Penn State Smeal MBA Program Accomplishments-- your key differentiators in a competitive marketplace MBA Orientation Thursday August 16, 2012

Penn State Smeal MBA Program

Accomplishments-- your key differentiators in a

competitive marketplace

MBA OrientationThursday August 16, 2012


2

Learning Objectives

• Discuss the importance of accomplishments• Uncover additional accomplishments• Strengthen current accomplishments• Deconstruct an accomplishment


Why so important to employers?

Past performance is the best predictor of future performance


Why so important to you?

Past success is the best predictor of future success


5

Accomplishments

• Your success stories• Your “moments of glory”• Contributions, deliverables• Projects, assignments• Activities where you changed or improved

a condition


6

Accomplishments

• Things you did well• Things you enjoyed doing• Things you are proud of the results


7

Appeal to Employer’s Motivators

Buying MotivatorsMoney

Time

Problems

Customers

Workflow/

process


8

Accomplishment TouchstonesIn your past, when you worked with DATA, have you:

In your past, when you worked with PEOPLE, have you:

In your past, when you worked with THINGS, have you:

Analyzed

Assembled

Budgeted

Calculated

Compiled

Evaluated

Forecasted

Integrated

Organized

Presented

Processed

Published

Reconciled

Researched

Synthesized

Advised

Assisted

Coached

Collaborated

Consulted

Counseled

Delegated

Directed

Instructed

Managed

Mentored

Motivated

Persuaded

Recruited

Scheduled

Assembled

Centralized

Conceived

Constructed

Coordinated

Designed

Improved

Invented

Modernized

Operated

Organized

Pioneered

Repaired

Redesigned

Streamlined

Upgraded


9

Mining for accomplishments• Performance reviews• Commendations from managers• Recognition from team members• Projects, committees, task forces• Milestones you reached• Awards, honors, prizes


10

Some Additional Ideas

Reduced operating expenses

Developed new

business

Solved problems

Decreased turnover

Reduced inventory

Improved morale

Identified new

markets

Improved efficiency

Increased sales

Increased profits

Repaired client

relationsInitiated quality

controls

Improved reporting

Reduced overdue accounts

Eliminated work

backlog


11

Exercise

• From these ideas, take a look at your resume

• How many new accomplishments can you develop from experience, education or activities?


12

STAR Model

Situation/Task• What was the problem or performance objective?

Action• Describe your method, approach or intervention

Result• Describe the outcome, impact• Quantify results in numeric terms: #, $, %, time


13

Action + Result

Action

Identified and contracted with an outside vendor to manage customer letter fulfillment

Result

that achieved a cost savings of 33%.


14

Action + Result

ActionDeveloped and implemented a comprehensive pricing initiative

Resultwhich generated savings in excess of $6 million and improved operational efficiencies by reducing the carrier base by over 50%.


Without Action + Resultwhat do you get?

SO WHAT!


16

What Accomplishments Are Not

• Job duties• Roles• Responsibilities• Tasks• Just what you did, but what you did

well


17

Tasks vs. accomplishmentsDuties and responsibilities Accomplishments

Responsible for sales in the Midwest region

Transformed an underachieving region into a top producer; generating $15 million in new revenue.

Managed a budget Negotiated a revised contract with a local vendor, reducing costs by 10% or $20,000.

Managed inventory levels Implemented an inventory reduction initiative that liquidated obsolete parts and generated $50,000 in revenue.

Led various projects Led a process improvement team to streamline workflow, reallocate shop floor space and save five production hours daily.

Coordinate daily deliveries Reduced delivery cycle time 25% by instituting a Six Sigma initiative.


18

Exercise• Exchange resumes with a

partner-- Convert two job duties into accomplishments

• Does an action need a result?– Can it be quantified? $, %, #

• Does a result need an action?• How was the outcome achieved?


19

Deconstruct Your Accomplishments

Transferable Skills

• Communication• Leadership• Team building• Mentoring• Critical thinking

Subject Expertise

• Financial analysis

• Internal auditing• Sarbanes-Oxley• Risk assessment• GAAP

Personal Qualities

• High energy• Visionary• Tactful• Self-motivated• Results-driven


20

Exercise• While in pairs, select one

of your partner’s accomplishments

• Identify skills, subject expertise and personal qualities

• Provide feedback to your partner


Career Changers’“Keys to the

Castle”

Transferable Skills

Translatable Accomplishments


22

Session Debrief

• What have you learned today?• How will you use this knowledge?• Any “aha” moments?• Did this spark additional accomplishments?• Did this bring to the surface skills you have

taken for granted?


23

Final thoughts?

What questions have

we raised?

Documents

Penn State Smeal MBA Program Accomplishments-- your key differentiators in a competitive marketplace MBA Orientation Thursday August 16, 2012