Why Numbers Matter on Your Resume

Imagine this scenario:

You’re an employer looking to hire a new sales associate. Which of the following statements gets your attention?

• Worked as a salesperson.

• 10 years of sales experience, named company salesperson of the month three times, and brought in $90,000 in new sales within a one year timeframe.

Obviously the second statement far surpasses the first. Why? Because it demonstrates a candidate’s abilities through cold, hard facts…a.k.a. numbers. It also gives the employer a better sense of the candidate’s experience and skill level.

The lesson here?

Numbers are an important part of your resume, regardless of the field you work in. As leading headhunters in Houston, Murray Resources can tell you they offer real-world examples of the value you bring to the table and can help set you apart in a sea of other candidates.

So how can you go about determining the best way to quantify your accomplishments on your resume?

One of the first places to start is past performance reviews. Look to them for inspiration and information about your accomplishments and how to quantify them.

If you don’t have copies of your performance reviews, then you’re going to have to sit down and brainstorm for a while. When you do, ask yourself the following questions:

• How have I saved employers time? In other words, did you make process improvements that made your company more efficient in some way, shape, or form? Or did you implement a new program that saved your customers time?

• How have I saved, made, or managed money for employers? For instance, did you shop around for and negotiate with a more cost efficient vendor? Did you identify certain areas where the company could save money and implement changes to help achieve those savings? Were you in charge of administering a large budget? Or did you bring in a large amount of new sales or clients each month?

• What other kinds of specific amounts or numbers demonstrate my skills or abilities? For instance, did you supervise a team of 15? Were you tasked with conducting new hire orientation for 10 new employees? Did you write 5 new RFPs or business proposals last year? Think about everything you’ve done in terms of tasks and then try to attach a number that demonstrates positive results.

Competition is fierce in the job market. That means you need to stand out via your resume in order to get your foot in the door and get an interview. And the more you focus on quantifying your abilities through numbers, the more likely you are to get noticed.

Want Resume Help from the Experts?

Turn to the top headhunters in Houston; turn to Murray Resources. We can help you craft an effective resume, polish your interview skills, and find job opportunities that are a great match for you. Contact Murray Resources today to get started.