The Impact Statement Symplified

I have discussed demonstrating impact on your resume in a previous article, and after seeing hundreds of resumes without any impact, I think the idea bears repeating.

There is a very simple way to demonstrate your impact on your resume. Here is a ridiculously easy formula:

[Impact/improvement/result] by [action that created impact/improvement/result].

Like I said, it’s a simple, easy formula. The challenge is in identifying the impact/improvement/result.

I often use the event planner profession to explain how to determine impact: If you’re an event planner and you planned an event, that might feel satisfying, and the company might be happy with your work, but the event is not an impact. If you successfully planned ten events in one month, during a particularly busy month, that is also not a result. You were simply fulfilling your job requirements.

However, if you’re an event planner and the company or client slashed your budget, or unexpectedly expedited your timeline, and the event still happened without a problem, that could be a result. If big problems happened and the event still produced more success than in the past, that is definitely a result.

Do not use these words to figure out your impact:

• Passion

• Good communicator

• Innovative

• Transformational

• Entrepreneurial

• Computer skills

• Detail-oriented

• Organized

• Work well with others

• Dedicated: Put in long hours

 Instead, use these questions:

 • How did I add/contribute to revenue?

• How did I improve a process or procedure?

• How did my work benefit a client? How did I make their life easier?

• How did my work save the company time and/or money?

• How did I develop/expand the business?

• How did I increase the customer base?

• How did I improve/enhance a project?

• How did I solve a problem?

• How did I enhance teamwork?

• How did I improve policy? Compliance?

• How did I influence someone to make a better decision?

• How did I use data or research to improve something or solve a problem?

For the questions that have answers, the answer is your impact. Use the simple formula to make the impact statement. Here is it again:

[Impact/improvement/result] by [action that created impact/improvement/result].

These statements go under each position in the Experience section of your resume. They are meant to be short, focused, and concise to prove your point faster.

For interviews you’ll want to be ready to expand each other statements. Maybe give a little bit of context, maybe give some details about your actions.

But, for the resume, keep the statements very short and focused to the needs of the company.

The formula is simple. Identifying the impact … not so much.

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For a free resume review, please contact me at soozy@controlyourcareer.net

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