| In today's competitive job market you can't | | | | what you did.ACTION. What did you do to solve |
| afford a résumé that fizzles. Power up | | | | the problem or meet the performance |
| your résumé with solid success stories. | | | | objective? Begin this sentence with an action |
| Include simple, clear accomplishment | | | | verb.RESULT. Explain why what you did |
| statements to get and keep the attention of | | | | matters. The result should answer the |
| hiring managers.Appreciate the value you | | | | question. "So what, who cares?"Now you have |
| bring to your employer! You haven't just been | | | | ten or more success stories. These can play a |
| "doing your job." Recognize that the way you | | | | valuable role during interviews, where |
| work-your dedication, creative suggestions, | | | | there's time to present the story's |
| and ability to implement new ideas-sets you | | | | beginning, middle and end. But for your |
| apart from your colleagues.Where to | | | | résumé, you must edit each story down |
| Start?1. Review old performance appraisals | | | | to an accomplishment statement: two sentences |
| with a highlighter in hand. Mark the | | | | that describe the action you took and the |
| successes you've forgotten about and jot down | | | | results of that action.Results are what |
| additional details about those | | | | employers are looking for! Other features |
| projects.2. Review a list of action verbs and | | | | contribute to a successful résumé, but |
| check those that describe tasks you most | | | | solid accomplishment statements are the most |
| enjoy performing. Jot down specific examples | | | | important because they demonstrate what you |
| of when you have successfully performed those | | | | can do for a potential employer.Always, |
| tasks.3. Think about specific problems you've | | | | always, always write more success stories |
| solved or tough performance objectives you've | | | | than you think you need. Then you can pick |
| met. Describe them.4. Jog memories of your | | | | and choose the best for a particular |
| accomplishments by answering these | | | | situation and hold the rest in your "back |
| questions:* What has your manager | | | | pocket," ready to be pulled out at a moment's |
| complimented you on or recognized you for in | | | | notice during an interview. Not only will |
| your work?* Give examples of a problem you | | | | your résumé sizzle, but you will too, |
| solved or an emergency you handled.* Give an | | | | as you enthusiastically convey your |
| example of something you built, made, or | | | | accomplishments in person.Mary Jeanne Vincent |
| created.* When did your idea or suggestion | | | | is the author of Acing the Interview tip |
| result in an award?* How have you streamlined | | | | cards featuring answers to the top 20 |
| operations, increased productivity, or cut | | | | "killer" interview questions. Also included |
| costs?* How have you influenced individual or | | | | are tips for interviewing in the new economy, |
| team productivity?* What do you do better | | | | ideas for responding to illegal and trick |
| than your colleagues and why is this helpful | | | | questions, and suggestions for avoiding 10 |
| to the organization?Writing About Your | | | | deadly interview mistakes.Go to for free job |
| SuccessesOnce you have a list of ten | | | | search articles and to sign up for the free |
| accomplishments (the more the better), write | | | | WorkWise e-zine. For information on |
| about each one using this formula:PROBLEM. | | | | individual job and career coaching or to find |
| What was the problem or performance | | | | out about other practical, easy-to-use career |
| objective? This is the reason why you did | | | | tools call Mary Jeanne at 831.657.9151. |