| My Achievements Aren't Measurable |
It is easier to impress potential employers if you can show measurable results which were achieved as a result of your actions. For many people, however, because of the nature of their work, it is difficult to attach a specific dollar amount, percentage, or numerical figure to their actions. This may make it more challenging to show the extent to which you made contributions, but you can still make your potential value clear, depending upon how you choose to measure your achievements.
Mindset
Keep in mind that every organization depends on dozens of intangible contributions in order to reach goal, and that seldom are the most significant contributions the result of one individual's efforts alone. Rather they are the result of teamwork, and every team member can claim some credit for helping to achieve the organization's overall goals.
Some people work primarily through others. Some excel in analysis and problem solving, devising approaches that are then implemented by others. Some contribute substantially to customer satisfaction, which isn't always easily measured. Some communicate in a way that improves morale and productivity, though it is not possible to show a direct causal connection. The fact that these contributions are not easily measured by numbers does not mean they aren't essential.
Resume
There are several ways you can address this liability in a resume. To show results, you can compare conditions existing before you started to those which prevailed afterwards. No matter what your field or function, there are always some criteria by which your performance can be judged as good, superior or outstanding. Any measure of visible change can reflect favorably on you, e.g., "A loose organization with little direction became a close-knit team which understood its goals and reached them consistently."
You can also make clear the role you played as part of a larger team, and then emphasize the results achieved by the team. You can even cite the overall performance of the organization during that time.
If it is still difficult for you to make your achievements apparent, you can structure the resume to emphasize the functions you filled and the tasks completed. You may appeal to an employer merely because you have certain experience, regardless of achievements.
You can go further and identify personal traits and strengths you used to contribute, and appeal on that basis. Do you use time efficiently? Are you a good listener with a harmonious personality who brings out the best in others? Are you someone who cannot be easily intimidated? Do you lead by example? Are you an astute observer who can analyze situations for quick action? Do you build loyalty in those who work for you? Almost any personal trait can be applied to help an employer reach goals, and these traits can be emphasized on the resume.
Interviews / e-mails / Letters
The heart of any interview is finding out what the employer wants and letting them know you have it. Ask up front what kind of experience and skills are most important for the job, then relate situation-action-result format stories which demonstrate that you have experience and achievements in those areas. Remember you can always use results achieved by your team, if that is appropriate.
But don't stop there. Go beyond functions and ask what kind of personal strengths and characteristics will be looked for in the person who wins the job. You can even go so far as to ask if particular strengths will be important. Of course, these are the strengths you know you possess, and for which you've already prepared stories showing how you've used them to make contributions. If you're a little short on measurable achievements, adding these personal qualities can highlight the fact that you're a close match to the job requirements in many ways.
Actions
Examine your past contributions closely, and prepare several action-oriented stories that demonstrate your personal strengths and get across your talent for moving rapidly to get results in everyday types of situations that any employer can relate to.
Look for as many specific result indications as possible. Be prepared to give a wealth of evidence in the form of these memorable action-oriented stories. This will reassure the prospective employer about your ability to deliver. Remember, you can always find some standard by which your achievements can be measured, even if it only a clear description of conditions before and after your contributions.
Develop and coach enthusiastic references from selected individuals you can trust inside your employer organization, as well as a number outside of it, e.g., customers, suppliers, sales reps, consultants, etc., who will be happy to attest to your energy level, action orientation, and ability to deliver results, even though it may not be easy to attach a dollar amount to them. Review your resume with these references, and make sure they keep a copy available to scan when and if they are called.
This step will enable you to make the statement in an interview that, "You've heard about Joe Smith from Joe Smith, but you really need to hear it from some of the people who know me best, and I strongly urge you to call them." That will erase any lingering doubts that you might not be a top performer.
Conduct research on any industry and companies you are targeting, using the Internet and/or resources in the Business Reference section of a good library. You might even consider going so far as to write a small article about the major trends in that industry as they affect someone in your function, whether it is purchasing, sales, production, marketing, finance, customer service, information systems, or any other function.
In this way, if you're short on quantifiable results and achievements, you can make up for it not only by emphasizing functional skills and personal traits, but also by showing extensive industry knowledge and a lot of enthusiasm.
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