the [in]side track, 0th edition!

Hey, hey [in]siders! Welcome to this special edition of my newsletter where you get “the [in]side track” on all things internships, college, early careers, and personal branding!

This is a special “0th” edition of the [in]side track as sort of a welcome and a guide to taking the first step into recruitment season. We wrote this article with beginners and those who are truly beginning their journey “from the starting line” in mind, BUT even if you do already have a resume & LinkedIn profile, it can’t hurt to review some basics!

Plus, I’m giving away a freebie at the end of this article, and who doesn’t love free things? Read all the way to the end to get a FREE copy of my new and improved “Ultimate Job Search Starter Pack,” which includes a copy of my LinkedIn profile (that you can use as a template) and my UPDATED resume + cover letter kit (with templates and examples for some experience and no experience).

Ready? Set? Go! 🏁 

Build a Resume & a LinkedIn Profile that Gets you OFFERS & Wins you the Race!

In today’s competitive job market, your resume and LinkedIn profile NEED to stand out. With most jobs having thousands of applicants, you can’t just be another piece of paper in the stack. Whether you're starting from scratch or refining your professional brand, these tactics will help you build a profile that GRABS attention from recruiters and hiring managers and gets you ahead of your competition!

1. Start with Relevant Experience, Even if You’re Starting from Zero

If you're just beginning and feel like you don’t have much experience, it's important to build up your resume with experiences that are directly relevant to the jobs you're aiming for. Obviously, we run into the chicken-before-the-egg problem of, “How do I get experience if I don’t have any?” But, traditional internships aren’t the only way to show your capabilities. Bootcamps, fellowships, externships, guided projects, and even volunteer work can help you gain and showcase relevant skills.

Programs like bootcamps or industry-specific fellowships provide structured, hands-on learning that demonstrates initiative and expertise. Externships or shadowing professionals give you insight into real-world tasks, while guided projects allow you to work independently but with clear goals and deliverables. These experiences not only bulk up your resume but also give you plenty of concrete achievements to discuss in interviews and online profiles.

2. Use Action-Based Language with Metrics to Show Impact

When describing your work experience, use action-based language and quantify your achievements and impact. Most people fall into the trap of listing responsibilities, which doesn’t convey the full scope of their impact. Instead, you should demonstrate the results of your efforts.

The Google XYZ method is a simple yet effective way to frame your achievements: “Accomplished [X] as measured by [Y], by doing [Z].” This approach ensures you're showing both what you did and the results you achieved. For example:

Marketing Example: Spearheaded an influencer marketing campaign that generated 420k+ content views and 500+ qualified leads, building a funnel to convert these leads into sales (5.8% conversion rate).

Product Example: Led a team of four to deliver a prototype and pitch deck that outlined a problem/solution, defined a minimum viable product, demonstrated user flows, and outlined the product’s key performance indicators (KPIs).

Engineering Example: Built and designed a web-based idea management platform, saving the company $49,000/year on software outsourcing.

These statements show exactly what you accomplished and the value you brought, which is far more compelling to a recruiter than generic responsibilities.

3. Use Relevant Keywords to Get Noticed

Both your resume and LinkedIn profile need to be optimized with relevant keywords. These keywords are the specific terms that appear in job descriptions for the roles you’re applying to. Take a few moments to look through job postings and note down common phrases or skills that come up often.

For example, if you're targeting a product management role, common keywords might include “user stories,” “agile methodology,” “product roadmap,” or “stakeholder management.” Incorporating these keywords helps you pass through Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and makes it easier for recruiters to find you when they search for candidates on LinkedIn.

Here’s a sample list of keywords for a software engineering resume:

• Programming Languages: Python, JavaScript (or Node.js for backend roles), Java, C++, Ruby, Go, Swift, TypeScript

• Frameworks and Libraries: React.js, Angular.js, Django, Flask, Spring Boot, Ruby on Rails, Express.js

• Tools & Technologies: Git, Docker, Kubernetes, Jenkins, AWS (Amazon Web Services), Azure, GCP (Google Cloud Platform), Terraform, GraphQL, REST APIs

• Development Methodologies: Agile, Scrum, Continuous Integration (CI), Continuous Deployment (CD), Test-Driven Development (TDD)

• Databases: SQL, PostgreSQL, MySQL, MongoDB, Redis, NoSQL

• Version Control & Collaboration Tools: GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket, JIRA, Confluence

• DevOps & Automation: CI/CD pipelines, Jenkins, Ansible, Chef, Puppet

• Software Design and Architecture: Microservices, Object-Oriented Programming (OOP), Functional Programming, Design Patterns

4. Make LinkedIn More Comprehensive than Your Resume

While your resume should be concise—ideally just one page, tailored to each specific job you’re applying for—your LinkedIn profile should be more comprehensive. Think of LinkedIn as your professional portfolio. It’s a space where you can showcase all your skills, projects, and achievements in detail.

Your resume might only list your most relevant experience for a particular role, but on LinkedIn, you can include a broader range of skills and experiences. Include all the projects and roles that reflect your expertise, even those you didn’t have room for on your resume. This way, recruiters can see the full scope of your capabilities and understand how well-rounded you are as a candidate.

By following these strategies, you’ll build a resume and LinkedIn profile that effectively showcase your skills, experiences, and accomplishments—you’ll stand out, get ahead of your competition, win the race, and land the offer 🥳 .

🤑 Your Freebie!

Now, what you’ve been patiently reading for! Click the link below to download your FREE copy of my “Ultimate Job Search Starter Pack,” which includes a copy of my LinkedIn profile (that you can use as a template) and my UPDATED resume + cover letter kit (with templates and examples for some experience and no experience). This kit contains THE resume that landed me my internship at Disney + offers at SAP & Medidata (with NO prior work experience), AND the resume that landed me my full-time job at Shopify + full-time PM offers at American Express + interviews at Microsoft & LinkedIn.

💬 Last Comments

Here’s a little sneak peek of what you can expect from the next coming editions of the [in]side track:

• 2x Weekly Job Roundups (Tuesdays & Fridays)

• Biweekly Series — “the [in]side scoop 🍨”

  • Interviews with career [in]siders at big tech, the Fortune 500, unicorns, and up-and-coming startups on how they got to where they are in their career (our first interview will be with Ciara Cade, WayUp’s Top Intern of 2024, a former SWE intern at Uber & Capital One, a JPMC Code for Good Winner, and the founder of The Tech Cadets)

• Job Search Content Roundups

Stay tuned for more… 😉 

With love 🫶 & sparkles ✨,

Morgan