The Perfect Resume: Evidence of Impact

Recently, we sat down with our Manager of Resume and Coaching Services, Nii Ato Bentsi-Enchill. He shared his insights into building a perfect resume.

One of the biggest mistakes people make on their resume is providing a laundry list of their day-to-day responsibilities. And a job description does not show your impact in an organization.

If you feel you need to share details about your role, “It can be a small part of the resume, a scope statement” says Bensti-Enchill, which is, “two to three sentences in front of your bullet points that define the parameters of your role, your mandate.”

Context is helpful, but your impact is going to come from the bullet points.

To show your impact, use your bullet points to share the problems you were presented with, the actions you took, and the results for the business.

Here are two examples. The first of each will demonstrate a responsibility, and the second shows the impact created.

Create queries using SQL to integrate company X’s CRM database and historical selling results by SKU

vs

Designed new SQL queries allowing increased visibility of bottlenecks and tracking of specific SKUs – reduced average “go-live” cycle 57% (from 14 to 6 days) within 5 months of implementation

The first example recaps something you did. The second example articulates the fruits of your labor and shows impact.

Now take a look at another example:

Management of clinical study operations across Russia and Ukraine by specific project deliverables (timelines, recruitment rate, resources)

vs

Achieved 100% of enrollment target — from 19 to 56 subjects in eight months – resulting in project completion 4 months ahead of schedule

Once again, the second example shows the results of your responsibilities.