Showcasing PCM Skills on UN Resumes

When I am reviewing PR, communications and marketing CVs and a lot of people make these mistakes: Trying so hard to sound professional that you end up sounding exactly like everyone else. "Strong communication skills." "Results-driven." "Strategic thinker." "Excellent stakeholder management." What does any of that actually tell a hiring manager? Instead, show people what you've achieved. Don't tell me you're good at media relations. Tell me you've secured coverage in the BBC, Sky News, The Guardian or The Times etc. Don't tell me you're experienced in healthcare communications. Tell me you've worked across oncology, rare diseases and diabetes campaigns for global pharmaceutical companies. Don't tell me you're passionate about consumer PR. Tell me you've delivered campaigns for brands such as Nike, Netflix or Airbnb and explain the results. The strongest PR and communications CVs don't read like job descriptions. They read like success stories. As a recruiter specialising in PR, communications and marketing recruitment, the candidates who stand out are the ones who provide specifics: Client names. Campaigns. Coverage secured. Awards won. Revenue generated. Stakeholders managed. Measurable outcomes. A hiring manager wants evidence, not adjectives. "Account Manager with excellent client skills" is forgettable. "Led an integrated campaign for a national healthcare client that generated 300 pieces of coverage, secured BBC Breakfast interviews and increased awareness by 40%" gets attention. If you're looking for a new role in PR, communications, public affairs, healthcare communications, consumer PR, corporate communications or marketing, spend less time describing yourself and more time showcasing your achievements. Your CV should tell your story, not everyone else's, and please include your contact details.

If you are applying for a Procurement Officer position at the United Nations, does your resume demonstrate your ability to manage complex procurement processes, ensure compliance with international regulations, and support transparent, cost-effective purchasing in high-stakes or field-based environments? What your resume should emphasize for a Procurement Officer role: 1. Procurement Planning and Strategy Have you developed or contributed to procurement plans aligned with organizational needs? Example: Designed and implemented annual procurement plans valued at over $10 million, ensuring timely acquisition of goods and services across multiple UN mission sectors. 2. Tendering and Contract Management Can you manage the full tender cycle and negotiate vendor contracts? Example: Led open international bidding processes and managed over 50 contracts, reducing procurement cycle time by 30% while ensuring strict compliance with UN Financial Rules and Regulations. 3. Compliance and Ethical Standards Do you have experience ensuring procurement practices follow international rules and anti-corruption measures? Example: Conducted supplier due diligence and enforced vendor compliance with UN Procurement Manual, resulting in audit clearance with no exceptions. 4. Vendor and Supply Chain Management Have you developed or managed vendor relationships in international or emergency contexts? Example: Established and maintained a pre-qualified supplier database for emergency response kits across six countries, improving logistics readiness and reducing procurement delays. 5. Cross-functional Collaboration and Advisory Role Have you provided procurement guidance to non-procurement staff or field teams? Example: Trained programme staff and field coordinators on procurement SOPs, enhancing compliance and reducing procurement errors by 40%. 6. Use of Procurement Systems and Technologies Are you proficient with tools like SAP (Umoja), Oracle, or other ERP systems? Example: Managed procurement transactions through Umoja SRM module, including purchase requisitions, orders, and goods receipts, ensuring full traceability of all procurement actions. Resume Tips: Quantify your achievements (e.g., value of contracts managed, procurement cycle time reductions). Specify categories of goods/services procured (e.g., medical supplies, IT equipment, construction). Mention familiarity with international frameworks (e.g., UNCITRAL, WTO GPA). Highlight field procurement experience in conflict zones or humanitarian missions, if any.

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 👇

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

Delete your “Skills” section. Yes, really. If it only says: Communication Leadership Team player Problem-solving Time management It’s not helping you. It’s making you look like everyone else. Recruiters don’t hire adjectives. We hire evidence. Here’s what that looks like 👇 ❌ “Communication skills” ✅ Presented weekly performance updates to a team of 15, simplified complex data into clear insights, and handled client objections professionally to maintain strong working relationships ❌ “Leadership” ✅ Led a team of 5 during final-year project, delegated tasks based on strengths, managed timelines, and delivered the project 2 weeks ahead of schedule with distinction ❌ “Team player” ✅ Collaborated with Marketing and Operations teams to launch a campaign, aligned timelines across departments, and ensured smooth execution without delays ❌ “Microsoft Excel” ✅ Utilised Excel functions such as Pivot Tables, VLOOKUP, and basic dashboards to analyse 500+ monthly data entries and generate actionable reports for management ❌ “Problem-solving” ✅ Identified workflow inefficiencies in documentation process, proposed improvements, and reduced processing time by 20% within one month ❌ “Time management” ✅ Balanced academic workload, internship responsibilities, and part-time work while meeting 100% of deadlines and maintaining strong performance ❌ “Attention to detail” ✅ Reviewed and validated over 1,000 records for accuracy, ensuring zero discrepancies before submission to senior management ❌ “Customer service skills” ✅ Handled 30–50 customer enquiries daily, resolved complaints calmly, and maintained a 95% satisfaction rating through proactive follow-ups ❌ “Research skills” ✅ Conducted structured market research across 10 competitors, summarised findings into a strategic report that supported business planning decisions ❌ “Public speaking” ✅ Delivered structured presentations to audiences of 100+ students, confidently responding to Q&A sessions and maintaining engagement throughout ❌ “Project management” ✅ Coordinated project timelines, monitored budget allocation of RM50K, updated stakeholders weekly, and ensured deliverables were met within scope ❌ “Data analysis” ✅ Analysed monthly sales data to identify trends and customer behaviour patterns, contributing to a 12% increase in revenue over one quarter See the difference? One is a claim. The other is proof. If 200 applicants list the same 10 skills, you disappear. But when you show measurable action, you stand out immediately. Your CV is not about what you think you are good at. It’s about what you can demonstrate. Save this before updating your CV ♻️ Repost this so your friends stop writing “Hardworking & Responsible.”

I’ve been a hiring manager at Amazon for 2+ years, and I've seen these PM resumes getting rejected in 5 seconds. Most Product Managers have incredible skills, impressive experience, and the ability to drive real results. But their resumes get skipped by hiring managers. Because they focus too much on what they did and not enough on why it mattered. Let me show you what I mean - based on a real resume I reviewed recently: ❗Original resume bullet "Improved WoW user engagement by 11% and ARPPU by 5% by launching new 2 mini-games, LiveOps promotions” It’s a great start, as it shows numbers and action. But it doesn’t connect to business value or ownership. ✅ Stronger version: “Drove 11% WoW engagement uplift and 5% increase in ARPPU by designing and launching two monetization-focused mini-games and LiveOps promotions - contributing to $5MM+ in new revenue for a top 10 US gaming app.” See the difference? The content isn’t wrong - but the positioning is too surface-level. And that’s what’s keeping otherwise qualified PMs out of $200K+ roles. And beyond the bullets, one thing was completely missing: A POWER SUMMARY at the top that positions them as a product leader. ✅ Example: Strategic Product Leader | IIM Lucknow | 5+ Years Driving Scalable B2C Products Across Gaming, Telecom, and Mobility "Customer-obsessed PM with a proven record of launching and scaling high-impact products across global markets. Skilled in crafting data-driven roadmaps, improving retention and monetization metrics, and leading cross-functional teams to deliver business outcomes. Known for balancing user empathy with execution and for driving $MM+ in revenue through product innovation, experimentation, and GTM strategy." A hiring manager should be able to glance at your resume and instantly understand: - What kinds of products you’ve worked on - Your depth in strategy, growth, GTM, or experimentation - The business outcomes you’ve delivered - Your leadership scope If that’s not obvious in the first 5 seconds, you’re already losing the opportunity. (Attached a readable resume in the comments)

The “perfect” resume does not exist. Resumes are subjective. If you ask ten different people their opinion of your resume, you’ll probably get ten different answers. There’s no one-size-fits-all “perfect” resume. Different people look for different things. Some people might prioritize skills and experience, while others might focus more on education or cultural fit. From my experience, the resumes that get the most interest from hiring managers usually describe tangible results or achievements in past roles. They outline individual contributions, the impact their work had on the project, business, etc., and showcase the different skills, tools, technologies, etc. that the person will bring to the table. ⭐️ Let’s look at a Project Manager resume as an example. Instead of listing what is already expected of a Project Manager like this- “Successfully completed the project on time, under budget, and within scope.” - I would encourage you to provide more details by outlining how your efforts impacted the project through data! Here are some examples that an IT Project Manager can use on their resume to showcase results: 🔹Led a cross-functional team to deliver a software implementation project, reducing deployment time by 30% and saving $150K in operational costs. 🔹Managed the migration of legacy systems to cloud infrastructure, resulting in a 25% reduction in IT maintenance costs and a 40% increase in system uptime. 🔹Spearheaded an enterprise-wide software upgrade, improving workflow efficiency by 20% and reducing manual error rates by 15%. 🔹Coordinated the rollout of a cybersecurity training program, reducing security incident reports by 40% within the first six months. 🔹Managed a team that streamlined IT support processes, cutting resolution times by 50% and improving customer service ratings by 22%. 🔹Drove a data migration initiative that led to a 60% reduction in data retrieval times, resulting in a 15% boost in overall employee productivity. 🔸DATA🔸 in your resume is KEY & will help you gain the attention you deserve from hiring managers. 🙌🏻 Concero

𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐥𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐮𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 — 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐭’𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰𝐬. 𝐋𝐞𝐭’𝐬 𝐟𝐢𝐱 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭. Most recruiters don’t even make it past the first 6 seconds, here’s how to make them stop scrolling 1. 𝑩𝒐𝒍𝒅 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 “𝑲𝒆𝒚 𝑰𝒎𝒑𝒂𝒄𝒕” 𝒐𝒏 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒖𝒎𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒅𝒓𝒂𝒘 𝒂𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 Instead of a traditional summary, start with 3–4 bullets of your biggest measurable wins. ✅ Why it works: Recruiters skim quickly; seeing impact first hooks them. Example: 👉🏻 Increased program efficiency by 30% across 5 global teams. 👉🏻 Delivered $2M cost savings via cross-functional workflow redesign. 2. 𝑰𝒏𝒄𝒍𝒖𝒅𝒆 𝑴𝒆𝒕𝒓𝒊𝒄𝒔 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝑬𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 Not just revenue or headcount — include adoption rates, timelines, efficiency gains, retention, etc. ✅ Recruiters love numbers because they show tangible impact. 3. 𝑼𝒔𝒆 𝒂 𝑴𝒊𝒏𝒊 “𝑷𝒓𝒐𝒋𝒆𝒄𝒕 𝑷𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒇𝒐𝒍𝒊𝒐” 𝑳𝒊𝒏𝒌 Include a link to a Notion doc, GitHub, or public dashboard showcasing your case studies, dashboards, or programs. ✅ Approved: recruiters see proof, not just claims. 4. 𝑺𝒉𝒐𝒘 𝑰𝒏𝒇𝒍𝒖𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆, 𝑵𝒐𝒕 𝑱𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝑴𝒂𝒏𝒂𝒈𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 Frame bullets to show who you influenced: Aligned engineering, marketing, and ops teams across 3 continents to launch X feature on time. ✅ Works because PM/Program Manager roles are about cross-functional influence, not just direct reports. 5. 𝑰𝒏𝒄𝒍𝒖𝒅𝒆 “𝑭𝒂𝒊𝒍𝒖𝒓𝒆 → 𝑳𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔” 𝑴𝒊𝒏𝒊 𝑩𝒖𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒕 Highlight a challenge you overcame with measurable improvement: Initial rollout adoption 40% → redesigned process → 95% adoption in 2 months ✅ Works: shows problem-solving, resilience, and ability to iterate — highly valued traits. 6. 𝑼𝒔𝒆 𝑨𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏-𝑶𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒅, 𝑺𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒈𝒊𝒄 𝑽𝒆𝒓𝒃𝒔 Instead of “managed” or “led,” try: orchestrated, accelerated, scaled, influenced, optimized, launched. ✅ Works: gives a high-impact impression immediately. 7. 𝑻𝒂𝒊𝒍𝒐𝒓 𝑲𝒆𝒚𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒅𝒔 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝑩𝒐𝒕𝒉 𝑨𝑻𝑺 & 𝑯𝒖𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒔 Include industry-specific terms (Agile, OKRs, Jira, cloud platforms) naturally in bullets. ✅ Works: passes ATS and shows you speak the language. 8. 𝑫𝒆𝒔𝒊𝒈𝒏 𝑺𝒖𝒃𝒕𝒍𝒆 𝑽𝒊𝒔𝒖𝒂𝒍 𝑯𝒊𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒓𝒄𝒉𝒚 Without being flashy, use bold headings, small icons, or subtle shading for sections. ✅ Works: makes your resume easier to scan, which recruiters appreciate. #CareerTips #resumetips #product #productmanagement #pmtips #pmwithmacy 

How I’d Optimize My Resume as a Program Manager at Amazon I’ve received a lot of DMs asking how to craft a strong resume for program management roles. Having been through the process myself, I know how challenging it can be to showcase your experience in a way that stands out. The truth? Your resume isn’t just a summary of what you’ve done—it’s a strategic document that tells the story of your impact. Here’s how I’d optimize it: 1️⃣ Make It About Impact, Not Just Responsibilities A mistake I see often: listing job duties instead of results. Instead of saying: ❌ “Managed multiple projects across teams” Try: ✅ “Led X cross-functional initiatives, driving a Y% improvement in efficiency” Numbers stand out. Hiring managers want to see how you’ve created value, solved problems, and driven outcomes. 2️⃣ Highlight Transferable Skills Even if you haven’t had the title “Program Manager” before, you’ve likely led projects, influenced stakeholders, or managed complex workflows. Frame your experience to highlight skills like: ✔️ Cross-functional collaboration ✔️ Process improvement ✔️ Risk mitigation ✔️ Stakeholder communication When I applied to PM roles, I leaned on examples of coordinating teams and executing projects—even in non-PM roles. 3️⃣ Use a Simple, Clear Format Recruiters scan resumes in seconds, not minutes. A clean layout with bullet points, clear headers, and a strong summary makes your impact easy to spot. Avoid clutter and over-designing—it’s about readability, not flashiness. 4️⃣ Tailor Your Resume to the Job Posting One of the biggest mistakes? Sending the same resume everywhere. Many companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), which scan for relevant keywords. If a job posting emphasizes “process optimization” or “stakeholder management,” make sure those phrases appear in your resume. 5️⃣ Showcase Tools and Methodologies Program managers often use tools like Jira, Asana, or Trello and frameworks like Agile or Lean. Even if you’re not an expert, listing familiarity with these can help you stand out. Final Tip: Keep It Concise A one-page resume is ideal (two if you have extensive experience). Every bullet should add value—if it doesn’t showcase impact, consider cutting it. Optimizing your resume isn’t about having the longest list of achievements—it’s about telling the right story. If you’re updating yours, what’s the biggest challenge you’re facing? #ResumeTips #CareerGrowth #ProgramManagement #Amazon #JobSearch

Resumes - do or don’t? Technical skills bullet list? A simple bullet list of technical skills, without context or metrics, has limitations. It does not provide a clear picture of skill level or how those skills have been applied. Let’s take a deeper dive into that and discuss the limitations of a Pure Keyword List: ❌Lack of Context: A list like "Python, SQL, Machine Learning" doesn't tell a hiring manager how you've used these skills. Have you developed complex algorithms? Managed large databases? Used Python for data analysis or web development? ❌No Skill Level Indication: Are you a beginner, intermediate, or expert? The list doesn't say. Someone who has taken an introductory Python course and someone who has built complex Python applications will both have "Python" on their list. ❌No Demonstrated Impact: Skills without demonstrated results are just words. Did you use these skills to improve efficiency, solve problems, or generate revenue? Without metrics, it's hard to tell. ❌Potential for Misrepresentation: It's easy to list skills you've only dabbled in, which can lead to misaligned expectations. ✅How to Mitigate These Limitations:✅ 🙌🏻 Integrate Skills into Experience Descriptions: The most effective way to showcase your skills is to weave them into your “professional experience” bullet points. Instead of just listing "Python," describe how you used Python to achieve specific results. * Example: "Developed a Python script to automate data analysis, reducing processing time by 20%." 🙌🏻Provide Contextual Examples: In your experience section, give concrete examples of projects or tasks where you used your skills. * Example: "Designed and implemented a SQL database to manage customer data, resulting in improved data retrieval and reporting." 🙌🏻Quantify Your Achievements: Use numbers and metrics to demonstrate the impact of your skills. * Examples: "Increased website traffic by 15% using SEO techniques," "Reduced error rate by 10% through process optimization." 🙌🏻 Portfolio/GitHub: If you are in a technical field, having a portfolio or GitHub repository is extremely important. This gives concrete examples of your skill level. 🙌🏻 Certifications: Certifications can show that you have a certain level of skill in a specific area. In summary: Keywords are necessary for #ATS. It is essential to provide context and demonstrate the impact of your skills within your work experience section. This will give hiring managers a much clearer picture of your qualifications and abilities. #keywords #PhD #postdoc #Resume #technical #skills