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