Update your resume

No pressure, but, your resume is the first impression that the Hiring Manager is going to have from you. And they are only going to spend 10-30 seconds in reading it.

In the first three months of my transitioning career journey, I have created more than 3 versions of my resume. I am sure this number will increase in the following months and I should also have different versions of it depending on the job roles that I am applying for.

Research the job descriptions and highlight the common skills

First thing I did was to look at the job role descriptions that I was most interested in and try to include those skills and experience in my resume. For example, I include data results, collaboration, coaching and working with adults in some of my job experience descriptions since most of the Project Manager an Instructional Designer jobs are including those skills.

You can create a Google spreadsheet and copy and paste the descriptions that are being repeated in several companies.

Networking in Linkedin and ask for advice

Then, I started to follow several people on Linkedin that volunteering offer their help with resumes in beginners and teachers transitioning out of the classrooms. I sent and email to Josh Czupryk and he responded me with some free tips after reviewing my resume.

At the moment, I can share with you some tips and advice to update your resume and make it more relevant for the hiring managers:

• Avoid using tables.
• Reduce the number of bullet points.
• Include data and results in percentage. This will highlight your results as a leader or manager.
• Do not include abstract skills.
• Include languages other than English.
• Start with a brief summary where you can highlight your skills.
• In addition, personalize a Cover Letter for each job role. I still need to work in this!

Once you finalize updating your resume, you can always ask yourself: Is the Hiring manager going to have all the information he need to move my candidature for the interview process? If the answer is no, you have to start again and make sure that you include only the most relevant information for that specific role!

Good luck!