Resume/Interviewing Tips Using the Performance Management Model

For many years I worked in the Human Resources and Learning & Development departments for a very prominent pharmaceutical corporation. One of my tasks was designing, training and implementing a performance management program. A performance management program is the annual cycle of an employee’s performance to include goal setting, coaching, performance appraisal and career development. I loved designing that program and felt that it was very beneficial to both the staff and the management team.

Today I no longer work in that field but realize that many of the components of that program fit into the job search arena; specifically for resume design and interviewing.

1.    Goals Setting: We used the SMART acronym to write out goals that were Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Timely. SMART goals were never vague and were very easy to measure. You could “see” someone managing a project but you could never “see” someone understanding the steps involved in project management. In relation to job search, specifically resume writing, it’s important to look at the accomplishments within your job. What were they specifically? How did you measure or define success? Think of the SMART acronym to define your accomplishments.

2.    Coaching: If you were ever lucky enough to receive feedback from your manager, you learned about the tasks you were doing right and those that could use some improvement. What were you doing right? Why? What made it great? Use these as accomplishments for your resume. 

3.    Performance Appraisals. I used to tell people to keep a “Me File”; a file that contained thank you notes, letters of recommendations, awards, etc. that you could use and share with your manager in preparation for the appraisal. Getting back to the job search, keep a similar file and use this data to help populate your accomplishment-rich resume. If you can, gather your past appraisals to refresh your memory about all of your accomplishments.

4.    Career Development: Career development wasn’t just about sending someone to a course. It was also giving someone an opportunity to cross train or mentor someone or even lead a project of group. These are areas that can be applied to your resume as well. What classes can you add to your resume? What developmental activities can you apply to your resume?

I mentioned that the steps to performance management are beneficial to resume writing and interviewing. The preparation that you take to write your resume is also preparing you to participate in an interview. You will notice real life examples of your accomplishments as you go through these notes.

What if your company didn’t use a performance management program? While unfortunate and harder to dig up data, try to remember your accomplishments and think of the impact these made on the business. In the meantime, if you are currently employed, keep a “Me File” and keep it filled with your accolades, kudos, thanks, training or development activities. Thinking like this will help keep you from getting stuck coming up with accomplishments.