Industry-Specific Accomplishments
Every industry is unique and presents its own challenges. To prepare answers to competency-based questions that are specific to your industry or profession, career expert Wendy Enelow suggests that you use the following points as a guide for identifying your accomplishments.
Accounting and Finance
It is all about the money! In this field, cite and use the specifics of. . .
Improvements in revenues, profits, ROI, EBITDA, and other financial measurements ,
Design/implementation of cost controls and quantifiable results
Negotiation of contracts, including dollar amounts, profits, cost savings
Implementation of automated programs, tools, and technologies to optimize business performance ,
Partner relationships with investors, pension plan administrators, board of directors, auditors, and others
Merger, acquisition, joint venture, and divestiture experience
Administration and Office Management
It is all about organization and efficiency!
Design/implementation of streamlined work procedures and processes
Introduction of automated tools, programs, and systems to enhance efficiency
Internal and external communications responsibilities
Contributions to improved operations, cost reductions, and overall performance improvements ,
Personnel training and development experience, and the success of those employees , VIP and executive responsibilities and relationships
Customer Service
It is all about customers, clients, patrons, and others!
Improvements in customer service and customer satisfaction scores
Top industry rankings for quality of customer service organization
Contributions to sales growth
Key account management responsibilities and results
Introduction of automated customer service technologies and tools
Reductions in customer service operating and overhead costs
Engineering
It is all about development and improvement!
Engineering/design of new products and their positive financial impact on the organization , Engineering/design of new processes and their positive financial impact
Redesign of existing products and their resulting financial/market/customer impact
Patents awarded and/or pending
Integration of advanced technologies to expedite engineering and expand capabilities
Project planning, management, staffing, leadership, and financial success
Engineering/design of new products and their positive financial impact on the organization
Executive and General Management
It is all about bottom-line performance!
Measurable increases in revenues, profits, EBITDA, ROI, and other financial indices
Leadership of/contributions to strategic planning and long-term business development
Leadership of/contributions to mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, and business-building initiatives ,
Success in expanding into new markets, new geographic regions, new countries, and more
Improvements in organizational performance, infrastructure, productivity, yield, and more
Recruitment and leadership of successful management teams (and their contributions)
It is all about quality!
Health Care
Positive impact on quality of care and quality of patient outcomes
Expansion of health care services, programs, and outreach to meet patient needs
Development of innovative new health care delivery systems, medical procedures, and the like ,
Attainment and maintenance of stringent regulatory requirements
Implementation of advanced health care and health care support technologies
Reduction in disease incidence and overall health improvement of targeted patient base
Human Resources
It is all about the people and their impact on the organization!
Success in recruiting personnel and their performance within the organization
Improvements in traditional employee benefits and reductions in premium costs
Introduction of innovative employee benefits and incentives (e.g., flex time, on-site day care)
Expansion of HR information systems and technologies
Creation of expatriate recruitment, training, employee support, and related programs
Measurement improvements in manpower and organizational performance/productivity
Law
It is all about distinction!
Managing prestigious cases and clients
Breadth of legal experience across multiple legal disciplines
Demonstrable expertise within one area of legal specialization
Success in negotiations, arbitrations, mediations, and the courtroom
Relationships with regulatory, legislative, judicial, and other agencies/organizations
Manufacturing and Production
It is all about yield and output!
Increases in production yield and output, worker productivity, and other performance measurements
Improvements in quality performance and award of quality certifications
Reductions in operating costs and overhead expenses
Design, set-up, and start-up of new manufacturing facilities and production lines
Seamless introduction of new products into existing manufacturing plants and favorable financial results
Implementation of new technologies, robotics, and other automated processes, systems, and equipment
Retail
It is all about product movement and sales performance!
Increases in revenues, profits, and market share
Improvements in product movement, from warehouse to retail floor to customer sale
Distinction for merchandise design and display (including sales results)
Departmental staffing and management responsibilities, and quantifiable results
Implementation of POS, interactive selling, online selling, and other automated retail technologies ,
Reductions in store operating costs, staffing costs, loss rates, and other expenses
Sales and Marketing
It is all about capturing clients and generating profitable revenues!
Increases in revenues, profits, and market share
Individual sales and account achievements
Capture of new key accounts and revenue streams
Sales honors, awards, and percentages over quota
Development of new territories and new markets
Introduction of new products and services (and results)
Teaching
It is all about innovation and student/learner excellence!
Development of new curricula and instructional programs
Development of computerized and Web-based programs and teaching/learning tools
Committee memberships, student activities, and special projects
Management responsibilities for programs, budgets, resources,
personnel, and more , Experience in training and developing other teaching staff
Measurement of student/learner performance and achievement
Technology
It is all about technology innovation and advances!
Development of new technologies and their organization/operational/market impact
Involvement in emerging e-commerce, e-learning, Web 2.0, telecommunications, and other technologies
Financial benefits of technology (e.g., revenue gains, cost reductions, productivity improvements)
Patent awarded and/or pending
Success in systems migration, conversion, integration, and more
Domestic and international technology transfer programs and ventures
