Microsoft P.M resume analysis

Create a resume that will get you an interview using P.M resumes

These resumes helped Product managers(PM) land roles at Microsoft. If you want a job change this year, your resume is a great place to start.

Here is a free resume template created by Diego Granados ex Microsoft and LinkedIn Snr PM

Here are 5 similarities between the two resumes.

1. Quantified Impact 

2. Customised to the job description

3. Concise

4. P.M skills

5. Transferrable skills

Follow me as I analyze the resumes.

1. Quantified Impact: The experience section focuses on impact rather than job responsibilities.

The first resume was color coded for easier analysis. Strong verbs ( highlighted in red), impact (yellow), relevant Skills (blue) technical Skills (green)

Start every accomplishment with a strong verb in the past tense.- Strong Verbs (Led) >>>> Soft Verbs (Assisted)

Use verbs relevant to the role. Some strong PM verbs are Led, Designed, Researched, Prioritized, etc.

-The accomplishments were also written in the X-Y-Z format given by Google recruiters:

"Accomplished [X], as measured by [Y], by doing [Z]" .

For instance: "Led a team to build a mobile app" can be written as

"Led a team of 4 engineers, 1 QA, 1 Designer to build a mobile app resulting in 30% revenue increase"

Tip: Presenting your experience in the XYZ format shows clear impact.

2.Customized to the job description: When hiring, recruiters include the required P.M. skills in the job description (J.D).
Your resume needs to show the recruiter, you have the skills they are looking for.

Tip: As much as you can, customize your resume to fit the skills stated in the J.D

3. Concise: Both resumes are one-paged and in black and white. Recruiters receive hundreds or thousands of resumes per job opening. You need to show achievements that will get the recruiter to give you a chance.

Tip: Keep your resume to one page when possible.

4. P.M. skills: There are basic P.M. skills that are required in every role. Some include: working cross-functionally, prioritizing the backlog, etc. 
Recruiters scan your resume to know if you have the basic skills for the job. In the resume, P.M. skills are highlighted in blue.

Tip: You do not need to have a separate skills section. Instead, sprinkle your relevant skills in the experience section.

5. Transferrable skills: If you haven't worked as a P.M. you will need to convince recruiters you can excel as a PM. The creator clearly showed P.M. skills he used in non-pm roles.
For instance in the business consultant role: he used terms like led, designed, etc.

The second resume is very similar to the first

• Format: one page and black and White.Nothing fancy, email, phone & portfolio

• Certifications: Certifications and training relevant to the role you are applying for would strengthen your case.

• X-Y-Z accomplishments format: Accomplished [X], as measured by [Y], by doing [Z]" Start each bullet points with a strong verb, especially accomplishments. "Led a team to build a mobile app “ can be rewritten as "Led 2 teams of 4 Devs, 1 QA, 1 Designer to build XXX resulting in YYY"

• Include relevant skills: ensure you include skills relevant
  
  Bonus tips:

• Tailoring your resume to the job >>>> almost everything else.
  Don't submit the same resume to every job.

• Triple-check for grammar/spelling mistakes.

• Linkedin is a great place to network and find your next role.
  
  If you are an aspiring P.M. and would like to learn about transferrable skills you can include on your resume, comment “transferrable skills” and I will share a resource.