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

Penn State Smeal MBA Program 2 Learning Objectives Discuss the importance of accomplishments Uncover additional accomplishments Strengthen current accomplishments Deconstruct an accomplishment

Penn State Smeal MBA Program Why so important to employers? Past performance is the best predictor of future performance

Penn State Smeal MBA Program Why so important to you? Past success is the best predictor of future success

Penn State Smeal MBA Program 5 Accomplishments Your success stories Your “moments of glory” Contributions, deliverables Projects, assignments Activities where you changed or improved a condition

Penn State Smeal MBA Program 6 Accomplishments Things you did well Things you enjoyed doing Things you are proud of the results

Penn State Smeal MBA Program 7 Appeal to Employer’s Motivators Buying Motivators MoneyTimeProblemsCustomers Workflow/ process

Penn State Smeal MBA Program 8 Accomplishment Touchstones In 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

Penn State Smeal MBA Program 9 Mining for accomplishments Performance reviews Commendations from managers Recognition from team members Projects, committees, task forces Milestones you reached Awards, honors, prizes

Penn State Smeal MBA Program 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 relations Initiated quality controls Improved reporting Reduced overdue accounts Eliminated work backlog

Penn State Smeal MBA Program 11 Exercise From these ideas, take a look at your resume How many new accomplishments can you develop from experience, education or activities?

Penn State Smeal MBA Program 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

Penn State Smeal MBA Program 13 Action + Result Action Identified and contracted with an outside vendor to manage customer letter fulfillment Result that achieved a cost savings of 33%.

Penn State Smeal MBA Program 14 Action + Result Action Developed and implemented a comprehensive pricing initiative Result which generated savings in excess of $6 million and improved operational efficiencies by reducing the carrier base by over 50%.

Penn State Smeal MBA Program Without Action + Result what do you get? SO WHAT!

Penn State Smeal MBA Program 16 What Accomplishments Are Not Job duties Roles Responsibilities Tasks Just what you did, but what you did well

Penn State Smeal MBA Program 17 Tasks vs. accomplishments

Penn State Smeal MBA Program 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?

Penn State Smeal MBA Program 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

Penn State Smeal MBA Program 20 Exercise While in pairs, select one of your partner’s accomplishments Identify skills, subject expertise and personal qualities Provide feedback to your partner

Penn State Smeal MBA Program Career Changers’ “Keys to the Castle” Transferable Skills Translatable Accomplishments

Penn State Smeal MBA Program 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?

Penn State Smeal MBA Program 23 Final thoughts? What questions have we raised?