I recently came across a great CV and was reminded of the power data has to make someone stand out. It’s one thing for example to say you were responsible for social media marketing vs creating a social media campaign that resulted in X number of impressions, leads or engagement, or that you were a food delivery entrepreneur who had a 5 star rating in customer satisfaction. The latter evidence demonstrate the value you bring.
In today’s competitive job market, it’s important to be able to quantify one’s achievements and articulate them in our CV and cover letter. It lends credibility to your claims and helps you stand out from the competition. In addition, it helps showcase your value to potential employers. However, putting this into practice can be challenging, especially when you can feel you haven’t accomplished anything significant. In this blog post, we explore practical strategies to help effectively quantify achievements and present them confidently in your application.
1. Focus on measurable outcomes:
Instead of dwelling on grand achievements, shift your perspective to measurable outcomes. Think about the impact you have made, regardless of its scale. Consider the following approaches to quantify your achievements:
- Demonstrate improvements: Highlight instances where you have made improvements in your work, even if they seem small. For example, if you streamlined a process, communicate how it resulted in time or cost savings.
- Showcase growth: Emphasise personal or professional growth you have experienced. This can include acquiring new skills, completing relevant courses, or taking on additional responsibilities.
- Highlight positive feedback: If you have received positive feedback from colleagues, clients, or superiors, incorporate their testimonials as evidence of your skills and contributions.
2. Utilise percentages, numbers, and timeframes:
Numbers have a powerful way of communicating impact and value as I shared in a previous post. Even seemingly insignificant figures can provide context, demonstrate your ability to quantify results, and set you apart from other applicants. Consider the following examples:
- Increased sales by 10% within three months.
- Managed a project that reduced customer complaints by 15%.
- Completed a task ahead of schedule, saving two hours per week.
3. Emphasise transferable skills:
Quantifying achievements is not limited to tangible results. Highlight transferable skills that can be measured, such as:
- Effective communication: Mention instances where your communication skills have led to successful collaborations or improved team dynamics. Don’t just say you are an effective communicator and leave it at that.
- Problem-solving: Provide examples of how your problem-solving abilities have contributed to resolving issues or implementing innovative solutions.
- Leadership: Describe situations where you successfully led a team or project, highlighting specific outcomes such as meeting deadlines or exceeding targets.
4. Use qualitative data:
While numerical data is valuable, qualitative information can also be impactful. Incorporate testimonials, accolades, or recognition you have received, even if they are in the form of written or verbal appreciation from colleagues or clients. These qualitative indicators can demonstrate the value you bring to the table.
To conclude, quantifying achievements in your CV and cover letter may seem daunting, however, by shifting your focus to measurable outcomes, utilising percentages and numbers, emphasising transferable skills, and including qualitative data, you can effectively showcase your value to potential employers.
Remember, it’s not always about grand achievements, but rather about presenting your experiences and contributions in a quantifiable and confident manner.
Unsure how to showcase what you have done? As a Data Analyst professional, I can help. Feel free to reach out.