| Are you thinking about pursuing new job opportunities | | | | when talking about your accomplishments. When |
| but aren’t sure where to start? Many people | | | | describing your accomplishments state the problem (P), |
| struggle with making the first move because they | | | | describe the action or actions you took to address the |
| don’t have a point of reference for their value in | | | | problem (A), and describe the result (R). |
| the job market. After having worked in the same | | | | |
| industry or position for so long, they doubt that they | | | | Here’s an example of an accomplishment |
| have something to offer another employer. Even if | | | | statement: |
| they have a notion that there may be opportunities | | | | “My sales team increased quarterly revenue by |
| “out there” they have no idea what those | | | | 25% due to my efforts.” |
| opportunities might be or how to present themselves | | | | |
| for those opportunities. | | | | Here’s the same example applying the PAR |
| | | | | approach: |
| You can probably relate. Maybe you’ve mastered | | | | “ Our quarterly numbers were low. As the |
| your job, you’re bored and are seeking new | | | | marketing manager I was responsible for promoting |
| challenges or you’re looking for a new job that is a | | | | the product to potential buyers. After conducting |
| better fit. Or, maybe you don’t see chances for | | | | analysis on why people bought the product and the |
| advancement in your current company. Like many | | | | quality of their experience, I re-wrote our marketing |
| other professionals, you’ve probably either had a | | | | materials using testimonials and examples from past |
| variety of work experience or been in the same line of | | | | buyers. Additionally, I added a free product demo to |
| work for years. As you consider new career options | | | | our website so people could test it out risk- free. I |
| you can easily get stuck on the question “what else | | | | made sure my team followed up personally and |
| can I do and who would hire me to do that?” | | | | quickly with all potential buyers who downloaded the |
| That’s where self-marketing comes into play. | | | | demo. As a result of my efforts, sales increased 25%. |
| | | | | |
| Before you can do any self-marketing effectively, | | | | You’ll notice in the example that there were |
| though, you need to have a good foundation of | | | | several skills involved with accomplishing the desired |
| understanding about yourself and the job market. | | | | outcome. The first statement is brief and can be used |
| | | | | on a resume. The second version is expanded and |
| What Can You Do? | | | | can be used in an interview session. |
| The best way to start is to take inventory of your | | | | |
| skills: What can you do? What do you enjoy doing? In | | | | Connecting to Career Options |
| what instances have you achieved success? It’s | | | | Equally important is finding a place where you can use |
| useful to reflect on the various situations where | | | | your best skills in satisfying ways. There are many |
| you’ve been recognized for a job well done or the | | | | sources for uncovering those environments. One |
| situations in which you felt very confident about your | | | | website I often use is the O*net . You can type in |
| performance. Think about all of your activities at work, | | | | keywords to create a list of career options based on |
| in the community and while volunteering. | | | | various skills. This website also provides a wealth of |
| | | | | information about various jobs including tasks, tools and |
| In my career guide, Fast Track Your Career: Three | | | | technology, wage and salary, educational preparation |
| Steps To Finding Work You Love, I include a checklist | | | | needed, related occupations, and so much more. It’s |
| and questions to identify satisfying skills. Other tools | | | | a very powerful resource. |
| you might use are the Skillscan or the Motivated Skills | | | | |
| Card Sort. | | | | Self-marketing is the process by which you present |
| | | | | your qualifications in such a way as to be attractive to |
| Once you’ve generated a list of skills you enjoy | | | | a potential employer. Recruiters and hiring managers |
| using, you can work with that list to come up with | | | | expect job seekers to communicate their value in |
| related accomplishments. | | | | terms of past achievements. They want to know the |
| | | | | scope and range of your experience and how it |
| Problem, Action, Results | | | | relates to the job you seek. They expect to see this |
| In the selection process interviewers are looking for | | | | on your resume and cover letter and hear it |
| examples of past success. For that reason, you have | | | | communicated during interviews and through your |
| to emphasize results on your resume, cover letter and | | | | networking efforts. |
| in the interview. Using accomplishment statements to | | | | |
| highlight your actions and the related positive outcomes | | | | Once you have a better idea of your skills, how they |
| or to illustrate the use of several skills to accomplish an | | | | connect to career possibilities and learn how to |
| important task will help you stand out from the crowd. | | | | communicate them to potential employers, you’ll be |
| | | | | well on your way to connecting with a satisfying new |
| The PAR approach is an easy framework to use | | | | job. |