Resumix

ASMC-PDI
ORLANDO, FL
JUNE 4, 2010

Lessons Learned PDI 2008 & 2009

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.

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

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

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 cant stay
afloateven with a life jacket on.

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

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 AnalysisConducted large-scale
cost/benefit analysis studies to capitalize on
improvement opportunities.

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.

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
_______.

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.

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.

Examples Action Verbs/Phrases

Regulatory Compliance AuditingEstablished
a structured process to expedite regulatory
compliance auditing, reporting, and defense.
Strategic PlanningFacilitated a crossfunctional team through a complex, multi-year
strategic planning process.
WorkpapersStreamlined 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 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

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

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

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 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

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

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!

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?