Key Experience to Include on a Resume

Over the past few weeks, I’ve received a lot of messages asking if I could review resumes for data roles. While I wish I could help everyone individually, I decided to share the same checklist I use when reviewing resumes - so you can make yours stand out without needing a one-on-one review. When I go through a resume, I’m looking for two things: Is the structure clear? – so the recruiter can find the right information quickly. Does it show impact? – so it’s not just “what you did” but “what changed because of what you did.” For Entry-Level Candidates: Education – Mention GPA or relevant coursework if strong. Skills – Only tools you have actually used and tailored to the job description, not a generic list. Internships – Even small ones can show practical exposure. Projects – Pick 2–3 that demonstrate real application of your skills. Certifications / Volunteering – Optional but adds depth. For Candidates with 2+ Years of Experience: Summary – Only if you have 4+ years; make it 3–4 lines of your key expertise. Work Experience – Your most important section. Skills – Tailored to the role you’re applying for. Education Projects – Keep them relevant. Certifications How to write your bullet points: A recruiter should be able to see scale, tools, and results in each line. Example: Analyzed 200,000+ customer records using SQL and Python, identified patterns that improved retention by 12%, resulting in $1.3M additional revenue. Notice what’s happening here: • Scale → 200,000+ records • Tools → SQL and Python • Impact → 12% retention boost & $1.3M revenue Most resumes I see skip the last part - the impact - and that’s the difference between blending in and standing out. Your resume is not just a record of what you’ve done. It’s proof that you can bring value to the next role you take. If this helps you, share it so more job seekers can benefit. Follow Mohammed Wasim for practical job search tips, data role insights, and real success stories from international students in the U.S. #jobsearch #resume #internationalstudents #cfbr

I was afraid to apply for project management roles with just my hands-on experience. In fact, I thought, “If I don’t have a PMP or tons of certifications, my resume won’t stand out.” When I started focusing on showcasing real projects I had led, I realized hiring managers cared more about outcomes than titles. When I left out the extra jargon and listed key project achievements, I again realized that less is often more. Here’s what I’ve learned: Fear of not having enough credentials fades when you realize that results speak louder than certificates. Recruiters are looking for impact, not just initials after your name. • Write about your role in measurable outcomes—what was the challenge, and how did you solve it? • Include tools or processes you mastered on the job rather than focusing on generic buzzwords. • Be specific about the industries or stakeholders you’ve worked with and how you added value. • Use numbers to quantify success—think timelines shortened, budgets saved, or efficiencies improved. The future of project management resumes is all about real projects and real results. Less fluff, more action. So, what’s stopping you from creating a resume that reflects what you do instead of what you’ve studied? What’s one project you’re proud to include in your resume? Share it below 👇

A mistake found in most student resumes: A skills section packed with soft skills — but no proof you've actually used them. Here are some of the usual suspects: • Teamwork • Leadership • Communication All good skills, and many roles ask for them. But here’s the problem: anyone can claim them. Without clear evidence of how you’ve applied them (and the impact they had) they won’t help you stand out. Generally speaking, your skills section should focus on hard, verifiable skills: • Technical tools (e.g., Python, Adobe Illustrator) • Certifications (e.g., Excel Certification) • Languages (e.g., Spanish Fluency) And even then, those skills should appear in your bullet points — with context and outcomes. If the skills section is the only place where they’re mentioned, you’re expecting the recruiter to blindly believe you actually have them. Don’t do that. Give them proof. Here’s how: • Choose the skill(s) you want to highlight • Identify the experience(s) where you've used them • Show how you used the skill to create positive results Let's give you a couple of examples: Instead of simply listing "Teamwork" in your skills section, craft a bullet that showcases how you've used that skill: • Revised the chapter’s student engagement plan in partnership with the chapter president, faculty advisor, and events chair, resulting in... Instead of simply listing "Excel" in your skills section, craft a bullet that showcases how you've used that skill: • Conducted investment analysis using Excel by compiling data on historical returns and risk metrics, creating charts and pivot tables to compare asset performance to... And so on. Bottom line: If these skills only appear in your skills section, you leave the recruiter guessing if you actually have the skills or if you've simply included them for keyword alignment. You don't want to leave them guessing. You want to show exactly how and where you've used your skills and to what end. Skills without context create doubt. Skills with context build credibility.

I’ve rebuilt 750+ résumés for clients and this 8-step approach consistently drives the most interviews: 1) Contact info: Name, Location, Cell, LinkedIn. Your location is important, even for 100% remote roles – companies need it for tax purposes and compliance. 2) Intro bullet – answer 3 questions: • Years of experience • Roles/responsibilities • Types of companies + headcount and revenue 3) Relevant accomplishments: Use this section to highlight 2–3 of the most relevant experiences. It’s the only part I recommend tailoring for each application. Your professional experience should remain factual – don’t rewrite your entire résumé. 4) Technical skills List software and industry-specific tools. Avoid soft skills or generic terms like “stakeholder management” – they don’t add value (and no, ATS doesn’t care). 5) Standard job information: • Company name • Location (where you were based) • Title • Dates (include the months for last 5-10 years) 6) Company summary (1-2 lines about the company) For well-known brands, clarify what division or function you worked in. (Google isn’t just “Google” — it’s search, maps, YouTube, Gmail, cloud, etc.) This helps show your specific impact within a large organization. 7) Include 5-10 measurable accomplishments. No metrics = no interviews 8) Education (if applicable) For regulated industries (medical, engineering, etc.), you might place this at the top or a bullet in your summary. Note: my résumé is actually 3 pages – this is just an adapted screenshot. If you’ve got questions about résumés and job searching, drop them in the comments – I’ll answer as many as I can today. Good luck! Sam -- If you’d like personalized support, I offer 1:1 résumé reviews and rewrites. Info + client testimonials: samstruan.com (You can also download my free résumé template there)

I’m often asked how to make a resume stand out and get selected for an interview. One key best practice. Do not start your resume with job titles. Start with proof of skills you can take anywhere. This transferable skills checklist is a reminder that you already have more leverage than you think. The gap is translation. Here’s how to use it in a way that changes your outcomes. Step 1: Pick 6 skills that match the job you want Choose a mix across: • People skills (communication, influencing, coaching) • Execution skills (planning, organizing, decision-making) • Thinking skills (analysis, problem-solving, research) • Technical skills (tools, systems, reporting) Step 2: Turn each skill into one sentence of proof Use this format: • Action + scope + outcome + metric Examples: • Planning: “Built a 90-day rollout plan across 5 stakeholders; hit launch date and reduced rework by 20%.” • Customer service: “Resolved escalations across 30+ cases/month; improved satisfaction from 3.8 to 4.4.” • Analytical thinking: “Analyzed weekly trends and redesigned the workflow; cut turnaround time from 10 days to 6.” • Coaching: “Coached 4 team members through new processes; improved accuracy and reduced escalations.” Step 3: Put the proof where recruiters look first • Headline: role you want + 2 skills + outcome • Summary: 3 bullets. Each bullet ties a skill to a result. • Experience: lead bullets with outcomes, not tasks. • Skills section: mirror the job description language. Step 4: Use the checklist in interviews Replace “I’m a hard worker” with: • “My strength is ___; here’s an example.” • “I used ___ to solve ___; the result was ___.” A hiring manager cannot select your potential. They select your evidence. #CareerStrategy #ResumeTips #TransferableSkills #InterviewPrep #ProfessionalDevelopment #Leadership #TalentDevelopment #PeopleLeadership #CommunicationSkills #CareerGrowth

You don’t need an internship to start building your resume 🤯 If you’ve ever planned an event, managed social media, handled budgets, or led a team on campus, you’ve already built skills employers look for every day. Here’s how to make that experience shine on your resume and in interviews: 1. Quantify it. Instead of saying “helped plan events,” say “led a 5-person team to coordinate 3 campus events with 200+ attendees.” 2. Frame it like a job. Use role-based titles such as “VP of Marketing,” “Treasurer,” or “Program Lead” and describe your impact. 3. Connect it to your goals. Want to work in marketing? Highlight your storytelling, content, or communication work. Interested in consulting? Focus on your strategy and problem-solving skills. 4. Track your growth. After every semester or major event, write down what you accomplished and what you learned. Future-you will thank you when it’s time to update your resume. Student organizations are where many of us start building our professional toolkit. The key is learning how to translate that experience into the language of your future career.

You do not need every job you have held since the 1990s on your resume. Your resume is not meant to be a complete autobiography. It is a focused case for why your experience makes you a strong fit for the role you want next. When every position, task, promotion, and responsibility receives equal space, the most important parts of your background can get buried. Hiring managers may miss your recent accomplishments because they are sorting through too much information. For many experienced professionals, the strongest resume usually gives the most attention to the last 10 to 15 years. That is where your current skills, recent leadership, measurable results, and most relevant industry experience are easiest to demonstrate. Older experience can still matter. Keep it when it supports your target role, explains your career growth, or includes a qualification that employers value. But it does not always need the same level of detail. Consider adding an Additional Experience section with: • Company name • Job title • No dates, when appropriate • No lengthy list of duties This keeps your career history visible without allowing older positions to compete with the work most relevant to your next opportunity. Your recent experience should answer questions such as: • What have you improved? • What results have you delivered? • What problems can you solve now? • How large were the teams, budgets, markets, or operations you managed? • What measurable value did your work create? Whenever possible, replace general statements with evidence. Instead of saying: “Managed daily operations and supervised staff.” Show the impact: “Led a 25-person operations team, reduced processing time by 22%, and improved on-time delivery from 89% to 97%.” The second version gives the reader something meaningful to remember. It shows scope, action, and results. A shorter resume does not erase your history. It directs attention to the experience most likely to earn you an interview. Keep the value. Remove the clutter. Make it easier for the right employer to see why you are ready for what comes next. How many years of experience does your resume currently show? Tell me in the comments. Your answer may help another experienced professional decide what to keep, what to shorten, and what to move into an Additional Experience section. Follow me for practical resume guidance, interview strategy, and career advice for professionals over 40 who want their experience to work harder for them. Save this post before your next resume revision, and share it with someone whose resume may be saying too much while showing too little. #ResumeTips #Over40Careers #JobSeekers #CareerAdvice #ResumeHelp #CareerGrowth

𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗽 𝘀𝗮𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 "𝗻𝗼 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲" 𝗼𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘂𝗺𝗲. 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲'𝘀 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗮𝗰𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗰 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀. After helping 200+ new grads break into their target roles, I've seen the same pattern: those who strategically frame their academic projects and internships get significantly more interviews. Here's how to structure your resume for maximum impact: 1️⃣ Lead with an Impact-Focused Summary Skip the generic "recent graduate seeking opportunities" language. Example: "Psychology graduate with research experience in online behavior patterns and content analysis. Seeking to apply data-driven approach to digital safety challenges." 2️⃣ Reframe Your Academic Experience Transform classroom work into professional accomplishments: ✗ "Completed research project on social media" ✓ "Analyzed 500+ social media posts using sentiment analysis to identify harmful content patterns, achieving 87% accuracy in threat detection" 3️⃣ Highlight Transferable Skills Connect your experience to job requirements: Content review → Content moderation experience Data analysis → Identify trends and patterns Customer service → Customer experience advocacy 4️⃣ Include Relevant Coursework Strategically Don't just list classes. Show practical application: "Digital Ethics coursework: Developed content policy framework addressing misinformation, resulting in 40% reduction in policy violations during simulation exercise" 5️⃣ Add Technical Proficiencies Even basic skills matter: Excel, SQL, Python, Tableau, or any automation tools and AI tools you've used. The bottom line: Your academic work IS professional experience when positioned correctly. Focus on results, methods, and impact rather than just tasks completed. For detailed resources on resume writing and industry keywords, here's an excellent guide from Harvard University: https://lnkd.in/gAdVU-mf ♻️ Share with friends who need help on resume

As a career coach, I review a LOT of resumes. I actually offer to review the resume of everyone I meet with to provide general guidance and point them in the right direction if they'd like. Over the past year I’ve done this well over a 100 times and I’ve found that there is consistent feedback I give in 99% of cases. Here are the top recommendations I make when reviewing resumes Focus on impact, not just duties: This is the number one piece of feedback I provide. Your resume should highlight your accomplishments and what you achieved, not just the responsibilities you were given. Most of the time your responsibilities will be clear from your job title. You’ll have a mix of both but if I’m a hiring manager I’m not looking for someone who “Scheduled meetings with stakeholders to build relationships”. I’m looking for someone who “Built 30 partnerships with leading organizations across 25 countries to provide product guidance” Cut weaker content to let your experience truly shine: I’m not of the belief that all resumes have to be one page (though I myself have a 1 page resume). That being said, a study by Ladders has shown that you have about 7 seconds for a recruiter to scan your resume and get put into the next review stage. Any content that is not immediately showing that you have the title, accomplishments, and skills to perform the job should be cut. Be ruthless. Not all of your wonderful experience needs to be included. Give the most relevant experience the most weight: Following the thread from above, prioritize what’s most relevant by giving it the most space. In general you’ll provide less bullets on your early career unless it’s highly relevant to the job you’re applying for in a way your more recent experience isn’t. You’ll also prioritize your work experience over your education as you advance in your career by placing it first. Give the most space to the most relevant roles and help the reader get there as fast as possible. Highlight relevant skills to the job description: This should go without saying but your resume should be relevant to the job description. This may require tweaking your resume from role to role, particularly if you’re applying for a variety of job titles. Look for the top requirements in the job description and focus on showcasing how your experience matches that. Keep the formatting simple: I get bored of the same old resume format too. However, the more stylized templates I see with multiple columns or unusual designs tend to make poor use of space and are unnecessarily complicated to read. And that’s just not my opinion; the same study by Ladders showed that more complicated templates had lower engagement from recruiters and performed worse. Unless you’re applying for a highly creative role, keep your resume boring. If you want to have more targeted feedback on your resume and talk about your job search goals, reach out and set up some time with me!