I was talking to a client last Thursday – a consultant working for Abbot. He was concerned about presenting his achievements without disclosing confidential data.
"How do I showcase my success without risking confidentiality?"
He’s not the first to ask this question. Many clients, especially those in consulting, accounting, and government contracting, face similar concerns.
If you've encountered this issue, you’re not alone.
You want to highlight your accomplishments while avoiding the disclosure of sensitive company information or breaching your NDA.
The good news is that with a few strategic adjustments, it’s straightforward. Let's explore how you can anonymize those metrics and still make your resume shine.
When You’re Trying to Anonymize Results or Don’t Have the Exact Numbers
Have you worked on significant projects but couldn’t disclose specifics?
Whether you lack exact figures or client confidentiality restricts you, this is a common scenario in consulting and other industries with sensitive data.
Here’s what you can do:
Swap Exact Numbers for Generalized Figures
Firstly, let’s address financial data.
If you have sensitive financial data, use more general figures instead of exact numbers. Here’s how:
For instance, if you managed an investment portfolio worth $95 million, on your resume, you can state “9X million.”
If you increased company revenue from $12 million, present it as “XX million.”
Handling a user base of 90,000 daily active users? Indicate “XX,000 DAUs.”
This method allows you to showcase your achievements without revealing sensitive financial data.
Stick with Order of Magnitude or Ranges
When precise percentages aren’t feasible, use symbols like >, ~, or ranges. For example:
Improved efficiency by 45%? Indicate “>40%”
Reduced costs by around 13%? State “~10% reduction.”
These techniques enable you to highlight your accomplishments without being overly specific.
When You’re Trying to Show Scale and Scope
Numbers are powerful. They convey the scale and scope of your achievements. But when precision isn’t possible, how do you still create an impact?
Use Ratios
Ratios are particularly effective for illustrating significant improvements.
Here’s how to use them:
If you scaled from 120,500 to 840,250 hosts globally, state “7x increase.”
Boosted average trips from 10 to 25.4? Indicate “2.5x active trips.”
Reduce Precision
Precision is vital in engineering, but when crafting a resume, you have flexibility. Here’s how to reduce precision effectively:
Instead of stating you formed 42 partnerships, say “dozens of partnerships.”
Conducted 350 user research studies? “Hundreds of user research studies” sounds equally impressive.
Mix and Match
Combining exact numbers with ratios or general terms can provide a comprehensive picture. This approach works well if you remember specific numbers but prefer to keep it broad. For example:
“Scaled hosts globally 3.4x (from 365k to 1.2M hosts)” gives a clear sense of scale.
“Signed dozens of business partnerships (42 new partnerships)” blends precision with generality.
How to Add KPI to a Resume Without Disclosing Sensitive Data
When considering how to include metrics in a resume, focus on key performance indicators (KPIs) that demonstrate your impact while maintaining confidentiality. KPIs are quantifiable metrics that showcase your success.
For example:
Managed a budget of “XX million,” demonstrating fiscal responsibility.
Increased user engagement by “>30%,” highlighting your contribution to the company’s growth.
Quantifying Achievements in Resume Bullets
When writing resume bullets, focus on how to quantify a resume effectively. Use general terms, ratios, and ranges to present your achievements without compromising sensitive information. This method allows you to showcase your impact while adhering to confidentiality agreements.
For instance:
Improved operational efficiency by “>25%,” ensuring high performance.
Reduced costs by “~15%,” demonstrating cost-saving initiatives.
Closing Thoughts
Sharing metrics in a resume doesn’t have to be challenging. Utilize these strategies to protect company privacy while highlighting your accomplishments. Remember, significant improvements—whether in NPS score, page load time, or gross margin—deserve to be showcased. By anonymizing your metrics, you can still make a strong impact with your resume while maintaining confidentiality.
Before you go, check out these other articles you may have missed
For more resume writing best practices, check out this article over at the Balance Careers.