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Qualifications
I am a performance development specialist and expert in instructional design and facilitation of learning programs specifically for adult learners and in consideration of enhancing individual, group and team performance. Most of my accomplishments include and are not limited to human resource development, specifically, training, education, and development. All of my programs support the organization's mission, vision, core values, objectives, policies, strategies and plans. My mission is to support the strategic training plans and define the training needed to achieve the business goals of the organization and the road map to achieve those goals which are initiated by a detailed needs analysis or performance analysis.
Selected Career Accomplishments
Check Operations Overview, Effective Meeting Process and Compliance and Ethics Training
Check Operations Overview
I partnered with peer internal instructional designers and subject matter experts in the analysis, design, development, implementation and evaluation of the System's check processing cycle. The design featured the life of a "check" from reception to dispatch. Initially created for the Sixth District, the process evolved as a mandatory training workshop for all staff involved in the six-step check processing cycle. The mandatory training significantly improved processing timeliness, error rate reduction and costs.
Effective Meeting Process
I designed, implemented and facilitated the District's half-day workshop on "Leading Effective Meetings." The session which outlined meeting effectiveness in an 8-step process evolved out of comments from an employee engagement survey which revealed possible productive time loss because of numerous meetings and suggestions that meeting participants were not fully engaged. Most staff completed the half-day session resulting in changes in the way meetings were structured, eliminating non-productive meetings, and provided an agenda template adopted by most meeting leaders and attendees.
Compliance and Ethics Training
I designed the District's mandatory Compliance and Ethics training program using blended formats which included a 45-minute web-based solution and two-hour classroom follow-up. Historically, all Compliance and Ethics training was created and facilitated by outside vendors. The process proved costly and timely. The blended process, which was endorsed by the Management Committee was cost-effective, supported by staff (staff could complete the web-based format at their leisure within a specified timeframe), and decreased the number of internal incidents of harassments.
Web Based Solutions and Classroom Instruction
Researched, designed, developed, and deployed web-based solutions for the performance appraisal process and facilitated classroom programs that produced measurable tangible and intangible benefits. Proficient using the Articulate® Suite to develop online learning instruction and Information Mapping, Formatting Solutions® Software for mapping processes and learning curricula.
Professional Experience
Assessments and Solutions, LLC; Nov. 2007 - Present
Founder/Consultant
Federal
Reserve Bank of Atlanta, Atlanta Georgia; 1987 – Oct. 2007
Organizational Development
Performance Consultant/Senior Training Specialist
Collaborated with and advised senior management and colleagues about strategies for the Leadership Development Curriculum and Compliance Education Curriculums
Designed, developed, implemented, and facilitated formal and informal training and learning programs for all employees; including computer based web-based and blended learning programs.
Conducted benefit studies to determine the need to develop new learning programs and analyzed course feedback to determine the need for course revisions.
Conducted training, educational, and developmental needs analysis for Return on Expectations (ROE) and Return on Investment (ROI).
Education, Certifications, and Memberships
Certification(s):
Instructional Designer Developer, Training Manager/Director, Performance Consultant, Master Trainer, Training Generalist, Instructor/Facilitator
Emotional Intelligence at the Heart of Performance Six Seconds Emotional Intelligence Assessment, Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, DISC Behavioral Assessment, Herman Brain Dominance Indicator (HBDI),The Birkman Method
University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia; Instructional Design and Technology
Austin Peay State University, Clarksville, Tennessee; Bachelor of Science in Social Science
Active Member: Anti-Prejudice Consortium, Board Member
Atlanta Diversity Managers Group (ADMAG)
Cover Letter
May 19, 2008
Dear Hiring Manager,
I am responding to your job posting for the Professional Development/Training Specialist position listed on the careerbuilder.com website. It appears that my proven experience with organizational development is aligned with the qualifications outlined in the job description. Selected accomplishments include:
Partnering with peer internal instructional designers and subject matter experts in the analysis, design, development, implementation and evaluation of the System's check processing cycle. The design featured the life of a "check" from reception to dispatch. Initially created for the Sixth District, the process evolved as a mandatory training workshop for all staff involved in the six-step check processing cycle. The mandatory training significantly improved processing timeliness, error rate reduction and costs.
Designing, implementing and facilitating the District’s half-day workshop on "Leading Effective Meetings." The session which outlined meeting effectiveness in an 8-step process evolved out of comments from an employee engagement survey which revealed possible productive time loss because of numerous meetings and suggestions that meeting participants were not fully engaged. Most staff completed the half-day session resulting in changes in the way meetings were structured, eliminating non-productive meetings, and provided an agenda template adopted by most meeting leaders and attendees.
Designing and facilitating mandatory Compliance and Ethics training program using blended formats which included a 45-minute web-based solution and two-hour classroom follow-up. Historically, all Compliance and Ethics training was created and facilitated by outside vendors. The process proved costly and timely. The blended process, which was endorsed by the Management Committee was cost-effective, supported by staff (staff could complete the web-based format at their leisure within a specified timeframe), and decreased the number of internal incidents of harassments.
I have enclosed my resume, with additional information about my qualifications for the position and I would like an opportunity to interview for the Professional Development/Training Specialist position. Thank you for your consideration and I look forward to receiving your reply.
Sincerely, NAME WITHHELD FOR PRIVACY
Comments for Paulette's Resume & Cover Letter Critique Request
Think from an attention-getting perspective by: Anonymous
Just as you want your training programs to engage and interest a class, so must your cover letter and resume do that for a prospective employer. Case in point, you could easily narrow your qualifications to two bullet points. Consolidate ideas, e.g., I create strategic training programs which support the company's mission, instead of the four or five sentences in that section. Think lean in terms of words and measurable in terms of achievements. Good luck!
May 28, 2008 Rating
Thanks for your comments by: Anonymous
Thanks for your comments. I agree that it is wordy, reflecting institutionization during the recent 25 years(I'm free, semi-retired). I accept your suggestions and will "bullet-it" and look forward to you offering follow-up comments.
May 28, 2008 Rating
Too Many Words by: Anonymous
Overall, the resume does a fairly good job of communicating Paulette's qualifications and expertise, but it's too wordy. I would use bullets under qualifications & career accomplishments to make it easier to scan. Hiring managers aren't going to take the time to read through long paragraphs of text. And bullets should start with the action word, not "I".
The cover letter is basically just a chunk of the resume and it doesn't work. Again, long paragraphs of text will quickly lose the interest of the reader. Better to cut to the chase and just point out a couple of succinctly stated strengths, relating them to the needs of the job being applied for.