Resumix
ASMC-PDI
ORLANDO, FL
JUNE 4, 2010
Lessons Learned PDI 2008 & 2009
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TWO GROUPS-RETIRING/CONTINUE
MANY SLIDES
NOTE TAKING
GOOD QUESTIONS
ASMC WEBSITE
FOLLOW UP
Introduction
• Reviewing applications
• STAR technique
STAR Technique
SITUATION
• Selection officials are concerned about
the quality of the Resumix/resumes they
receive.
What’s 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
What are they looking for?
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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
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
STAR Technique
TASK
• How do we make them better?
“Some people put down that they walk on
water when, in reality, they can’t stay
afloat—even with a life jacket on.”
STAR Technique
ACTIONS
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Research, Research, Research
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Edit, review, rewrite, match requirements
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Follow career patterns
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Be willing to move/change jobs/risk
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Use action verbs/phrases
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 __________.
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
________.
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 Analysis—Conducted large-scale
cost/benefit analysis studies to capitalize on
improvement opportunities.
Examples Action Verbs/Phrases
• Due Diligence—Orchestrated complex due
diligence reviews in cooperation with ________.
• Feasibility Analysis—Led a ____-person team
managing a complex feasibility analysis and
developed projections for _________.
• Financial Analysis—Created team-based
financial analysis models integrating financial data
for all _____ locations throughout CONUS.
Examples Action Verbs/Phrases
• Financial Audits—Planned and implemented
more than ____ financial audits.
• Financial Controls—Designed and
implemented a comprehensive program of
financial controls and accountability to prevent
possible fraud, waste, or abuse.
• Financial Models—Developed financial models
for cost/benefit and staffing analysis
recommendations that were used to implement
_______.
Examples Action Verbs/Phrases
• Financial Planning—Directed financial planning
functions for both U.S. and European operations, and
presented final results to __________.
• Financial Reporting—Eliminated unnecessary financial
reporting and created a comprehensive PC-based program
to integrate financial data from all operating
divisions/subordinate commands/directorates.
• Internal Controls—Designed and implemented a
comprehensive program of internal controls governing
finance, accounting, capital assets, and technology
acquisitions.
Examples Action Verbs/Phrases
• Operating Budgets—Managed $___ million in annual
operating budgets allocated for personnel, facilities, travel,
and administrative expenses.
• Operational Audits—Planned and directed operational
audits of all _______to ensure compliance with
_________.
• Project Accounting—Managed 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.
Examples Action Verbs/Phrases
• Regulatory Compliance Auditing—Established
a structured process to expedite regulatory
compliance auditing, reporting, and defense.
• Strategic Planning—Facilitated a crossfunctional team through a complex, multi-year
strategic planning process.
• Workpapers—Streamlined accounting processes
to reduce workpaper and documentation
requirements
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 unit’s 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
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 agency’s 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
Specific Examples of Success/Outcomes
Budget Officer
Managed and administered the agency’s $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 agency’s 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
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
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 agency’s senior leaders. Developed
and submitted recommendations for spending priorities to the
organization’s leadership. Managed the proper use of funds from several
different appropriations.
* Successfully justified a 100% increase in the agency’s annual operating
budget
* Major contributor to the agency’s successful relocation from Panama to
Puerto Rico
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 section’s initial operating procedures and organizational
structure to ensure the agency’s compliance with regulatory instructions
and to exceed the Army’s customer service goals
* Designed and conducted technically-challenging training which
allowed the agency’s automated systems to maintain connectivity to the
Army’s centralized databases from remote locations
STAR Technique
RESULTS
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No one is more concerned about your career
than you.
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You’re responsible for the results.
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The results are in direct proportion to your
efforts!
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!
Questions?