If you are writing a resume for a product manager position, it is so important that you make sure that it is well written and effective. After all, you want the job, and you want to do everything possible to impress the person who is doing the hiring. Without a great resume, you'll never get an interview, and without that interview, you won't get the position of product manager. So, it is so important that you take the time to write a resume that is complete, free of errors, and that essentially sells you. Since you are applying for a product manager position, you'll want to make sure that your resume is customized for the position you are working for. Your resume is the tool that opens the door for an interview, so here are some important things to keep in mind so you can write a resume that is effective.
When you are actually writing the resume, you need to keep everything factual and concise. Keep it at only a page long as possible and include only important and relevant information. The following are things that should definitely be included when you are writing your resume.
- Include Your Contact Information - Your contact information should be the first thing that is on the resume. If you are going to get that interview they need to be able to reach you, so make sure that your name, phone number, address, email address, and any other important contact information is included.
- Have an Objective - While you don't have to use an objective, if you are specifically applying for a product manager position, it is a great idea to include an objective statement that will provide a focus for the rest of the resume.
- Include Work Experience - Work experience should be included, and you should specifically highlight work experience that is related to the product manager job for which you are applying. However, make sure that you never claim to have skills that you do not have. Be specific when talking about the duties you had at various jobs as well.
- Education - Your education should also be included, and the school, dates attended, or dates graduated should be listed. Consider pointing out relevant classes you took, your major, or high GPAs.
- References - If you are serious about the job, including references is imperative. Even if you have to go to the next page, make sure that you include references that will give the prospective employer a good idea of your skills and value as an employee.
The format of your resume is going to be very important as well if you want to get the attention of a prospective employer. Make sure that you go with a font that looks professional and that will be easy for them to read. Avoid any fonts that are too fancy and difficult to read. Usually it is best to go with 12 point fonts, but if you need more room, you can use a 10 point font, but any smaller is not a great idea. Make sure that you have at least 1'' margins as well so everything looks professional.
The length of your resume should stay at a page if possible. However, it is okay to go on to a second page if you have a lot of experience that is related to the product manager job you are trying to get. Just don't include a second page to use skills that are outdated, awards from a couple decades before, or your hobbies.
After Writing the Resume
Once you have written the resume, it is time for you to proofread the entire resume as carefully as possible. A resume that looks sloppy or that is sloppily written is probably not going to get a second glance. While it is a great idea to proofread the resume yourself, having someone else look over it as well can be helpful, since they will have a fresh perspective. You may even want to consider hiring a professional resume writer to do this for you to make sure that you have a well written and error free resume that will definitely get a second look and hopefully a resume.
A Few More Tips for Writing an Effective Resume
Of course there are quite a few other things to remember when you are trying to write an effective resume. Here are a few more important tips to keep in mind when you are writing a resume for the position of product manager.
- Tip #1 - Go with Action Words - When you are writing the resume, make sure that you use action words. They get a better response. Words to use include sold, managed, trained, developed, and completed.
- Tip #2 - Include Keywords - If you have the opportunity to look at the job description before writing your resume, take the time to include keywords that were in the description. When employers are scanning through resumes, they'll stop and take a closer look when they see these keywords.
- Tip #3 - Take a Look at Samples - Taking a look at samples of product manager resumes may provide you with some help when writing your own resume. Once you read a few samples and see the format, it will be easier for you to write a quality resume yourself.
- Tip #4 - Include White Space for a Professional Look - Including white space is important. It keeps your resume looking professional and also makes it easy to read. You don't want the employer to give up because your resume is hard to read, so maintain nice white space.
