With endless pieces of resume advice on the Internet, it’s no wonder many job candidates have given up on the “perfect” resume. However, one of the biggest – and most avoidable – mistakes candidates make on their resumes is failing to quantify their value.

By quantifying achievements, you’re taking the next step to explain how you can do something versus the simple fact you can do it. Furthermore, you only have a few quick seconds to capture the attention of a hiring manager reading your resume. Including numerical information in the form of percentages or monetary values can have a greater impact on how your resume is perceived by employers.

How can you optimize your resume to showcase your past experiences?

Demonstrate Your Impact

As you include your prior employment experience, it’s important to consider the type of impact you had in past roles. Going beyond your job duties and articulating the result of your work can speak volumes of your performance. For instance, did your ability to provide superior customer service result in a 50 percent increase in return customers? Did your problem-solving skills allow you to implement a new process which increased your team’s productivity by 25 percent?

Taking an inventory of what resulted from your actions will give you a launchpad for communicating your impact in quantifiable form.

Be Concise and Direct

When talking about specific actions taken and goals achieved, articulate this information as clearly as possible. Putting results into easily digestible phrases will enhance your employment history section and showcase your unique abilities. In general, it’s best to think in terms of percentages; efficiency and productivity; dollar amounts; and time. Showing how you improved an aspect of your workplace will speak to your skills and proven ability to make a positive change in your role.

Break Through the Clutter

Making an effort to add specific quantifiable value to your resume can make a significant difference on how your resume is perceived by employers. Remember, you only have one chance to impress a hiring manager. Make it count!

Headquartered in Houston, TX, Carlton Staffing has remained committed to providing innovative staffing solutions to Houston, Dallas and Fort Worth companies for over 30 years. When it’s time for you to find a new job, building a trusted partnership with the recruiters at Carlton Staffing will help you reach your current and future professional goals. Apply for a job today to get started on your search or contact us for more information!