A product manager shares the résumé that got him a $300,000 job at Amazon — and 3 regrets about it, including writing that sounds 'very pompous'

 Siddharth Kashiramka, a seasoned product manager, embarked on a career transition while at Capital One. Having previously consulted at PwC, he was drawn to the potential of artificial intelligence and the opportunities at Amazon. Despite the allure of Seattle, he was fortunate enough to secure a role within Amazon's Virginia office.

To prepare for the rigorous interview process, Kashiramka leveraged a strategic approach:

• Networking: He connected with individuals who had made similar transitions, gaining valuable insights and advice.
• Practice: He dedicated a month to intensive interview preparation, utilizing a career service platform for mock sessions.

His efforts paid off, and in 2022, he landed a product management position at Amazon, accompanied by a significant compensation package of approximately $300,000 annually.

A Hiring Manager's Perspective

As a hiring manager, Kashiramka emphasized the importance of a well-crafted résumé, even though it's just one piece of the hiring puzzle. He recalled a scenario where two equally qualified candidates reached the final round, and the decision ultimately hinged on the candidate with the more polished résumé.

Key Strengths of His Résumé

Kashiramka identified three key strengths that contributed to his success:

1. Impact-Focused Narrative: He concisely described his past roles and highlighted the tangible impact of his work.
2. Personalized Summary: His unique summary effectively conveyed his skills and experiences, setting him apart from other candidates.
3. Diverse Keyword Usage: By incorporating a variety of keywords like "leveraged," "delivered," "established," and "collaborated," he optimized his résumé for both human reviewers and applicant tracking systems (ATS).

Areas for Improvement

While his résumé proved successful, Kashiramka identified three areas for improvement:

1. Concise Formatting: He advocated for a one-page résumé, emphasizing the importance of brevity and clarity.
2. First-Person Voice: He acknowledged the impact of writing in the third person, as it can come across as impersonal and self-promotional.
3. Meticulous Proofreading: He stressed the significance of careful proofreading to eliminate grammatical errors and maintain a polished presentation.

By addressing these areas, Kashiramka aims to further refine his résumé and continue his successful career trajectory at Amazon.