Page 163 - Complete Idiot's Guide to The Perfect Resume

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Chapter 9 ➤ Step Four: You’re an Achiever!

➤ Managed a national and international sales force of 32 manufacturers’ representative
companies for Teekel Press, a publisher.
➤ Exceeded delivery performance by 10 percent, taking it from 85 percent to a record 95
percent in an industry where the norm is 75 percent.
➤ Managed the sales and full Profit & Loss for 20 stores in Northern California region.
➤ Handled daily news coverage of the San Francisco 49ers and Oakland A’s, which
involved extensive travel.
➤ Authored two published pieces on international touring, which demystified the hard-
ships and emphasized the rewards of independent travel.
➤ Reconciled differences among personnel, creating a more cohesive team spirit.

Bonus Check
Achievement statements on your resume can trigger some good conversation about your
strengths during the interview.

Brainstorming

The questions on the following worksheet will help you think of relevant achievements for
your resume. Not all of the questions will apply to your situation, so answer only the ones
that do.

Achievement Statements Brainstorming Worksheet
1. What work-related projects are you proud of that relate to your job objective?
Example: Increased productivity 20 percent as lead engineer on Hewlett-Packard’s
HMS technical team.
2. What are some quantifiable results that point out your ability?
Example: Drove profits from $20 million to $34 million by directing a national
celebrity marketing campaign.
3. When have you demonstrated PAR (Problem, Action, Result)? What was the problem,
what was your action to remedy it, and what was the result?
Example: Reduced theft 47 percent by instituting Shoppers’ Spy, a tight yet discreet
security program.
4. When did you positively affect the organization, the bottom line, your boss, your co-
workers, or your clients?
Example: Enhanced staff morale through a six-month incentive program that also
prompted a major increase in sales.

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