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By Ford R. Myers, M.Ed.

Contrary to popular opinion, you should never rely solely on your resume as you pursue a job search. Your "Job Seeker's Tool Kit" should be filled with a variety of documents that will enable you to successfully market yourself with power and professionalism. This might include multiple cover letters, a career biography or career profile, a leadership profile, accomplishment stories profile, technology profile or any one of a number of other documents specific to you and your career.

Of all the tools in your "Job Seeker's Tool Kit," the one that will "sell you best" is your accomplishment stories profile. Why? Because accomplishment stories state, very specifically, what positive things you have done for your previous or current employer and, therefore, clearly indicate what you will be able to achieve for your NEW employer! So, if you're not using this powerful tool in your search, you're potentially missing out on some great opportunities.

Accomplishment stories should be written on separate pages with just one story per page, following the structure outlined below. Begin with a short title for each story, typed prominently at the top of the page. Then write 5 distinct paragraphs or sections, answering the questions below.

Be sure to use strong action verbs at the beginning of every sentence and avoid passive-sounding phrases, such as "responsible for" or "duties included." Strong language will make your stories "jump off the page" and entice a prospective employer to contact you to learn more about what you've accomplished and the value you bring to his or her organization.

Most important, you'll be TELLING these stories, not using them as handouts. As such, you'll want to commit the text to memory and practice delivering each and every one of them! Then of them as bullet-point items and that should help you remember them when you're in an interview.

Following is the outline and the specific questions to ask yourself to develop your own powerful accomplishment stories:

1. What was the business problem, need or challenge?

Examples:

• Revenues decreasing? (How much? In what time frame?)
• Competitors outperforming the company? (How? With what impact?)
• Poor productivity? (Why? How measured? Since when?)
• Inability to meet manufacturing targets? (Why? Since when?)
• Costs out of control? (Why? Since when?)
• Significant quality or service issues? (Why? Since when?)

2. What did you do about it? (Not the team or department - YOU).

Examples:

• Assumed management of work groups, departments or projects? (Who? How many? Results?)
• Hired or trained new employees? (Where? How many? Results?)
• Increased production? (How? Results?)
• Developed or implemented new systems, processes or procedures? (What? Benefit?)
• Realigned product or service mix (How? Results?)
• Introduced leading-edge technology solutions? (What? Results?)

3. How did you do it, specifically?

Examples:

• Developed, created, designed or invented something? (What? Why important?)
• Achieved more with the same/fewer resources? (How? Results?)
• Reduced downtime? (How? How much? Results?)
• Improved safety record? (What? Results?)
• Negotiated partnerships and joint ventures? (With whom? Results?)
• Expanded product or service offerings? (How? Financial results?)

4. What positive, tangible results did you produce? (Quantify if possible)

Examples:

• Increased efficiency or productivity? (How? Results?)
• Solved difficult problems? (How? Results?)
• Saved the company money? (How? How much?)
• Increased sales or profits? (How? By how much?)
• Eliminated problems, obstacles and quality issues? (How? Results?)
• Raised the profile and visibility of the company? (How? Results?)

5. What skills did you demonstrate?

Examples:

It may take some time to develop your full collection of accomplishment stories, but it will be time well spent. Once you become adept at using your stories, your job search and results will improve, you'll receive far better job offers and you'll have taken control of your career!

Ford R. Myers is a career consultant who works with leading companies that are committed to developing and retaining premium talent, so that they can continually improve their market position. Learn more by visiting www.careerpotential.net.

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