: “Significantly contributed to technology-driven initiatives, leading to streamlined operations and enriched user experiences.”

HR: “Introduced an innovative mentorship initiative, leading to an impressive 30% boost in employee retention rates.”

Not having precise numbers shouldn’t hinder your ability to showcase your worth. Instead, focus on the tangible impact you’ve made and the skills you’ve demonstrated.

By adopting creative ways to highlight your contributions, you position yourself as a candidate who knows how to make a difference.

Prioritize Relevance: Not all Numbers are Created Equal

• Focus on numbers that directly resonate with the role you’re applying for. Prioritize those that highlight your most relevant skills and accomplishments . For instance, if you’re seeking a marketing role, emphasize metrics related to audience engagement and conversion rates.

A marketing professional applying for a role might emphasize “Increased website conversion rates by 25% through targeted A/B testing and personalized content strategies.”

• Blend quantity and quality. While having an array of accomplishments is beneficial, their quality holds greater significance. Rather than overwhelming your resume with an excessive number of statistics, carefully select a few high-impact goals you reached that truly highlight your capabilities and demonstrate your value to potential employers.

A finance candidate can showcase, “Led initiatives that collectively generated $500K in cost savings and revenue growth over two fiscal quarters.”

• Tailor to context. Numbers alone lack depth. Accompany them with context to provide recruiters with a holistic understanding of your performance. Describe the situation or challenge you faced, detail the actions you took, and conclude with the quantifiable outcome. This approach not only showcases your efforts but also highlights your problem-solving skills .

An operations professional can state, “Optimized inventory management, reducing carrying costs by 20% through streamlined procurement processes.”

• Use whole numbers and percentages. Clear communication is key. Whole numbers and percentages are easily digestible formats that swiftly convey the scale of your accomplishments. These formats eliminate ambiguity and allow recruiters to grasp the magnitude of your workplace success at a glance.

An IT expert can express, “Enhanced system uptime by 30%, translating to 100 additional hours of uninterrupted operation over six months.”

• Show progression. Your career journey is a narrative of growth. Showcase this progression through quantifiable achievements. Illustrate how you’ve consistently improved your performance, taken on higher responsibilities, and attained better outcomes over time.

A sales professional could present, “Consistently surpassed quarterly sales targets, achieving an average of 10% increase in revenue with each consecutive quarter.”

• Include industry benchmarks. Highlight the significance of your accomplishments by benchmarking them against industry standards. This adds a layer of credibility and demonstrates that your performance surpasses commonly accepted measures of success.

A marketing candidate might assert, “ Generated 50% higher social media engagement rates compared to industry averages through innovative content strategies.”

• Highlight innovation. Numbers alone can be impactful, but innovative ways of presenting them can leave a lasting impression. Think outside the box and creatively frame your accomplishments to intrigue and engage recruiters.

A creative approach for a marketing applicant might be, “Created enough social media buzz to fill an entire stadium, translating to 10 million impressions and 100K clicks.”

Prioritize relevant data, blend quality with quantity, provide context, and choose clear numerical formats. Let your accomplishments speak volumes, positioning you as a candidate of remarkable value.

Quantifying Accomplishments on Your Resume: The Final Word 

In the intricate art of resume writing, a well-curated list of accomplishments can be the crown jewel that distinguishes you from the competition. Here’s a recap on how to compile your achievements that showcase your prowess:

• Dig deep: Reflect on your career journey. Identify moments when your contributions led to positive outcomes, whether big or small.
• Prioritize relevance: Tailor your accomplishments to the job you’re pursuing.
• Mix and match: Select a diverse array of accomplishments that highlight different facets of your abilities.
• Quantify when possible: Numbers such as percentages, ratios, dollar amounts, and measures of time lend weight to your achievements.
• Highlight industry knowledge: Showcase your understanding of industry trends and challenges.
• Customize for impact: Don’t just list accomplishments; weave them into your overall narrative.

A well-composed list of accomplishments transforms your resume into a compelling story of your capabilities and achievements. By curating a mix of quantifiable results, industry expertise, and problem-solving prowess, you create an arsenal that positions you as an exceptional candidate ready to make a difference.

Remember, your resume is your canvas to showcase the unique value you bring to the table.

Infuse it with quantified achievements, tailored examples , and impactful narratives that resonate with recruiters and elevate your candidacy.

If you are not sure how to present these visually, don’t forget to have a look at some example resumes and professional templates for that final touch.

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How to quantify your resume bullets (with examples)

Numbers typically added to bullet points

What if i don’t work with numbers, 2. frequency.

There are more ways to quantify your achievements on a resume than you might think. Stay with us as we look at the possibilities.

But first, let’s discuss why this extra measure is so highly and widely recommended by career experts. Of what benefit is it to quantify your resume? 

Adding numbers to your resume’s employment history section utilizes another key piece of advice: Frame your work experience highlights as achievements or contributions, not a passive list of duties. Tell what you did , not what you were responsible for . Hand in hand with that comes results.

Measurable outcomes are the most effective way to show the beneficial impact of your work thus far, and what you’re capable of delivering next.“This is what I’ll do for you if hired” is the message they send about your potential value to prospective employers. 

Here are some specific ways that quantified resume bullets can give you an edge: 

• Your work experience highlights seem more credible, as well as impressive.
• You come across as results-oriented.
• Citing metrics that are relevant and relatable to the target employer shows you understand its needs and expectations.
• You have a better chance of being shortlisted for an interview than other candidates who don’t quantify their resumes.

A survey of hiring managers indicated that 34% pass over resumes with few or no measurable results. View more resume statistics . 

What do quantified bullets look like?

Compare the difference between these bullet points before and after numbers are added. The first version describes tasks you performed, but without indicating why they were important or their impact.

How do I quantify work experience on my resume?

Taking the recruiter’s perspective when tailoring your resume ensures the accomplishments you choose to highlight are relevant as well as impressive. How to quantify them accordingly may be self-evident, or that could even be a basis for selecting them. The “STAR” method is an effective way to write concise, one-line descriptions depicting a situation, task, action, and result.

In addition to the bullet points listed in your resume’s employment history section, including one or two quantified achievements in the summary upfront can make a powerful first impression on recruiters.

Below are some commonly used metrics that employers pay attention to on a resume.

• Money : Use dollars and percentages to substantiate financial gains you helped generate, such as cost savings, sales increases, and net profit boosts.
• People : Indicate how many others were involved, served, or impacted: staff, collaborators, clients, customers, vendors, patients, shareholders, members, students, or attendees.
• Time : From project hours to total years of experience, timeframes provide useful context.
• Rankings : Improved rankings are particularly impressive, whether it’s a top-100 list, customer ratings report, or search engine results.

A “wins journal” can be useful to track measurable work achievements as they happen. Amanda Augustine at TopResume recommends any form of “brag book” that you find convenient and handy to log all manner of confidence boosters when they are fresh on your mind — tasks well done, accolades earned or any kind of success story. You’ll thank yourself for the time and effort saved when the need arises to update and quantify your resume.

If you have no need to be preoccupied with numbers on the job, and no access to hard data, you’re in good company. Still, it’s not impossible to give your resume a quantifiable dimension. 

Below are three ways that almost all job seekers could bolster their resume’s impact with numbers. 

Don’t know exactly how many customers you greeted, shelves you stocked, yoga students you taught, or walls you painted? It’s perfectly fine to be imprecise, giving a range of numbers — your best guesstimate.

Perhaps in tandem with range, most people can approximate how often they perform certain job tasks. Simply indicate the number of actions performed, clients served, students tutored, or items produced, etc., within any applicable time span: per hour, shift, week, month or year. 

When you have moved up the career ladder at a previous employer, you should be proud to showcase it on a resume. But how can you display multiple positions for the same company?

Scale indicators help employers understand the relative importance of your past accomplishments by adding context and perspective.

Key takeaways

• Quantified bullets describing your work experience add value to your resume by showcasing your value to the hiring organization. Past contributions are a meaningful indicator of future potential.
• Be selective and specific in choosing the most relevant standout examples of excellence in your field.
• Money, people, time, and rankings are common metrics for describing professional accomplishments in measurable terms. In occupations where it’s not possible to use hard data for that, most resumes can still be quantified with numbers indicating range, frequency and scale.

For inspiration and ideas, check out Resume.io’s collection of 350+ occupation-specific resume examples and writing guides.

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Insights on elevating your resume, job search and personal growth

How to quantify achievements on your resume - tips & examples, why should i include achievements in my resume.

Before we dive into quantifying your accomplishments, let’s take a look at why these are important to include in your resume at all.

If you’re looking for a new job, you’ve probably heard that resumes have shifted from focusing just on responsibilities, to including your major achievements as well.

That’s because hiring managers these days want to know not just what you were hired to do, but how you personally took that job and made an impact on the organization. As past performance is a good indicator of future performance, this tells them how you could potentially benefit them as well.

The easiest way to showcase this for recruiters is by including 2-3 (or more) accomplishments you achieved for each of your recent jobs.

For example, these might include particularly successful projects, portfolio values you managed, sales targets you smashed, a complex problem you overcame, new processes you introduced, significant cost savings you effected, how many accounts you oversaw, or the growth of a team that you steered.

Whichever achievements you decide to include, ensure these are relevant to the job you’re applying for, and that they clearly demonstrate your impact on that organization.

Why should I quantify my achievements?

In the examples of accomplishments mentioned above, you may have noticed that we included clearly quantifiable achievements (e.g. sales figures), as well as seemingly non-quantifiable achievements (e.g. a complex problem you overcame).

However, even non-quantifiables should ideally be quantified for maximum impact.

Because quantifying information makes it much easier for skimming recruiters to absorb. It also has a very clever way of making the achievement sound much more impressive.

Consider this example from a property development specialist’s resume:

• Managed a national portfolio of shopping centers, as well as a team of direct reports
• Managed national portfolio of 9 shopping centers (total value $600M), including 43 direct reports

Which one sounds more powerful? To a hiring manager, the second point gives much more insight into the person’s leadership and portfolio management experience. Quantifying it has also made it easier to comprehend the portfolio values and team sizes the job seeker is familiar with handling.

In the following sections, we’ll show you how to easily quantify any type of professional accomplishment so that your resume helps you to immediately stand out from the competition.

What’s the best way to showcase my quantifiable achievements?

Usually, the most straightforward (and fastest) way to highlight your quantifiable accomplishments is to convert these to a currency (e.g. $), size, or % value.

• Obtained development approval for a 25-level tower in Dubai with GFA of 68,000m2; led sale negotiation resulting in asset on-selling for $35M

If you aren’t quite sure of the metric, then it’s also possible to use expressions such as ‘millions’, ‘dozens’, or ‘hundreds’. While not as catchy at exact numbers, the recruiter still gets good insight into the approximate figure.

Partnered with 100+ national/global organisations including Lockheed, Robust Learning, Sprint, T-Mobile, Nestle, United Airlines, CNB Software, Ohio County Health, and government entities

Let’s take a look at some more examples of quantified accomplishments that you can use for inspiration:

• Saved clients accumulated total of $1M+ annually thanks to meticulously designed and implemented workforce planning strategies and systems
• Championed execution of innovative talent optimisation strategy that cut turnover by 30%, improved leadership bench strength by 20%, and increased diversity in leadership roles by 25%
• Managed ~20 enterprise accounts with multiple business lines including social media networking platforms, pharmaceuticals, and financial institutions; portfolio value $2.1m
• Participated in Office Supplies Program initiative to consolidate operations and manage supplies ordering for the entire head office to reduce spending; led to cost savings of ~100K

As you can see, in each example the job seeker has converted these figures into precise numbers (e.g. $2.1m) or, when they weren’t entirely sure, into an approximate value (e.g. ~20, 100+).

How do I quantify ‘non-quantifiable’ achievements?

Quantifying ‘non-quantifiable’ accomplishments can seem a little trickier at first, especially if the achievement is not something you would usually measure.

First of all, start by writing down a list of your major accomplishments. Then, when trying to quantify a ‘non-quantifiable’, think about aspects such as:

• Did you achieve it in a certain amount of time?
• How big was the project, event, or space?
• How large was the team you managed or worked within?
• How many stakeholders, partners, vendors, offices, clients, customers, agencies, or countries did you engage with?

Make a note of each achievement. Then, play with the wording until it has been turned into a ‘quantifiable’ accomplishment.

Here are some examples of how other job seekers managed this:

• Launched new satellite office in first 30 days; hired/managed 7 teams (Customer Support, Product Support, Equipment Service & Repair, Field Service Engineering, Business Analysis)
• Led project team in all aspects of construction from production to architectural drawings, cost estimates, and scheduling for high-end single-family residentials (70 sq m – 1200 sq m)
• Automated marketing campaign setup; decreased manual data entry by media buyers from 1 hour to 10 seconds; created audit reporting to catch additional errors within 1 business day
• Lead team of 7 in-house specialists and supervise outsourced services with 14 partners and contractors
• Analyse test results and provide executive recommendations on web page strategy for 15 countries

It’s almost always possible to quantify an achievement, even if no measurable metrics were involved.

But if you struggle to turn your accomplishments into a measurement, don’t panic. It’s much better to include achievements, even if they’re not quantified, than to skip these altogether.

Key Takeaways

• Hiring managers want to know not just what you were hired to do, but how you personally took that job and made an impact on the organization (i.e. your accomplishments).
• Include 2-3 (ideally quantifiable) achievements for each of your most recent roles.
• Quantifiable achievements are usually showcased in currency (e.g. $), percentage (%), statistic, or other digit format (e.g. 15 direct reports).
• Even ‘non-quantifiable’ achievements can often be quantified in some way, for example by mentioning how many clients you worked with, how many offices or partners you engaged with, and so on.
• If an accomplishment truly can’t be quantified, don’t worry: what’s important is that you’ve highlighted your achievements.

Video: Quantify to Qualify: Making Your Resume Achievements Stand Out!

Struggling to quantify your achievements on your resume? You’re not alone. It’s essential to showcase your impact to prospective employers in a measurable way. This video will guide you on how to transform your resume achievements into quantifiable triumphs that resonate with hiring managers. Grab a pen and let’s dive in!

For more insights, tips and strategies related to this topic, be sure to read our other article: How to Write Resume Accomplishments Using ChatGPT - Quick Guide

Related questions

How can i quantify achievements if i work in a field where results are not easily measurable or quantified.

In fields where results are not easily measurable, it's possible to identify impact through indirect measures. For instance, creative roles might reference the reach of their work (e.g., views, shares, or mentions in the media) or the success of projects they contributed to (e.g., revenue generated by a marketing campaign they designed). Humanitarian workers could quantify their achievements by citing the number of people who benefited from a project or the amount of funds raised through their efforts. It's about framing your contribution in a way that highlights its impact.

Are there industry-specific examples or templates for quantifying achievements on a resume?

Industry-specific examples or templates for quantifying achievements can be invaluable for job seekers. It's essential to understand what metrics each industry values to create a standout resume. To find relevant examples, research job descriptions within your industry, consult professionals in similar roles, or explore professional forums and LinkedIn profiles. Industries value different metrics such as project completion times, cost savings, efficiency improvements, customer satisfaction ratings, engagement rates, or publication citations.

How can I address potential concerns from employers about the accuracy of quantified achievements?

During job interviews, an applicant should be prepared to discuss the details behind the numbers of their achievements, providing context and evidence where possible. Discussing the strategies employed to achieve these results, the challenges overcome, and how teamwork and collaboration played a role can be helpful. Maintaining a portfolio or collection of references who can vouch for your contributions can also be a powerful way to substantiate your claims.

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How To Quantify Resume Accomplishments: Easy Formulas

Including accomplishments in your resume is one of the most important improvements you can make when updating your resume .

But, resume accomplishments alone are not enough. To be really effective, your resume achievements should go one step further and emphasize the results of your accomplishments. In other words, you must quantify your resume. Consider the difference:

• Grew customer accounts and increased sales.
• Won 35 new accounts with Fortune 500 customers, expanding the customer base 43% and increasing sales $5.4 million.

Quantifying resume achievements and using metrics to illustrate the results and value you deliver to your employers doesn’t just add punch to your resume; it helps make it more credible and meaningful. Proven results of past achievements and performance, usually included as resume bullet points, are the best indicator a prospective employer has of your potential to produce similar results for their company.

However, many people find it challenging to figure out ways to use numbers to quantify resume accomplishments. If this is true of you, this blog post will prove invaluable. Read on for specific ideas and example resume bullet points with quantified achievements that will help you quantify your own resume.

Using Numbers to Describe Your Resume Accomplishments: The Options

There are four options when you are thinking about quantifying your resume accomplishments.

1) Whole Number Metrics (sums or totals)

For example, revenue expressed as a dollar figure, profit expressed as a dollar figure, total costs as a dollar figure, the number of transactions, the number of transactions of goal completions, the number of transactions of customers, etc.

Here is an example of how you would quantify your resume results using whole numbers:

Generated $2 million revenue in FY 2023 by strategically acquiring and expanding key accounts, leading to a $500,000 increase in overall company profit.

2) Percentages

For example, % of increase, % of decrease, % of satisfied customers, % of conversions, % of sales growth, etc.

Here is an example of how to quantify your resume results using percentages:

Enhanced customer satisfaction 25% within a six-month period by implementing a new customer feedback system and resolving identified areas of concern, leading to subsequent 15% increase in customer retention rates.

3) Averages

Such as average customer satisfaction rating, average sales per customer, average days to a sales win, etc.

Here is a sample accomplishment resume bullet using averages:

Maintained average customer satisfaction rating of 4.7/5 through proactive customer engagement and swift resolution of any issues, contributing to a 20% increase in repeat business.

Ratios are a way for comparing numbers and are often used to quantity productivity in your resume , for example total sales / total hours spent, sales opportunities / closed sales, or number of leads generated / ad spend.

Here is a sample resume achievement bullet using ratios:

Achieved a sales-to-hours ratio of 3:1, optimizing productivity and closing deals worth $500,000 in Q3 2023, by leveraging advanced sales techniques and prioritizing high-value prospects.

How you present your resume accomplishments can impact your job search , too. Don’t just include a list of resume bullet points without thinking them through strategically. You should also consider a couple of factors when you are deciding how to present your accomplishments.

Are there any  confidentiality concerns  about the numbers you plan to include? For example, it might not be appropriate to include the actual dollar figures associated with the sales or profits of a private company employer. On the other hand, these figures expressed as a percentage increase may be perfectly fine.

What is the best way to  tell the story  of your accomplishment? For example, if you have only worked for small-cap companies in the past, but are now targeting positions in large-cap, multinational corporations, which of the following wordings tell your story in a way that makes it relevant to your target reader?  “Increased year-over-year sales $350,000.”  or  “Increased year-over-year sales 65%.”

More Tips on How to Quantify Resume Accomplishments

Be Specific and Clear:  Use specific metrics and clear language to convey your accomplishments. Clearly demonstrate the impact of your contributions on the organization’s bottom line or strategic goals.

Align with Job Requirements: Tailor your resume bullet points to align with the job you are applying for , focusing on the most relevant accomplishments.

Use Varied Quantification: Quantify your resume using a mix of whole numbers, percentages, averages, and ratios to present a comprehensive view of your achievements.

Be Honest: Ensure that all your figures and accomplishments in your resume are accurate and verifiable.

Be Concise:  Clearly and concisely articulate your achievements , focusing on the impact you made.

Use Action Verbs:  Start each resume bullet point with a strong action verb to convey your contributions effectively.

Drilling Down to The Results of Your Accomplishments

One of my favorite questions to ask my clients during our consultation prior to writing their resume is “So what?”

The conversation will often be similar to this:

Resume consultant: In what ways did your work benefit your employer? Client: Well, one of the things I did was redesign and reorganize the marketing materials the sales team was using. Resume consultant: That’s great. But so what? Why did that matter? Client: It helped a lot. Things were so disorganized before that we could never find what we needed. Also, they old materials were so outdated. Resume consultant: Okay, so what? What was happening as a result of this disorganization and outdated materials? Client: Well, we were losing sales. Resume consultant: Oh no! Tell me more. So what? Client: It was bad. Sales had declined 25% when compared to the the year before. Resume consultant: So you updated the marketing materials and reorganized them to make them easier to find. So what was the result? Client: Well, sales finally stopped falling and actually increased again, a total of 45%.

Resume bullet point:

• Halted 25% sales decline and restarted growth, increasing year-over-year sales 45% as result of updating then reorganizing outdated sales collateral to improve sales team efficiency and effectiveness.

You can use this same line of questioning as you think about your own accomplishments. Continue asking yourself “so what” until you get to the bottom-line impact.

Performance Metrics & Formulas That Make It Easy to Quantify Your Resume Accomplishments

Increases and decreases.

You can use these two formulas for the metrics below that call for a percentage of increase or decrease.

• Formula for calculating an increase: (New Number – Original Number) / (Original Number) X 100
• Formula for calculating a decrease: (Original Number – New Number) / (Original Number) X 100

Sales Revenue

• Sales growth over time (look for increases)

Achieved consistent 15% YoY sales growth over three years, translating to an increase of $2 million in revenue, by identifying and penetrating new market segments and optimizing sales strategies.

• Month-over-Month (MoM), Quarter-over-Quarter (QoQ) or Year-over-Year (YoY) revenue comparisons (expressed as whole dollars or percentages) (expressed as whole dollars or percentages)

Delivered 25% QoQ revenue increase in Q2 2023, amounting to an additional $500,000, through implementation of promotional campaigns and enhanced customer engagement initiatives.

• Sales compared to other regions or territories

Outperformed peers by leading the region in sales, achieving 30% more revenue than the nearest competing territory, resulting in an additional $1 million in revenue in 2023.

• Performance to Quota (expressed as whole dollars or percentages; can also use averages to show quota overachievement over a period of time)

Surpassed sales quotas consistently, averaging 120% attainment over 12 months and generating an excess of $300,000 in revenue through strategic account management and upselling techniques.

• Number of deals closed (try presenting comparisons over time)

Closed 50 deals in Q3 2023, a 20% increase compared to Q2, by optimizing the sales funnel and enhancing lead qualification processes, contributing to a revenue uplift of $750,000.

• Sales Win Rates (% of total sales opportunities converted to actual sales) Formula: (# of Sales Opportunities Won / # of Opportunities Contacted) X 100

Maintained an average win rate of 65%, converting opportunities into $2 million in sales in 2023, by refining sales pitches and leveraging competitive intelligence to address prospect concerns effectively.

• Average Sales Cycle (look for reductions) Formula: Total # of days spent on closed deals / # of deals won

Reduced average sales cycle 10 days through implementation of a streamlined sales process, enabling quicker deal closures and contributing to 15% increase in monthly sales revenue.

• Lead Response Time (faster lead response time is better)

Improved lead response time 30%, contacting prospects within 15 minutes of inquiry, which resulted in a 20% increase in conversion rates and generated an additional $400,000 in revenue.

• Total Pipeline Value (look for increases)

Expanded total pipeline value 40%, adding potential revenue of $3 million through proactive prospecting, strategic partnership development, and enhancement of lead generation initiatives.

More Quantifying Resume Examples: Revenue Increases

• Surpassed annual sales targets 35%, generating over $1.2 million in revenue in 2022 by leveraging strategic business development techniques and cultivating relationships with key industry stakeholders.
• Increased market share 20% in a highly competitive sector through the implementation of innovative sales strategies, resulting in a revenue boost of $500,000 in the first quarter of 2023.
• Enhanced sales operations and reduced sales cycle by 25% through developing and implementing a streamlined sales process, leading to a $300,000 increase in quarterly revenue and improving overall sales team efficiency.
• Cost of goods sold (COGS) (look for decreases)

Implemented strategic cost-reduction initiatives and vendor negotiations, resulting in a 15% decrease in COGS, saving the company $200,000 in production costs in 2023.

• Gross Profits = Net Sales – COGS (look for increases)

Enhanced gross profits $300,000 in Q1 2023 by optimizing pricing strategies and reducing COGS, contributing to a healthier financial position for the company.

• Gross Profit Margin: (Gross Profit / Net Sales) X 100 (look for increases)

Increased gross profit margin 10 percentage points to 50% in 2023 through strategic pricing adjustments and cost-efficient production methods, optimizing overall profitability.

• Return on Investment (ROI) Formula: (Revenue Gained from Investment – Cost of Investment) / (Cost of Investment) X 100

Delivered 25% ROI on marketing investments by implementing data-driven campaigns and optimizing ad spend, generating additional $500,000 in revenue.

• Net Profits = Total Revenue – Total Expenses (look for increases)

Boosted net profits $400,000 in FY 2023 through revenue enhancement and expense reduction strategies, improving the company’s overall financial health.

• Net Profit Margin = (Net Profit / Sales) X 100 (look for increases – note, if net profits have increased it may be a result of reduced expenses or increased selling prices)

Achieved 5% increase in net profit margin by implementing cost-control measures and optimizing pricing strategies, leading to a more profitable operation with a net profit margin of 20% in 2023.

• EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, & Amortization) = Revenue – Expenses Excluding Interest, Tax, Depreciation & Amortization (look for increases)

Elevated EBITDA $1 million in 2023 by driving revenue growth and maintaining operational efficiency, excluding interest, tax, depreciation, and amortization.

Operational / Cash Flow

• Net Cash Flow : Total Cash Inflows – Total Cash Outflows (higher numbers are better)

Implemented stringent cash management strategies, leading to a 20% increase in net cash flow, amounting to an additional $1 million in available cash in 2023.

• Total Cash Flow = Cash from Operating Activities + Cash from Financial Activities + Cash from Investing Activities (look for increases)

Enhanced total cash flow $2 million in FY 2023 through optimizing operating, financial, and investing activities, strengthening the company’s liquidity position.

• Operating Cash Flow = (Net Income + Depreciation and Other Non-Cash Expenses) – Increase in Working Capital (look for increases)

Boosted operating cash flow 15%, or $750,000, in Q2 2023 by improving net income and efficiently managing non-cash expenses and working capital.

• Days Sales Outstanding (DSO) (lower numbers are better) Formula: (Total Accounts Receivables / # of Total Credit Sales) X Days in Period

Reduced DSO 5 days through the implementation of stringent credit control measures, ensuring quicker realization of receivables and improving cash flow.

• Debt-to-Equity Ratio = Total Liabilities / Shareholders’ Equity – Higher ratios represent high levels of financing by borrowing and are riskier; lower ratios indicate a lower amount of financing by lenders (but, not all debt is bad; sometimes debt can help expand a business) – Compare debt-to-equity ratio against industry averages

Maintained healthy debt-to-equity ratio of 0.5, well below the industry average, by optimizing the capital structure and reducing reliance on borrowed funds.

• Inventory Turnover = Cost of Goods Sold / Average Inventory – High inventory turnover means goods are selling quickly (higher efficiency) – Low turnover means less demand for products and weaker sales

Increased inventory turnover to 8 times per year through enhanced demand forecasting and inventory management, indicating higher efficiency and quicker sales of goods.

• Accounts Receivables Turnover = Formula: Step 1. (Beginning Value + Ending Value) / 2 = Average AR Step 2. (Net Credit Sales / Average AR) Note: The AR Turnover Ratio indicates the efficiency with which a company collects on receivables. A high ratio generally indicates more efficiency in collecting on debts.

Achieved a high accounts receivables turnover ratio of 10, indicating efficient collection practices, by implementing proactive and stringent receivables management strategies.

• Return on Equity (ROE) = Net Income / Shareholder Equity (net income is bottom-line profit before common stock dividends are paid and shareholder equity is assets minus liabilities on a balance sheet) – Indicates how efficient a company is at managing money shareholders have contributed; higher #s are better – Try making comparisons to competitors and the overall market; also comparisons over time

Delivered robust 20% ROE by effectively utilizing shareholder equity to generate a net income of $2 million, outperforming industry competitors.

• Return on Assets (ROA) = Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) / company’s total assets – higher ROA indicates efficiency at managing the balance sheet to generate profits

Attained 12% ROA by optimizing asset utilization to generate profits, showcasing efficient management of the company’s balance sheet.

• Order lead time = Time Shipped/Delivered – Time Order Placed (look for decreases)

Reduced order lead time 30% through the optimization of order processing and delivery systems, enhancing customer satisfaction and operational efficiency.

• Total # of customers

Expanded customer base by acquiring 2,000 new clients in 2023 through targeted marketing campaigns and strategic partnerships, contributing to a 25% increase in total revenue.

• Average customer revenue = Total Revenue / Total Customers (look for increases)

Enhanced average customer revenue 15%, reaching $1,200 per customer in Q2 2023, by implementing upselling strategies and personalized product recommendations.

• Customer retention rate (CRR) (higher numbers are better) Formula: (Current # of Customers at end of time period – # of Customers gained in that time period) / (# of Customers at Beginning Period) X 100

Increased customer retention rate to 90% by improving product quality and customer service responsiveness, resulting in higher customer loyalty and recurring revenue streams.

• Customer Churn Rate (inverse of CRR and lower is better) Formula: Number of Customers Lost in a Given Period / Number of Customers at the Start of the Period

Reduced customer churn rate to 2% by implementing proactive customer engagement strategies and addressing customer concerns promptly, preserving revenue and market share.

• Repeat Customer Rate = Total # of return customers / Total # of customers

Achieved 70% repeat customer rate through the introduction of a loyalty program and enhanced customer experience, driving consistent revenue growth.

• Customer Lifetime Value (CLV) = (Average Order Value x Repeat Purchase Rate) – Customer Acquisition Cost – higher CLV might indicate higher per-customer sales, improved loyalty, or improved satisfaction

Raised Customer Lifetime Value 30%, reaching $3,000, by optimizing order values and purchase frequency while minimizing acquisition costs, indicating improved customer loyalty and satisfaction.

• Net Promoter Score = % of customer likely to recommend your company to others (must get this from a survey)

Attained a Net Promoter Score of 75 by enhancing customer satisfaction and experience, reflecting a high likelihood of customers recommending our services.

• Customer support tickets (# of new tickets, # of resolved tickets, average resolution time – look for improvements)

Resolved 95% of 1,000 customer support tickets within 24 hours through the implementation of an efficient ticketing system and enhanced support protocols, improving customer satisfaction.

• Customer satisfaction score

Attained customer satisfaction score of 4.8/5 by consistently providing high-quality products and resolving customer inquiries and issues promptly and effectively.

• Customer complaints (looking for decreases)

Decreased customer complaints 40% by implementing stringent quality control measures and proactive customer service initiatives, leading to enhanced brand reputation.

• Conversion rate = # of leads / # of purchasers

Elevated conversion rates 10% through the refinement of lead qualification processes and enhancement of user experience, resulting in a significant boost in sales.

• Incremental Sales = Total Sales – Expected Sales w/out Marketing Campaign (performance of marketing campaign)

Generated $500,000 in incremental sales by orchestrating a highly targeted marketing campaign, surpassing expected sales without the campaign by 25%.

• Cost of Customer Acquisition = Total $ spent / Total # of customers acquired (look for decreases)

Slashed customer acquisition costs 30%, spending an average of $100 per new customer, by optimizing ad spend and improving targeting precision.

• Social Media Followers

Amplified social media following by 20,000 people by implementing engaging content strategies and consistent brand messaging across all platforms.

• Volume of Web Traffic (and volume of web traffic per source)

Grew web traffic 50%, attracting 100,000 monthly visitors, by leveraging SEO best practices and diversifying traffic sources through strategic digital marketing initiatives.

• Return on Ad Spend (ROAS)

Maximized ROAS to 400% by meticulously analyzing ad performance data and reallocating budget to high-performing campaigns, optimizing overall advertising effectiveness.

• Total # of inbound leads and Inbound leads by channel

Captured 2,000 inbound leads monthly, with 500 originating from organic search, by developing high-quality content and optimizing landing pages for conversions.

• Total # of new qualified opportunities

Uncovered 150 new qualified opportunities through proactive outreach and effective lead nurturing strategies, expanding the sales pipeline and potential revenue.

• Opportunity to order %

Strengthened opportunity-to-order percentage to 75% by refining sales pitches and addressing prospect concerns effectively, leading to increased order volumes.

• Average order value

Lifted average order value 20%, reaching $150 per order, by implementing strategic upselling and cross-selling initiatives.

• Average upsell value or average upsell %

Increased average upsell value 15%, achieving $150 in additional sales per transaction, by offering complementary products and services.

• Cost per lead

Reduced cost per lead to $20 by optimizing ad placements and improving targeting accuracy, ensuring more efficient use of the marketing budget.

• Social program ROI

Delivered 300% ROI on social programs by designing and executing campaigns that resonate with the target audience, leading to increased engagement and conversions.

Human Resources

• Employee Turnover Rate = # of workers who left / total # of employees – compare against industry benchmarks and look for decreases

Mitigated employee turnover rate 15%, maintaining a rate 10% below industry average, through implementing employee engagement initiatives and enhanced workplace culture.

• Cost Per Hire = Recruiting expenses (internal & external) / Successful hires

Lowered cost per hire 25%, averaging $2,000 per successful recruit, by optimizing recruitment channels and improving internal processes.

• Knowledge achieved with training (requires pre- and post-tests)

Strengthened employee proficiency levels 30% post-training, as evidenced by pre- and post-training assessments, by developing and implementing comprehensive training programs.

• Internal promotions vs. external hires

Fostered internal talent development, with 60% of open positions filled through internal promotions, by implementing robust employee development and succession planning programs.

• Average Time to Fill = Total Number of Days of Open Jobs / Total Number of Jobs Open

Reduced average time to fill open positions 10 days, achieving a 30-day average, by streamlining recruitment processes and leveraging efficient sourcing strategies.

• Hires to Goal = Total New Hires / Hiring Goal

Surpassed HR hiring goals 20%, recruiting a total of 120 new employees, through effective talent acquisition strategies and enhanced employer branding.

• Overtime per employee = Total hours overtime / number of employees

Minimized overtime per employee 3 hours weekly through the implementation of efficient work schedules and optimized task allocation, promoting work-life balance.

• Employee Absence Rate

Reduced employee absence rate 40% by fostering a positive work environment and implementing a comprehensive employee wellness program, leading to improved productivity.

Project Management

• On-time completion %

Maintained 98% on-time completion rate for all assigned projects by implementing rigorous project management protocols and ensuring effective team collaboration, leading to enhanced client satisfaction.

• Budget variance (planned vs actual)

Optimized resource allocation and controlled expenses, achieving a 10% favorable budget variance and saving $200,000 on project costs without compromising on quality.

• Project schedule variance

Lowered project schedule variance to less than 1%, ensuring 99% of projects were delivered according to the planned timeline by enforcing strict schedule adherence and proactive resolution of potential delays.

Efficiency & Productivity

• Total # of products produced per (time frame)

Accelerated production processes, achieving a total output of 10,000 units per month by implementing lean manufacturing principles and optimizing workflow.

• Amount of time to complete a task

Slashed task completion time 25%, enabling the completion of tasks in an average of 3 hours, through the introduction of efficient work methodologies and automation.

• Average Employee Productivity = Total Revenue / Total # of Employees

Boosted average employee productivity to $150,000 in revenue per employee by fostering a high-performance culture and implementing advanced training programs.

• Utilization Rate = (Total weekly billable hours logged / Total weekly hours logged) x 100

Enhanced utilization rate to 90% by optimizing employee schedules and improving project allocation, maximizing billable hours and revenue generation.

• Amount of output (quantity, $ value, or volume) / # of hours per time period

Increased output to $5,000 in value per hour by refining operational processes and leveraging high-efficiency production techniques, optimizing overall productivity.

• Throughput = overall rate of production (of a line, a plant, a machine, etc.)

Elevated plant throughput 20%, maintaining a consistent production rate of 200 units per hour, by optimizing line setups and minimizing bottlenecks.

• Machine downtime rates

Reduced machine downtime rates 90% through the implementation of predictive maintenance strategies and prompt resolution of technical issues, ensuring uninterrupted production.

• Cycle time = average time to produce a product

Decreased average cycle time to 2 hours per product by streamlining production processes and eliminating non-value-added activities, enhancing production efficiency.

• First Pass Yield = percentage of products manufactured to specs without being scrapped or requiring rework

Achieved 99% first pass yield by enforcing stringent quality control measures and continuous improvement initiatives, minimizing scrap and rework requirements.

Final Thoughts: How To Quantify Resume Accomplishments

Quantifying your resume accomplishments is a pivotal step in showcasing your professional value . It allows prospective employers and hiring managers to visualize your impact and understand the tangible results you can bring to their organization.

How you present your accomplishments can significantly impact your job search. Strategically think through your resume bullet points, ensuring they are clear, concise, and relevant. Tailor them to align with the job requirements and consider the best way to tell the story of your accomplishments, making them relevant to your target reader.

Use performance metrics and formulas to illustrate increases, decreases, sales growth, and other relevant aspects. This approach allows for a more nuanced representation of your accomplishments, highlighting your contribution to organizational growth and success.

Also, keep in mind that your resume is a living document. Regularly review and update your resume to include new achievements and remove outdated or less impactful ones. This ensures your resume remains current, relevant, and reflective of your evolving professional trajectory.

Remember, the goal is to present a well-rounded picture of your capabilities and contributions, allowing employers to accurately assess your fit for the role. By effectively quantifying your accomplishments, you validate your skills and experiences and position yourself as a valuable asset to potential employers, increasing your chances of landing your dream job .

Frequently Asked Questions

What are resume accomplishments and why are they important.

Resume accomplishments are achievements you’ve made in your previous roles that demonstrate your skills and value to an employer. They are important because they provide evidence of your abilities and show potential employers what you could bring to their company.

How can I quantify my resume accomplishments?

You can quantify your resume accomplishments by using whole number metrics, percentages, averages, and ratios. These can help to illustrate the impact and value of your accomplishments in a clear and measurable way.

What are some examples of how to quantify resume accomplishments?

Examples of quantifying resume accomplishments could include stating the number of new accounts you won, the percentage increase in sales you achieved, or the dollar amount by which you increased revenue.

What should I consider when presenting my accomplishments on my resume?

When presenting your accomplishments, consider any confidentiality concerns about the numbers you plan to include. Also, think about the best way to tell the story of your accomplishment in a way that is relevant to your target reader.

How can I determine the impact of my accomplishments?

To determine the impact of your accomplishments, keep asking yourself “so what?” until you get to the bottom-line impact. This will help you to understand the true value of your accomplishments and how they benefited your employer.

How can I use performance metrics to quantify my resume accomplishments?

You can use performance metrics such as sales revenue, profits, operational/cash flow, customer metrics, marketing metrics, human resources metrics, and project management metrics to quantify your resume accomplishments. These metrics can help to illustrate the impact and value of your accomplishments in a clear and measurable way.

About the Author: Michelle Dumas

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Resumes with Impact: Creating Strong Bullet Points

How can you make your resume stand out to an employer?

• Use an easy-to-read format and structure that highlights your relevant education and experience.
• Develop bullet points or statements to show relevant skills and qualities. Be specific about what you did and how you did it.
• Start your bullet points or statements with strong action verbs.
• Provide contextual details to inform the reader about the purpose of your work, the scope of the project, and what you produced or accomplished.
• Quantify your work and achievements where possible.

Using the STAR method

The STAR method can help you create impactful descriptions for each experience on your resume.

First, read through the posting for a job that interests you. This will help you understand the role and the employer’s needs. Identify the skills and qualities they seek. You can usually find them in the responsibilities and qualifications sections.

Next, use the STAR method to describe the context of your work, your actions, and how your actions had positive impact on the organization.

Situation: What was the situation, problem, or conflict you were facing?

Task: What were you tasked with? What were your responsibilities or goals?

Action: What action did you take? What did you do to solve this problem? (start with action verbs)

Result: What was the result or outcome of your action? How did it benefit the organization? Can this result be quantified?

Follow the STAR method to create descriptions that incorporate the key skills and qualities the employer is seeking. Your final statement will start with the action section and include the results section when appropriate.

Skills/qualities you want to show: initiative, organization, analytical thinking, writing, interpersonal skills, problem solving

Situation: The trainees were learning too slowly and could not navigate the company’s data tracking system by the end of the two-week training period. Instead, they were not ready for another two weeks.

Task: Help trainees learn the system faster.

Action: Initiated, wrote, and edited the first training manual for the company’s data tracking system. Successfully presented proposal to use manual to management. Revised training program curriculum to implement new manual. Trainees worked through the manual during the two-week training period.

Result: At the end of the training period, trainees were ready to use the data tracking system two weeks earlier than expected; the training manual was adopted across the company and is still in use.

FINAL STATEMENT FOR RESUME: Initiated, wrote, and edited the first training manual for company’s data tracking system, which cut training period in half, was adopted across the company, and is still in use today.

This example could focus on different skills (communication, persuasion, leadership, training), depending on what’s relevant to the job.

Bullet Point Examples

What, how, and why.

Answer these questions to transform a generic description into an impactful  bullet point. 

• What did you do? What was the situation, problem, or challenge you were facing?
• What were your responsibilities or goals?
• How exactly did you do it? How did you accomplish your tasks? Did you use any tools, equipment, or computer programs?
• Did you work as part of a team or independently?
• Why are these actions important? How did they benefit the organization? What was the result or outcome of your actions?
• Can you quantify the results? (Note: Not every bullet point on your resume must be results-oriented.)

Generic Description

Public Health Society, Events Coordinator

• Responsible for organizing events and panels

In this example, it is not clear what the candidate did to organize events and panels, what skills they used, or what kind of events and panels they organized. Because of this, the writer misses the chance to showcase the skills used to carry out this task.

Strong, Concrete Description

• Plan and coordinate panels on public health for audiences of 25–50 undergraduates on a bi-monthly basis
• Identify and contact health professionals in the community to participate in panels
• Create marketing materials and publicize events through social media

Add context and skills (WHAT was the situation and HOW were the tasks accomplished) to deepen the information provided.

In this example, the first bullet point clearly highlights organizational skills. It also lets the employer know the scope, target audience, and frequency of the events. This efficiently illustrates the candidate’s abilities and experience.

The second bullet point indicates research and interpersonal skills, which were used to secure panelists. It also demonstrates the ability to communicate with professionals outside of the university.

The third bullet highlights a specific business skill and/or the ability to be strategic in marketing, as well as familiarity with using social media for marketing purposes.

Adding Accomplishments and Impact:

Employers review resumes to understand the impact you’ve had on a project, organization, or company. Explain WHY your actions matter; how did your actions affect outcomes? For instance:

• Were the materials and publicizing efforts successful?
• Did these actions result in reaching a new group of students?

Review each statement you’ve created for your resume. Can you add an accomplishment or achievement? What happened as a result of that action? How did it benefit the organization? You don’t need to add a result to every bullet point on your resume, but it’s helpful to demonstrate achievements when possible.

What does this look like? In the bullet point about marketing materials and social media, this might read:

• Create marketing materials and publicize events through social media. Increased attendance at several club programs by 75% (if you have an accurate figure)
• Create marketing materials and publicize events through social media. Saw increased attendance at several club programs throughout the year (if you are unable to quantify)

These statements combine the Action and Result sections of the STAR method.

Related Resources

Writing a Resume: Getting Started

If you’re applying for an internship or job, attending a networking event, or seeking a volunteer opportunity, chances are you’ll need a resume. We’ll walk you through the basics.

Your Resume: What to Put In, What to Leave Out

Wondering how to organize the information on your resume? This resource overviews the sections to include on your resume, and what information to include in each of them.

200+ Action Verbs to Spice Up Your Resume

Use varied, strong action verbs to grab the reader’s attention and make your resume stand out to potential employers. This resource includes over 200 action verbs you can use as a starting point.

How to Write a Resume Profile or Summary Statement

If you are in the process of changing careers, craft a powerful summary to highlight your accomplishments and relevant skills. Show an employer, at a glance, why you’re qualified for the job!

Optimizing Your Resume for Applicant Tracking Systems

90% of Fortune 500 Companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to manage high volumes of job applications. 75% of candidates are “phased out of consideration” because they don’t pass a screening! Our tips will help your resume make it through ATS.

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• How to Quantify Your Resume for Maximum Impact
• Resume Writing Tips
• Career Advice
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• Career Advice , Resume Writing Tips

I’m sure you’ve heard it before. Quantifying your resume will make it more impressive.

What does that mean?

The short answer is when you quantify your accomplishments, you define your potential through measurable results.

OK, so what does THAT mean?

Your past achievements prove your capabilities to a future employer. When you express your success in numbers it provides prospective companies with deeper insight into your significant contributions. Doing so makes more of an impact and offers a better chance of grabbing the attention of recruiters and hiring managers, which increases your chances of getting a job interview .

Here are a few tips you can follow which show how to quantify your resume to help yours stand out.

Include Numbers on Your Resume

Companies want to hire candidates who they believe will contribute positively to their bottom line. So, you need to demonstrate  on your resume exactly how you will be a valuable asset to their business. And don’t just say WHAT you did, explain HOW you accomplished it.

Highlight your potential by using dollar signs to show what you achieved, such as the amount of money you earned or saved. Make sure you include what you did to get those results.

Check out the following example, which one sounds more impressive to you?

• Raised money for art projects.
• Raised $1M+ for art programs by identifying and establishing relationships with ideal donors and philanthropic groups.

However, depending on your job role, it may not always be about the money. But you can still include numbers to support your contributions and show off your skills. Say how often you performed a task and demonstrate the scope of your responsibility.

For example, instead of:

• Processed payroll for employees.
• Processed payroll through ADP for 200+ employees on a biweekly basis and produced detailed reports for 5 department managers.

Adding quantified details really demonstrates your value!

Percentages Work, Too

You can also use percentages to your advantage.

Include them to show a valuable amount of increase or decrease for the business as a result of what you accomplished.

Indicate how what you achieved was profitable. Demonstrate how you added to the company’s productivity and overall success.

And how you did it.

For instance:

• Improved sales by 40% within one year by securing accounts with elite firms such as The ABC Company and The LMN Corporation.
• Reduced the company’s operating expenses by 10% after streamlining processes and implementing updated software to track sales projections and billing.

A hiring manager looking at these statements gains a better understanding of what you offer as a job candidate.

No Hard Numbers? No Problem!

Measurable results aren’t always indicated in dollars and percentages. Don’t worry if you can’t list exact numbers! A range or a rough estimate works, too.

Include a frequency of events or how you accomplished a task in a shorter time frame than expected. This all shows off the scope of your skills and experience.

• Managed up to 30 sales associates.
• Completed website redesign and development one month ahead of the expected deadline.

Determine What to Include

You don’t need to quantify every detail on your resume.

Use the information strategically throughout to create the most impact and tell your career story . How do you determine what to quantify? Consider the following:

• How you achieved and/or exceeded certain goals
• How many customers or clients have you serviced
• The number of contracts you secured
• Budgets and the amounts you managed
• Quotas or benchmarks that you met
• Timelines on completion of projects
• Awards or honors you were given

No matter what you include,  your information must be accurate and make sense. Never lie about your accomplishments! Or about anything on your resume. This will only hurt you if you do.

Hiring managers seek job candidates who can potentially benefit the company. But they won’t know about your value and what you offer unless you tell them.

Don’t get overlooked! Quantify your accomplishments on your resume to increase the probability of getting noticed – and help you land a job interview.

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Every corporate job opening will receive, on average, 250 applications.

For organizations with widespread name recognition, such as Google, this figure is even higher. Though some of these candidates will inevitably be unqualified for the position, whenever you apply to a job, you’ll compete with some highly skilled individuals. During the initial screening, you’re armed with only the language that appears on your resume—so it’s essential to make every word count .

Most people include their work history and responsibilities on their resume. However, these statements don’t explain the impact  the individual had on the organization or department overall. This traditional structure doesn’t say anything about how someone excelled in their role.

Resume writing isn’t just about listing your job responsibilities; instead, it should demonstrate your value to an employer. To communicate those points effectively, provide measurable achievement statements that quantify your standout accomplishments.

How to Prove Your Qualifications Using 5 Resume Writing Tips

1. brainstorm a list of your accomplishments..

If you’re a senior-level employee, you’re going to have lots of milestones in your career. But one document, of course, can’t cover  all your duties and achievements. To start thinking about which parts of your career would be appealing to a hiring manager, list the following:

• Comparisons to Your Peers: Were you more successful than others in similar roles? How about other individuals in the broader field? This type of comparison is a smart jumping-off point for establishing yourself as a standout candidate.
• Details About Your Role: These can include the size of your budget, the number of employees you managed, and the quantifiable impact your initiatives had, to name a few.
• Your Firsts: Think about how your company differs from others. What did it do before other organizations? What did you  do before others, either at your workplace or in your field?

2. Decide which achievements are quantifiable.

When you’re outlining your achievements on a resume, you want to think about specific figures. Here are a few suggestions:

• People hired or mentored
• Groups attracted or engaged
• Deals brokered
• Quarterly revenue earned
• Losses remedied
• KPIs met or exceeded
• Sales increased
• Money or time saved

Whenever you want to assert your value to an employer, try to attach a dollar amount . Decision-makers are mostly concerned with the bottom-line impact.

Employment gaps can seem like a red flag. Here’s how to leverage contract work on a resume .

3. Provide context to your measurements.

After you’ve identified the measure that you want to use, it’s time to gather the data. Sometimes, these figures can be specific, while other times you can estimate a range over a longer period.

Try focusing on  range, scale, and frequency .

For example, you could say something like, “Exceeded quarterly revenue projects over a period of 21 quarters by $15,000 to $20,000.”

This statement includes a range and scale that let you indicate success  and  fluctuation over time.

Frequency gives a sense of how often you performed a certain task.

For example, you could say, “Evaluated 20 to 30 client case files on a weekly basis,” to give the employer contextual information about your productivity.

4. Use a formula for resume writing.

Recruiters from Google suggest following this formula when you attach metrics to your work history:

Accomplished [X] as measured by [Y], by doing [Z].

In this case, “X” stands for what you achieved, “Y” is the measurable way you achieved it, and “Z” is how you made this change.

Here’s an example of how to make a statement more persuasive:

Original: “Was tasked with developing an algorithm to find new target audiences.”

Improvement: “Identified 15 new target audiences by creating a new algorithm that determines more specific user demographic information.”

5. Replace passive verbs with active ones.

To start replacing your un-measurable statements, change your passive verbs to active ones. Passive verbs are ones where you receive the action instead of perform it. These are phrases usually use a form of the verb “to be.”

For example, here’s a statement with a passive verb: “ Was the marketing director.”

Instead, use an active verb and follow the formula:

“Managed a team of 10 employees by holding weekly department meetings, regular retreats, one-on-one check-ins, and professional development opportunities.”

Here are some other active verbs you might want to include in your resume:

By using active language in your resume, your tone will be more authoritative and the writing will be easier to understand.

You might also find that it’s easier to connect your actions to a specific and measurable outcome.

Get Resume Help From Ivy Exec

You’re already so familiar with your work, it can be difficult to know when a hiring manager will want more context to fully appreciate your impact.

The coaches at Ivy Exec can give you the perspective you need to create a resume that resonates with employers. Our career services include one-on-one advising and resume writing.

To schedule a free consultation, click here ; if you’d like to purchase a collaborative session with a career coach, visit our services page .

Ivy Exec is the premier resource for professionals seeking career advancement. Whether you are on the job, or looking for your next one - Ivy Exec has the tools you need.

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Writing Impactful Resume Bullets

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Resume Accomplishment Statements

Accomplishment statements are the bullets/sentences under the experience section of your resume that describe and quantify your achievements, results, and successes from prior internship, student organization, volunteer, military, or education experiences. When writing these statements, don’t just list your role, responsibilities, and tasks; employers want to also know how you can contribute to their team or organization. Provide specific examples of the impact you made and the value you added during those experiences.

The following guidelines will help you start the process of writing strong accomplishment statements that highlight your qualifications and demonstrate your skills. Before you start writing accomplishment statements, consider the following:

❓ Have I ever : Improved something? Achieved more with fewer resources or money? Reduced costs? Improved productivity? Saved time? Increased recruitment numbers? Designed, developed, or implemented a new process, program or product? Brought diverse constituents together to accomplish something? Improved morale? Solved a pressing problem? Managed or led a team? Presented complex information clearly? Successfully multitasked? Dedicated long hours of work to accomplish something within a short timeframe? Balanced extracurricular/outside commitments with coursework? Took initiative without anyone asking? Received awards or positive performance reviews?

❓ Also consider: What are you most proud of? What would others you have worked with say about your contribution? How have organizations benefited from your work? What special projects have you worked on and what was the outcome? What is the tangible evidence of your accomplishments?

Guidelines for Creating Impactful Resume Accomplishment Statements

1. utilize the action + project + result format.

• Project : Group related tasks together into more meaningful projects or activities
• Action : Choose an action verb that describes what YOU did and what YOUR contribution was (NOT your TEAM!) to the project/activity. Highlight what SKILLS you made use of or gained through this experience
• Result : Pitch the result and impact of your work. QUANTIFY the result and impact in terms of % improvement or % increase. If your work resulted (or will result) in a publication or patent, mention that

✏️ Write it out : [A] Choose an action verb + [P] Name a project you completed or problem you solved + [R] Describe the results you achieved, quantifying when possible

2. Accomplished [X] as measured by [Y] by doing [Z] Format

✏️ Write it out : [X] Lead with the impact you delivered + [Y] Numerically measure what you accomplished + [Z] Detail specifically what you did

Converting to Result Bullets: Before and After

• Worked with a student leadership committee to increase member participation
• Contributed to system for streamlined application submissions and tracking
• Selected for scholarship
• Led a 5-person leadership team to increase student participation by 100% from 50 to 100 members by creating a stronger social media presence
• Collaborated with the IT team to develop an online application submission and tracking system, reducing cost by 10%
• Selected as one of 230 participants nationwide, based on top class rank coupled with community engagement work
• Use Powerful Action Verbs : While each bullet starts with an action verb, certain action verbs sound more impactful than others. e.g. led, created, developed
• Quantify your Impact : Before revision, bullets are focused mostly on describing activities, not outcomes. It is important to numerically measure what you accomplished through your actions
• Contextualize Your Accomplishment : Provide a baseline for comparison to make it easier for recruiters to understand your accomplishment

Converting to Skill Bullets: Before and After

• Explored the evolutionary origins of various cognitive processes by studying capuchin monkeys
• Looked at branding and marketing strategies of Company X in comparison to competitors
• Worked with fellow interns to put on a conference
• Delivered key insights on the evolutionary origins of cognitive processes by researching and analyzing over 100 years of literature on capuchin monkeys
• Compiled an overview of the competitive landscape for Company X by conducting expert interviews and online research
• Facilitated collaboration among 5-person intern team to put on a conference; divided tasks based on expertise, developed a feasible timeline, and kept team on task and within budget
• Pitch Your Skills : Highlight transferable skills you gained from your past experience that your future employer will value (e.g. research, analytic skills, teamwork, communication skills, leadership)
• Be Specific : The inclusion of relevant details shows the reader that the candidate is capable of making an impact in the organization

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How to Write Effective Resume Bullets

The Formula

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Writing resume bullets is often the most challenging aspect of creating your resume. Settling on the best design and format and determining the most relevant experiences to highlight on your resume can take time; however, effectively describing your experience is the most important task. Use the job posting to guide what skills to highlight and the most effective terms to describe your accomplishments. Your bullets provide the majority of the content on your resume, and they will distinguish an average resume from a competitive one.

The first step to writing more effective bullet points is to recognize that your bullets should be more than just a list of the tasks and responsibilities you managed in a particular role. Describe the tasks using specific, measurable details about your work. The job description is a fine place to start, but don’t just copy and paste directly to your resume because simply listing your duties doesn’t harness the full potential of a resume bullet. The resume is your first opportunity to grab the attention of the reader, communicate your skills and accomplishments, and distinguish you from other applicants with similar experiences. Including more details will engage the reader, convey your knowledge, expertise, and passion for your work. 

Think of your bullets as accomplishment statements. Using this framework, you are able to focus more on the results of your work and the skills you have developed through your various experiences. Ask yourself: What did you accomplish? Why and how did you complete this task? What was your unique impact or contribution within this role? What sets you apart from others in this or a similar role? The answers to these questions will help you outline the skills you will bring to your next position and demonstrate the results you are likely to produce once you are in the new role.

To help you get started, use the following basic formula to craft your resume bullets:

In addition to the above mentioned formula, many students find it helpful to think about their experiences using the Problem - Action - Result framework. For each task or responsibility, what problem were you seeking to address? What action did you take to address this problem? What were the results of your action? Once you have determined these answers, you can summarize the content into one (or more) bullets. 

We’ve compiled a list of “before” and “after” resume bullets to help demonstrate how you can transform your bullets from good to great.

If you are having difficulty turning your resume bullets into accomplishment statements or you would like someone to review your newly created bullets, set up an appointment with your Advisor for Career Exploration (ACE) or an industry/field Career Advisor in Handshake ! You can also come to Career Education Drop-In Hours for a quick resume review.

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18 Résumé Writing Tips to Help You Stand Out

By  Allison Pohle

Updated May 11, 2021 2:15 pm ET

• A résumé isn’t just a list of every job you’ve ever had. It should demonstrate your accomplishments.
• Mirror language used in the job posting so your résumé isn’t discarded by an applicant tracking system.
• Use a clean and simple format. 

Companies increasingly  rely on software  to sort through applicants, which is why it is essential to tailor your résumé to ensure it makes the cut. Applicant tracking systems sort, scan and rank applicants by looking for keywords in applications. Although these programs can save time and money for employers, about 60% said such tools cause them to miss some qualified candidates, according to a 2016 survey of 1,200 job seekers and managers by CareerArc, a human-resources technology company, and Future Workplace, a research firm. Here’s how to make your résumé stand out to robots and humans alike. 

1. Highlight your achievements in your résumé. 

A common mistake job seekers make is believing a résumé is a recap of your career, when in reality, it should convey what you have accomplished, says Christy Noel, a career expert and author of “Your Personal Career Coach.” 

“I always say, spend less of your real estate describing your job, and more time describing your results,” says Ms. Noel.  

2. Customize your résumé.

Read over the job posting, and think about the work experience you have had that is most directly relevant to the position you are pursuing. You can leave out some past jobs and internships if the experience you had wasn’t related. Whatever you do: Don’t submit a generic résumé to dozens of postings. “Even if you have the best experience, if your résumé isn’t speaking directly to the position in which you are applying, there is a strong chance you’ll never even get an interview,” says Demisha Jennings, a certified professional résumé writer and founder and owner of She Assists LLC.  

The same applies to your cover letter. It is your chance to provide more detail on how your experience will help you succeed in the job.  Read our cover letter guide  for how to write one that makes you stand out.

3. Decide how to format your résumé.

Most of the time, a chronological résumé will work well for communicating your past experience. But, in some cases, a functional or hybrid résumé might be more appropriate.  Read more about résumé formats here.

4. Make your contact information easy to find.

Include your name, phone number, email address, city and state. It may also be appropriate to include the URL to your LinkedIn profile. You want it to be easy for hiring managers to reach out.

In addition to making it easy to connect with you, it is important to your job search that you grow your network.  Read our networking guide  for tips on how to do so.

5. Consider adding a summary. 

Many résumé templates leave space for an objective statement, outlining career goals, but that approach is outdated, says Ms. Jennings. Instead, consider a carefully worded summary. The summary is often the first place a hiring manager will look, and gives you an opportunity to introduce your skills high up on the page. You can also work in relevant keywords from the job description. “Recruiters are looking for what you can bring to the table and what you’ve done, rather than you saying, ‘I’m seeking a position,’” Ms. Jennings says. 

6. Great résumés should stand out to skim readers.

Most recruiters spend just a few seconds skimming through a résumé—with an average in one study of  7.4 seconds.  

To have the best chance of making an impression, ensure your job titles, company names and dates of employment are easy to read. The sections of your résumé should be adequately spaced, too, says Dana Leavy-Detrick, founder and director of Brooklyn Resume Studio. 

For additional ways to make a good impression on recruiters and headhunters, read  our guide on how to work with headhunters .

7. Make your résumé robot-friendly. 

Structure your résumé to meet the requirements of an applicant tracking system to give yourself the best chance of having it reach an actual human. Ms. Leavy-Detrick suggests the following:

• Optimize keywords.  Use the same words and language that are in the job description. For example, three different companies might describe the same role as “programmer,” “developer” or “software engineer.” 
• Use a straightforward format.  Avoid tables and text-based graphics, which might not get picked up by a scan of the résumé. Sans-serif fonts such as Arial or Helvetica are also best to ensure readability.
• Think about order.  When formatting each line item of work experience, list the company name first, followed by the job location (city, state), your job title, and your start and end dates. Some résumés can get lost if the dates are listed before the job title. 

8. Prioritize relevant keywords. 

Tailoring your skills to include language from the job posting is an important way to let both the applicant tracking system and, eventually, a hiring manager, see how your prior qualifications tie into the job requirements. But just because you have a résumé full of keywords doesn’t mean you’ll automatically get an interview. “The ATS isn’t there to help the job seeker, it is there to help the employer review your skills against their most important qualifications,” says Ashley Watkins, a career coach and résumé writer with Write Step Résumés LLC. 

9. Craft compelling and concise bullet points.

The goal of a résumé is to list your accomplishments, rather than every duty you performed in the role. Résumé-writing experts recommend including no more than five bullet points per prior job listed. 

• Don’t focus on tasks.  Many job seekers describe what they did every day, such as answering phones or creating marketing materials, Ms. Watkins says. “Simply copying and pasting the job description doesn’t account for the things you did great, that you did above and beyond your peers,” she says.
• Instead, explain what those tasks achieved.  Emphasize your results. Ms. Watkins suggests asking yourself “Did I save [the employer] money? Did I save time? Did I improve a process? Did I build a relationship?” These will help you format your bullet points.
• Use metrics.  Say what you achieved, then contextualize it—with figures if possible. You might not be able to put a monetary value on every accomplishment, but you can frame it by sharing details like the time it took or how many people were involved. “If you raised sales 50% in two months, that means a whole lot more than ‘I’m in charge of sales,’” Ms. Watkins says. 
• Don’t omit accomplishments that aren’t quantifiable.  Not every achievement will have metrics to show success. If there are figures, you might not always have access to them. But that shouldn’t stop you from including them, says Ms. Leavy-Detrick. Perhaps you had a positive impact on the culture of an organization, or improved a struggling relationship with a client. These efforts could help to demonstrate your  soft skills.

10. Focus on transferable skills if you lack experience.

If you are applying for a job in a new field or you are an entry-level applicant and don’t have much direct experience, don’t worry. Highlight transferable skills you have developed in the past that will serve you well in the position, says Ms. Leavy-Detrick. For example, you could play up leadership skills you developed participating in an extracurricular activity or time-management skills you learned in a prior job.

11. Go beyond your work history, and include all relevant experience.

If you are new to the workforce, or are job-hunting after being laid off, you could also include related experience that was outside of a traditional full-time job, says Ms. Watkins. For example, you can highlight volunteer work, consulting projects or educational training, all as part of making the case for your unique value, she says.

12. Don’t worry too much about gaps in your résumé.

The Covid-19 pandemic economy resulted in many people being laid off or furloughed. Ms. Watkins says the 2020 job market reminds her of 2008, when she worked as a recruiter. The expectation at that time, she says, was that candidates would have  gaps  on their résumés or list more short-term positions. While it isn’t necessary to directly address the gaps in your résumé, you should be  prepared to talk about them in an interview . “The focus should not be centered on the fact that you were furloughed or laid off, it should be focused on you and your skills and what you do that impacts the company’s bottom line in a positive way,” Ms. Watkins says.

While it is common to list the months and years you started and ended positions in the job history section, you could just use years. This will draw less attention to a six- or eight-month gap, says Ms. Leavy-Detrick. 

13. Highlight relevant skills.

It is common to  add a skills section to your résumé , outlining expertise relevant to the position. You can include languages you speak, technical skills or courses you have done. If you lack experience, you can also complete some trainings, which you can find on LinkedIn and elsewhere, related to the job you are applying for and add the courses in this section, says Ms. Jennings.

14. Prioritize work experience over education.

The professional experience you have had is often more relevant to the position than your education history, which is why the work experience should be listed first. In the “Education” section, you should list where you attended college, if applicable, or the highest level of education you have attained. If you graduated with honors, you can flag that, but it isn’t necessary to list your GPA.

15. If you are early on in your career, a key résumé tip is to limit it to one page. 

If you are early on in your career, you should limit your résumé to one page. It is OK to start spilling onto a second page after you have eight to 10 years of experience, says Ms. Leavy-Detrick. 

16. Add some color for a stylish résumé that sets you apart. 

Your résumé should look clean and professional and you should keep applicant tracking systems in mind when formatting the document. But, if it is appropriate, you can add subtle accents of color in the section headings or in bars that separate sections as a way to differentiate your résumé. Ms. Leavy-Detrick doesn’t overstress the need for good design with her clients. “But it can definitely help,” she says. “When I say design, I don’t mean crazy graphic design. I mean having a polished application,” she says. “Think of it the same way you would coming dressed to an interview, it is part of your presentation, and so many people overlook this on the résumé.”

It may be appropriate to incorporate a more creative and graphic-based layout depending on the field in which you work and where you are applying. If you are applying for a position in a creative field, and you are emailing your résumé directly to a hiring manager, then it can be appropriate to use more designs, says Ms. Jennings. But if you are applying to a large company that uses an applicant tracking system or job portal, she says it is best to avoid using graphics unless you are working with a résumé writer who can help you get your resume through the system.

17. Proofread and double-check the formatting.

You may be eager to send your résumé or submit your application, but you should take the time to first check for typos and grammatical errors. You could also have a friend or family member look over it. When you are checking for errors, be sure to double-check the formatting. Sometimes the spacing can get thrown off when you save the file, so check how it looks as a saved document and, if you can, save it as a PDF before sending. 

18. Make sure the saved file name includes your name. 

Make less work for the hiring manager by including your full name in the file name of the résumé document.

What to read next

• How to Prepare for a Job Interview
• What Questions to Ask During a Job Interview
• Common Job Interview Questions and How to Answer Them
• How to Dress for a Job Interview
• How to Write a Thank-You Email After a Job Interview  
• How to Negotiate and Counter a Job Offer
• How to Negotiate Salary for a New Job: The Do’s and Don’ts
• Severance Pay: What It Is and Why You Should Negotiate a Package Before Accepting a Job

Corrections & Amplifications Ashley Watkins is a résumé writer with Write Step Résumés LLC. An earlier version of this article incorrectly said Write Steps LLC. (Corrected on Nov. 20)

Copyright ©2024 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8

Appeared in the November 23, 2020, print edition as '11 Résumé Tips to Help You Get Noticed

4 Tips For Writing A Powerful Resume

The first challenge with your resume is getting it into the hands of an actual person. Over the past decade, getting through applicant tracking systems (ATS) by including the right keywords has become the holy grail of job seekers . The palace guards were put in place so that overloaded hiring managers could keep out the riffraff.

And it was necessary.

Surveys report that more than half of the resumes submitted for any job posting are from completely unqualified candidates.

The ATS is meant to boil down the deluge to an actual candidate pool. As a job seeker, you should be concerned with and aware of how your resume will make it past the guards. As a serious professional, you need to take your resume further. Make sure that when it makes it to the hands of an actual person, it will impress and get you to the next step.

Here are four resume tips for accomplishing this goal:

1. Lead With The Results

Look at your resume as if YOU are the hiring manager. Does this resume help solve the problem that needs solving with this position? Not just the "because Henry quit " problem. The thing that makes this position valuable to the company.

Your resume must show how you are the solution because you've done it before. Structure your experience so that each sentence is front-loaded with results. Instead of, "Evaluated current processes and led efforts that restructured operations, leading to a reduction in costs and an increase in revenue," try "Slashed overhead costs by 20% while simultaneously increasing revenue by 45% by completely overhauling sales processes and operations for optimal efficiency."

If you think like management, you can pick out what management most cares about, and make sure you highlight that in your resume.

2. Quantify Your Accomplishments

In other words, use numbers. By adding figures to your accomplishments, you provide measurable, credible proof of your performance.

For example, "Added $4 million to the bottom line..."

Beyond showing revenue, numbers can help provide context for your results through comparisons.

• "Ranked #1 out of 45 sales reps for top sales performance."
• "Achieved 95% customer referral rate, a figure 2 times higher than the company average."
• "Conducted company-wide training for 500 employees."

This is one of the things a lot of people struggle with, but it is vital. Quantifying your accomplishments solidifies them in the mind of the reader. It turns an abstract statement into a hard fact.

3. Use Active Words

Fill your resume with verbs that convey energy and action. Carefully selected verbs also help you create concrete statements that create a visual for the reader. Instead of, "Put in processes that led to a significant reduction in costs," try "Decreased costs by devising efficient sales process."

But be careful. Don't use the same verbs over and over. Do the work and find powerful synonyms.

4. Trim The Fat From Your Resume

This may be the most important tip for creating a powerful resume that will get read and noticed. The hiring manager or recruiter may have dozens of resumes to review, so make sure yours is easy to get through. Write succinctly, be specific, edit out filler words, and trim the unnecessary detail that doesn't add to your qualifications for the position.

Review and edit. Then review and edit again.

The digital age has brought challenges to the job seeker, but they can be overcome. Spend the time to create a powerful resume. Make sure it gets the attention that it deserves.

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Become a member to learn how to land a job and UNLEASH your true potential to get what you want from work!

This article was originally published at an earlier date.

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11 Ways To Enjoy Summer When You’re Working A Full-Time Job

There you are: sitting on the beach, covered in sunscreen, reading your favorite book, drinking your favorite drink under the cool shade of an umbrella. Life doesn't get any better than this. Suddenly, a door slams, a phone rings, a printer turns on. You jolt back into consciousness. You're at work, sitting in your cubicle, without even a hint of sunshine streaming in from outside.

When you're working a full-time job, finding time to enjoy the warm, bright summer weather can be a challenge. This is especially true for young professionals , as many of them are used to having summers off (or, at the very least, having a flexible summer schedule). But there's no need to feel trapped behind your cubicle walls. Go out and enjoy summer!

Here are a few tips for making the most of your summer while working full time.

1. Grab Some Foldable Chairs

Keep a couple of foldable camping chairs at the office so you and a co-worker can catch some rays during lunch—whether it's in the park or the parking lot.

2. Keep A Beach Bag In Your Car​

Keep a bag full of summer supplies for your favorite summer activities . Having a bag (or, in my case, a backseat) full of towels, sunscreen, and swimwear keeps you prepared for anything. Friends hitting up the pool after work? You're covered. Once the clock strikes five, you can head to your destination of choice immediately.

3. Plan An Office Outing

Plan an office field trip to the beach, the park, or the pool. Just do something fun so your brain can recharge and refresh!

4. Organize Group Walks

Get a bunch of co-workers together and go on regular walks around town during lunch. (Or you could suggest a quick jaunt over to the ice cream shop.) This is a great way to get some fresh air, sunshine, and exercise.

5. Eat Lunch At The Park

When you find yourself eating out, hit up places with a deck, porch, or patio of some sort. Obviously, eating out every day isn't really a feasible option for most of us, so look into alternative ideas as well. Pack a lunch and hit the park for your own little picnic.

6. Organize Office Sports

Whether it's setting up an official office sports team or just hanging out with your colleagues a few times a week, playing sports is a great way to get out and enjoy the weather. Have a field nearby? Try setting up some slow-pitch softball games. Or see if you can get a basketball hoop for the office so you and a few co-workers can shoot some hoops at lunch.

7. Join A Professional Group

During the summer, professional networking groups often have fun events like harbor cruises, pub crawls, and outdoor mixers. Find a professional group in your area and make networking fun this summer.

8. Have An Office BBQ

Get your grill on! Talk to your boss about setting up an office BBQ. Ask everyone to contribute their favorite dish, side, or drink. Fire up the grill and relax! Hey, it's summer after all.

9. Wake Up Early

Yes, yes, I know...waking up early is an incredibly painful and unbearable experience for some of us, but waking up even an hour earlier has its benefits—especially in the summer. Go for a morning run, putter around in the garden, or watch the sunrise with a loved one. Talk about starting the day off right!

10. Strategically Use Your Time Off

Strategically use your vacation days around holidays. This way, you can make a potentially long weekend longer without having to use too much of your precious vacation time . Half days are also pretty awesome. It's amazing how much you can do with four extra hours! If you want an early weekend but don't want to burn up your vacation days too quickly, try taking a half day on a Friday instead of using a full day off.

11. Bike To Work

If you're one of the lucky few who live within walking or biking distance of work, take advantage of it! Not only will you get plenty of fresh air, but you'll also save money on gas, which is always a plus!

There are plenty of easy ways to enjoy summer when you work a full-time job. So this summer, try out a few of these ideas and make the most of the sunshine and warm weather—while they're still around!

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How to Make Your Resume Stand Out and Get a Dream Job

In today's job market, your resume is your ticket to landing that dream job.

But here's the thing: hiring managers often spend just a few seconds scanning each resume.

So, how do you make sure yours catches their eye?

Don't worry, we've got you covered. We've put together a list of game-changing tips that'll help your resume rise above the rest.

Whether you're a fresh graduate or a seasoned pro, these tricks will give your resume the edge it needs.

Ready to turn those job applications into interview invitations? Let's dive in!

Did you know that most hiring managers spend just 30 seconds scanning a resume before deciding whether to consider it further?

Well, with the right tricks up your sleeve , you can make your resume pop and grab the hiring manager’s attention from the get-go.

So, here are nine tips designed to make those crucial 30 seconds count, ensuring your resume stands out from the crowd!

#1. Understand What the Hiring Managers Are Looking For

To make your resume stand out, you need to get inside the hiring manager's head. What are they really looking for?

It's not just about matching a list of qualifications. They want someone who can solve their problems and add value to their team.

So, start by carefully reading the job description. Look for phrases that highlight the company's needs and priorities, and use them as keywords throughout your resume . Pay attention to the skills they emphasize and the challenges they mention.

Are they looking for a team player? A problem solver? An innovator?

Understanding your potential employer’s needs will help you shape your resume to show you're not just qualified, but you're the solution they've been searching for. 

#2. Tailor Your Resume to the Job Ad

Applying to every job opening with the same resume is a big no-no.

To stand out, you need to customize your resume for each position you apply to. This doesn't mean rewriting your entire work history, but rather highlighting relevant experience and using the right word choice to match the job description.

To tailor your resume, use the information found in the job posting. This shows that you've paid attention to what they're looking for, but it also helps your resume pass through applicant tracking systems (ATS) that many companies use to filter candidates.

For example, if the job ad emphasizes "project management" skills, make sure those words appear in your resume and are backed up by relevant experiences.

Remember, tailoring isn't about changing who you are or exaggerating your skills; it's about highlighting the parts of your experience that best match what this specific employer is seeking.

#3. Focus on Achievements Over Responsibilities

One of the most effective ways to make your resume stand out is to shift from listing job responsibilities to showcasing your achievements .

In most cases, hiring managers know exactly what your responsibilities were in your previous role. So, instead of simply stating what you were supposed to do in a role, highlight what you actually accomplished. 

Just compare the following two examples:

• Responsible for managing social media accounts.
• In charge of managing a team of five.
• Tasked with handling customer inquiries.
• Assigned to oversee budget reports.

This candidate has succeeded in showing the hiring manager they were doing the bare minimum in their previous role, but it’s unlikely this will help their resume stand out.

Do you want to do it right?

Use specific examples and, whenever possible, quantify your achievements with numbers. You should also use action verbs and specific metrics where possible.

Check out the following example:

• Increased Instagram followers by 50% in 6 months, resulting in a 25% boost in website traffic.

And even if you don't have exact numbers, you can still focus on results!

• Streamlined the onboarding process, reducing new hire orientation time by approximately one full day.

#4. Keep It Short and Concise

In the fast-paced professional environment, hiring managers don't have time to read lengthy resumes. The key to getting and keeping their attention is making your resume easy to scan while still including all the important information.

So, how long should your resume be ?

Aim for a one-page resume if you're early in your career and writing a resume for your first job , and only go for two pages if you’re an experienced professional with more than ten years of relevant work history. 

Focus on using clear, concise language and avoid jargon or overly complex words unless they're industry-standard terms.

• Responsible for organizing company events, which involved planning event details, coordinating with vendors, managing the budget, overseeing the event setup and execution, and ensuring that all participants had a positive experience.

To keep it short, cut out any fluff or redundant information. Additionally, try to use bullet points instead of dense paragraphs to make your content more readable.

• Successfully organized and executed company events.
• Planned event details and coordinated with vendors.
• Managed budget and oversaw event setup and execution.
• Ensured positive participant experiences.

Take a look at these free one-page resume templates here!

#5. Use a Professional Template

The visual appeal of your resume matters more than you might think.

A clean, professional-looking resume layout can make a strong first impression and help your application stand out from the stack.

Choose a template that's appropriate for your industry; creative fields might allow for more design elements, while traditional industries often prefer a more conservative look.

Whichever style you choose, make sure it's easy to read and well organized. Additionally:

• Use consistent formatting throughout, including font sizes and styles for headings and body text. 
• Incorporate white space to prevent your resume from looking cluttered.

Novoresume offers a variety of templates for different industries and professional levels. They're created in collaboration with hiring managers, so they can make your resume stand out twice as effectively as other resume templates.

Here’s how our templates compare to a basic word processor template:

#6. Don’t Forget to Proofread

A single typo or grammatical error can be the difference between landing an interview and having your resume tossed aside. That's why proofreading is crucial.

Read your resume out loud to catch awkward phrasing or missing words. Then, read it backward, starting from the bottom. This trick helps you focus on individual words rather than getting caught up in the content.

Additionally, you can ask a friend or family member to look it over too; fresh eyes can spot mistakes you might have missed.

Pay special attention to names, dates, and contact information . A mistake could cost you the opportunity to hear back from an employer.

Typos or grammar mistakes are not the only ones. Take a look at these 10+ bad resume examples to avoid making common pitfalls!

#7. Hire an Expert to Check It

Sometimes, it pays to bring in a professional.

If you're struggling to make your resume stand out or you're applying for a particularly important position, consider hiring a resume expert or career coach .

These professionals have insider knowledge of what hiring managers are looking for . They can help you highlight your strengths, downplay any weaknesses, and ensure your resume is optimized for both human readers and applicant tracking systems.

A professional can also provide objective feedback on your resume's content and design.

While this option does involve an upfront cost, think of it as an investment in your career. A polished, professional resume could lead to better job opportunities and potentially higher salary offers, making the investment well worth it in the long run.

#8. Send It Along With a Cover Letter

While your resume provides a snapshot of your skills and experience, a cover letter allows you to tell your story . Because of that, always send a cover letter with your resume unless the job posting specifically says not to.

Think of it as your chance to show personality, express enthusiasm, and address any potential concerns, like gaps in employment , that your resume might raise. Use your cover letter to highlight a few key achievements from your resume and explain how they relate to the job you're applying for.

Remember to tailor each cover letter to the specific job and company; generic cover letters are easy to spot and often get ignored. A well-crafted cover letter can set you apart from other candidates and make a hiring manager excited to read your resume.

#9. Update it Regularly

It's important to update your resume every few months, even if you're not actively job hunting.

Add new skills you've learned, projects you've completed, or achievements you've earned. This way, when an opportunity arises, you won't be scrambling to remember what you've done in the past year.

Regular updates also help you track your professional growth and identify areas where you might need to develop new skills. If you're in a fast-moving industry, keeping your resume current ensures you're always ready to seize new opportunities.

Plus, reviewing your resume regularly can be a great motivation to seek out new challenges and continue growing in your career. 

Learn about these 99+ resume statistics you should know if you want to land your dream job in 2024.

7 Essential Sections You Need (and Tips on How to Write Them)

A well-structured resume can grab a hiring manager's attention within seconds, potentially securing you an interview.

On the flip side, a poorly organized one might cost you the opportunity, no matter how qualified you are.

The key lies in knowing which sections to include and how to make them shine.

To help you with that, we've prepared a list of the essential sections you need in your resume:

#1. Contact Information

Your contact information is, in a nutshell, how employers can reach you if they’re interested.

Seems simple, right? But you'd be surprised at how many people get this section wrong.

To do it right, start with your full name in a slightly larger font to make it stand out. Include your phone number and a professional email address (stay away from nicknames). Add your location, but just city and state are enough; – no need for a full address.

If relevant to your field, include links to your LinkedIn profile or professional website. For creative professionals, consider adding your portfolio link.

And don't forget to double-check everything – a typo here could cost you an interview.

Name: John Doe

Phone: (555) 123-4567

Email: [email protected]

Location: Springfield, IL

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/johndoe

#2. Resume Header

Another key to grabbing the hiring manager’s attention is having an impactful resume header . That can be a resume summary or a resume objective, depending on your level of experience. 

Here’s what each involves:  

• A resume summary is a brief overview of your professional background, key skills, and significant achievements. A good summary should include
• A resume objective , on the other hand, is a statement of your career goals and how you aim to contribute to the role you are applying for. It should contain

Here’s an example of a well-written summary:

• A results-driven marketing professional with over 8 years of experience in developing and executing strategic marketing campaigns. Proven ability to increase brand awareness and drive sales growth through innovative marketing techniques and data-driven decision-making. Skilled in digital marketing, content creation, and market analysis. Known for exceptional communication skills and the ability to lead cross-functional teams to achieve business objectives.

And here is what a good objective looks like:

• Recent graduate with a degree in Data Science seeking a challenging role as a Data Analyst at XYZ Corp. Eager to apply strong analytical skills and proficiency in Python, SQL, and data visualization tools to support data-driven decision-making processes. Committed to leveraging my background in statistics and data modeling to contribute to the company’s success in a dynamic and collaborative environment.

#3. Professional Experience

This is usually the meat of your resume, where you showcase your career journey and professional achievements.

But before you can impress the hiring manager with what you’ve done, you should make sure the section looks good , too. 

Here’s how:

• List your roles in reverse chronological order , starting with your current or most recent position.
• For each role, include the company name, your job title, and dates of employment.
• Highlight key responsibilities and achievements for each role.

Now, here's where you can really shine: use bullet points to highlight your key responsibilities and, more importantly, your achievements.

Additionally, tailor this section to the job you're applying for: list only relevant work experience , emphasizing experiences and achievements most relevant to the new role. Finally, don’t forget to quantify your achievements, whenever you can. 

For example: 

Professional Experience

ABC Corporation, New York, NY Senior Marketing Manager 01/2018 – Present

• Led a team of 10 marketing professionals to execute comprehensive marketing strategies.
• Developed and launched a social media campaign that increased brand awareness by 30%.
• Managed a $500,000 marketing budget, optimizing spend to achieve a 20% increase in ROI.
• Collaborated with cross-functional teams to create and implement new product launches.

XYZ Inc., Los Angeles, CA Marketing Specialist 06/2014 – 12/2017

• Assisted in the development and execution of digital marketing campaigns.
• Conducted market research and analysis to identify new market opportunities.
• Increased website traffic by 25% through SEO and content marketing strategies.
• Created and managed email marketing campaigns, resulting in a 15% increase in open rates.

#4. Education 

When listing your education , start with your highest degree and work backward.

Include the name of the institution, your degree, and your graduation date.

If you're a recent graduate and have no work experience , you might want to add relevant coursework , academic achievements, or your GPA (if it's impressive). 

However, if you’re further along in your career, keep this section brief; your work experience will likely carry more weight.

In case you have multiple degrees, prioritize accordingly and only add the ones that are most relevant to the position you're applying for.

Don't forget to mention any ongoing education or professional development courses if they're relevant to the job. 

And remember, education isn't just about formal degrees; significant workshops or training programs can be included here too.

Your skills section is your chance to show off your professional toolbox. And hard skills alone aren’t enough - employers are looking for soft skills that are relevant to the job too.

For hard skills, list computer skills , software, tools, or specific techniques you're proficient in. But don't just put "Microsoft Office" – be specific about which programs you excel in.

For soft skills, focus on abilities like organizational skills , communication skills , or problem-solving skills , but be prepared to back these up with examples from your experience.

If you're in a technical field, consider creating a skills matrix that shows your proficiency level in each skill.

Remember to keep it honest; you should be prepared to demonstrate any skill you list here.

This is how a well-written skills section should look like:

Don’t forget to check out our article with 101 essential skills to put on a resume !

#6. Certifications and Training

This section can really set you apart, especially in fields where specific certifications are valued.

List any relevant certifications , licenses, or specialized training you've completed. Include the name of the certification, the issuing organization, and the date obtained (or "In Progress" if you're currently working on it).

If you have many, prioritize the most recent and relevant ones. And if you have certifications that require renewal, make sure to include the expiration date.

This section can be particularly impactful if you're changing careers or if your formal education doesn't directly align with the job you're applying for.

#7. Optional Sections

Depending on your field and experience, you might want to include supplemental sections to strengthen your resume .

These could include:

• Volunteer work. This is especially relevant if you have limited work experience or if it relates to your target job.
• Publications. Listing your papers, books or important essays is great for academic or writing-intensive roles.
• Awards and honors. It's always good to showcase the recognition you've received in your field.
• Hobbies and interests. Mention activities that showcase your personality, skills, or interests that might be relevant to the job.
• Professional affiliations. Mention memberships in industry organizations or associations.
• Projects. It is particularly useful for tech roles or recent graduates.
• Languages. Include any languages you are proficient in, especially if they are relevant to the job you're applying for.

These extras can help paint a fuller picture of who you are as a professional and what you bring to the table.

Just remember to keep your resume concise – only add these if they truly add value to your application.

Does your resume keep getting rejected ? Learn how to fix it with our dedicated article.

16 Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even if you put the work in, it's easy to fall into common resume pitfalls that could cost you the job.

These mistakes might seem small, but they can make a big difference in how hiring managers perceive your application.

Let's take a look at some of the most common resume mistakes to steer clear of:

• Using a generic, one-size-fits-all resume for every application.
• Using cliché phrases like "team player" or "hard worker" without backing them up.
• Neglecting to proofread, resulting in typos and grammatical errors.
• Making your resume too long or too short.
• Using an unprofessional email address.
• Including a photo (unless it's standard in your industry or country).
• Lying or exaggerating about your skills or experience.
• Forgetting to include keywords from the job description.
• Using an outdated or overly complicated format.
• Leaving unexplained gaps in your work history.
• Including salary information or not knowing how to list references on your resume .
• Overusing buzzwords or industry jargon.
• Using an unprofessional font or inconsistent formatting.
• Including personal information like age, marital status, or religious affiliations (unless relevant to the job).
• Forgetting to update contact information.
• Using passive language instead of active verbs.

Are you a beginner? Read our dedicated article and learn how to start a resume in 10 easy steps !

Key Takeaways

Before we wrap up, let's recap the most important points to remember when crafting your standout resume.

These are the key takeaways you should always keep in mind:

• Tailor your resume for each job application, using keywords from the job description.
• Focus on achievements rather than just listing job responsibilities.
• Keep your resume concise and easy to scan (1-2 pages maximum).
• Include essential sections: contact information, a strong header, education, professional experience, and skills.
• Update your resume regularly, even when not actively job hunting.
• Avoid common mistakes like using clichés, including irrelevant information, or using an unprofessional email address.

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6 Tips for Writing an Effective Resume

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Date Published:

Dec 29, 2010

Marilyn Borysek

Hiring managers and recruiters alike say they've seen more poorly written resumes cross their desks recently than ever before. Attract more interview offers and ensure your resume doesn't eliminate you from consideration by following these six key tips:

1. Format Your Resume Wisely "Do the Hiring Managers" Work for Them

No matter how well written, your resume won't get a thorough reading the first time through. Generally a resume gets scanned for 25 seconds. Scanning is more difficult if it is hard to read, poorly organized or exceeds two pages.

• Use a logical format and wide margins, clean type and clear headings
• Selectively apply bold and italic typeface that help guide the reader's eye
• Use bullets to call attention to important points (i.e. accomplishments)

2. Identify Accomplishments not Just Job Descriptions

Hiring managers, especially in technical fields like engineering, seek candidates that can help them solve a problem or satisfy a need within their company. Consequently, you can't be a solution to their problems without stating how you solved similar problems in other companies and situations.

• Focus on what you did in the job, NOT what your job was there's a difference
• Include a one or two top line job description first, then list your accomplishments
• For each point ask yourself, What was the benefit of having done what I did?
• Accomplishments should be unique to you, not just a list of what someone else did
• Avoid using the generic descriptions of the jobs you originally applied for or held

Editor's 2019 Top Pick: Young Engineer Takes Great Strides with Prosthetic Foot 3. Quantify Your Accomplishments

Q: What's the most common resume mistake? A: Making too many general claims and using too much industry jargon that does not market the candidate. A resume is a marketing document designed to sell your skills and strengths rather than just portray a bio of the candidate.

• Include and highlight specific achievements that present a comprehensive picture of your marketability
• Quantify your achievements to ensure greater confidence in the hiring manager and thereby generate interest percentages, dollars, number of employees, etc.
• Work backwards to quantify your accomplishments by asking, If I had not done X, what could have happened?

Learn About New Manufacturing and Industry 4.0: Pratt & WhitneyTakes Flight

4. Cater Your Resume for the Industry

Unlike advertising and design professionals who have greater creative license in designing their resume for those fields, the mechanical engineering industry won't be impressed and may be turned off by distinctive resume design.

• Err on the side of being conservative stylistically
• Your accomplishments, error-free writing, grammatically-correct, clean, crisp type and paper will make the impression for you

5 . Replace your Objective" with a "Career Summary"

A Career Summary is designed to give a brief overview of who you are and what you do. Most Objectives sound similar: Seeking a challenging, interesting position in X where I can use my skills of X, Y, and Z to contribute to the bottom line. Not telling at all.

• Grab a hiring manager's attention right from the beginning, remembering you have only 25 few seconds to make a good impression
• Spend time developing a summary that immediately gets their attention, and accurately and powerfully describes you as a solution to their problems

6. Network. Network. Network.

For unemployed candidates, handing out resumes should be a full-time job. The majority of mid- to senior-level positions are filled through networking, so contact absolutely everyone you know in addition to recruiters who are in a position to hire you or share insights. Networking can include

• Personal business contacts, people you've worked for or who worked for you
• Vendors and sales representatives you've dealt with in the past five years
• People listed in the alumni directory of your alma mater

With a solid resume in hand you'll greatly increase your odds of earning a closer look and getting that interview. Read More New Stories from ASME.org: Solving World Hunger with 3D-Printed Food Six Project Management Tips Every Engineer Needs Drone Deploys in Just Minutes but Flies for Hours

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How to Write a Real Estate Resume

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Your resume serves as your professional calling card. It’s often the first impression you make on potential brokers and clients, so crafting a comprehensive and compelling resume is crucial to your success.

In this guide, you’ll discover the essential elements of a standout real estate agent resume, from highlighting your sales achievements to showcasing your market expertise.

You’ll learn how to effectively present your licensing credentials, outline your professional experience, and demonstrate your unique value proposition.

Whether you’re a seasoned agent or just starting your career, this article will provide you with practical examples and actionable tips to create a resume that sets you apart in the competitive real estate industry .

How to Structure Your Real Estate Agent Resume

The structure is important, you are building your own pyramids and to make it close to Egyptian pyramids, you need to work on the structure first.

Contact Information and Professional Summary

Begin your resume with your full name, phone number, email address, and location. Follow this with a concise professional summary that highlights your key strengths and experiences as a real estate agent. This snapshot should entice hiring managers to read further.

Make sure your email is eye-catching and easy to remember, read real estate email address ideas if you don’t have your own yet.

Work Experience

List your relevant work history in reverse chronological order. For each position, include:

• Job title, company name, and location
• Dates of employment
• 3-5 bullet points describing your key responsibilities and achievements

Quantify your accomplishments whenever possible. For example, “Closed $5 million in residential sales in 2022” or “Increased client base by 30% through effective networking strategies.”

Education and Certifications

Include your educational background, focusing on degrees or coursework related to real estate. List any relevant certifications, such as your real estate license or additional specialized training.

Skills and Expertise

Create a dedicated section to highlight your key skills and areas of expertise. Include both hard skills (e.g., property valuation, contract negotiation) and soft skills (e.g., communication, client relations) that are essential for success as a real estate agent.

Real Estate Agent Resume Examples and Templates

It’s always helpful to review examples and templates tailored to the industry. These resources can provide inspiration and guidance on how to structure your resume effectively.

Sample Resume Sections

When crafting your real estate agent resume, consider including these key sections:

• Professional Summary: A brief overview highlighting your experience, skills, and achievements in real estate.
• Work Experience: Detailed descriptions of your roles, responsibilities, and accomplishments in previous positions.
• Education and Certifications: List relevant degrees, licenses, and certifications.
• Skills: Highlight both hard and soft skills essential for success in real estate.
• Awards and Achievements: Showcase any recognition or notable accomplishments in your career.

Customizable Templates

Template is SUPER IMPORTANT!

Did you choose an ugly template? Done, you will be ignored.

Make sure your resume is Shik and good-looking.

Many online resources offer customizable real estate agent resume templates. These templates often include:

• Traditional formats for established agents
• Modern designs for those seeking to stand out (Recommended)
• ATS-friendly layouts to ensure your resume passes automated screening systems

Tips for Writing an Effective Real Estate Agent Resume

Tailor Your Resume to the Job Description

One size doesn’t fit all when it comes to resumes. Carefully review the job description and customize your resume to align with the specific requirements and preferences of the hiring company. Use relevant keywords and phrases from the job posting to demonstrate that you’re a perfect fit for the position.

Quantify Your Achievements

Numbers speak louder than words in the real estate industry. Instead of simply listing your responsibilities, focus on quantifiable achievements. For example, mention the number of properties you’ve sold, the percentage increase in your sales year-over-year, or the total value of transactions you’ve closed.

Showcase Your Tech-Savviness

In today’s digital age, real estate agents need to be tech-savvy. Highlight your proficiency in industry-specific software, CRM systems, and social media platforms. Demonstrating your ability to leverage technology for marketing properties and managing client relationships can give you a significant edge in your job search.

Common Mistakes to Avoid on Your Real Estate Agent Resume

Humans are mistakable, so real estate agents. As many updates you do to your resume, you will find new weaknesses and strength points.

Be careful about these commons and make sure you avoid these:

Overloading with Irrelevant Information

One of the biggest mistakes real estate agents make is including unnecessary details that don’t directly relate to the job. Remember, hiring managers are primarily interested in your real estate experience, sales achievements, and relevant skills. Avoid listing unrelated jobs or hobbies that don’t showcase your ability to excel in real estate.

Neglecting to Quantify Achievements

Another common error is failing to provide concrete numbers and statistics to back up your accomplishments. Instead of vague statements, use specific figures to highlight your success. For example, “Closed $5 million in sales within the first year” is much more impactful than “Successfully closed multiple deals.”

Overlooking the Importance of Formatting

A cluttered, hard-to-read resume can quickly turn off potential employers. Ensure your resume is well-organized, uses a clean font, and incorporates ample white space. Use bullet points to list key achievements and keep paragraphs short. Remember, a visually appealing resume is more likely to catch and hold a hiring manager’s attention.

That was all, you know know more than before when it comes to real estate resumes.

Now go ahead and prepare your resume, you can use online tools live Canva, this online tool has so many templates and ideas that you can use.

Thanks for reading.

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