Resume Accomplishments Worksheet

Did you ever do something and think,"Now that was easy"? That's what I think every time I work with a client to design his or her resume and I use the worksheet shown below. I also share it with clients as they prepare for an upcoming interview. So many have benefited from this simple yet effective form that I thought I'd share it with you. 

To use it for creating a targeted resume, review the open job description and list the accomplishments that you have made that support each of the stated responsibilities.  Be able to answer, how many, how much, what, why and results. Basically jot down what you have done in your past job(s), volunteer activities or school in the past that align with each listed job responsibility. Using this form makes a lot of sense if you do so after creating a template resume but it also helps if you are creating your resume from scratch.

If you already have a targeted resume and were called in to for an interview, use the worksheet in the same manner. This time, list the job requirements and for each, list a STAR (Specific, Task, Actions, Results) example. This worksheet is now a "cheat sheet" to help you prepare for your upcoming resume. 

I hope it works for you!

An Interview Coaching Conversation

This blog entry is a little different.  It is a summary of the electronic conversations that took place over the course of the past month between a client and me.  This client came to me after completing her first interview with the company’s HR department.

Client:  I have a panel interview coming up and was wondering if you have any suggestions. I was also wondering if you have any information on negotiating a salary. Any direction is greatly appreciated! Thanks!

Me: Congratulations! Here is an article I have on panel interviewing that I wrote it in 2011. The steps are the same today.  Also as I go look for any negotiation articles that I may have written, take a look at your job in Glassdoor.com and research the salary that you'll be comfortable with. I'll be back. 

Me: No I guess I never wrote anything about salary negotiation. We have talked about it though. Women have a harder time with it than men for sure. You need to look up your worth and use the middle to higher end of that value as a starting point. That's the number that you are comfortable with. Of course, you need to take other factors into consideration such as benefits, vacation, possible increases after 6 months, etc. Here is a pretty good article on the subject.Let me know how it goes!

Me: Here is a sample thank you note. If you don't get the job (not like that will happen) I have a thank you note for that too. Remember to send each person on the panel a thank you note and make each note original to that person. thank you note 2.docx

Client: Thank you so much Nancy! About to start reading now.

A few hours later…

Client: I am soooo bad at negotiating. That is a great article. Now I just need to find something to say to get there...

Me: Just say, when they give you a number that you don't like, "Is this number negotiable?" or "Are you flexible with this figure?" If they say no, then you're stuck and you'll need to ask about possible increase after a six - nine month period. If they say yes, go with your higher number and work your way down to a compromising point.

Client: Thanks Nancy. Is Glass Door accurate with salaries?

Me: Yes - the Occupational Outlook handbook also has salaries but they are national. Glassdoor and Salary.com are good places to look.

A few days later… 

Client: Hi Nancy - not sure that you will find it as interesting as I did. I haven't seen a company be so detailed and specific about interviews. Check out their career page and how they prep candidates with their guide. Maybe it’s something that could add to your presentations. 

Me: I will, thank you. I do talk in classes about the importance of looking at the career or "our employees" pages.

Client: I have never prepared for an interview this much before. I am claiming this job as mine it's perfect.

Me: Yay you!!!!! You'll be great!

A few days after the interview…. 

Client: No news is good news, right? It's killing me! If it’s not meant to be then it won't but I really felt good about it.

Me: Did they say when they'd call you?

Client: I thought she said by today or early next week

Me: Oh OK. Then wait a week from today. Oh the torture!

Client: Oh ok! I am gonna stay positive... Thanks

A week later… 

Client: I have a second interview on Monday and will meet with two people separately now I need to look for 2nd interview questions on your site...

Me: Congrats! I think they may be more focused STAR questions. Who is the interview with?

Client: My manager and the director of diversity

Me: Nice - you'll do fine. Maybe some of the work that you'll be involved with is collaborating with the diversity department.

Me: You did a lot of diversity training at you former company.  You'll just go in for another chat again. I'm sure you read their website, About Us Tab/Our Employees and saw good stuff about diversity that you can add to your interview. I'm so excited for you!  Maybe they'll talk Super Bowl!

Client: Yes, I am hoping so! Thanks for always believing in me!

Me: I think this job has your name on it!

Client: Me too but afraid to get too excited!

Me: I know.... but after Monday it's smooth sailing!

Several days later…. 

Client: After being stuck in the lousy weather, I think it was a great interview. My would-be manager told me that she enjoyed the interview it was wonderful and I think the second director liked me as well. They said they will be making a decision quickly so I think I should hear by this week. I will keep you posted.

Me: That's great! It also shows them how brave and interested you are to go in for an interview in this nasty weather.

A few hours later…

Client: Just a quick update! I got a call asking me if there was anything that would sway my decision not to go with the company and if I had any questions. They then talked salary. I went higher and she said she doesn't think that would be a problem. She just needs to go talk to the managers about my next steps. I think I got it but I don't want to be premature!

Me: That is excellent! I am SO happy for you (and them for getting you)!!

Client: Is it safe to assume the job is mine yet?

Me: I'd say so but will have to wait until you have the offer letter in your hands.

A few days later….

Client: I got the job!!!!!! Have to do background and drug but I got it!

Me: Yeah!!!!! I knew you would!! Congratulations!!!

#10factsaboutme and the Job Interview

I was looking to see if something I put on my Facebook business page showed up on Twitter and I got distracted by the trending information. Along with Frank Kaminsky’s new baby, a Canadian hockey player named Drew Doughty and NASCAR there was something called #10factsaboutme. There among the random facts about people (“I sweat when I meet new people” or “I’m in love with someone who doesn’t know that I exist” or “I have three dogs and a pet mouse”) I thought of something….. What are 10 positive facts that you could share on an interview?

Think about it.  What are your strengths?  Are you a good communicator, a motivational speaker, an impressive problem solver, an outstanding mathematician, a grammar whiz, a great friend, a creative problem solver, a remarkable team player, an outstanding leader or skillful organizer? Why? What specific examples do you have to support these?

Just listing 10 facts about yourself will remind you of your notable strengths and then, coming up with examples of why these are your strengths will help you on your next interview. These facts are real and  make a lot more sense than, “I hate people”. By the way, never say, "I hate people" in an interview.  Someone once asked me if that was an OK  thing to say in an interview.  She wasn't kidding.

The Job Search and Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day!

How is an Interview Like a  First Date?

I think that like a first date, if you’re not nervous and excited then you should ask yourself why.  Perhaps this isn’t the position/date that excites you.  The way you look and behave will allow your date (and the interviewer) to immediately know if he or she wants to learn more about you.  

Your dress, a firm handshake, a warm smile and eye contact are essential elements to both a date and an interview. To continue the theme, it’s important be conscious of your body language.  Sitting up straight or slightly leaning forward demonstrate your interest in the speaker and topic and want to continue the conversation.

Like a first date, an interview is a conversation; a back and forth talk where the interviewee actively listens and engages the interviewer with insightful questions and responses.  The interviewee should be prepared to fully explain his or her comments with thought-out instances of accomplishments and career highlights.


Finally, during a first date you may be asked your strengths and weaknesses and likes and dislikes.  These come up on an interview too and so in both cases you should be prepared with examples of each.  As far as weaknesses, don’t forget to mention what you’ve done to improve so that you don’t turn off the interviewer.

Jay Leno and the "Older" Worker

Jay Leno’s exit from his 22 year stint on the Tonight Show reminds me of something that has been happening a great deal throughout America; many of our older workers are being pushed out by younger staff. 

It used to be that an employee was true to a company and stayed with them, many times throughout his or her entire career.  The company, in return, treated him or her fairly well and appreciated their service and dedication. Not any more.

When Jay Leno ended the show in tears and said that this has been the greatest job of his life, many of us nodded our heads in agreement.  We felt that way about our jobs too. When he said that he’d lost his mom, dad and brother while he was working with the show, many of us were of the same mind. When he said that the cast and crew had become his family and that he took pride in their accomplishments, it brought many of us back too.

A company is a living, breathing organization and it has a personality not unlike the people it hires. When the times dictate changes and the older staff are pushed out it’s painful for everyone; even the staff that gets to stay.  Motivation plummets and uncertainty reigns.

The times have changed and this new approach to hiring and firing has become the norm. Unfortunately, the warmth and personality that were once hallmarks of an organization have disappeared in the name of good business sense.  May all the older causalities of workforce reductions be as graceful and humble as Jay Leno.