Setting the Stage: Where You’ve Been, Where You Are, Where You’re Going (Chapter 1)

Before You Search: Explore Independent Options (Chapter 2)

Beyond Résumé Platitudes: The Foundation for Goal Setting (Chapter 3)

The Art of Preparing References: It’s Not Just a List of Names (Chapter 4)

Build Your Network: Eighty Percent of Successful Job Hunters Can’t Be Wrong (Chapter 5)

Search Firms: How to Distinguish the Pros from the Peddlers (Chapter 6)

Lead Generation: Leveraging Networking (Chapter 7)

Interviewing: It’s a Psychological Tennis Match, So Hold Your Serve (Chapter

Negotiating the Deal You Want: Get the Money Now (Chapter 9)

Your Curtain Call: Make It a Standing Ovation (Chapter 10)

To sell yourself you must identify what you have to offer over the competition. Your greatest advantage is that no one else has your specific experience. How can you best present yourself? Your task is to prepare an inventory of your accomplishments. What are you good at? What makes you think so? What concrete evidence can you present to support your claim? It is not how hard you worked that counts, but what you achieved. A well formulated accomplishment has two parts:

1. ACTION – What did you do?
2. RESULT – What benefit came out of the action for your employer?

In general, an accomplishment means you ACHIEVED:

• More without utilizing increased resources.
• The same but reduced resource utilization.
• Improved operations or relations – “made things easier.”
• Something for the first time under those conditions.
• Resolution of problems or conflicts with little or no negative effects.

State the accomplishment in terms of the values of interest to an employer in as tangible a manner as possible. Some of the values most frequently encountered are:

• Increased profit; reduced costs; increased sales or market share.
• Increased productivity; improved product; increased quality, or product reliability;
• Improved employee performance. Improved relations with customers, consumer groups, government.
• Improved employer/employee relations.
• Improved team work and resolved conflict.
• Improved communications and information flow.
• Reduced operating down time; streamlined operations.
• Developed new technology or administrative procedures.
• Foresaw a need or problem and initiated effective remedial action.
• Planned or directed in an innovative way.
• Implemented an important program or action with significant benefits.
• Increased return on investment.

Clarity and conciseness are essential to communicate the accomplishment so that the prospective employer can quickly grasp your value to him. Adapt the accomplishment statement to the position, industry or function which you desire.

Your Results should be quantified whenever possible; however, when an accomplishment statement can not be quantified, you should identify a qualified result.

Use this Résumé Template to construct your A+ Résumé.

• Job Search: The Total System™ Chapter 3 presents detailed steps for drafting a résumé that will get results for you.
• The A+ Résumé Tool Kit is an 8 page summary of Chapter 3, plus a Résumé Template. The kit contains detailed examples of both quantitative and qualitative accomplishment statements, and lists of accomplishment action verbs organized by skill categories and competencies.
• Fourteen sample résumés for veterans are available below. Sample Résumés available in the TCS Store cover a much broader range of industries, functions and job levels — from college grad to executive.
• Résumé Preparation Coaching can provide support to help you ensure the effective communication of your accomplishments, skills, competencies and work history.

Click “Read the rest of this entry” to access the free sample résumés geared specifically to Veterans.

Accounting Supervisor – Résumé Summary

Analytical, detail-oriented professional with more than six years of diversified Accounting and Financial Management experience. Provided financial services and resources to support the Air Force’s mission. Performed, supervised, managed and directed financial management activities both at home station and deployed locations facilitating efficient and effective operations. Provided excellent customer service and maintained financial records for pay and travel transactions. Served as financial advisor to commanders and resource managers. Prepared and executed financial plans and performed a broad range of accounting functions including audits and implementation of fraud prevention measures.
Sample Accounting Supervisor Résumé

Electronics Operations Manager – Résumé Summary

Twenty years experience in training and management of electrical systems. Recognized as an effective leader and communicator with excellent work ethic. Developed teams, led and managed operations, as well as provided training for civilian and military personnel. Responsible for wide range of operational functions including budgeting and cost containment.
Sample Electronics Operations Manager Résumé

Security Officer Manager – Résumé Summary

Seventeen years in security and law enforcement in a wide range of environments. Trained and supervised personnel. Qualified expert with automatic weapons. Currently a member of the Army Reserves.
Sample Security Officer Manager Résumé

Warehousing and Maintenance Management – Résumé Summary

Supervised warehouse and mechanical operations on a wide range of petroleum transfer equipment, trucks and other vehicles, engines and equipment. Proficient in computer software for inventory maintenance. Performed petroleum and fuel operations safely; maintained transfer equipment. Certified as a Class A CDL with hazardous materials and tanker endorsements (X endorsement); possess outstanding driving record.
Sample Warehousing and Maintenance Management Résumé

Operations Manager – Résumé Summary

Twenty years experience in operations and training, including managerial roles. Extensive experience and training in the use and maintenance of complex equipment, and in developing leadership skills. Experienced in OSHA safety requirements. Recognized as leader with excellent team development, communications, organizational and training skills which have significantly impacted organizational goal achievement and team cohesiveness.
Sample Operations Manager Résumé

Nursing Assistant – Résumé Summary

Disciplined healthcare professional with nursing and administrative experience. Recognized as goal-oriented, multi-tasking professional who is detail-oriented, resourceful and observant of patient and team needs. Mature, trustworthy hard-worker, committed to ethical and respectful interactions with individuals at all levels of an organization. Demonstrated strong communication, customer service, computer, administrative, typing and independent contributor skills.
Sample Nursing Assistant Résumé

Resource Manager – Résumé Summary

Ten years managerial experience in workforce planning and training, resource information management technology, logistics, facilities management and procurement. Determined supply requirements, property accounting, and inventory management resulting in optimizing supply availability and minimizing costs. Managed aviation work force assignments for 300 personnel in international base. Advised on information management systems applications optimizing effectiveness and resource utilization.
Sample Resource Manager Résumé

Training Supervisor – Résumé Summary

Seventeen years experience in supervisory roles in the areas of training and development, and equipment maintenance. Provided administrative support for training function including skills proficiency tracking. Recognized for leadership, communications, organizational and facilitation skill effectiveness. Managed equipment inventory and maintenance functions. Bilingual Spanish.
Sample Training Supervisor Résumé

Network Support Manager – Résumé Summary

Over 20 years experience providing computer and network support, including implementation of company-wide transition to Windows XP, and providing user training and support in network and computer basics, Microsoft Office products, and products developed in-house. Related experience in systems planning and development, development of technical documentation and project management. Recognized for both excellent written and verbal communications skills and excellent interpersonal skills.
Sample Network Support Manager Résumé

President – Résumé Summary

High-impact leader and change agent with an outstanding record of building strategy-focused teams and organizations. Expert at influencing organizations and employees by providing purpose, motivation and direction, while operating to accomplish the mission and improve the organization. Supportive management style, positive mental attitude, and high energy level leads co-workers and subordinates alike to achieve highest standards of performance. Delegation of authority is balanced by ability to personally work through and resolve key issues. Understand and have successfully orchestrated and integrated all business functions into cohesive, excellent organizations. West Point Distinguished Graduate. MBA with Distinction. Culturally sensitive and internationally traveled. Fluent Portuguese. Working Spanish.
Sample President Résumé

Health Care Administrator – Résumé Summary

Over twenty years of diverse healthcare industry experience including health facility administration, financial planning, managed healthcare, medical recruiting, health systems compliance, network development and organizational development. Experienced in ambulatory clinic settings, tertiary hospitals, and regional managed care headquarters. Exceptional Strengths include: strategic planning, change management, financial management, team building, and optimizing results. Achieved rank of _______ in US Air Force.
Sample Health Care Administrator Résumé

Project Manager – Résumé Summary

Fourteen years of international and domestic experience leading and managing technical operations. Four years as water and environmental engineer. Eight years leading, managing and training Army Aviation organizations. Two years as Assistant Professor at university level. A proven leader and manager in the international arena capable of impacting the bottom line. Fluent in French and Bambara, conversant in Portuguese.
Sample Project Manager Résumé

Administrative Assistant – Résumé Summary

Administrative professional with organizational, communication and technical skills. Recognized as effective problem solver with ability to multi-task and achieve organizational and team goals. Performed a broad range of administrative responsibilities including organization and processing of records, coordinating of training activities, and provision of customer service.
Sample Administrative Assistant Résumé

Quality Manager – Résumé Summary

Over eighteen years of leadership and management experience in private, government, and military business operations including: directing, training, evaluating and coaching personnel, forecasting and scheduling budgets and production, operations planning, sales and lead generation, small business payroll and benefits services, and training development. Extensive experience in customer relationship management, deregulated energy, change management and communication, ISO 9000 implementation, problem solving, process creation and documentation, and, as an “American Society for Quality Certified Quality Manager”, continuous improvement/quality management facilitation at all levels of performance.
Sample Quality Manager Résumé