Some job descriptions can be overwhelming for job seekers, especially when employers include a range of highly specific interpersonal and professional qualities they are looking for. It’s easy for those on the job hunt to get discouraged. However, by reading between the lines, applicants can tailor their resumes to highlight what employers really want.
The Bottom Line
Elaborate job descriptions aside, employers are almost always looking for one of three things:
1. The applicant will MAKE the company money
2. The applicant will SAVE the company money
3. The applicant will positively AFFECT the company’s bottom line.
Interpersonal skills, leadership, and qualifications are all important, but when writing a resume, the secret to showing that you will be a benefit to the company lies in one fundamental word: impact.
Writing An Impact-Focused Resume
When writing resumes, many applicants make the same mistake: they describe their past achievements without showing the reader how these previous successes will translate to their performance in a new job. By highlighting the concrete impact you had in your previous positions, you will create a resume that focuses not on your past responsibilities, but on your potential to positively impact your future company.
The Secret Formula
A variety of sentence constructions can help your resume be more dynamic, but your bullet points should generally follow a simple formula: “Achieved X by doing Y as measured by Z.”
For example, take these two job descriptions:
- Reached out to donors through a fundraising campaign.
- Spear-headed a multi-platform outreach campaign that increased fundraising by 40%
The first sentence is specific to the candidate’s previous job, and is merely a description of the candidate’s responsibilities. The second sentence proves a quantifiable positive impact as a direct result of the candidate’s efforts. Whenever possible, include quantifiable measures of your impact to highlight the positive influence of your work. This way, potential employers will not only get a feel for your previous experience, but will be able to assess your value in the past and your potential for the future.
Madison Approach 