In my coaching practice, I recommend my clients start a “me file” when they land a new gig.

Part of this recommendation stems from the fact that when we work together on the “get a new gig” process, they’re struggling to come up with quantifiable achievements that we can use in their career documents, such as resumes and LinkedIn profiles, and during job interviews.

A Me File is something you can use throughout your career, not just when looking for a job, but to maintain the one you have and move up the career ladder.

First, decide how you want to track your information (creating the Me File). I recommend storing the data in a format that you can take home with you nightly. This is your personal information. Should you want to discuss a raise or explore a new career, you’ll want to have all of your information in one place, so you can take it with you and not have to rush around at the last minute and try to find it. Or worse yet, be escorted out the door, with no documentation at all.

My clients have used the following methods to store their Me Files: a notebook to document projects as they progress; an iPhone, using an app or notes to record items as they arise; a folder or large envelope to store print versions, like kudos from clients; a spreadsheet; and a Word or Google Docs file. 

I recommend printing hard copies of kudos from clients and your management team. This ensures you have a copy and can locate it, should you need to leave. It’s also nice to have hard copies for your next performance review. 

Use a tracking method that works for you. Again, this is your personal info, hence my recommendation to take it home with you nightly.

What to track for your Me File

This will vary, depending upon the level and type of position you hold. A good rule of thumb is to follow one staffing CEO’s recommendation to job seekers (and this holds true for career maintenance, lobbying for a raise, etc.):

“Put a BENEFIT STATEMENT into your resume – something that speaks of how you 1) made the company money, 2) saved the company money, or 3) streamlined procedures. Years of experience are immaterial and may indicate that you are just ‘old.’ Companies want to know what kind of contribution you can make to their success, not how many years you’ve been working.”

While the statement is a bit harsh, it is true. Your Me File will help you communicate your value to your colleagues, coworkers, and managers as well as future employers, networking connections, etc. Learning to communicate your value also helps you realize your value and increase your confidence. Suze Orman, financial guru, said, “When you undervalue what you do, the world will undervalue who you are.” Strong words.

Let your Me File help you realize all that you bring to the table.

Here’s what to track (again, this varies based on your title, level, etc.):

1. New clients you’ve brought in – how many? Name names AND how much money they’ve brought to the firm (including how much they are projected to bring in).

2. Sales growth over time. Example: Grew sales from zero to $500,000 in the first year.

3. Marketing ideas, those implemented, and the RESULTS quantified

Example: Led the firm’s website redesign and upgrade, yielding 88 new clients and $1.8 million in revenue within 2 years.

4. Recognition from your boss

5. Kudos from your clients

6. Productivity enhancements (saving your company money by streamlining procedures)

7. Cost cuts such as negotiated discounts with key vendors, etc.

8. PR you landed for the company, and name it. Example: Won Milwaukee Business Journal’s Woman of Influence Award or Quoted in The Wall Street Journal on (your area of expertise). If you can, the sales or leads resulting from it. Provide the numbers.

9. Ideas you have, which are implemented. Document how they either bring in money, save money, or increase productivity in some way. You can estimate projected results if your idea has not yet been implemented.

11. Honors, awards, recognition from the company, as well as relevant professional associations.

Use the Challenge, Action, Result formula to document your projects for the Me File. Here’s a sample:

Challenge: The Company needs new business
Action you took: Created a social media action plan, and set up 20 networking meetings per week
RESULT (always the MOST IMPORTANT): Generated 20 new clients in the first three months, totaling X in annual revenue.

This is a start. As one client told me, he wants to start his new gig off right. Begin tracking your awesomeness now! Even if you’re in mid-career or a long-term employment situation, start now! This can help you snag your next raise.

Check out my client Linda’s success story to see results in action.

And please, do share your results! Wishing you HUGE SUCCESS.

PS: Want more tips to get paid what you’re worth? Check out my newsroom. Enjoy!

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