Resumix

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Resumix

• ASMC-PDI
• SAN ANTONIO, TX
• May 29, 2009

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Lessons Learned PDI 2007 2008

• TWO GROUPS-RETIRING/CONTINUE
• MANY SLIDES
• NOTE TAKING
• GOOD QUESTIONS
• ASMC WEBSITE
• FOLLOW UP

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Introduction

• Reviewing applications
• STAR technique

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STAR Technique

• SITUATION
• Selection officials are concerned about the
  quality of the Resumix/resumes they receive.

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Whats wrong?

• Do not copy job descriptions
• Overuse of buzz words
• Punctuation, misspelled words, improper
  capitalization, poor sentence structure or
  incomplete sentences
• Less words on theory versus practical
  applications/experience
• Be careful of general terms, exaggerations, lies

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What are they looking for?

• Is the format clean and is the narrative concise
• Tailor the document to fit the position
• What kind of detail is included
• Results/outcomes/accomplishments
• Mobility
• Experience at various levels of work
• How has the individual progressed through the
  career field
• Leader training in senior applicants and teamwork
  in junior

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What are they looking for?

• Attendance at training classes rather than simply
  more education
• Special or technical courses-formal, military,
  and professional
• Supervisory experience
• How was the candidate recommended or get the
  referral and by whom
• Has the individual researched the position and
  organization
• Ability to effectively communicate orally and in
  writing

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STAR Technique

• TASK
• How do we make them better?
• Some people put down that they walk on water
  when, in reality, they cant stay afloateven
  with a life jacket on.

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STAR Technique

• ACTIONS
• Research, Research, Research
• Edit, review, rewrite, match requirements
• Follow career patterns
• Be willing to move/change jobs/risk
• Use action verbs/phrases

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Examples Action Verbs/Phrases

• Accounts Payable--Streamlined accounts payable
  functions, established common files, eliminated
  duplication, and reduced monthly processing time
  by ____.
• Accounts Receivable--Introduced improved accounts
  receivable and collection policies that decreased
  receivables by an average of ____ monthly.
• Audit Controls--Implemented a stringent program
  of audit controls to reverse findings by a recent
  inspection by __________.

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Examples Action Verbs/Phrases

• Audit Management--Directed financial and
  operational audit management programs for _____.
• Capital Budgets--Formulated, justified, and
  managed _______ in capital budgets annually.
• Corporate Development--Provided strategic,
  financial, and legal negotiations expertise for
  corporate development initiatives such as
  ________.

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Examples Action Verbs/Phrases

• Cost Accounting--Implemented automated cost
  accounting systems to analyze all labor,
  material, technology, and ________costs.
• Cost Avoidance--Introduced proactive management
  techniques to strengthen focus on cost avoidance
  and elimination of fraud, waste, and abuse.
• Cost Benefit AnalysisConducted large-scale
  cost/benefit analysis studies to capitalize on
  improvement opportunities.

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Examples Action Verbs/Phrases

• Due DiligenceOrchestrated complex due diligence
  reviews in cooperation with ________.
• Feasibility AnalysisLed a ____-person team
  managing a complex feasibility analysis and
  developed projections for _________.
• Financial AnalysisCreated team-based financial
  analysis models integrating financial data for
  all _____ locations throughout CONUS.

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Examples Action Verbs/Phrases

• Financial AuditsPlanned and implemented more
  than ____ financial audits.
• Financial ControlsDesigned and implemented a
  comprehensive program of financial controls and
  accountability to prevent possible fraud, waste,
  or abuse.
• Financial ModelsDeveloped financial models for
  cost/benefit and staffing analysis
  recommendations that were used to implement
  _______.

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Examples Action Verbs/Phrases

• Financial PlanningDirected financial planning
  functions for both U.S. and European operations,
  and presented final results to __________.
• Financial ReportingEliminated unnecessary
  financial reporting and created a comprehensive
  PC-based program to integrate financial data from
  all operating divisions/subordinate
  commands/directorates.
• Internal ControlsDesigned and implemented a
  comprehensive program of internal controls
  governing finance, accounting, capital assets,
  and technology acquisitions.

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Examples Action Verbs/Phrases

• Operating BudgetsManaged ___ million in annual
  operating budgets allocated for personnel,
  facilities, travel, and administrative expenses.
• Operational AuditsPlanned and directed
  operational audits of all _______to ensure
  compliance with _________.
• Project AccountingManaged the project accounting
  function for the development of a successful ___
  million electronic, digital publications library
  that was implemented Army-wide and reduced
  publications costs by ______million in the first
  year.

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Examples Action Verbs/Phrases

• Regulatory Compliance AuditingEstablished a
  structured process to expedite regulatory
  compliance auditing, reporting, and defense.
• Strategic PlanningFacilitated a cross-functional
  team through a complex, multi-year strategic
  planning process.
• WorkpapersStreamlined accounting processes to
  reduce workpaper and documentation requirements

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Specific Examples of Success/Outcomes

• Senior Budget Analyst
• Performs budget reviews and analysis of the
  agency's 2.1 billion labor budget, including
  over 35,000 Full Time Equivalents (FTEs). Makes
  recommendations for the efficient use of labor
  and financial resources. Coordinates Division
  budget submissions by developing, reviewing, and
  analyzing resource proposals for Division
  programs. Review and verify subordinate units
  labor projections to ensure assumptions are
  realistic and allocated funds and FTE cover
  current projections. Identify any surpluses or
  shortfalls and develop courses of action to
  correct.
• Identified 30 million of labor surpluses which
  were used to fund critical non-labor
  requirements

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Specific Examples of Success/Outcomes

• Senior Budget Analyst
• Managed and administered the Division's non-labor
  budget in excess of 100 million. Independently
  evaluated, reviewed, and monitored resource
  justifications, allocations, and resources for
  subordinate unit projects, contracts, services,
  and supplies with special emphasis to ensure they
  conformed to the Division business plan and the
  agencys strategic plan. Reviewed program and
  funding changes and assessed program impact of
  budget cuts and legislative changes. Analyzed
  budget estimates to identify imbalances among
  program areas and to reconcile estimates with
  current level of expenditures and projected
  changes in programs. Recommended and completed
  all budget reprogramming actions to ensure
  optimum utilization of available resources and
  accomplishment of critical program objectives.
  Prepared briefing materials for management use in
  budget presentations, and prepared position
  papers and other materials.
• Managed budget in excess of 125M for
  Contracts, Services and Supplies during FY 2006
• Developed distribution plan for FY 2007
  contracts, supplies, and services

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Specific Examples of Success/Outcomes

• Budget Officer
• Managed and administered the agencys 72 million
  budget for contingency operations in Kosovo and
  Bosnia. Conducted analysis of budget variances
  and proposed solutions to bring deviations back
  within budgetary constraints. Interacted with
  the agencys staff and subordinate organizations
  to coordinate and resolve budget issues.
  Interpreted statutory and regulatory guidance,
  developed budget policies based on statutory and
  regulatory guidance, and disseminated budget
  policy guidance to subordinate organizations.
• Provided concise guidance allowing customers
  to submit budget requirements in an efficient and
  timely manner
• Reinforced internal control procedures to
  ensure expenses did not grow at a more rapid rate
  than operations

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Specific Examples of Success/Outcomes

• Comptroller
• Served as the Comptroller for Bagram Airfield,
  Afghanistan as part of Combined/Joint Task Force
  180. As such, formulated the annual 450
  million budget and its expenditures. Advised the
  executive leadership on how to best use financial
  assets to support more than 6,000 personnel
  assigned to the organization. Supported diverse
  organizations from the U.S. Department of Defense
  and approximately 12 Allied countries. Assisted
  managers in preparation and justification of
  budget submissions. Monitored automated
  accounting and logistics systems to ensure the
  proper recording of expenditures. Reconciled
  prior year expenditures to include clearing
  unliquidated obligations and resolving erroneous
  disbursements. Supervised five budget
  technicians.
• Resolved a multi-million dollar inter-agency
  fuel billing problem resulting in reimbursement
  to my agency
• Successfully justified additional funding for
  desperately needed strategic communications
  equipment

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Specific Examples of Success/Outcomes

• Comptroller
• Directed a section consisting of five management
  and budget analysts engaged in planning,
  budgeting, allocating, and monitoring the
  execution of a 12 million annual budget for an
  agency with operations throughout Central
  America, South America, and the Caribbean.
  Provided management consulting advice to the
  agencys senior leaders. Developed and submitted
  recommendations for spending priorities to the
  organizations leadership. Managed the proper
  use of funds from several different
  appropriations.
• Successfully justified a 100 increase in the
  agencys annual operating budget
• Major contributor to the agencys successful
  relocation from Panama to Puerto Rico

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Specific Examples of Success/Outcomes

• Operations Officer
• Managed the Customer Operations Section of a
  recently organized activity, the largest of its
  kind in the Army. Provided Personnel and Finance
  Services support to a customer base of more than
  24,000 soldiers. Supervised a staff of 14
  employees performing personnel service support,
  financial services support, treasury operations,
  and internal audit functions.
• Established the sections initial operating
  procedures and organizational structure to ensure
  the agencys compliance with regulatory
  instructions and to exceed the Armys customer
  service goals
• Designed and conducted technically-challenging
  training which allowed the agencys automated
  systems to maintain connectivity to the Armys
  centralized databases from remote locations

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STAR Technique

• RESULTS
• No one is more concerned about your career than
  you.
• Youre responsible for the results.
• The results are in direct proportion to your
  efforts!

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CLOSING COMMENTS

• DOD not the only source of financial management
  jobs
• Other Federal agencies need financial managers
• Skills extremely portable between agencies
• You have one chance to make a first
  impression-make it a good one!

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• Questions?