Career Management and Job Search for Top Talent Blog

Converting features/facts into benefits is the key to getting your resume noticed, not gimmicks.

The reader is generally not thinking about you when they read your resume. They read a resume. They are thinking about themselves and can this person solve my pain or deliver they results I need.
Our methodology for addressing the reader's pain is S.O.A.R. This can be used to convert all the features/facts into benefits.
• Understanding S.OA.R. to describe your accomplishments:

o Situation - briefly describe the issue

o Obstacles - what obstacles did you overcome

o Action - what action did you take

o Results - identify the quantifiable results you achieved.

Below are actual statements taken from candidate's resumes. Then examples converting features/facts into a benefit:

• Feature - 20 direct reports with specialization in project management, purchasing, operations, logistics and analytics.

o Benefit -Saved $200,000 per year while leading the implementation of a supply chain management system. This included overseeing project management, purchasing and logistics.

• Feature - Negotiated and drafted joint venture & strategic alliance agreements in the US, Canada and Europe

o Benefit- Assisted in generating revenue increases by 35% in two years by negotiating and drafting joint venture and strategic alliance agreements in the US, Canada and Europe.

• Feature - Established cost per hire metrics. Managed turnover to below industry benchmarks.

o Benefit - Established cost per hire metrics that reduced the cost per hire from $2000 per hire before metrics to less than$1000 per hire within 6 months of setting metrics.

• Feature - Established cost per hire metrics. Managed turnover to below industry benchmarks.

o Benefit - Established cost per hire metrics that reduced the cost per hire from $2000 per hire before metrics to less than$1000 per hire within 6 months of setting metrics.

o Benefit- Reduced turnover to below industry benchmarks within 1 year saving the company $250,000 in training fees, recruiting fees and cost per hire.

The benefits address value created, while the former simply addresses features. The benefits add value to the accomplishments and demonstrate value created as a result of you being in the position.

Review your resume and convert the features/facts to benefits. Have multiple benefits for each position, as not all benefits are the same for every company.

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