Posted on Dec 24, 2014
The Benefits of Keeping an “I Love Me” Book
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We’ve all been told by a supervisor at one point in our career to “write down everything you do”. Early on in my career I’ll admit that I rarely listened to this advice, as I knew I would remember and thought no one actually cared. I was just doing my job, what I thought was expected of me. However, over the years I’ve learned the value of this simple request: it meant less time in the office with the boss agonizing over what I did for the last year.
Having recently retired and transitioned into the civilian world, I’m learning the value of these letters of appreciation, certificates of recognition, and achievement awards. All of these seemingly useless papers that have PCS’d with me over the years collecting dust, compiled with my official annual reviews, have become an invaluable marketing tool.
I recently contacted a consultant to look over my resume and help me “tweak” what I have been using to market myself. I attended TAPS, read books, and researched how to write an award-winning resume. What I came up with wasn’t a bad product by any means as it landed me a great contracting position earning a respectable salary. Yet, I was definitely missing the boat in a few areas. I referenced very few of my individual accomplishments from my “I Love Me Book”. My current resume is based on stats like projects completed, man hours saved, number of troops, and job descriptions.
Employers want to know that you, as a prospective employee, have a history of sustained productivity and excellence, that you are involved in your community and are always looking for ways to improve yourself through education or training. By now, most employers understand the general qualities that military veterans bring to the workforce; they want to understand what YOU bring to their organization - why are you different? The letters of appreciation highlighting your volunteer efforts or the knowledge that you completed upgrade training with a 95% or better differentiate you as a prospect. These are the characteristics that set you apart from the masses.
So don’t ignore that supervisor when he/she suggests that you keep a journal or book all about YOU. I agree that all of those things didn’t seem like they were “above & beyond”. I was truly just doing my job and what I thought I was supposed to do, but surprisingly these qualities are not normal. These are the things that make you different from the rest of the applicants. Because that book of random entries along with letters of appreciation, certificates of recognition, and achievement awards will one day make your resume awesome! How do you keep track of your personal successes?
Having recently retired and transitioned into the civilian world, I’m learning the value of these letters of appreciation, certificates of recognition, and achievement awards. All of these seemingly useless papers that have PCS’d with me over the years collecting dust, compiled with my official annual reviews, have become an invaluable marketing tool.
I recently contacted a consultant to look over my resume and help me “tweak” what I have been using to market myself. I attended TAPS, read books, and researched how to write an award-winning resume. What I came up with wasn’t a bad product by any means as it landed me a great contracting position earning a respectable salary. Yet, I was definitely missing the boat in a few areas. I referenced very few of my individual accomplishments from my “I Love Me Book”. My current resume is based on stats like projects completed, man hours saved, number of troops, and job descriptions.
Employers want to know that you, as a prospective employee, have a history of sustained productivity and excellence, that you are involved in your community and are always looking for ways to improve yourself through education or training. By now, most employers understand the general qualities that military veterans bring to the workforce; they want to understand what YOU bring to their organization - why are you different? The letters of appreciation highlighting your volunteer efforts or the knowledge that you completed upgrade training with a 95% or better differentiate you as a prospect. These are the characteristics that set you apart from the masses.
So don’t ignore that supervisor when he/she suggests that you keep a journal or book all about YOU. I agree that all of those things didn’t seem like they were “above & beyond”. I was truly just doing my job and what I thought I was supposed to do, but surprisingly these qualities are not normal. These are the things that make you different from the rest of the applicants. Because that book of random entries along with letters of appreciation, certificates of recognition, and achievement awards will one day make your resume awesome! How do you keep track of your personal successes?
Military Career
I Love Me Book
Command Post
Posted 11 y ago
Responses: 23
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I have always updated my “I Love Me Book,” but don’t miss out making it an E-book. As you transition in life, many documents can be lost, become faded, etc. With cheap online storage, those issues diminish, and many organizations want you to send them a scanned version anyway.
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Maj Stephen Parsons, PhD
Great point, I should have mentioned that. I have pdf files of my records saved. I would add to that you should also consider saving in multiple locations, computer, removable hard drive, jump drive etc... so that it doesn't get deleted or lost. Thanks for the input.
Steve
Steve
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Maj Stephen Parsons - Well said. A thorough collection of awards, certificates of training and appreciation, coupled with OPR/OER (EPR/EER) can help one paint a picture for a potential employer. Hopefully, it can underscore attributes that transfer well to a civilian environment.
The military evaluation document does a good job of "fleshing out" praises with facts and performance data points. Any leader, especially civilians, can appreciate those details even though the hiring official might not recognize military acronyms.
I have digitized both my entire "collection" and did the same for my wife. She has returned to active service (after a nearly 20-year break in service) and used the digital files from her former service career frequently. I have used mine less frequently; however, having the files device-accessible has proven worthwhile. We have other digital folders for our civilian "I Love Me" files. Some of the highest points or the most intricate of certificates have been kept in paper form. Not sure how long that will continue as we are constantly downsizing. Digital files works for us and fits our goals.
From a digital footprint/Internet security standpoint, all files are stored on external devices. We keep them on a home external drive and duplicate files on a much smaller, portable drive for when we travel.
The military evaluation document does a good job of "fleshing out" praises with facts and performance data points. Any leader, especially civilians, can appreciate those details even though the hiring official might not recognize military acronyms.
I have digitized both my entire "collection" and did the same for my wife. She has returned to active service (after a nearly 20-year break in service) and used the digital files from her former service career frequently. I have used mine less frequently; however, having the files device-accessible has proven worthwhile. We have other digital folders for our civilian "I Love Me" files. Some of the highest points or the most intricate of certificates have been kept in paper form. Not sure how long that will continue as we are constantly downsizing. Digital files works for us and fits our goals.
From a digital footprint/Internet security standpoint, all files are stored on external devices. We keep them on a home external drive and duplicate files on a much smaller, portable drive for when we travel.
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I have an I love me book and it has every award, citation, eval, school certificate from when i enlisted till i retired. It was helpful when writing evals to look back and get ideas and helped put my career in refrence once i got out and i saw how i progressed from a stupid E1 to a polished off E5.
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Sir,
I too didn't listen in the beginning. I still had everything but there was no organization to it. When I finally sat down and put it together I was surprised at all the things I had done over a 3 yr period.
It has been organized and sometimes taken a life of it's own.
Also, there are sometimes in my career that no one has a copy of this or that and it is NOT in my OMPF. I have it in my "I Love Me" book.
Keep one copy of just about anything. Not your LES or leave forms (Keep those for a little bit but not in "The Book") Keep any orders, certificate, awards, ect.... In your book.
It will make a world of difference in the long run.
I too didn't listen in the beginning. I still had everything but there was no organization to it. When I finally sat down and put it together I was surprised at all the things I had done over a 3 yr period.
It has been organized and sometimes taken a life of it's own.
Also, there are sometimes in my career that no one has a copy of this or that and it is NOT in my OMPF. I have it in my "I Love Me" book.
Keep one copy of just about anything. Not your LES or leave forms (Keep those for a little bit but not in "The Book") Keep any orders, certificate, awards, ect.... In your book.
It will make a world of difference in the long run.
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Maj Stephen Parsons, PhD
Makes a big difference when separating or retiring to have it all in one place. Makes resumes easier and when potential employers ask that obscure question about your work history you have the answer right there, in the book. Thanks for the post Corey!
Steve
Steve
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Maj Stephen Parsons, PhD, sir, this message is right on point!
I was never told to do anything like this when I was junior enlisted in the Army or Navy, but once I got to grad school, my first professor told us to keep a portfolio of everything we did in our career field.
A lot of us did not listen (myself included, because I didn't feel like I was doing anything worthwhile still as a student, lol) and wished we had when we found out it was a component of our grade during our internship (last class before comps).
Now that I'm actually working in my field, I keep an electronic copy of everything I'm doing.
Great advice!
I was never told to do anything like this when I was junior enlisted in the Army or Navy, but once I got to grad school, my first professor told us to keep a portfolio of everything we did in our career field.
A lot of us did not listen (myself included, because I didn't feel like I was doing anything worthwhile still as a student, lol) and wished we had when we found out it was a component of our grade during our internship (last class before comps).
Now that I'm actually working in my field, I keep an electronic copy of everything I'm doing.
Great advice!
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I began my "I Love Me Book" immediately after I completed AIT. I have both originals and copies of every certificate, PCS order, Deployment order, medical document, Letter of Recommendation, etc. Everything that has gone into The Book has been scanned to a PDF as well. I have double redundancy by E-Mailing myself copies of orders and other critical document, so if I have internet access, I can pull up those documents.
I highly recommend every Soldier putting together a similar book, and backing it up digitally. If you are a supervisor, get your Soldiers started on a good habit if they haven't done so themselves already.
I highly recommend every Soldier putting together a similar book, and backing it up digitally. If you are a supervisor, get your Soldiers started on a good habit if they haven't done so themselves already.
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Maj Stephen Parsons, PhD
Matt,
I did the same thing. I have it saved electronically in several areas and have referred to it frequently since retiring. Great advice!
Steve
I did the same thing. I have it saved electronically in several areas and have referred to it frequently since retiring. Great advice!
Steve
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I have kept one since OBC. It has my ROTC contract, commissioning documents, promotion orders, every OER, every order, deployment paperwork, every PT card, every award, star notes, security paper work, GRE / GMAT scores, transcripts, current ORB, military license records. The piece of paper that started it was a very important set of info printed out by the personnel people. It listed my BASD and sets your retirement date. They said don't lose it so I started the book. I also had to use that when they "fixed" my BASD later on. Most recently my boss had to use my book to to do a branch inquiry on my behalf. I also had to use it for this most recent records audit.
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I have my "I Love Me Book" and it has come in handy several time since I have left The Army. I have used it to answer questions in job interviews and adding depth to my resume and justification to why I listed skills on applications.
Part one
Commissioning documents
Part 2
a copy of every PCS move
Part 3
Training and School completion Certificates
In some cases school records (Grades and Courses)
Part 4
A copy of every OER
Part 5
A copy of every award
Part 6
My retirement/Discharge paperwork
Part one
Commissioning documents
Part 2
a copy of every PCS move
Part 3
Training and School completion Certificates
In some cases school records (Grades and Courses)
Part 4
A copy of every OER
Part 5
A copy of every award
Part 6
My retirement/Discharge paperwork
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TSgt Kevin Buccola
I do not have a I love me book I do have everything transferred to CD and thumb drives, all trainings, transcripts, letters, certificates everything. I would suggest everyone do that. After losing everything in a hurricane I scan. My Resume / Portfolio is digital as well and I have to do is hit print.
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Maj Stephen Parsons, PhD
Awesome advice Kevin. I would add to have it saved in several areas as well, not just one.
Steve
Steve
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I for one never even heard of it until I made E5 and became a DS. I have alot of catching up to do. I now see my mentors alway's updating their books and they tell me they waited to late to begin theirs. It just seems so overwhelming of a project to do, but better to start late than never.
I believe I understand the reason for such a book. It's more of a "lifesaver" than "love" book as what I've really gathered about it.
I believe I understand the reason for such a book. It's more of a "lifesaver" than "love" book as what I've really gathered about it.
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I wish I had an NCO tell me early in my career to keep an "I love me" book. For the first two years I was in the Army, I didn't really keep anything or trusted to an NCO who then lost it. After a while I found out that making copies of things is a much safer bet.
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