Resume Help, Please?

Any advice on how to word your brief job description on your resume when applying for "a communications manager" position?

I guess I'm asking how do I spin "my beats included" and "was eventually given a column" and "wrote series on . . . " into useful things in a communications position.

I'm happy with my cover letter. But I feel my resume is too, well, newspapery, for lack of a better term.

 

I've never been able to make that translation so I'll be watching this one for tips.

But for reasons that have nothing to do with that, I'm glad to see this thread and wish you had started it sooner for your own sake.

 

Pete:

Maybe something like this:

"Over the course of my career, I've been a true multitasker. I've developed various areas of specialization within my field, helped shape opinion, and participated in planning and executing a number of long-range projects."

Hope that helps a little!!

 

Maybe this is what general comm jobs are looking for here, I don't know, but that would put me to sleep if I'm doing the hiring. It's broader and more shapeless than the Pacific.

 

Since Pete mentioned that it was a communications job, I focused mainly on corporate-speak. It's really difficult to disguise what we do, because it's so specific and quantifiable. I was trying to generalize on purpose because it sounds like Pete wants to de-emphasize the newspaper aspect of his background.

 

concentrate on the skills needed to do your job, not the job itself: i.e., research, fact-finding, writing, editing, ability to work on your own, etc.

 

For starters, use more active verbs.

Instead of "was eventually given a column" go with "earned a weekly column" or "promoted to columnist" or whatever.

Instead of "my beats included... " you "Covered x, y and z for the Podunk Press and did this or that." You might mention that you broke news or adjusted schedule to cover live events, etc. to let them know that you would be cool to be on call for big stuff.

Instead of "wrote a series on ... " you "Demonstrated in-depth coverage with a 8-story series on zzz that won a SportsJournalists.com award."

 

And never say you have "excellent communications skills."

 

Pete, do you have any news side experience? If so, that would make you an excellent communications manager.

 

I do. And I sit on a board of governors as their "communications manager." Don't worry folks, it's not a conflict of interest! I checked. Thoroughly!