Accomplishments-- your key differentiators in a competitive marketplace

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Grace Logan
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1 Accomplishments-- your key differentiators in a competitive marketplace MBA Orientation Thursday August 16, 2012

2 Learning Objectives Discuss the importance of accomplishments Uncover additional accomplishments Strengthen current accomplishments Deconstruct an accomplishment 2

3 Why so important to employers? Past performance is the best predictor of future performance

4 Why so important to you? Past success is the best predictor of future success

5 Accomplishments Your success stories Your moments of glory Contributions, deliverables Projects, assignments Activities where you changed or improved a condition 5

6 Accomplishments Things you did well Things you enjoyed doing Things you are proud of the results 6

7 Appeal to Employer s Motivators Problems Time Customers Money Buying Motivators Workflow/ process 7

8 Accomplishment Touchstones In your past, when you worked with DATA, have you: In your past, when you worked with PEOPLE, have you: In your past, when you worked with THINGS, have you: Analyzed Organized Advised Instructed Assembled Modernized Assembled Presented Assisted Managed Centralized Operated Budgeted Processed Coached Mentored Conceived Organized Calculated Published Collaborated Motivated Constructed Pioneered Compiled Reconciled Consulted Persuaded Coordinated Repaired Evaluated Researched Counseled Recruited Designed Redesigned Forecasted Synthesized Delegated Scheduled Improved Streamlined Integrated Directed Invented Upgraded 8

9 Mining for accomplishments Performance reviews Commendations from managers Recognition from team members Projects, committees, task forces Milestones you reached Awards, honors, prizes 9

10 Some Additional Ideas Improved reporting Initiated quality controls Improved morale Repaired client relations Reduced inventory Reduced overdue accounts Decreased turnover Solved problems Developed new business Improved efficiency Identified new markets Eliminated work backlog Increased sales Increased profits Reduced operating expenses 10

11 Exercise From these ideas, take a look at your resume How many new accomplishments can you develop from experience, education or activities? 11

12 STAR Model Situation/Task What was the problem or performance objective? Action Describe your method, approach or intervention Result Describe the outcome, impact Quantify results in numeric terms: #, $, %, time 12

13 Action + Result Action Identified and contracted with an outside vendor to manage customer letter fulfillment Result that achieved a cost savings of 33%. 13

14 Action + Result Action Developed and implemented a comprehensive pricing initiative Result which generated savings in excess of $6 million and improved operational efficiencies by reducing the carrier base by over 50%. 14

15 Without Action + Result what do you get? SO WHAT!

16 What Accomplishments Are Not Job duties Roles Responsibilities Tasks Just what you did, but what you did well 16

deliveries Accomplishments Transformed an underachieving region into a top producer; generating $15 million in new revenue.

17 Tasks vs. accomplishments Duties and responsibilities Responsible for sales in the Midwest region Managed a budget Managed inventory levels Led various projects Coordinate daily deliveries Accomplishments Transformed an underachieving region into a top producer; generating $15 million in new revenue. Negotiated a revised contract with a local vendor, reducing costs by 10% or $20,000. Implemented an inventory reduction initiative that liquidated obsolete parts and generated $50,000 in revenue. Led a process improvement team to streamline workflow, reallocate shop floor space and save five production hours daily. Reduced delivery cycle time 25% by instituting a Six Sigma initiative. 17

18 Exercise Exchange resumes with a partner -- Convert two job duties into accomplishments Does an action need a result? Can it be quantified? $, %, # Does a result need an action? How was the outcome achieved? 18

19 Deconstruct Your Accomplishments Transferable Skills Subject Expertise Personal Qualities Communication Leadership Team building Mentoring Critical thinking Financial analysis Internal auditing Sarbanes-Oxley Risk assessment GAAP High energy Visionary Tactful Self-motivated Results-driven 19

20 Exercise While in pairs, select one of your partner s accomplishments Identify skills, subject expertise and personal qualities Provide feedback to your partner 20

21 Career Changers Keys to the Castle Transferable Skills Translatable Accomplishments

22 Session Debrief What have you learned today? How will you use this knowledge? Any aha moments? Did this spark additional accomplishments? Did this bring to the surface skills you have taken for granted? 22

23 Final thoughts? What questions have we raised? 23

Randstad Employment Tips. Create a Powerful Resume

Randstad Employment Tips. Create a Powerful Resume Randstad Employment Tips A resume is a concise outline of your work history, related experience and education. It should never be exaggerated or self-serving, but should have a positive, action- and results-oriented