Write Accomplishment Statements

For each accomplishment, write out not only what you did (the key skills and actions you took), but describe the problem as well as the result. Accomplishment statements can highlight one primary action and result or may contain a few lines of information that stress additional skills and specific results.

Use the Problem-Action-Result (PAR) approach for each accomplishment

State the Problem - (The challenge, need, opportunity or goal.) Aim to state the main problem/challenge in one to two sentences. This provides the context for the actions you took.

State the Key Actions Performed - (Begin each sentence with a key skill word.) This helps to target your skills to the requirements of the job.

State the Result - (Quantify the result(s) when possible.) Use percentages, numbers etc. to demonstrate the significance of your actions. If you cannot quantify the result, try to qualify the result by stating the type of improvement you observed.

Example:

Problem (in this case a need)

A large non-profit agency lacked a volunteer program. Valuable staff time was used to perform services which volunteers could do.

Action (key skills used)

Researched volunteer management theories. Interviewed volunteer coordinators. Prepared a cost/benefit analysis of hiring a coordinator to recruit and train volunteers. Drafted and submitted a proposal.

Result (quantify or qualify benefits of your actions)

The organization created a full-time position that expanded the agency services and maximized staff time.

Summarized P.A.R. for Use in Resume

Expanded agency's service and maximized staff effectiveness by researching and recommending new volunteer program with a full-time volunteer coordinator.

Incorporate your completed accomplishment statements into the body of your resume and expand upon these accomplishments in your interview to communicate the specific skills and unique benefits you bring to the position.

Review your Core Skill Wheel to Brainstorm Accomplishments

For each skill required in the new position, brainstorm all the various ways you have used the skill to accomplish a work goal.

Example: Core Skill = Write

Use Portable Skill Sets to Provide Marketing Terminology

To help you gain a language for describing your skills, review the job description and your Portable Skill Sets to identify skill sets that meet the position.

Example: Skill Set = Information/Data Management

Your portable skill sets provide a rich vocabulary for describing your personal strengths and the value, you bring to the workplace.

Identify Your Competitive Advantage from Skill Sets

After you have identified the main requirements for the position, do some in-depth research on the particular company and department in which you are interested in to determine current as well as future challenges and needs.

Identify the full range of skill sets you have to offer and the additional benefits you could bring to the position that would meet current and future demands.

Example: Identified Portable Skill Sets that Meet Company Challenges