Day 16: First Impressions Focus (Resumes)

Job searches are rough. They are full of variables and unknowns. Some job descriptions don't quite indicate what they truly need character-wise in a position, or are such a long laundry list it is discouraging to even apply.

Today is another #JSLPM Sprint Planning session day to launch Week 2. Sprints have a focus, so we are going to start doing the same in this newsletter. Feel free to have your own focus though as you continue to be #agile in your search! You may find your mind works better and is able to draw connections easier. This week is going to be about First Impressions. How do we portray ourselves?

We are going to talk about many first-contact points, but naturally, I want to touch on resumes to start with. After a week (or a few weeks of applying) it can feel like your resume isn't making the cut. This is internal feedback you are giving yourselves.*

I already talked about Super Resumes. #SuperResumes is the best trick to set yourself up for flexibility to be able to tailor down. We also made resumes specific to the job titles we have narrowed down that we want to be able to hand out on "cold calls" to companies we are networking with or really want a connection with. I also hinted at numbers and data tie-ins being the real key there.

Let me make it clear to you if you are new to writing resumes in this style. You are underselling yourself. Depending on your culture, background, personality, locations you lived in, and how many browbeating environments and bosses you've had to work for, you may be underselling yourself a lot in your resume.

Everything can be tied to numbers or some measurable outcome, even if the jobs you've done in the past feel lackluster. If you were a custodian, you could put that you scrubbed floors and toilets. But that isn't all you did. If you were the sole custodian you "managed appearance and upkeep of a 50,000 sq. ft. facility to promote employee and customer wellbeing and safety". ** I could go on and on with examples, but you’ll need to find the metrics that work for you. For every field, worked in or want to work in, there are metrics that will stand out. I will link a post I find organically helpful by Dominick Namis again below.

Numbers and metrics hold a secret power. They seem to sway the mind. I don't know the psychology behind it, but if you are able to write action verbs into numbers and finish with a punchy measurable outcome, your resume looks top-of-the-stack-worthy. If you keep in mind the keywords that the job descriptions are broadcasting, that is how you get into the top 2-3.

I am always happy to help should anyone want me to go through if they are transitioning into Project Management. If you haven't read my Day 6 post, please do if this sounds new to you. Build up a bank of these sorts of statements to pull into a tailored resume. Trust me, it is worth it to take the time to do it before looking at specific jobs. It makes the application process smoother.

Bexs

*Keep in mind that some companies are very slow in their review process and have the policy to leave a job position open for 3-4 weeks, then comb through all the resumes before finally giving you a call. Keeping track of the position description is important and you should have a tracking spreadsheet!

**ACTION VERB (preferably a keyword) > METRIC/NUMBER > WHY IT MATTERED. That's the only formula you need to start populating your resume with more impactful statements.

Dominick Namis's How to Write a Resume Post

Job Search Like a Project Manager Series:

1. Session Zero, Day 1: Getting going with User Stories (check comments!)
2. Session Zero, Day 2: Tracking the User Stories and Getting Main Values
3. Session Zero, Day 3: Plan for Life Event Interruptions
4. Session Zero, Day 4: Get a List of Companies You are Already Connected To
5. Session Zero, Day 5: Job Search Charter
6. Planning Week, Day 6: ... Dreaded Resumes
7. Planning Week, Day 7: Company Shortlist
8. Planning Week, Day 8: Agile Job Search
9. Planning Week, Day 9: Recap, Claps, and Sprint
10. Sprint 1, Day 10: Backlog and Sprint Planning
11. Sprint 1, Day 11: Daily Scrum
12. Sprint 1, Day 12: Backlog Grooming
13. Sprint 1, Day 13: Interview or Networking Opportunity?
14. Sprint 1, Day 14: Sprint Review
15. Sprint 1, Day 15: Sprint Retrospective (Weekend Bonus Edition)

Templates and Forms:

• Job Search Charter
• User Stories Template