When we write resumes, we always keep this effective phrase in mind: SARs and PARs. SARs (Situation, Action, and Results) and PARs (Problem, Action, and Results) are vital for every resume because they distinguish the good resumes from the all-too-common bad ones.
We encounter numerous job seekers who are unaware of this formula. They list out what they’ve done almost as if they’re writing out a grocery list. If your resume isn’t displaying results, it’s not conveying your worth. A hiring manager doesn’t want to read what you’ve done any more than they want to read that grocery list; they want to read what you’ve accomplished.
The role and responsibilities listed on your resume should not sound like the requirements on a job description. It’s not enough to say “Responsible for contract negotiations and carrier selections.” That’s your responsibility, but what was the result? How did your work improve the company? Did negotiating all those contracts result in your department completing the project under budget? Did you achieve greater revenue due to efficiency or quality? Did you win an award or bonus? Then add it! That’s what the hiring manager wants to see—the value you bring to the table and the things that set you apart from the competition.
Who would you hire?
Candidate A: “Conducted and implemented transportation analysis through contract negotiation, carrier selection, RFQs, and mode selection.”
Candidate B: “Conducted and implemented transportation analysis, saving over $300,000 through renegotiation of small package contracts, carrier selection and negotiation, RFQs, and mode selection, representing an 18% reduction of the total project cost.”
Candidate B sure sounds like he’d have a stronger impact on the business! The candidate included quantitative data, which we strongly encourage you to place throughout your resume. Not only did Candidate B save and reduce costs, but he saved $300,000 and reduced the project cost by 18%. The more specific (and succinct!) you can be, the easier you make the hiring manager’s job.
Keep SARs and PARs in mind when writing every bullet of your resume. Of course it takes more time to develop your resume when using this model, but the effort will pay off when done correctly. The more results you show and problems you’ve overcome, the more you’ll shine!