Using Notable Accomplishments to Get Noticed.

Notable Accomplishments

When developing a Core Message present to potential employers, highly successful or experienced people sometimes have difficulties in keeping their resume and/or cover emails concise. On one hand, focus is important. Studies have shown that the average reading time a Hiring Manager dedicates to an unsolicited resume is 17 seconds. Go ahead, count 17 Mississippi's, I'll wait.

Back so soon? Isn't it AMAZING that life changing employment decisions are made in that period of time? You have to make those 17 seconds count. Therefore, a one page resume is required (grudgingly a two page for technical people).

This 17 second reality presents a difficulty for some job seekers. What if you simply cannot get your message condensed? Then you have to hit the high points only. You have 17 seconds, but that statistic is an average. Your cover or resume should be designed to get you ANOTHER 17 seconds, and lead to an interview.

For those (common) times when a one page resume gets attention, but does not tell enough of a message, there is a solution. That is the 'Notable Accomplishments' page. This is a separate document or POSSIBLY a resume page 2) which gives you an opportunity to expand upon your Core Message.

The timing of when you present this document counts. If you are confident that the company will call you for an interview without it, you may want to withhold this document until the interview. The caveat here is that you feel it will be an unstructured interview, and you will be able to present and expand upon your Core Message. Boxers call this “saving your best punch for last”, and you can watch any of the 'Rocky' movies for a demonstration.

If you feel that you need the boost, then you can reference it in your email/cover letter. “Please note that page 2 of my resume is a listing of some of my Notable Accomplishments. I hope to bring these successes to XXX company as well.” Maybe they will be curious enough to take a look.

This approach has been highly successful for me and many of my clients. I will attach my own personal version at the end of this column. Please note, this version is designed for a Director of Vocational Services position, and is in fact, the (now updated and redacted) one I slid across the table to the CEO at MY interview for my current day job.

Good luck and best wishes,

Chris

Notable Accomplishments

Current Company Name

• Established the Career Counseling Program. 300 Consumers served annually. $155,000 annual funding.
• Created the Vocational Case Management/Career Counseling service.
• Initiated School-Age Services. 164 Students, 5 School Districts.
• Acquired XXXXXX contract. 48 Students served annually. $192,000 annual funding.
• Developed “Foundations” Curriculum. 200 Consumers annually. Sold curriculum and materials to multiple outside agencies.
• Restructured Traditional Vocational Rehabilitation Program.
• Collaboratively developed the School-Work Experience And Training service for 16 DD Youth. $50,000 annual funding.

Previous Company Name

• Created vocational training process.
• Established record keeping system.
• Developed community-based activities.
• Increased consumer participation.
• Directed thousands of hours of volunteer work.

Previous Company Name

• Implemented effective group service process used with 73% of successful participants.
• Within 30 days, re-designed file system to comply with C.A.R.F. standards.
• Increased Welfare to Work collaboration from 2 to ~100 people.
• Acquired new funding and referral agents.
• Within 90 days, increased Department number served from ~45 to over 150 people.

Previous Company Name

• Certificates of Recognition: 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, and 2000.
• O.R.S.C. Commissioner’s Club of Excellence: 1998.
• Most consumers employed Pathways Southwest: 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998 (Tie), 2000 (Tie).
• Fewest Case Service Dollars Expended: 1995, 1996, and 1997.
• Southwest Ohio Rehabilitation Service Award 1997.

Academic

The Union Institute

• Edwina Bookwalter-Gantz Scholar: June 1994. Nationally, one of five students honored.

Professional

A Non-Profit Organization

• Co-Founder, 2011

Transit Alliance of Butler County

• Board Member, 2010-Current
• Secretary, 2011-Current.

Employment Leadership Alliance

• Chair, 2008-2009
• Board Member 2006-Current

State of Ohio Young Adult Workgroup

• Member 2007-2009

Butler County Transitional Youth Committee

• Member 2008-Current

Writing

• 'Beginnings', 1994
• 'Foundations', 2005
• 'Fundamentals', 2006 (Editor)
• 'Beyond A Career Crisis', 2011