In business, every manager lives by an equation that helps describe profit or loss.  This equation is called the Income Statement and it looks like this:

Revenue (or income) - Expenses = Net Revenue (can be profit or loss).

Money in minus money out equals net revenue. The goal of every business is to increase revenue and decrease expenses so they can turn a profit.

Every business is in business to turn a profit. Without a profit, a business cannot sustain itself.  (BTW – this is true of non-profit organizations and governments as well. They just call it something different.)  Profit is made when the cost of providing the goods or services is less than what they sell for. In other words, if I sell a book for $20.00 and it cost me $10.00 to produce it, I have made a profit.  If, on the other hand, I can only sell the book for $7.00 even though it cost me $10.oo to produce, I have made a loss.  If I keep losing money this way I will not be in business much longer.  I think you know why.

In order for a business to stay alive it must have MORE expenses less than revenue.

Now here’s why that’s important to you as a job seeker.  EVERY manager is concerned about this little equation all the time. It’s their job. They are supposed to help the company make a profit. When a manager goes to hire someone, they have to do the math and figure out if paying your salary and benefits will help turn a profit or turn into a loss.

As an interviewee, your job is to help the hiring manager see that you are a good “investment”. The way to do this is to give proof on your resume that you have helped your former or current employer make or save money. When you show results, your resume gets read.