When concluding your STAR story with the ‘Result’ component, the ideal scenario is to provide quantifiable achievements—numbers that demonstrate your impact. However, not every successful outcome can be reduced to a neat percentage or dollar figure. This is where understanding the difference between qualitative and quantitative results becomes crucial.

This article clarifies the distinction between qualitative and quantitative results and provides guidance on how to effectively present both in your STAR answers, ensuring you always showcase your full impact.

Defining Qualitative and Quantitative Results

• Quantitative Results: These are measurable outcomes that can be expressed in numbers, percentages, or other numerical data. They provide objective, concrete proof of your impact. Examples include “increased sales by 10%,” “reduced costs by $5,000,” or “completed project 2 days early.”
• Qualitative Results: These are descriptive outcomes that focus on quality, characteristics, or improvements that are not easily expressed numerically. They often relate to “soft skills” or broader organizational improvements. Examples include “improved team morale,” “enhanced client satisfaction,” “streamlined communication,” or “developed a stronger internal process.”

Why Both Types of Results Matter

• Comprehensive Picture: Relying solely on one type of result can provide an incomplete view of your contribution. A mix often paints a more holistic and compelling picture.
• Contextual Relevance: Some roles and situations naturally lend themselves more to qualitative outcomes (e.g., HR, community management). It’s important to know how to present these effectively.
• Demonstrates Diverse Impact: Showing both types of results demonstrates your ability to influence various aspects of a business, from hard metrics to team dynamics.

For a detailed look at why numbers are so important, read The Importance of Quantifiable Results.

How to Effectively Present Each Type of Result

• For Quantitative Results:
  • Be specific with numbers, percentages, or monetary values.
  • Provide context for the numbers (e.g., “15% increase, from X to Y”).
  • Relate them back to the overall business goals. For methods, see Methods for Quantifying Results.
• For Qualitative Results:
  • Use strong, descriptive language (e.g., “significantly improved,” “fostered a culture of,” “effectively resolved”).
  • Provide specific examples or anecdotes that illustrate the qualitative improvement.
  • Explain the *impact* of the qualitative result (e.g., “Improved team morale, leading to a noticeable increase in cross-functional collaboration and idea sharing”).

You can find concrete examples of qualitative outcomes in Examples of Qualitative Results.

Blending Both for Maximum Impact

The most powerful STAR responses often combine both types of results. For instance:

• “My efforts to streamline our onboarding process not only led to a 20% reduction in new hire training time (quantitative) but also resulted in significantly improved new hire satisfaction scores and faster team integration (qualitative).”

This approach gives a complete picture, demonstrating both the hard business impact and the softer, but equally important, benefits of your work. Understanding when and how to present these results makes your STAR answers robust and persuasive.

For a complete understanding of all STAR elements, return to Deconstructing the STAR Method: Each Component Explained.