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While the Candidate Got Rejected In Interview For the Inappropriate Answer as

Achievement - As Sales Target is part of key Deliverable Role  - exceeding the  target  could have been  more meaning achievement , also there has to be consistency & sustainability  in sales target achievement.

Contribution -Achieving Sales Target is not a Contribution towards the organisation .

These below are 2 different questions, which have very clear meaningful & different approach.

What is your Achievement / Accomplishment ?

What is your contribution/ How you have contributed - In your organisation?

Such questions in an interview are not uncommon,  being very much in common, which comes across to people from across functional domain but most of the time it has been noticed that the answer to these questions are replied interchangeably , mixing up the term contribution & achievement , resulting into an  inappropriate answer , which reflects  that the question itself is either not taken seriously or  not well understood or  the person has failed to know about himself / herself on personal or professional level .

Be Specific, What You Will Bring To The Table :

You need to be very specific regarding the experience,  expertise skills & your knowledge you have and what you are willing to do for the company. You have to be specific about what you will be bringing to the table when answering this question.

Jog Your Memory With Some Brain-Storming Exercises

Before your respond back to this question, it’s important to do some strong brain storming exercise  Prepare two columns  - one of CONTRIBUTION & the other of ACHIEVEMENT

For your each position on your resume , start jotting down your contribution  & achievement  that comes to your mind,  even if it seems insignificant.  Sometimes it's hard to identify contribution & achievement . Try asking your supervisor or a colleague to name your top contributions  & achievement  . Others may have an easier time recognizing your value than you.

Review your performance evaluations or reference letters, which often include details about your contribution & accomplishments. Evaluate & check has your contribution created an impact , created value . Check about your accomplishment has it being recognised by your supervisors & senior management.

Remember , every company will have profit making goals and growth policies but still they equally partner with society & nation on contribution through their CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY.

Factors that Influence the company growth are its people, the policy & the practice which is aligned with company’s  VISION, MISSION & GOAL  charter. The basic key for the growth of the company depends upon the attitude,  passion & hard work of its employees .  Employees play a major role in the profitability & brand building of the organization.

ITS IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND ABOUT  CONTRIBUTION :

Contribution is about creating impact & building up values, creating & implementing different processes & measurement tools that have helped to evaluate and improve business practices,   uncover and correct inefficiencies within the company, touching & transforming lives in & around you.

With your passion, ambition, experience, network and knowledge, how would you make  value added contribution towards the organisation's Goal, Mission, Vision &Corporate Social Responsibility? How would you act an “Agent of Change”, which makes the organisation know that you care about the company’s policy? Consider how your decisions will affect the company as a whole. Put company success first. To achieve success, contribution from your side must count.

Identify the areas where you can contribute to the growth of a company which depends on what kind of job you're into. Like Learning and innovation, Process Improvement Management, Customer Satisfaction, Financial performance, Training & People Development etc.

"Success must include two things :

The development of an individual to his utmost potentiality &

A contribution of some kind to one's world."     ~ Eleanor Roosevelt.

Don't sell yourself short,  Turn your Contribution & Accomplishments into high-impact statements.

Lead with the result, outcome or benefit to your employer.  You may take your accomplishments for granted, but potential employers see past success as an indicator of future performance. Your job search will be more effective if your resume showcases your key accomplishments.

Life is about impact just not income, you will be remembered for your contribution not for your income. To contribute one need not be in distinctive positions, it’s the decision to add value & contribution towards the development of people, organisation, society, nation.

This below quote by - Arthur Ashe - underlines the saying

"I don't want to be remembered for my tennis accomplishments. That's no contribution to society. [Tennis] was purely selfish; that was for me. "

Keeping This Topic Open for  Discussion :  Difference Between Contribution & Achievement

 

By Sarla Sharma

Pioneer Management Consultant Pvt Ltd

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