The Most Effective Change Job Seekers Can Make to Improve Their Resumes: Outcome Statements
Most resumes fail to stand out. They list tasks & responsibilities but don’t show why a candidate is indispensable. The solution? Outcome statements that showcase the impact of your work.
Ask yourself: Is my resume just a list of responsibilities and tasks I’ve performed, or does it communicate the value I bring to a business?
After reviewing hundreds (maybe thousands) of resumes over my career, I’ve seen the same patterns repeatedly. Most resumes simply list job duties in the Professional Experience section like:
Designed wireframes for B2B software applications.
Performed usability tests with members of our target audience.
Collaborated with members of my product team to create requirements.
Presented designs to senior stakeholders.
A strong resume should be more than a job description—it should communicate your value. Using outcome statements transforms your list of responsibilities into a compelling story that demonstrates your skills and achievements.
Outcome "ARM Impact" Syntax
Effective outcome statements are built from four key elements:
Action – What you did to drive results.
Example: Redesigned the app onboarding process.
Result – The improvement or change achieved.
Example: Increased user completion rates.
Measurement – How much it improved, using metrics if possible.
Example: From 62% to 98% completion.
Impact – Why it mattered to the organization.
Example: Saved $750,000 annually by reducing inbound support calls.
Combined Example:
Redesigned the app’s onboarding process, increasing completion rates from 62% to 98% and saving $750,000 annually by reducing inbound support calls.
From/To: Weak vs. Strong Examples
From: "Designed wireframes for B2B software applications."
To: "Designed wireframes for a B2B application, reducing task completion time by 30% and improving customer satisfaction."
ARM Impact:Action: Designed wireframes for a B2B application.
Result: Improved user task efficiency.
Measurement: Reduced task completion time by 30%.
Impact: Enhanced customer satisfaction and team productivity.
From: "Performed usability tests with members of our target audience."
To: "Conducted usability testing, addressing pain points and increasing task completion rates by 25%, resulting in higher user retention."
ARM Impact:Action: Conducted usability testing.
Result: Identified and addressed pain points.
Measurement: Increased task completion rates by 25%.
Impact: Boosted user retention and reduced support requests.
From: "Collaborated with product team members to create requirements."
To: "Collaborated with product managers and engineers to define requirements, reducing time-to-delivery by 15% and accelerating feature deployment."
ARM Impact:Action: Partnered with product managers and engineers.
Result: Defined and aligned project requirements.
Measurement: Reduced time-to-delivery by 15%.
Impact: Accelerated feature deployment and improved stakeholder alignment.
What If You Don’t Have Metrics?
I often hear from candidates that they don’t have metrics to apply to their work. My first response is: Why not? Did you ask for metrics? Do you understand why you’re doing the work you’ve been assigned?
Being able to describe your work as an outcome statement has benefits beyond your resume—it can improve your overall career clarity. If you don’t have metrics yet, start digging into analytics or asking questions to connect your work to tangible outcomes.
But if metrics truly aren’t available, here’s how to craft strong qualitative statements:
Focus on Why: “Redesigned the onboarding flow to create a more intuitive experience for first-time users.”
Describe Your Approach: “Partnered with business and tech stakeholders to improve process efficiency and streamline workflows.”
Highlight Value: “Enhanced team collaboration, enabling faster delivery of high-quality features.”
Key Takeaways
Outcome statements transform your resume from a list of duties into a powerful tool that showcases your achievements and value. Whether you’re leveraging metrics or focusing on qualitative impact, this approach will help you stand out—and land your next opportunity.
