So you're thinking about switching careers and you need a little more help with that janky ass resume? I gotchu, sis.
Not only do I have a whole ass Resume Tips playlist right here for you full of advice, but we also have a resume tutorial and template available too if you don’t want to start from scratch.
But enough about that. I got you covered with the top 5 skills you’ve gotta flaunt on your resume to make employers sit up and take notice. Let's get into it.
Adaptability
You know how Black women can adapt to last-minute changes in plans like we're born for it? Sometimes you have to show employers that you’ve switched lanes smoothly and conquered new challenges too.
Now whether that switch was in your previous role, or the one you’re in right now, depends on you and what your career trajectory has looked like in the past few months/years. But I’d personally put a little something like this on my resume:
Transitioned smoothly from a client-facing sales role into a training and project management role where I was tasked with delivering sales training to new hires that resulted in a 35% increase in revenue over six months.
Critical Thinking
Highlight those moments where you put on your FBI agent hat and cracked the code to solve problems like a boss. And no, I’m not talking about that private investigation you did into your homegirl’s new boo … although technically the same skill set applies. We gotta show them that you can think-fast and find solutions, sis. Even when the proverbial chips are down.
And if you don’t already know how to research solutions to the problems you’re facing (yes, before you reach out to your management) then you may want to start working on building up your capacity to do research ahead of your transition into a new role. I promise it’s a skill that pays bands. Thank me later.
Want to see what critical thinking looks like on your resume? Say less: Analyzed complex data sets using Python and SQL to identify cost-saving opportunities, resulting in a 20% reduction in operational expenses and generating $100,000 in annual savings company wide.
Effective Communication
Whether you're dropping knowledge in a meeting or sliding into those DMs with finesse, let 'em know you can speak and write like a pro to get things done. We get dozens of emails and DMs a day across all our social media platforms. If my team and I didn’t know how to talk to y’all one on one, nobody would ever book a class, call, or optimization with us 😂
But tbh, if you can’t communicate effectively in your resume, it’s a red flag of epic proportions, fam. So make sure you have at least one bullet point highlighting how much of a badass you are when it comes to the written and spoken word. And of course just generally make sure that your resume makes goddamn sense.
Need an example? Here ya go: Facilitated bi-weekly cross-departmental meetings, ensuring alignment on project goals and strategies, which led to a 25% increase in project completion rates and a 15% improvement in team productivity.
Leadership
Even if you weren't the official boss, show them how you helped drive your team to success. Whether that means you were the acting manager, supervisor on duty, or even a shift lead. You don’t need a formal title to show that you got things done. Hiring managers aren’t likely to go back and look at your job title and pay stubs anyway. And we all know leadership ain't just about the title … it's about making money moves and holding people to the highest standard.
Now that doesn’t mean be a dick to your coworkers or aggravate tf out of everyone. It also doesn’t mean taking on busy work just to be busy. But don’t be afraid to take some initiative. If you see a need and you can fill it without taking on hours of unpaid labor, then gone head and make it happen. Feel free to volunteer for things that interest you or that you know will line you up for promotions later on down the road.
And before I forget, make sure to bring up all of it in your annual evaluations as well as your resume like this: Spearheaded a team of 10 in launching a new product line, driving a 30% increase in revenue within the first quarter of launch and surpassing projected sales targets by 35%.
Teamwork
We thrive in squads, right? So sis, why aren’t you telling 'em about all the times you helped the crew win and make magic together?! Collaboration is key! Like if your work bae needed help with a project and y’all smashed that shit, it should be on your resume. Just make sure you’re actually being helpful and not a complete tool, no matter how much you hate Becky in the next cubicle over.
If you have no idea what I mean, let me ask you this. Remember when you would be assigned group projects in school and people wouldn’t do their part? But then errybody and they mama would want to put their name on it at the end? Don’t do that shit. You gotta contribute to the team if you want to be able to thrive in whatever role you transition into. So play mf nice as long as you have to in order to get the experience you need before you bounce!
And then I want your to put a little something like this on your resume: Worked collaboratively with curriculum development and administrative teams by providing research insights that influenced the structure and implementation of a new educational program countywide. This initiative led to a 20% improvement in student engagement and academic performance within the first semester of the school year.
Let’s wrap this shit up …
Sis, crafting your resume is like curating your best red light special playlist (you know exactly what I'm talking about 😉). You gotta make sure it hits all the right notes and you have to tailor it so that you’re flexing all those skills you've got on deck! The moment you do, you'll start to see tons of new opportunities rolling in.
And if at some point you get tired as hell and you’re saying “this shit don’t make no damn sense” on repeat, you can always just book time on our calendars and let us optimize your resume for you.
Either way, you got this, love! Good luck and happy hunting! 🙌🏾
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