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CU_Horiz_RGB PSYC4700 - Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences

CU_Horiz_RGB SOC-FP1200: Preparing for the Future of Work

Reflecting on Your Skills, Goals, and Accomplishments

Review the description of the 10 employability skills and complete each section of the template below, following the assignment instructions.

Part 1: About Me

Answer the following questions to capture how you see yourself, in terms of values, aspirations, key qualities, goals, strength areas, and areas of growth:

1. Find a quote or saying that captures your values, motivations, and aspirations and share it here.

2. Describe some of your main personal, academic, and professional goals.

3. State some of your areas of strength. Think about the top 2–3 skills you would advertise about yourself, or consider what others come to you for advice about.

4. Include some areas you would like to grow and improve in.

Part 2: Accomplishment Statements

Accomplishments don’t have to be as large as climbing the top of Mount Everest or starting your own company. We accomplish many things in our lives every day that have meaning. For example, perhaps, you organized volunteers for your school’s food drive, or made an extremely profitable sale. Or, if you’re more advanced in your career, perhaps you’ve received a promotion or special recognition.

In this part of the assignment, you’ll identify two accomplishments from work, school, volunteer, or other activities. You’ll then practice communicating these in ways appropriate for a CV or resume.

To begin, review the list of Accomplishment Categories at the end of this template and brainstorm accomplishments from your work, school, volunteer or other activities. After you’ve identified two accomplishments, write their story using the information below:

1. Think about each of your accomplishments in these terms:

Challenge

Situation, problem, or requirement.

Action

Specific actions you took to resolve or meet the challenge.

Result

The benefit created in specific and measurable terms. Be sure to tie results to organization’s goals when possible.

Details

Clarifying details, such as numbers or percentages to provide context (consider answering: how many, how much, how long, or how often).

Consider the example below of someone with experience as a retail manager:

Challenge

An increase in customer complaints about helpfulness of staff.

Action

Developed a new training program for staff, got approval from district manager, and once approved implemented it with a regular review process.

Result

After 3 months, customer complaints decreased.

Details

Previously, customer complaints averaged four per week. After 3 months, complaints averaged one per week or less.

2. Write two stories to practice using this format (type into the boxes below):

Challenge

Situation, problem, or requirement:

Action

Specific actions you took to resolve or meet the challenge:

Result

The benefit created in specific and measurable terms. Be sure to tie results to organizational goals when possible:

Details

Clarifying details, such as numbers or percentages to provide context (consider answering: how many, how much, how long, or how often):

Challenge

Situation, problem, or requirement:

Action

Specific actions you took to resolve or meet the challenge:

Result

The benefit created in specific and measurable terms. Be sure to tie results to organizational goals when possible:

Details

Clarifying details, such as numbers or percentages to provide context (consider answering: how many, how much, how long, or how often):

CU_Horiz_RGB SOC-FP1200: Preparing for the Future of Work

3. Now, try converting your two accomplishment stories into a clear and concise format for a resume or CV, as shown in the two examples below (type into the boxes for Accomplishment 1 and 2):

Formula 1: Result + action + brief description including clarifying details.

Example: Decreased customer complaints from three per week to one per week or less by training staff and implementing a regular review process.

Formula 2: Action + brief description with clarifying details + results.

Example: Trained retail staff in customer-service techniques and implemented a regular review process, decreasing customer complaints from three per week to one per week or less.

Accomplishment 1 Story

Accomplishment 2 Story

Part 3: Reflect on Your Experiences

1) How has reflecting on your goals, strengths, areas of growth, and accomplishments been valuable for you?

2) What are ways you can build in a regular practice of reflection?

3) In your current understanding of the 10 Skills, identify 1-2 skills that you believe have helped you reach the accomplishments listed in Part 2. Briefly explain how.

4) After practicing writing your accomplishments in a CV or resume-appropriate style, do you feel more confident in expressing your accomplishments to an employer? Briefly explain.

Accomplishment Categories

Saving Time

· Shortening a procedure.

· Optimizing a process.

· Establishing a new procedure.

· Investing in new technology.

· Re-training staff.

· Identifying inefficiencies.

· Changing a schedule.

· Recommending new system.

Saving Money

· Using supplies more effectively.

· Eliminating unneeded reports.

· Contracting with a new vendor.

· Reducing underperforming programs.

· Properly scheduling staff.

· Recruiting volunteers.

· Creating something from scratch.

· Finding a cost-effective solution.

Making Money

· Increasing sales/profits/market share.

· Enlarging a market.

· Finding a new market.

· Expanding class offerings.

· Developing new services.

· Inventing something.

· Winning a grant.

· Enrolling new participants.

· Retaining clients/customers/students.

· Developing partnerships.

· Upselling customers.

· Extending contracts.

Reducing Risk

· Meeting government requirements.

· Improving testing.

· Fixing a problem.

· Ensuring safety standards met

· Decreasing negative behaviors

· Increasing positive behaviors

· Protecting against a hazard

· Developing policy

Improving Quality:

· upgrading system or software

· updating a course

· facilitating employee training

· instating best practices

· implementing new procedures

· boosting customer satisfaction

· improving employee engagement

· increasing teamwork

· reducing errors

Recognition:

· winning an award

· securing a promotion

· achieving a certification/degree

· receiving positive feedback

· earning a bonus

· accepting a board position

Creating Positive Outcomes:

· implementing successful intervention

· teaching life skills

· observing behavioral change

· fostering therapeutic relationships

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