How to Write Quantitative Resume Achievements Successfully

What is a quantitative resume?

A quantitative resume uses measurable achievements and numbers to describe work and educational accomplishments. While traditional resumes may simply list responsibilities and skills, quantitative resumes detail how you complete responsibilities and use your skills.

Hiring managers prefer these resumes because they can assess your performance and your impact on previous companies. A typical resume gives recruiters very little information with which to judge your competency, but a quantitative one tells them the extent of your qualifications and how much of a workload you’re used to handling.

Here’s a comparison of a quantitative resume vs. a traditional resume:

Why metrics matter in resumes

Measurable metrics demonstrate a realistic impact. This is valuable to employers because it’s tangible rather than vague. Here’s an actionable example to show you the difference:

This practice also shows them your relevancy to the role. For example, if a hiring manager is looking for an editor who can proofread four articles per day, quantified achievements regarding your workload show them you can meet expectations. Here’s a sample:

This is also the case when including your skills on resumes. While it’s still recommended to provide a succinct list, it’s best to expand on these abilities with numbers and percentages. For instance, it’s best to mention your human resource information system (HRIS) ability in the Skills section but also add a metric to your resume summary – like this:

Key metrics to highlight by industry

Let’s look at a few industry-specific quantitative resume examples to get you thinking. Don’t see your industry here? Check out our library of resume samples to see more quantified achievements from dozens of unique fields.

Tech & IT

Technology and IT metrics typically include how you improved company systems, optimized computer code, and maintained data security. Here are some examples:

Marketing

Marketing achievements usually showcase customer acquisition and conversion and the ability to manage complex campaigns. Here are a few samples:

Sales

Sales metrics should discuss how you generate revenue, manage leads and prospects, and surpass expected quotas. Take a look at these examples:

Healthcare

Healthcare and medical achievements usually highlight patient satisfaction, error reductions, and company cost savings. Here are a few examples:

Finance

Finance metrics typically showcase how you manage budgets, enhance cost savings, and maintain data accuracy. Take a look at these samples:

How to identify your quantifiable achievements

It might seem tricky to brainstorm measurable achievements – after all, we don’t view our achievements through numbers and percentages.

Our favorite way to identify quantified accomplishments: Create a master list of all your previous roles, responsibilities, and skills. This creates a solid reference and is a great way to identify your most impactful achievements and put a number to them. 

This helps even entry-level and junior professionals find quantified achievements. For example, a retail sales associate may list these skills on their master list:

• Talking to customers, remembering inventory and current sales

You can add metrics to these responsibilities like this:

How do you find the numbers? Use your best judgment, and don’t downplay your accomplishments. 

However, some professionals won’t need to guess. Some professional tools track performance and provide metrics, such as project management software, customer relationship management systems, and business analyst tools.

For instance, if you were building a quantitative analyst resume, you could use real data from financial modeling software to show your outcomes.

Writing a quantitative resume: Best practices

Now, let’s go through a quick summary of best practices for writing the ideal quantitative resume. Use this list as a quick reference next time you update your resume to make sure you’ve ticked all the boxes.

Here are our top tips and tricks:

• Prioritize your best accomplishments: Lead with your best achievements, ensuring they take the first bullet point so the recruiter sees them right away. For instance, a quantitative researcher resume should discuss how they improved trading accuracy before smaller accomplishments, like reducing risk.
• Use action verbs: Start each bullet point with a strong action verb that relates to your specific industry. For instance, HR professionals should use words like “Collaborated,” “Implemented,” and “Developed.”
• Format metrics correctly: Always use numerical symbols when quantifying achievements to make them stand out in your text. A sentence like “Handled 50 customer calls per day” catches the recruiter’s eye more than “Handled fifty customer calls per day.”
• Use multiple metrics: Don’t be afraid to use more than one metric per accomplishment if it’s relevant. For example, “Managed restaurant inventory with a 98% accuracy rate, increasing cost savings by 15%.”
• Focus on your best work: Critically examine your career history and choose the most impactful achievements. You have plenty of great skills and competencies, but you can’t list them all – focus on the most powerful and relevant.

“While traditional resumes may simply list responsibilities and skills, quantitative resumes detail how you complete responsibilities and use your skills.”

Common resume mistakes

Quantitative resumes are nearly foolproof, but it’s still important to take care to avoid common pitfalls. Use our guide and double-check your resume to avoid these mistakes and write a quality resume.

Here are the top resume mistakes and how to avoid them:

• Over-inflating numbers: Stay realistic when writing achievements. Never over-inflate your abilities, even if the truth doesn’t sound attractive. Instead, focus on other achievements.
• Using unverifiable achievements: Focus on outcomes that are realistic. Hiring managers can tell if you make unverifiable claims, like being more likable or getting along with teammates better than other employees.
• Misrepresenting accomplishments: Be transparent when discussing team projects, and don’t take credit for group achievements. It’s fine to list these accomplishments but make it clear you collaborated with others.
• Choosing irrelevant metrics: Don’t list awards or projects that aren’t relevant, even if they display great skill. Recruiters need to know how you relate to their open role, so choose relevant achievements over highly impressive ones.
• Using a lackluster template: Metrics need clear visibility, and a messy resume distracts from their visual appeal and impact. Use a professional resume template to ensure your numbers stand out and attract attention. 

Showcase your relevancy with a quantitative resume

Hiring managers don’t understand your qualifications until you tell them, so make it crystal clear with measurable metrics and a quantitative resume. Be sure to use our top tips:

• Create a master list of responsibilities, skills, and projects.
• Thoroughly read each job description to understand the employer’s needs.
• Use your best judgment to quantify your accomplishments. Don’t sell yourself short, but don’t over-inflate, either.
• Use action verbs relevant to your role and industry.

Take these tips and build a powerful resume today. Use CVwizard’s resume maker and write a professional resume with customizable sections, clean white space, and unique, attractive templates.

References:

(1) Forbes, Apr 14, 2022: 12 Things Recruiters Look At First When Going Through Job Applications