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Close your eyes and pretend that you are a hiring manager. You have a pile of resumes, and you need to choose some candidates to interview based on these resumes. You pick up the first two for comparison. Both candidates have been in the field for the same number of years, and each has a solid work history.
Candidate A uses phrases such as, “saved the company money by streamlining the inventory process,” “fielded telephone calls with efficiency while maintaining customer satisfaction,” and “managed a team of salespeople.”
Candidate B has similar achievements to his credit, and describes them like this: “implemented my ideas in inventory efficiency, saving the company over $5000 in time and money spent,” “satisfied upwards of 25 telephone customers per day,” and “supervised a team of 5 salespeople.”
Candidate A uses generic phrases that are hard to substantiate. Candidate B, however, uses concrete numbers that can be verified easily. While the first candidate may have actually accomplished more than the second, you, the hiring manager, have no way of knowing this. Which candidate are you more likely to call in for an interview?
Use numbers in your resume. Be truthful, of course; never exaggerate, mislead, or lie on a resume. Even if your accomplishments are not quite as impressive as you would like, being vague will not do you any favors. Give your potential employer the specifics that she needs to feel great about hiring you.
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© Jennifer Anthony, Nationally Published Resume Expert & Career Strategist
E-mail: jenn [AT] jennwrites [DOT] com | Web: http://www.jennanthony.info
Disclaimer: Advice offered in this article is not comprehensive and is intended for a wide-range of readers. Individual results may vary based on geographic location, local economies, market saturation for a particular industry, academic background, adaptability to workforce changes, and/or continued motivation. Contact a professional resume writer to discuss your unique situation.
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