Hiring managers and recruiters often spend their days staring at resume after resume. If you want to have any chance of getting an interview, you need to make your resume stand out. And that doesn't mean putting glitter on it or exaggerating your experience. One easy way to make your resume more impressive is to add metrics to it. Rather than be ambiguous about your skills and qualifications, you can use numbers to quantify your value as an employee.
You're probably wondering whether or not you actually have time to add numbers to your resume. While it may sound like a time-consuming endeavor, adding numbers to your resume doesn't take much time. It only takes about ten minutes, and the reward is well worth the time.
When you add numbers to your resume, you stop being vague. Almost every job applicant mentions their success in the workplace or a certain responsibility that relates to the job listing. However, you might be the only one to quantify your responsibility.
For instance, you might list "write press releases" under one section of your resume. You can be a little more specific and say, "wrote one press release each week" to emphasize your experience. By quantifying the responsibility, you add credibility to your resume.
In some industries, numbers are part of the daily grind. But other industries and jobs are more challenging to quantify. That said, there's always a way to add numbers to your resume. You just need to know where to get your data and how to include it on your resume.
If you're in sales or finance, there are obvious metrics. Your sales, profits, and customers served are all valid numbers to include on your resume. Even if you don't have exact metrics, you can use a range or a minimum. Let's say you sent out lead generating emails every week. While you might not remember exactly how many emails you sent each week, you could say you sent out at least 30 emails per week.
If you're struggling to find metrics, there are a few places you can look. To quantify your achievements, think about how you impacted your company. Did you affect co-workers, time, or money? Then, consider which metrics best portray your impact.
For example, you may have improved a process and cut production time by 10%. Instead of writing "improved efficiency," you can use that specific number and explain how you did it. When it comes to your resume, small details matter.
You may need to do some digging to uncover the numbers. However, be cautious as you do so. If your employer doesn't know about your intent to find a new position, asking questions could tip them off. Ask a trusted colleague for help and be as discrete as possible.
When all else fails, you can turn to your attendance record or hours in the workplace. Did you work ten days straight to meet a deadline? Perhaps you worked an average of 50 hours a week during a busy time.
Once you know which numbers you want to present on your resume, think about how you want to display them. It's true that adding numbers to your resume can make the document stand out, but the way in which you display those numbers is equally important.
Use your numbers to tell a story. As you create your resume, remember the document's intention. You want to show your potential employer what makes you a great candidate for the job. And because your resume is the first thing a hiring manager will see, you need to make your qualifications obvious.
Whenever possible, include time frames and details about your metrics. Doing so gives the hiring manager some context and fills in the blanks. By giving a more detailed account, you can really impress the people who look at your resume.
You could be tempted to convert your traditional resume to an infographic resume. After all, an infographic is one of the best ways to display numbers in a clear manner. But an infographic resume often hurts job applicants more than it helps them.
For one, most hiring managers prefer traditional resumes. Secondly, it's hard to make a stunning infographic resume without having significant graphic design skills. Unless you work in the graphic design industry, you may not be able to create a visually appealing resume. A mediocre or poorly designed infographic resume won't do you any good.
Finally, an infographic resume might not make it past the Application Tracking System. Even if you have the right keywords in the images, the ATS won't scan those keywords. No human may ever see your resume, and you could find it impossible to get interviews.
As a general rule, you should only suit an infographic resume if an employer asks for one. If you really feel the need to submit one, send it along with your traditional resume. Do it as an attachment and ensure the hiring manager sees your traditional resume as the primary document.
It's probably too late to start collecting data for current job applications. However, you can always prepare for future job searches. If your company doesn't keep track of relevant data, do so on your own. Maintain a private spreadsheet or log of your achievements and skills. Keep the numbers specific and update them as necessary.
When the time comes to begin your job search, you won't need to struggle to find metrics to include. This improves your chance of finding a new position and could even get you a higher starting salary.
In any case, don't hesitate to seek help with your resume. If you don't have any numbers in the document, ask your friends or family for advice. They may be able to suggest specific numbers that make your resume just a little more impressive.
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