SKILLS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS

In this final part of the assertions section of your resume, you go into more detail. You are still writing to enroll the reader, not to inform them. Basically, you do exactly what you did in the previous section, except that you go into more detail. In the summary, you focused on your most special highlights. Now you tell the rest of best of your story. Let them know what results you produced, what happened as a result of your efforts, what you are especially gifted or experienced at doing. Flesh out the most important highlights in your summary.

You are still writing to do what every good advertisement does, communicating the following: if you buy this product, you will get these direct benefits. If it doesn't contribute to furthering this communication, don't bother to say it. Remember, not too much detail. Preserve a bit of mystery. Don't tell them everything.

Sometimes the "Skills and Accomplishments" sections is a separate section. In a chronological resume, it becomes the first few phrases of the descriptions of the various jobs you have held. We will cover that in a few minutes, when we discuss the different types of resumes. When it is a separate section, it can have several possible titles, depending on your situation:

• SKILLS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS
• ACCOMPLISHMENTS
• SUMMARY OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS
• SELECTED ACCOMPLISHMENTS
• RECENT ACCOMPLISHMENTS
• AREAS OF ACCOMPLISHMENT AND EXPERIENCE
• AREAS OF EXPERTISE
• CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
• PROFESSIONAL HIGHLIGHTS
• ADDITIONAL SKILLS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS

There are a number of different ways to structure "Skills and Accomplishments" sections. In all of these styles, put your skills and accomplishments in order of importance for the desired career goal. If you have many skills, the last skill paragraph might be called "Additional Skills".

Here are a few ways you could structure your skills and accomplishments section:

1. A listing of skills or accomplishments or a combination of both, with bullets

Example:

SELECTED SKILLS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• Raised $1900 in 21 days in canvassing and advocacy on environmental, health and consumer issues.
• Conducted legal research for four Assistant US Attorneys, for the US Attorney's office
• Coordinated Board of Directors and Community Advisory Board of community mental health center. Later commended as "the best thing that ever happened to that job."

2. A listing of major skill headings with accomplishments under each. The accomplishments can be a bulleted list or in paragraph form. The material under the headings should include mention of accomplishments which prove each skill

Example:

SELECTED ACCOMPLISHMENTS

National Training Project / Conference Management.

Director of "Outreach on Hunger", a national public education/training project funded by USAID, foundations and all the major church denominations - Designed, managed and promoted 3-day training conferences in cities throughout the US - Planned and managed 32 nationwide training seminars and a 5-day annual conference for university vice-presidents and business executives.

Program Design: Universities.

Invited by Duke University President Terry Sanford to develop new directions and programs for the University's Office of Summer Educational Programs, first Director of Duke's "Pre-college Program", first editor of "Summer at Duke". Designed and successfully proposed a center for the study of creativity at The George Washington University.

3. A list of bulleted accomplishments or skill paragraphs under each job (in a chronological resume).

Example:

Director of Sales and Marketing
DELAWARE TRADE INTERNATIONAL, INC. Wilmington, DE

• Promoted from Sales Representative within one year of joining company to Director of Sales and Marketing. Responsible for international sales of raw materials, as well as printing and graphic arts equipment. Oversaw five sales managers. Was in charge of direct sales and marketing in 17 countries throughout Europe and the Middle East.

• Recruited, trained and managed sales staff. Developed marketing strategy, prepared sales projections and established quotas. Selected and contracted with overseas sub-agents to achieve international market penetration.

• Negotiated and finalized long-term contractual agreements with suppliers on behalf of clients. Oversaw all aspects of transactions, including letters of credit, international financing, preparation of import/export documentation, and shipping/freight forwarding.

• Planned and administered sales and marketing budget, and maintained sole profit/loss responsibility. Within first year, doubled company's revenues, and produced $7-9 million in annual sales during the next eight years.

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