accomplishments

5 Money Accomplishments You Should Be Proud Of

Ashley Eneriz — Mon, 07 May 2018 08:00:18 +0000

Feeling overwhelmed by how much progress you need to make on your financial goals? It may be time to focus on how far you have come already rather than how far you have left to go.

Here are some major financial accomplishments that you should be proud of. And even if you aren't quite hitting those accomplishments just yet, we've got tips to help get you there.

1. Paying off debt

Don't wait until all of your debt is paid off to celebrate. Even paying off one credit card or loan is a huge accomplishment that can motivate you to keep going. You may be encouraged to pay off the rest of your debt faster, or put more money aside in your savings account.

If you feel like your debt repayment plan is not going anywhere, you might need to change up your approach to see real results. First off, commit to never making only minimum monthly payments and stop using your credit cards. If you still aren't seeing progress, consider doing a balance transfer to a promotional 0% APR credit card so that you can tackle the debt more intentionally without drowning in high interest rates. Just make sure to pay off the debt before the promotional 0% APR window closes. (See also: The Fastest Way to Pay Off $10,000 in Credit Card Debt)

2. Making retirement contributions

If a portion of your income is directed to your retirement account before it hits your bank account, give yourself a huge pat on the back. Not only are you successfully building up your 401(k), but you are also decreasing your tax burden for the year. If your company offers a match on contributions, it's even better to contribute enough to at least secure the company match. You don't want to leave any free money on the table.

Not making retirement contributions yet or only contributing a small percentage? The least painful way to up your contribution rate is to have your contribution percentage automatically increased by one to two percent every year. If you make $60,000 a year, contributing 3 percent comes out to around $75 per biweekly paycheck. You probably won't miss that money, especially if you aim to get a small raise or promotion each year.

Don't fall into the trap of thinking that your efforts are too small. It might not seem like your contributions are growing at first, but after a decade, you will start seeing the power of compounding take effect. (See also: 7 Easiest Ways to Catch Up on Retirement Savings Later in Life)

3. Getting a raise

Whether you automatically got a pay bump, or you had the gumption to ask for a raise, congratulations; you should be proud! To stay ahead of the game, make sure you don't increase your cost of living along with your bigger paycheck. Instead, live as if you never received the raise at all. If you want to treat yourself, you can put a little bit of money aside each month to reward yourself at the end of the year with something fun — so long as it doesn't negate your extra earnings.

Are you working hard but feel underpaid? There's a good chance you will never receive a raise if you don't ask for one. If your current employer won't increase your salary, start applying for positions that will grant you a higher paycheck. (See also: How to Negotiate a Raise Out of the Blue)

4. Increasing your credit score

Boosting your credit score is a great feat, especially if you've had to bounce back from a low score, bankruptcy, or an account going to collections. It takes time and dedication to increase your credit score and fix negative marks against your report, but once you are in a good credit range, you can change many other areas of your finances. You can refinance to a lower interest rate for an existing mortgage or car loan, or get a better credit card with a higher limit and better rewards. A higher credit score can also lead you to buying the home of your dreams if you've been stuck with only rentals.

Still wishing for a better credit score? It doesn't come through sheer hope. Monitoring your credit score health through free resources like Credit Sesame can help you identify the areas that are hurting your score the most, such as inconsistent payments or too much debt. One thing to note is that free credit reporting sites often use a different credit scoring metric (the VantageScore) than what lenders use when they approve you for financing. If you want a more accurate look into your credit score, you can order your actual FICO score from myFICO. Ordering your credit score from one of the three credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax, or TransUnion) will run you about $19. (See also: Is It Worth Paying for Your Credit Score?)

5. Living frugally

Here's a financial accomplishment that anyone can be proud of, no matter the size of their paycheck. Living frugally can cover a wide range of areas, from ditching meat twice a week for beans and rice, to stashing $20 a week in a savings account, to buying a used kitchen table and saving yourself $400. Any time you opt for the less expensive choice or choose to save money rather than spend, be proud of yourself.

Being more frugal in your everyday living doesn't have to be complicated. Simply packing your lunch with leftovers or pantry staples instead of purchasing a $7 meal every day of the workweek will save you $35. Similarly, inviting friends over for a game night and snacks can save you $20–$50 over seeing a movie or hanging out at the bar.

The best way to get started with living frugally is to look at your budget and identify where you spend the most money. Then come up with creative ways to decrease these costs and try them out. Take it a step further and devote the money you saved toward debt repayment or a savings account. It will add up. (See also: The Only 6 Rules of Frugal Living You Need to Know)

Stop giving yourself a hard time about not being exactly where you want to be money wise and realize just how far you have come. Do you have more money saved this year than you did last year? Do you have less debt? Are you making more money? Feel proud of the growth you have made, and work on being even more financially fit next year.

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This article is from Ashley Eneriz of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

9 Ways an Annual Self Review Can Boost Your Career

Paul Michael — Tue, 20 Mar 2018 09:30:17 +0000

There are formal performance reviews, and informal performance reviews. There are also self-reviews, and many of us don't take the time to sit down and do one.

It's crucial to spend some quality time reviewing the last 12 months of your time on the job. You should evaluate your own goals and accomplishments at work just as your boss would. This will give you a chance to be honest with yourself in a way you can't be with your boss, and use that to really hit a home run when the official review comes around. Here's how you can get started.

1. Recognize all that you've accomplished in the last year

Start your annual review by poring over everything you have worked on during the last 12 months. Hopefully, you have a way to keep track of all your projects, whether it's computer files, physical files and folders, or photographs and documentation of your work. Begin in January and really take the time to go through each month carefully.

This list will become the foundation for any kind of raise or promotion you're looking to get, and it is also a great way to boost your self-esteem and start the review on a high note. Look at everything you did. You rocked it.

2. Identify the goals you did not meet

Moving on from that list of accomplishments, you should now be able to compare it to the goals you set for yourself last year. If you didn't actively do that, take some time to write down everything you had hoped to achieve over the year.

Now, what did you miss? What did you do, but not as well as you'd have liked? What was a priority at the start of the year, but got thrown onto the back-burner? What was simply forgotten in the chaos? Highlight these unmet goals and add them to the top of the list of goals you want to set for the coming year. Which leads nicely into the next point.

3. Establish new goals for the coming year

You've identified what you achieved, and what you didn't get around to in the previous year. Now, it's time to make a list of new goals. How has the company changed and grown over the past year? Has it created new opportunities for you? Is there more money to play with? Do you have a larger team working under you, or with you? Has there been a significant change in management, or even a merger? Has the economy or current events created issues or challenges that need to be addressed?

Although you don't have a crystal ball, you can make some good predictions based on your own experiences and those of your colleagues. Set new goals for yourself, and don't be afraid to aim high on a few of them. (See also: 6 Steps to Achieving All Your Goals)

4. Get a good grasp of your strengths and weaknesses

There are two sides to every appraisal, just like there are two sides to every story. As you look at the accomplishments you have made over the year, and some of the tasks you didn't get around to completing, you should start to see a pattern. You'll be able to identify your greatest strengths based on the successes you had. You'll also be able to spot your weaknesses from the projects or initiatives that were not quite as successful.

What were the commonalities in each case? Are you highly organized with superb attention to detail? Great. However, did this lead to being so focused on some tasks that others did not get the attention they deserved? Feel free to reach out to coworkers and friends and ask them to give it to you straight. Then, put a plan together to build on those strengths while building up your weaknesses.

5. Discover what you've learned since your last review

You've come a long way, baby. That's something you'll hear a lot when you're first starting out in your career, and rightly so. When you first enter the workplace you're very green and have a lot to learn. Within a year, you'll have developed a dizzying array of new skills. As technology changes, and industries evolve, so too will your abilities. Look at where you were this time last year, and think about what you know now that you didn't back then. It can be quite an eye opener.

6. Figure out which skills you want to develop

It's important to take a long, hard look at your current skill set to see what is missing and what needs to be developed. Are you right where you need to be for your particular position in the company? Are you seeing a lack of skills that are increasingly in demand, while having other skills that are slowly being phased out? There is no time like the present to act on this. If you're lucky, your employer will pay for classes that directly benefit the company, so talk to your human resources department. You may also be able to get grants or attend free classes in your area.

7. See yourself from the boss's perspective

This one is tough. You know yourself, but do you really know what the boss thinks of you? Look back and analyze the past year. What were your interactions with the boss like? Did you find yourself going to him or her with a lot of problems, but few solutions? Are you a bit of a chatterbox, or do you sneak in late and escape a little early? Are you a team player? Do you go above and beyond? Are you cynical, or known to be a naysayer? This kind of self-analysis isn't easy, but the self reflection can help you identify areas you need to work on. (See also: 10 Things to Bring Up With Your Boss at Your Annual Review)

8. Be one step ahead of the game

When you give yourself an annual review, you are setting yourself up for success when it's time for the boss to do your official appraisal. You'll already have answers to some of the most common questions, like, "What have you achieved over the past year?" or, "What skills do you want to work on?" You've done the thinking. You've gone through the year, and you know all of your strengths and weaknesses. You will be so tightly prepared that you may well knock the socks off your supervisor with your level of professionalism.

9. Give yourself positive reinforcement

At the end of the day, we're all way too hard on ourselves. We inflate small problems to be way bigger than they really are. We focus on all the things we said wrong. We cringe at comments we made that got more than a few raised eyebrows in meetings. But when all is said and done, we're all just trying to make a living, do a good day's work, and provide for ourselves and our loved ones. So pat yourself on the back. Seriously. Be proud of the year you've had, and the challenges you overcame. You may only do this once a year, so make the most of it.

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This article is from Paul Michael of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

7 Things Employers Care About More Than Your Degree

Paul Michael — Fri, 12 May 2017 08:30:07 +0000

A college education is a wonderful asset. You get a foundation on which you can build a great career, life experiences, and friendships that can last a lifetime. However, a degree is not the be-all and end-all of what makes you an ideal job candidate. Employers are looking for other key factors that separate you from the crowd.

1. Hands-on experience

There is a world of difference between college experience and real world experience. As it was so profoundly put in The Secret of my Success, it comes down to this: "What you've got is college experience, not the practical, hard-nosed business experience we're looking for."

Education is great, but it doesn't compare to being in the trenches, and employers know that. If you've got years of experience under your belt, it can often take the place of a degree or other form of education. And, it means you have references from people in the industry. This is by far the best way to separate yourself from the competition.

2. Ability to solve problems

It doesn't matter whether you have an office job, work in a garage, or are out in the fields every day. Whatever your chosen career, you are going to encounter problems; it's a daily part of every job. How you handle those situations will hold you in good stead, and problem solvers are highly prized.

Do you think laterally? Can you condense the problem into key issues that should be addressed? Do you take charge when faced with a challenge? If you can hold your head up high and demonstrate your ability to solve problems quickly and effectively, your future employer will find you very hirable.

3. Communication skills

Directly related to problem solving, how well you communicate can be just as important as what you're communicating. It's no good having a great solution to a problem if you're afraid to speak up, or find yourself unable to distill your thoughts into actionable directions. Someone who can communicate well, and in a way that motivates and produces results, is a great asset to any employer.

4. Collaboration skills

Loners tend not to do well in most jobs. Sure, there are a few exceptions here or there, but for the most part, you must be able to work well as part of a team. In fact, one of the keywords you'll see most frequently listed in job postings is "team player." Employers want candidates who can quickly and easily become part of a team, even if individuals in the group have clear differences. A candidate that can put aside those differences to produce a great team effort is worth their weight in gold.

5. Work-related achievements

Think about what achievements you can use as a plus during your application and hiring process. Have you written a successful blog or book about the industry? Are you a guest speaker at industry-related events? Have you appeared on television or radio? Have you won any industry awards?

Any and all of these things can go a long way to getting you hired, and are often far more valuable than a degree. It shows that you know your stuff and know it well. Don't be afraid to list your achievements, even if they're not directly related to the job. They still count, and they have cachet.

6. Volunteer work

Charitable endeavors can do a lot to highlight the kind of person you are, and employers love seeing this on a resume. First and foremost, it's a sacrifice of personal time to do something for the greater good, and that says a lot about your character. The kinds of charities you work for can also sway the employer even more.

For example, while volunteering at an animal shelter is great, helping people in need, like military veterans, will hold a little more value. How long you have been volunteering is also important. If you have been at it for 10 years, despite a poor economy and changing jobs a few times, it shows real dedication. And of course, you will get excellent references from anywhere you volunteer for, which leads to the final point.

7. Awesome references

The old saying "It's not what you know, it's who you know" is directly applicable to your career. In fact, many people climb the corporate ladder with great speed due to knowing the right people, regardless of skills or accomplishments.

For example, let's say you're in the film industry, and you have no formal education in video production, editing, sound, or any of the other required skills. The employer will obviously overlook all of that if you have a reference from Steven Spielberg, Ron Howard, or Martin Scorsese. This is, of course, an extreme example. But if you have references from well-respected professionals in the industry, you're golden.

When it comes to getting a job, you need to use every advantage you have; especially if you do not have the "right" kind of education for the position. But if you're smart and inventive, you can still get the job without the diploma. Good luck.

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This article is from Paul Michael of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

Create a Reverse Bucket List to Improve Your Money Management

Sarah Winfrey — Wed, 14 Sep 2016 09:00:07 +0000

Having financial goals is a wonderful thing. And having lofty ones is even better, because it pushes you to see exactly what you can do — maybe even more than you'd ever thought possible with your money.

But, some days, having goals is just plain frustrating. When you're always looking at where you haven't gotten to yet or what you haven't yet achieved, it's easy to feel like you'll never get there, or like you aren't good enough. You might begin to wonder what the point of these goals is, anyway.

That's where the reverse bucket list comes in.

Make a Reverse Bucket List

When it comes to your finances, a reverse bucket list is simply a list of things you've already accomplished financially, or a list of goals you've already met.

My husband and I tried this recently. On our list, we put things like buying a house, getting away to Cancun last year, not taking on more debt despite several major expenses this year, and paying off my student loan.

Some of these things — like buying a house — were things that we had made into goals. They were things we wanted to do, things we saved to do, and things we accomplished over time. Others weren't explicit goals, like not taking on more debt. But we added them because they felt like financial accomplishments to us.

Take some time to make your list. Some items — like, for us, paying off the student loans — might be things that you accomplished years ago, so they may not be in the forefront of your mind. Give yourself a day or two to think over your list, coming back to add things when you remember them.

The Reverse Bucket List and Positivity

The first thing that we felt, when we looked over our final list, was an overwhelming sense of positivity. We have been discouraged lately. This year seems to have been one surprise attack after another when it comes to our money, and it's frustrating to work harder than ever only to see the balances go down.

When we looked at our list, though, we started to feel better about ourselves and the way we're living. We are still people who can make good financial decisions, as evidenced by the number of things we've accomplished in that realm. In fact, it's those decisions that put us where we are now — without any new debt — even though life hasn't cooperated recently.

Looking at our list has also made us feel more positive about continuing to pursue the financial goals we haven't met yet, even though we feel like our most recent progress has been negative. For each item on the list, we can remember the moment where it happened, where we felt proud and happy, and that motivates us to keep putting one foot ahead of the other.

Making this list definitely raised our motivation levels and helped us look at our situation realistically. Setbacks happen. They aren't necessarily a commentary on us or our intelligence or our financial prowess. And now, we feel like moving forward again.

Understanding Your Finances Through the Reverse Bucket List

Looking at our reverse bucket list also helped us find some patterns in our spending and saving that will help us as we move forward.

For instance, the closer I get to a goal, the more likely I am to pursue it wholeheartedly. When we were just about able to pay off my student loans, I stopped buying everything that wasn't extra. I could see victory, I could taste it, and I wanted it!

On the other hand, when I'm not anywhere near meeting any goals, I tend to spend a lot more haphazardly. If I feel like I will never get there, or I feel like we are just going to encounter another setback anyway, I figure I might as well buy what I want while I have the money in my hands.

Moving forward, we are planning to structure our goals differently, making them tiered rather than all-or-nothing. That way, I can always feel like I'm just about to achieve something, so I won't be as tempted to spend in any given moment.

Find What Motivates You

When we thought about our list, we also noticed that we are highly motivated by travel. When we saved for travel, we were able to save quickly, simply because we both really love to get on a plane and see somewhere new.

Now, when you have a mortgage and other student loans like we do, you can't just make all of your goals about traveling. But we realized that staggering our goals so that travel goals are included in every two or three things we save for would help us.

For instance, when we pay off my husband's student loans, we are planning a trip to New Zealand. We know that we can take that trip as soon as these other goals are met. Even if it takes us several years, we will feel more motivated knowing that the travel goal is coming up, even if the gratification isn't immediate.

A financial reverse bucket list won't solve all of your problems, but it certainly might make you feel better about your money situation and help you figure out how to structure your goals so they best suit you.

This article is from Sarah Winfrey of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

Want to Master Your Debt? Think Like a Maze Runner

Tim Lemke — Tue, 16 Aug 2016 10:00:17 +0000

Have you ever been inside one of those massive corn mazes that are carved to look like a famous person or scene? When you were a kid did you collect books of mazes to solve, each more difficult than the last?

Mazes can be challenging and fun. And working your way through a maze is very much like working your way out of debt.

If you find that you're suffocating under a mountain of financial obligations, it's time to work toward becoming debt-free. And if you're an expert at solving mazes, you'll be able to apply some lessons to changing your lifestyle in order to achieve financial freedom.

Here are nine ways that getting out of debt is like going through a complicated maze.

1. It Can Seem Hard at First

The farm that my family travels to each fall has a massive maze, with five sections. It is mind-bendingly complex, and I always start off wondering, "How the heck am I gonna get through this thing?" But inevitably, I do make it out unscathed.

All big adventures seem daunting in the beginning, and the process of getting out of debt can certainly fill you with self doubt. The key is to take your time, focus on smaller and achievable goals, and not get discouraged by the bigger picture.

2. There's Always a Way Out

Every maze, no matter how big or crazy, has a way out. You may think that there's no way to escape, but there always is. No one is playing a trick on you and building a maze with no solution. Similarly, when you are fighting to get out of debt, you need to be aware that it's always possible to eliminate what you owe. Nothing is hopeless.

3. There's More Than One Path

There are no rules about how you get through a maze. The only thing that matters is that you make it out. Likewise, the journey toward financial freedom isn't laid out with specific directions. Sure, there are debt reduction plans that offer detailed steps to follow, but if you deviate from that, it's not the end of the world, as long as you are making progress.

4. You May Want to Give Up

My wife and I once got stuck in a large hedge maze, and couldn't find our way out. Exhausted and angry at one another, we very nearly called it quits and called for someone to rescue us. But we persevered, and methodically made our way through. It took longer than expected, but we escaped.

Getting out of debt can be like this. There will be moments when you feel like you're not making any progress. There will be times when you want to just quit and go back to your bad borrowing ways. Ultimately, you will realize that moving forward is the only way to go, even if it takes more time than you planned.

5. You'll Make Mistakes

You may think you are on the right track, but you'll make a wrong turn and end up back near where you started. You will hit dead ends. You may even have to start over from the very beginning.

When you're trying to get out of debt, you may not make the best decisions at every key moment along the way. You might overspend on an item, or fail to pay a bill on time. But that's okay, as long as you keep trying to get on the right path. Eventually, you will find yourself heading in the correct direction and closer to your goals.

6. There Will Be Unexpected Obstacles

Some of the trickiest mazes have rough terrain, tree branches, puddles, and maybe even the occasional Minotaur. Your journey to being debt-free will be filled with challenges you can't predict. You may be on the right track, only to lose your job or face an unexpected medical expense. Don't get discouraged!

7. Success Comes Easier When You Have Help

Navigating through a tough labyrinth is easier if you have a buddy. One of you can look at the map, while the other looks for clues. You can communicate about which paths you've already taken, and which way might lead to a dead end.

The same goes for getting out of debt. A partner can keep you from overspending on unnecessary items. A friend or family member can remind you about bills to be paid. They can also boost your spirits when the going gets tough. Don't go it alone!

8. You Might Enjoy the Challenge

People love mazes because they like a mental test. The challenge itself can be enjoyable for them. Reducing your debt can feel the same way. You'll make changes to your lifestyle that will be hard, but over time, you may find that you enjoy the tough work of seeing your obligations decrease. The actual process of saving, paying down debt, developing discipline, and achieving financial freedom can be satisfying in and of itself.

9. You'll Feel Great at the End

It's always a wonderful feeling when you complete a hard task. The sense of accomplishment is often unparalleled. Whether it's making your way through a dense and convoluted maze, or working like crazy to get out from under a mountain of debt, you'll want to raise your arms in triumph when it's all over. It's a downright super mixture of sheer joy, relief, and pride from knowing you worked toward a goal and got it done.

What navigation tricks have you helped escape your debt?

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This article is from Tim Lemke of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

Awesome Accomplishments: 50+ Questions to Ask Yourself and Figure Out What You've Done

Julie Rains — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 14:00:02 +0000

Figuring out what you've accomplished at work is essential to demonstrating your value to employers and clients. Though some people are keenly aware of their accomplishments (a sales representative, for example, can usually tell me how much she increased sales or how many new accounts he landed), others stumble. Often, these other folks have made great contributions, but don't have highly visible results.

Here are 50+ questions to jumpstart the process of articulating awesome accomplishments. Use them to help write your resume, elaborate on why you are the perfect candidate for a position, or create talking points for a presentation.

To get warmed up or just to stir your recollection, ask yourself:

What were things* like when you started your new job and how did they improve while you were there? (*the condition of the company, division, department, etc.)
How is your performance measured and did you reach any performance targets? (You don't have to mention the ones that you missed, if any; but rather highlight the targets you met and/or exceeded.)
What did your boss say he/she wanted you to achieve when you were hired?
What do you feel you've accomplished, regardless of what your current boss or colleagues may think? (Note: working in a dysfunctional workplace isn't considered a noteworthy or resume-worthy accomplishment but showing results in difficult economic situations or during major leadership changes can be)

Actions

What amazing actions did you take? Did you:

open new accounts?
establish new channels of distribution?
create an infrastructure for any function(s)?
design and/or implement standard operating procedures?
develop the professional capabilities of people who were then promoted to positions of greater accountability and/or who outperformed peers?
add new products or streamline SKUs?
originate new merchandise categories?
increase inventory turns?
develop or strengthen vendor partnerships?
establish a VMI (vendor-managed inventory) program?
launch a new brand?
start a private label?
develop a training program?
more closely define customer preferences?
initiate and/or manage a major project?
renegotiate contracts?
reengineer business processes?
restructure organizations?
write or redesign job descriptions?
reach new audiences?
grow subscribers or membership base?
improve the accuracy of sales forecasts?
start a new division?
grow your referral base?
begin sourcing or production in a new region or country?
start outsourcing tasks?
expand your presence to a new geographic territory?
establish quality standards?
institute quality review processes?
create a vendor scorecard?
start evaluating vendor performance?
initiate vendor chargebacks?
write an employee or vendor manual?
design forms or templates?
introduce and/or direct programs that resulted in regulatory compliance or achievement of certain industry standards?
expand or consolidate your vendor base?
accelerate product development?
implement new technology-based solutions or lead technology integrations?
win support from internal or external groups?
create a reference library or archives of key information?
accelerate month-end reporting?
tighten financial or operational controls?
improve inventory accuracy?
decrease order-to-delivery lead times or speed-to-market times?
design and/or institute order tracking or call tracking systems?
start a safety program?
introduce new employee benefits or incentive programs?
inaugurate new invoicing procedures or payment methods?
equip employees for new or expanded assignments?
automate a process previously performed manually?
eliminate unnecessary or redundant processes?
design a business continuity plan?
speed up collections?
get rid of unprofitable product lines or customer accounts?
align services with customer requirements?
do something else?

Results

As a result of these actions, did you

increase sales?
reduce costs?
improve profits?
grow market share?
increase service levels?
achieve better quality or consistency?
reduce customer returns?
improve safety and/or reduce risk?
speed up cash flow?
reduce debt load?
boost productivity?
lower employee turnover?
reverse business losses or declining trends?
improve company's reputation?
elevate sustainability?
position the company for future growth?

Use these questions to brainstorm and then start defining your accomplishments. You can take this process to a higher level by defining the challenges you may have faced; for example: you may have been hired amid a public scandal, pending lawsuit, or major competitive threat.

Many people wonder about the line that separates duties and company expectations from real accomplishments. A few months ago, for example, I spoke with someone who had delivered double-digit improvements to his work area but because these stellar results were "expected" by the company, he hadn't deemed them worthy of an official accomplishment. So, the line between accountabilities and accomplishments is not always crystal clear -- figure out what's typical in your field and show how you excelled.

This article is from Julie Rains of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

Your Personnel File...at home

Julie Rains — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 00:59:07 +0000

Your employer has (or should have) a personnel file with your name on it; should you have one also? Theoretically, you should be able to access information from your file at the office but would asking seem suspicious? You may be getting ready for a professional conference in which you are an invited speaker and want to pull some info for a bio, or you may be updating your resume to pursue an opportunity with another employer. Either way, doesn’t it make sense to keep records of your professional history, development activities, and accomplishments at home?

What should you keep? Here’s a quick list to be updated when you change positions or enter a new year (calendar or fiscal):

Job descriptions

Performance goals (as priorities shift during the year, it’s nice to have a list of goals agreed upon at the beginning of the year as you may be evaluated on these goals rather than the new priorities)

Projects started, completed, partially completed, or cancelled; indicate your role, any major challenges, any new skills or insights gained, and project results

Accomplishments (note your achievement of company-established goals and anything you are particularly proud of such as a new procedure you designed that increased inventory accuracy or media coverage that you helped to secure)

Professional development plans

List of courses taken, seminars and/or conferences attended, books read, and other activities that are meant to aid in your professional development

Performance reviews

Accolades from customers, vendors, colleagues, supervisors, and important people in other departments (while I realize that an accolade from a customer or vendor could possibly be interpreted as a weakness in negotiating deals favorable to your employer, such collaboration is often viewed positively by other organizations)

Professional activities and community activities (trade events, service projects, leadership positions)

Nolo.com, which provides “plain-English” resources on legal issues, has personnel file recommendations that may be of interest. This article advises employers but gives employees an idea of items that may be included in such a file.

Keep a personnel file at home. There, it will be available when you need to refresh your resume after your employer has been acquired, write your bio for a speaking engagement, or just get ready for another performance review.

This article is from Julie Rains of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread: