Including data and metrics in your application is an excellent way to show an employer your value and set you apart from competition. These numbers are your key performance indicators (KPIs) and can be considered the evidence, or the proof of your abilities and skills. The addition of numbers punctuates your resume and offers an “at a glance” of your performance and achievements. Here are three ways you can include data and metrics in your job application.

1. Add An Achievements Section

A hiring manager may not spend a lot of time reviewing your application before they decide if you should go in the “call back” pile or not. You want the information in your resume to be easily digestible, so they can make a quick decision about whether, or not you’re a good fit. By including an “achievements” section on your resume, where you can list a few important metrics that will jump off the page immediately to a hiring manager, you make it easy for them to decide that you’re worth interviewing.

• Select Relevant Metrics – Choose metrics that best represent your achievements and align with the job you are applying for. This might include sales growth percentages, customer satisfaction scores, or project completion times.

• Be Specific – Rather than saying you “increased sales,” specify by how much, e.g., “increased sales by 30% over a 6-month period.” This specificity adds credibility and impact.

• Use a Clear Format – Present your data in a clear, easy-to-read format. Bullet points can be an effective way to separate and highlight individual achievements.

• Contextualize Your Achievements – Whenever possible, provide context. For instance, if you reduced company expenses, explain how you achieved this, such as through renegotiating contracts or optimizing internal processes.

Example:

ACHIEVEMENTS:

E-COMMERCE, Increased Gross Online Profit by 292%

NEWSLETTER, Grew contacts to over 300 in 3 months and Maintained Open rate of 83% Maintained Click Rate of 63%

SOCIAL MEDIA Grew Instagram following from 300 to over 6500 in 3 months

2. Highlight Data in Your Cover Letter

In addition to your resume, you can also include metrics in the body of your cover letter. While your resume is an overview of your education and experience, your cover letter is an opportunity to go deeper into each of your roles, skills and how you would apply those to the position you’re applying for. You can use this as an opportunity to describe your role and what you did, followed by an impressive achievement (the metric). As an example, if you are applying for a role as a social media manager, you can speak to your previous experience managing an Instagram account. Here’s an example:

In my previous role as Social Media Manager for Style Nine to Five I managed the Instagram account, wrote creative and engaging captions and increased the account following by 25% over the course of two years.

3. Include Metrics in Your Job History

As mentioned, metrics are the proof of your proficiency. So sprinkling in a few more throughout your application won’t hurt. You can also include additional data and metrics within each of your job roles in your job history section of your resume. Here is an example of how you can sprinkle in a few extra numbers to show your value:

Social Media Director
Style Nine to Five
October 2020 – December 2021

I was responsible for maintaining the Style Nine to Five brand, both visually and through voice. I did this across social platforms to extend the brand’s reach, develop a loyal and engaged audience (increased following by 200%), and drive high-converting traffic to the Style Nine to Five job board and blog (averaged 6200 link taps per month).

Metrics are an important part of your application and can really help sell you to your employer. It is great practice in any job you have to keep tabs on your KPIs and how you are tracking throughout your time with an employer. Take note on a monthly or quarterly basis of your KPIs and keep them in a safe space on your personal computer. Then when it is time to move on to your next position you will have some great evidence of your performance and proficiency that you can include in your application.

If you are working on an application right now, but unsure of how you can use KPIs, or even what your KPIs are, reach out to Style Nine to Five founder Christie Lohr  for an Application Review. She can offer guidance and can help you make the post of your metrics and data in your application.

Sheila O’Neill is a creative, innovative and inspiring storyteller with a background in fashion.

Feature Image: Adobe Stock