(PS: This is TPM-tailored resume guidance! I’m not going to share generic resume tips here. You can find those literally anywhere on the internet. )

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👨‍🏫 Specialized Resumes > Generalized Resumes

After applying to jobs for 8 months with no luck (maybe 1 interview), I had a sudden realization.

I don’t know why it took me so long to realize this. Maybe my lack of job-hopping at that point in my career. Maybe a lack of self-confidence. Maybe a lack of creativity?

No matter the reason, here’s what I realized…

Generalized resumes don’t go very far. Specialized resumes get noticed.

Before I was a TPM, I was an API engineer.

And you know how I approached resumes to exit that job? I submitted the same copy of my resume to Product Manager jobs, TPM jobs, Analytics jobs, etc.

That was my fatal flaw.

When the concept of a specialized resume dawned on me, I quickly sprang to action by experimenting with different versions of my resume.

Soon, it became apparent that…

1. My education, job experience, and interests most closely aligned with the role of a TPM (🎉)

2. By creating a specialized TPM resume, I was landing more interviews.

After a total of 10 months of applying and interviewing, I finally landed my first TPM role.

This begs the question: what makes a great TPM resume?

I’ll get to that, but let’s get aligned on what a resume really should do.

Resumes Reduce Risk

Resumes are the first mountain to climb in any job search. It is what opens the door to an interview where you can really show your full self.

Let’s face it though…nobody likes being reduced to a 1-pager.

Despite that societal distaste, they aren’t going anywhere.

I’ve lost count of how many TPM resumes I’ve reviewed, but its much larger than the number of TPM candidates I’ve interviewed.

Having been on the other side of hiring, there is something I realized about resumes and their true job: Resumes are risk reducers.

When you submit a resume, you’re asking a company to spend their resources on you. Make it worth it.

So what makes a great resume? Let’s dig in…

What makes a great TPM resume?

Unsurprisingly, when I review resumes for TPM candidates, I look for the 3 pillars.

In order of priority:

1. Program and Project Management: Highlight your experience in managing projects or programs, especially aspects such as scope of operations, number of teams involved, expected or realized business outcomes, variety of stakeholder types, budget size, etc.

2. Influential Leadership: Demonstrate your ability to lead and influence cross-functional teams. Include examples of how you've navigated complex stakeholder environments, resolved conflicts, and built consensus. Showcasing your soft skills, such as communication and negotiation skills, goes a long way.

3. Technical Versatility: Although TPMs are not always deep technical experts, having a solid understanding of the technical aspects of your projects is vital. Highlight any technical skills, tools, languages, or system design concepts you're familiar with, and describe how you've used them in the context of project management.

Keywords matter

Hate it or love it, its true.

Whether its an automated system (ATS, application tracking system) or a well-trained hiring manager, there are keywords that can indicate a certain level of understanding of the TPM role.

• Education and Certifications: Showcase your educational background with degrees or certificates such as PMP, CSM, or Agile certifications. (Some companies care more about this than others)

• Methodologies and Frameworks: Include methodologies you're familiar with (like Agile, Scrum, or Waterfall).

• Key Words: Go ask any AI system or even a quick google search to find a plethora of key words to include.

• Domain Specifics: If you’re applying to a specialized TPM role (eg: Security TPM or Infrastructure TPM), you’ll obviously want to flex some unique certs or latest tech if you have experience.

Deep Dive

🤝 Matt McDannel: The man, the myth, the legend.

I’ve been connected with Matt for probably a 1-2 years now. He consistently writes top-notch content for the TPM space.

One of his most recent posts is directly tied to resume writing.

Follow him for more info and check out his latest post.

Resources

📚 The TPM Craft Resume Review

Creating and editing your resume alone is hard. I’ve been there.

Even friends or family with good-intent (but no context in the TPM space) sometimes don’t cut it for making a better resume.

You need a TPM in your corner to upgrade your resume.

That’s why I’m launching a pilot for The TPM Craft Resume Review in January 2024. It is ONLY available to TPM Craft Subscribers for now.

This is a resume review service built for TPM’s, by a TPM.

Here’s what you get: Tailored TPM guidance on improving your resume.

Here’s how it works: You send me your resume. I review it. I send a customized TPM Craft Resume Scorecard back to you. All done asynchronously.

Who is it for? Technical and non-technical roles.

What is it not? It’s not a 1:1 coaching service with a series of calls. And its definitely not me creating a brand new version of your resume.

What will it cost? Compared to other resume services pushing $200, this will be a fraction of the cost. Initial pricing will likely fall between $15 - $50.

How can you sign up? Join the waitlist so I can hear from you and keep you in the loop. However, I will intentionally be limiting the number of resumes in January.

Anything else to know? Yes, a small disclaimer. These resumes review have nothing to do with my current role at my current job. I am not reviewing resumes to hire anyone. I am not passing these resumes along to a secret network of TPM hiring managers. This is exactly what I described above: a TPM-to-TPM resume review.