Colleen Paulson

I've switched careers 5 times and transferrable skills were the key to making these moves. What you do need to do to make a role or industry shift is show how you will use the skills that you already have in a new way. For example, when I moved from engineering to strategic pricing, I highlighted the ways in I used my problem solving, analysis, and project management skills as an engineer (and how I could use those skills in a pricing role).

For me, I would not recommend making huge changes on your resume for each application. When working with executive clients, I recommend one resume that you make small tweaks (5-10 minutes at most). Otherwise, you are going to drive yourself crazy in trying to "tailor" your resume over and over for different roles.

I've switched careers 5 times and transferrable skills were the key to making these moves. You don't necessarily need a specific transferrable skills section. What you do need to do is show how you will use the skills that you already have in your new role. For example, when I moved from engineering to strategic pricing, I highlighted the ways in I used my problem solving, analysis, and project management skills as an engineer (and how I could use those skills in a pricing role).

If you ask 10 people for job search advice .... .... you're going to get 10 different opinions. If you aren't landing interviews ➡ change things up. But, be careful. Information overload is real. Yes, change can be good. You might need to revisit things. But you don't want to be stuck in the feedback cycle.

Executive resumes are a balancing act. You want to highlight the executive's career highlights. But you don't want a 10-page resume. Some coaches will tell you to cut everything that is more than 15 years old. I don't agree with that advice - particularly for big name early career experience. I do recommend staying at 2 pages (3 pages with board, publication, or other important experience). Understand what the executive's goals are. If they are looking for board roles, emphasize their board collaboration experience. If they are looking for C-Suite roles, then emphasize their experience in advising the C-Suite. Once you understand their goals, then you can figure out what is important to keep in (and what can be removed).

Executive resumes are a balancing act. You want to highlight the executive's career highlights. But you don't want a 10-page resume. Some coaches will tell you to cut everything that is more than 15 years old. I don't agree with that advice - particularly for big name early career experience. I do recommend staying at 2 pages (3 pages with board, publication, or other important experience). Understand what the executive's goals are. If they are looking for board roles, emphasize their board collaboration experience. If they are looking for C-Suite roles, then emphasize their experience in advising the C-Suite. Once you understand their goals, then you can figure out what is important to keep in (and what can be removed).