Resume Tips

I always used center alignment for short text. It just looks prettier! Then, in an Instructional Design course, the instructor wouldn’t allow it—except for headings. She explained how centered text hurts readability and even shared research on it. I remember thinking it was silly and only following the rule because I had to… But then I started noticing something. In other situations, centered text really was slowing me down. Not a lot, just a fraction of a second—but it was there. And that’s when it clicked: If I, as a strong reader, felt even a small delay, what about someone who doesn’t read as easily? For those with reading disabilities, low vision, or even for non-native English speakers, that tiny delay could be a much bigger barrier. Now, I think about readability first—not just what looks good. And something as simple as left-aligning text? It’s an easy way to increase accessibility. #AccessibilityInDesign #InstructionalDesign #DesignTips #InclusiveDesign #ReadabilityMatters

I’ll admit – I’m impatient. When I have an idea, a desire, or a big goal, I want to see results fast. I don’t like to wait.  Over the past several months at Career Impressions: Executive Resume Writing, I’ve been working on business improvements.  To achieve goals, I’ve needed to hire help.  So I created a plan and reached out to resources.  Those who replied with customized details demonstrating an understanding of my needs, with clearly outlined solutions, examples, and results, got my attention.  Those who responded quickly and got to the point fast = even better.   However, those that replied with generic details or basic follow-ups = were passed up by me. Employers feel the same when they read resumes. They want to be spoon-fed solutions to their needs. They want to feel heard. They need to see proof of results.  Employers are also short on time and may be a bit impatient (like me), so job seekers who can address needs and get to the point quickly = even better.   How can you ensure your resume addresses the reader's needs and provides value quickly?  1. Read the job posting carefully. Identify requirements and write ‘apples to apples. ’ For example, if the job requires skills in sales growth = provide examples of personal sales growth success with metrics! 2. Bring some big, related career wins to the forefront of the file. Don’t make the reader hunt through dense resume content for facts that matter most. Connect the dots early in the file and spotlight relevant impacts and offerings. 3. Write succinctly and get straight to the point. Avoid drowning the reader in long, detailed narratives. Tighten language and strategically place information throughout the file in a way that guides the reader through offerings.  Make everything easy to absorb. 4. Cut out anything unrelated. If an example or content does not matter to the job at hand…or if you don’t think it will matter to the eventual reader (employer): remove it or improve it! Ultimately, you need to write your resume to demonstrate you are the candidate of choice in the most succinct and significant way possible. Your resume often only has one chance to impress. Make it count!

I've helped craft over 1000 CVs & about 78% successful in cracking a role. How? Let's dive in. 🚀 Your CV is more than just a document—it's your personal brand. It's the first impression you make on recruiters and hiring managers. Here’s how to build a standout CV that gets noticed (and gets you interviews): 1. Highlight Your Hard & Soft Skills PMs are like APIs—they connect different stakeholders, making collaboration seamless. Your CV should reflect this balance: 👉 Hard Skills: Agile methodologies (Scrum, Kanban), tools (Jira, Trello), certifications (CSPO, SAFe POPM). 👉 Soft Skills: Resilience, creativity, negotiation, presentation skills. 2. Use Keywords Strategically Most companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to scan resumes. To beat the system: 🔑 Identify keywords from job descriptions (use tools like Jobscan). 🔑 Incorporate them into your work experience naturally. 🔑 Customize your CV for each job (e.g., Technical PM vs. Marketing PM vs. Growth PM). 3. Focus on Visual Appeal A well-structured CV makes a lasting impression: ✅ Use clean fonts and simple formatting. ✅ Keep it to 1 page (short CVs are more likely to be read). ✅ Use strategic white space for readability. ✅ Bullet points are your best friend—keep it concise and clear. 4. Personalize Your CV Tailor your CV for each job application: ✨ Customize your professional summary to align with the role. ✨ Highlight relevant achievements with metrics. ✨ Show cultural fit—research the company and align your CV to their values. 5. Showcase Your Achievements Don’t just list job duties—focus on impact: 📈 Quantify your contributions: "Increased user retention by 15% through feature improvements." 📊 Demonstrate results: "Led a team to deliver a product roadmap ahead of schedule, driving a 10% revenue increase." 6. Common Mistakes to Avoid 🚫 Generic professional summaries—make it personal and engaging. 🚫 Overloading skills—focus on key, relevant skills. 🚫 Industry jargon—keep it simple and understandable. 🚫 Typos and errors—proofread thoroughly. 7. Seek Feedback & Iterate 💡 Get insights from mentors, friends, or even AI tools like ChatGPT. 💡 Join communities like Product School’s Slack for peer reviews. Final Checklist Before you hit submit, ensure your CV: ✅ Clearly highlights your product management skills. ✅ Is optimized for ATS with relevant keywords. ✅ Looks visually appealing with strategic formatting. ✅ Is customized for the job you're applying for. ✅ Tells your story with impact-driven achievements. 🔄 Over to You! What’s one tip you swear by for crafting a standout CV? Drop it in the comments or DM me for feedback! Let’s nail this together. PS: I run a program that helps folks get better at product management and crack product roles, both in India and abroad. If you want to apply for the program, check out the links in comments. 🚀 #ProductManagement #CVTips #CareerGrowth #JobSearch

Recently, someone I know, felt frustrated with his job search. Despite having great experience, his resume wasn’t getting the attention it deserved. We thoroughly reviewed his resume and applied these 5 transformative steps. The result? He started receiving interview invitations within days! I understand that updating your resume can feel overwhelming, but it’s worth the effort. Here’s how you can give your resume a boost and catch the eye of your next employer: → Tailor it to the Job: Adjust your resume for each position you apply for. Highlight the skills and experiences that are most relevant to the job description. → Use Action Verbs: Begin each bullet point with powerful verbs like 'Achieved,' 'Designed,' or 'Enhanced' to clearly convey your contributions. → Quantify Your Achievements: Whenever possible, use numbers to illustrate your impact (e.g., "Increased revenue by 25%"). → Keep it Concise: Aim for clarity and brevity. Your resume should be easy to read, ideally one page unless extensive experience requires more space. → Format for ATS: Make sure your resume is compatible with Applicant Tracking Systems by using a straightforward format and standard fonts. When was the last time you updated your resume? Let’s make sure it stands out!

I reviewed 547 resumes for a Data Scientist role on my team and found that 53 had parsing issues with the Applicant Tracking System (ATS). Here’s what I observed and some practical solutions: Problem 1: ATS Struggles with 'Modern' Resume Styles 9 resumes were blank or had no content. I believe this is due to: 🔸 These resumes often used fancy Word templates with two-column layouts. For example, one column had contact details, education, and skills, while the other had work experience.  I believe we can avoid this by 🔹 using a simple, clean formatting (LaTeX works well for this) 🔹 submitting resumes in PDF format rather than Word documents 🔹 sticking to a one-column layout to ensure clarity 🔹 maintaining consistent margins (minimum 0.5 inches) and line spacing (1.0 minimum) Problem 2: Distorted Content 44 resumes were harder to read. I believe this is due to: 🔸 Use of icons, images, charts, tables, or colors 🔸 "Justify" text alignment, which creates inconsistent word spacing 🔸 Fonts with ligatures (e.g., "fi", "fl", “ft”, etc), where letters merge and confuse the ATS (e.g., "artificial" becoming "arti cial") 🔸 Special characters like apostrophes (') and ampersands (&) may not render correctly I believe we can avoid this by  🔹 using fonts like Arial or Calibri and avoid italics 🔹 disabling ligatures: In Word: Select the text, go to Text Effects -> Ligatures -> None In LaTeX Option 1: Use the microtype package to disable ‘f-ligatures’: \usepackage{microtype}  \DisableLigatures[f]{encoding = *, family = *} Option 2: Globally disable ligatures with: \input{glyphtounicode}  \pdfgentounicode=1 🔹 using “Left Align” instead of “Justify” for text alignment 🔹 spelling out “and” instead of using the ampersand (&) Note: In my experience, ATS systems are tools for coordinating applications and do not auto-reject resumes based on formatting. Auto-rejections occur when specific rules are set by the hiring team, such as answering “no” to a key question like, “Do you have 5+ years of experience with R?” Be cautious of services that sell “ATS-compatible” resume templates or promise better ATS scores. These services may intentionally lower your scores to sell their premium services. It’s best to focus on clear, simple formatting and content that aligns with the job description. #resume #ats

Looking to make your resume shine and grab attention? With over a decade of recruitment experience and having reviewed nearly 250,000 resumes while working for industry giants like Amazon, Accenture (Avanade), Cognizant, and various startups through my agency, Proven Patterns, I’ve seen what truly makes a resume stand out. Here are some top tips to help you create a powerful resume that will leave a lasting impression: ☑ Keep It Concise: Aim for 2-3 page resume when possible. Focus on your most relevant experiences and achievements without overwhelming the reader. ☑ Tailor for Each Job: Customize your resume for every position you apply for. Incorporate keywords from the job description and highlight skills and experiences that match the role. If you don't have enough time at least match the resume summary section with the job description. ☑ Showcase Achievements: Use specific numbers and examples to quantify your accomplishments. Instead of saying "improved sales," say "boosted sales by 20% within six months." ☑ Professional Format: Opt for a clean, professional layout with consistent fonts and spacing. Save the flashy graphics for creative fields. ☑ Include a Strong Summary: Start with a compelling summary that highlights your key qualifications and career goals. Make it engaging and tailored to the job you're targeting. ☑ Highlight Skills: Clearly list your core skills and competencies. Be honest and focus on those that are directly relevant to the position. ☑ Proofread Carefully: Ensure your resume is free from typos and grammatical errors. A polished resume reflects attention to detail and professionalism. ☑ Add a Personal Touch: Include a brief section on your interests or volunteer work. This can help convey your personality and values beyond your professional skills. Your resume is your first impression; make it count! 🚀 If you found these tips useful, please repost ♻ and follow me, Kumud Deepali R. for more insights and advice on jobs and career!

Ever wonder why your resume isn’t landing interviews? It’s not because of what you didn’t include... …it’s because of what you left in. After coaching thousands of professionals, I’ve narrowed it down to 10 things you should delete today: • Graduation dates – Age bias is real. Don’t give them ammo. • GPA – Unless it’s a 3.9+ or truly differentiates you, it’s a waste of space. • “References available upon request” – Of course they’ll ask, don’t state the obvious. • Objective statement – Your objective is to get a job. Use that space to show impact instead. • Unnecessary soft skills lists – “Detail-oriented, proactive, results-driven” is filler. Show proof instead. • Every single job you ever had – Nobody needs to see your summer camp gig from 2004. Focus on relevant experience. • Excessive formatting or graphics – Flashy fonts, borders, icons; most ATS systems hate them, and humans get distracted. • Excessive personal pronouns – “I” is unnecessary; resumes should read like results-focused statements. • Overly long bullet points – Keep bullets to 1–2 lines; clarity beats wordiness. • Full address – Your street address isn’t necessary; state is enough. A strong resume isn’t about cramming in everything you’ve ever done. It’s about removing distractions so your impact stands out. Share this with someone who’s job searching!

I reviewed 4,000+ resumes last year. Avoid these mistakes that 90% make: 1. FOCUS ON ATS OPTIMIZATION ❌ Candidates pack their resumes with keywords to beat ATS systems but forget to make them readable and user-friendly. ✅ Remember there’s always a real person reviewing your resume (!) 2. GENERIC SUMMARIES ❌ "Experienced professional seeking to contribute my skills in a dynamic company." ✅ "Product Manager who launched 3 successful SaaS tools, driving $2.5M in revenue within the first year.” 3. NO COMPANY DESCRIPTIONS ❌ Listing company names without context. ✅ "XYZ Inc. | SaaS startup in data security, serving 100k+ enterprise clients.” 4. FOCUS ON RESPONSIBILITIES ❌ "Managed projects and oversaw deadlines." ✅ "Led 3+ cross-functional teams, delivering 7 projects on time with a 98% client satisfaction rate.” 5. TOO MUCH FOCUS ON EARLY JOBS ❌ Detailed descriptions of high school internships or your first retail job. ✅ Highlight key accomplishments from the last 10 years that showcase your growth. 6. NO METRICS OR DATA ❌ "Improved performance and reduced costs." ✅ "Increased team efficiency by 20% and cut operational costs by $50K annually.” 7. TOO MUCH OR TOO LITTLE TEXT ❌ Dense paragraphs or single-sentence descriptions. ✅ Concise bullet points that provide enough detail to convey impact. 8. IRRELEVANT INFORMATION ❌ Listing outdated or irrelevant skills (using Slack, Outlook) ✅ Focus on skills and experiences that match the job you want. 9. TYPOS ✅ Double-check for spelling errors, or use tools like Grammarly or ChatGPT to catch mistakes. Which of those mistakes you’ve seen? Or you’ve made?  I'm Kris Holysheva 👋 Follow me for more hiring tips.

Small details count - Leave the right hand margin ragged on your CV... You've perfected your CV, highlighted your skills and experience and told your story. But there's one small formatting detail that could be blowing your foot off without you even realising it: full text justification. Many people (those who are anal when it comes to packing the dishwasher I suspect) reckon that justifying their CV text to both margins creates a neat, professional look - It does the opposite. The software squeezes and stretches words and spaces to fit - and it's a readability nightmare - especially in the context where your CV is being speed read by a recruiter or somebody in HR. As a former Headhunter, I've seen countless CVs that were difficult to read simply because of this formatting choice. Recruiters and hiring managers skim CVs in seconds. Don't make their job harder with formatting that hinders readability. If you're not convinced, here's the science behind it: Saccades and Fixations - Our eyes don't move smoothly across a line of text. They move in quick jumps called saccades, interspersed with short stops called fixations, where our brain processes the information. Word Recognition - We recognise words by their shape and the pattern of letters, not by reading each letter individually. Consistent Spacing - Left-aligned text with a ragged right margin provides consistent spacing between words, making it easier for our brains to identify word shapes and process the text during fixations. Predictable Return Sweep: At the end of each line, our eyes perform a "return sweep" to find the beginning of the next line. A consistent left margin makes this process predictable and efficient. That'll teach you for doubting me. Are you guilty of full justification? Check your CV now

Your Resume is Costing You Opportunities – Here’s How to Fix It Most job seekers think their resume is just a summary of experience. But in reality, it’s your first (and sometimes only) chance to make an impression. After reviewing over 50+ early-career and tech resumes, I’ve noticed five common mistakes that could be holding you back: 🚫 Adding Hyperlinks – Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) often can’t process hyperlinks properly, which means recruiters might never see your linked content. Instead, spell out URLs like this: https://bit.ly/4i4vOi5. 🚫 Listing Your Current Location – Including your location can introduce unconscious bias. Employers might assume you're unwilling to relocate, reducing your chances before you even get an interview. 🚫 Leaving Large White Spaces – An empty resume looks incomplete. Adjust margins, use bullet points effectively, and make every inch of space work for you. 🚫 Writing Full Sentences – Resumes aren’t essays. Bullet points should be concise and results-driven. Instead of "Managed a team of five engineers to develop a software solution," write "Led a team of 5 engineers, launching a software tool that reduced processing time by 40%." 🚫 Separating Skills into a List Without Context – Instead of listing “Python, SQL, Machine Learning” in a skills section, integrate them into your experience: "Developed predictive models in Python, improving accuracy by 30%." This proves you actually used those skills. The key to a high-impact resume? Clarity, strategy, and proof of results. When recruiters skim through hundreds of resumes, yours needs to command attention, not just exist. ➡️ Looking for career coaching, speaker engagements, or mentorship? Let’s connect. Book a session with me here: [https://bit.ly/42idJYb] #resumewriting #personaldevelopment #successtips #careercoach #blackwomeninstem #resumetips