Resumes 101: The Numbers Tell the Story

If you’re searching for a new job in Miami, then you probably know you need to go beyond just listing out your daily tasks and responsibilities on your resume. You must set yourself apart by demonstrating the value you can offer to a potential employer – and that means promoting your accomplishments.

However, when you’re caught up in the daily grind of getting your work done at your current job, it can be difficult to see the track record you’re leaving behind. To help you better sell yourself – so you can ultimately get the job you want – here are some tips to put to use:

Log Your Wins

Keep a notebook, folder, Word document, or app handy where you keep track of all your accomplishments. These don’t have to be major achievements – which is where most people get stuck. You should be logging those seemingly minor successes as well. You never know what will inspire you – or be relevant for a certain position or employer you’re applying to – when you’re working on your resume.

Talk About Measurable Results 

When you’re applying for a particular Miami job and you know you want to promote a certain achievement, think about how you can quantify it. For example, rather than saying you “implemented a new online ordering system,” take it a step further – “Implemented an online ordering system that cut operational costs by 10%.”

Besides dollars and percentages, another way to quantify your accomplishments is by showcasing how much you performed a certain task. For instance, rather than saying you “answered phones,” state: “Managed a switchboard with five lines, effectively routing more than 100 calls a day.”

If you’re still having trouble assigning numbers to your accomplishments, ask yourself these questions:

  • What challenges did you face and overcome?
  • How did you overcome them?
  • How did your actions ultimately benefit your employer? 

Use Active Language 

When talking about your accomplishments, don’t fall into the habit of using passive language, such as “Was responsible for handling phone calls.” You’ll kill your resume momentum. Instead, use active language – words such as led, spearheaded, initiated, developed, managed, produced – in order to breathe some life into your language.

The job market out there is fierce. The better you are able to promote your accomplishments, the greater your odds of securing an interview – and the offer.

If you’d like more help with your search, please call Future Force. As one of the leading employment agencies in Miami, we can help you with the entire process from resume to job offer. Simply contact us today to get the process started or search our jobs in Miami now.