Whether you’re early in your career or an experienced candidate looking for your next big opportunity, your resume will be your primary marketing document. Resume advice abounds on the internet; some of it is very good (use strong action verbs, use language that resonates with the company culture and mirrors the position description) and some is rather outdated. Although it’s always a good idea to have a concise, one-page version of your resume, I think your resume should be as long as it needs to be to make the case for hiring you. AI and Applicant Tracking Systems don’t get bored or sleepy or impatient reading about you. And they’re likely to be the first to scan your qualifications.
But here’s some advice that’s both timely and timeless: if you want to attract an employer’s attention, focus on your outcomes rather than your inputs.
Resume Now, an AI resume builder, recently analyzed 18.4 million U.S. resumes created between May and July 2025 using NLP-based text analysis. The Resume Results Report found that only 1 in 10 resumes include measurable results.
ATS and hiring managers scan for proof of impact, not task lists. Yet most candidates (especially early-career) use verbs without outcomes, highlighting a massive missed opportunity for job seekers.
The research found that only 10% of resumes include metrics such as numbers, percentages, and dollar amounts, things that hiring managers care most about. When an employer hires someone, it’s to solve a problem or improve something vital to the success of the company. Hiring an employee is an expensive, time-consuming, and risky proposition. The hire feels much less risky if the candidate has a proven track record.
The research also found that workers with 10 or more years of experience are more than twice as likely as entry-level workers to use metrics. Part of that is the very definition of “track record,” but part of it comes from a deeper understanding of what companies value. If you’re making the case for getting a job or a promotion over the years, you’ll need to make the case based on data and results.
And, of course, measuring and reporting data is more important in some industries and roles. Sales, finance, operations, engineering, computer, science, and mathematical jobs could arguably be described as 80% about tracking data and performance. (The other 20% consists of figuring out what the trends mean and reporting it to people who can move the needle.)
The Resume Now report says strong action verbs are a great start, but they’re only half the story. Instead of stopping at “Managed a team,” try “Managed a 10-person team that reduced customer returns and cancelled orders by 15%.” The company also recommends that candidates highlight results early. Place your proven accomplishments in a professional summary or bullet points at the top of the page to grab a recruiter’s attention.
Resume Now says “Every job has measurable outcomes, even if they aren’t obvious at first. By quantifying your contributions, you not only prove your value but also give hiring managers an easier way to compare you to other candidates. This simple shift can help you move from blending in to standing out.”
Your Work, Your Way 