Is your resume focused on your skill sets? If you answered YES to this question, you need to totally rethink your search strategies.

An overwhelming number of job seekers make the classic mistake of putting too much emphasis on their skills and not enough emphasis on their accomplishments. In addition, all too often, when they do list accomplishments, they are poorly defined in terms of bottom-line results. I like to refer to these accomplishments as “half sentences.” Here is an example of what I mean:

“Implemented a nationwide state-of-the-art marketing campaign.”

This appears to be a strong accomplishment statement. Virtually every resume I read has statements like the above example. But in reality, the decision makers have absolutely no idea whether or not this was an t accomplishment. Did the campaign fail or succeed and to what degree? I would prefer this statement:

“Implemented a nationwide state-of-the-art marketing campaign that tripled revenue within eighteen months.

Now, if you are not afraid to break out of the box and defy conventional resume thinking, here is another way to present that accomplishment and blow open doors of opportunity:

“Implemented a nationwide state-of-the-art marketing campaign that tripled revenue within eighteen months as illustrated by the following graph.”

* Actual revenue deleted from the graph to protect confidentiality.

And here are a couple of other visuals to get you excited so you will rethink the presentation of your accomplishments:

“Transformed a one-dimensional mass advertising plan into a broad-based targeted marketing strategy utilizing email, direct mail, targeted magazine ads, inserts, radio and TV support, as illustrated below:”



“Developed a comprehensive strategy that led to an annual 25 percent cost reduction (first year savings was $3.5 million and thereafter in excess of $10 million annually).”



No, your eyes are not deceiving you. Those are powerful visuals. People are visually motivated. They will immediately focus on your accomplishments if you use visuals. Consider using graphs, tables, or charts. Go where others fear to tread and put powerful visuals into your resume—if your resume goes to three pages, don’t worry about it. Don’t listen to the resume traditionalists and career pundits. Your extraordinary presentation of accomplishments through visuals will blow open doors of opportunity!

Ok, now we are on a roll. We have just started to showcase your accomplishments. Let’s explore some other out-of-the-box ideas to present your accomplishments. The best way for me to do this is through two great examples that will get your creative juices flowing:

Compelling Accomplishment Summaries:

Too often a simple one- or two-sentence statement of accomplishment does not illustrate the depth of your performance ability. I like to call those statements “obituary statements” because we could put them on your tombstone. Those statements tell people WHAT you did—decision makers are more interested in HOW you did it!

I want you to create several one-page accomplishment summaries. That’s right! One full page for each accomplishment. Use this format: Have a powerful title at the top of the page. Then have three subheadings including “Situation,” “Action Plan,” and “Results.” Under “Situation,” provide two or three sentences that describe the challenge you faced. Under “Action Plan,” use a series of bulleted items to show the step-by-step process you used to solve the challenge or problem. Finally, under “Results,” if possible, provide a quantitative statement of what you achieved. If the results can’t be quantified, then present a powerful qualitative statement.

Create about a dozen of these accomplishment summaries and keep them on your hard drive. When applying for a position, select two or three that are relevant to that particular position and submit them with your resume (the resume that includes visuals). Don’t worry about the length. Your powerful resume will motivate them to read your summaries. You can also take selected accomplishments with you to interviews. By presenting your accomplishments in writing, you will have demonstrated confidence and established credibility. Thereby, you will have become the standard by which all others will be measured.

Actions Speak Louder Than Words:

Visuals and accomplishment summaries are extraordinarily powerful, but let’s go far beyond these strategies and turn your performance abilities into concrete action. We are not only on a roll; we are on the fast track. Here’s an example:

The company was one of our nation’s largest grocery store chains. They were hiring a regional HR manager. My client had a panel interview. He was up against several people with more experience and higher education.

Question from the panel: “How would you build employee loyalty and commitment?”

Traditional response from other candidates: “My accomplishments include putting in place numerous communication tools including suggestion boxes and frequent employee meetings to get their involvement.” Not bad, but not great either.

[Prior to the panel interview, I had my client design and print out about a dozen "Employee Service Cards.” Then he went to Kinko's and had those cards laminated in plastic.] My client's response (out-of-the-box approach):

“Throughout my career I have always involved each employee in the decision-making process by soliciting his/her opinions and making certain each employee knew he/she was part of the team. As an HR manager for this company, I would present each employee with an "Employee Service Card" that looks like this one.(He hands out laminated cards to the panel). Note the card has my name on it and my office and home office phone numbers. Employees know they have direct access to me 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If they need me, they know that they can reach me at any time. Their opinions, comments and ideas will be heard 24/7.”

His "past accomplishment" in terms of building loyalty was converted into a "current action" that showcased what he has done and what he can do. He landed the job one day after the panel interview.

From visuals to one-page key accomplishment summaries to actual physical demonstration of performance abilities—these are just a few unique ways to sell yourself. Examine your accomplishments carefully and be creative in presenting them to prospective employers. By setting yourself apart from others, you will become the candidate of choice.

Don Straits, CEO and Dragonslayer, Corporate Warriors

Don is a nationwide authority and sought-after speaker on job search strategies. His organization produces world-class multimedia portfolios and out-of-the-box strategies to market executives. He also connects executives to corporate board positions. Contact Don at don@corporatewarriors.com or 916-783-0860. Website: www.corporatewarriors.com

Copyright 2004 Don Straits. All rights reserved. This information is strictly for personal use. Any other use of this material is prohibited by law unless permission is otherwise granted in writing by the copyright holder.