Showcasing Project Successes

Copy a project from GitHub or YouTube to land a job… That’s not how it works anymore. “What project should I add to my resume?” That’s one of the most common questions I get from juniors. And honestly, I’ve asked the same thing in the past. Back then, the default answer was simple: “Build an e-commerce website.” “Make a full-stack MERN app.” “Do something with ML “ So we did. Copied projects from GitHub. Followed 3-hour YouTube tutorials. Changed a few colors. Added our name to the footer. Done. It worked… kind of. But here’s what I’ve realised now, especially with how fast AI is evolving: Your resume doesn’t need another “portfolio project.” It needs a “problem solver.” These days, anyone can use Cursor or bolt to build a full-stack app in a few hours. What makes your project different? Not the tech. The problem it solves. Let me give you an example: You want to send 100+ personalized emails to students. Mail Merge? Already exists. But your emails are landing in spam. So you build a small Python script that sends emails like a human would. Slowly. With better delivery. Tiny project. Few lines of code. But real value. That’s what recruiters remember. Not how many lines of code you wrote. But how many problems you solved. You can use AI. You should use AI. But don’t be just a copy-paster. Understand what you’re building. Learn the stack. Because your project should say one thing.. “I don’t just code. I solve.”

Meet Ifedolapo Runsewe, the visionary behind the Freee Recycle initiative, a pioneering project turning waste into wonder. In a brilliant twist of innovation, old tires discarded as useless find new life as sturdy bricks for constructing durable driveways and playful playgrounds. 🌍 𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐓𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐲𝐜𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬? Every year, millions of tires are discarded, posing environmental risks and wasting valuable resources. However, initiatives like Freee Recycle show us the power of transformation, turning environmental threats into community treasures. 📈 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐓𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐲𝐜𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠: >> Environmental Urgency: Over 317 million waste tires are thrown away annually in the U.S. alone, emphasizing the critical need for effective recycling programs (Contec). >> Growing Industry: The tire recycling market is projected to soar to $18.1 billion by 2032, with a steady growth rate of 3.3% CAGR, reflecting increasing innovation and demand for recycled products (Allied Market Research). >> Versatile Applications: Recycled tires are repurposed into a variety of products, from construction materials to playground surfaces, significantly reducing the environmental footprint (Allied Market Research). 🤔 What innovative recycling projects have caught your eye? #innovation #technology #future #management #startups

The distributor of my last feature film guessed that our budget was AT LEAST $1M.... Let me tell you how very much it was NOT even close to that budget. (hint: it was WAY less). Why did they assume the movie was at this budget level? We were smart. Here are the top 5 things I prioritize when making a micro-budget movie: 1. Locations. Try not to keep your audience stuck in one place, it screams low budget. Move around, get outside, get BIG sweeping views of something beautiful. I push a majority of our budget into getting a location that looks epic, an outdoor location that makes it feel big, and then you can concentrate your story in a primary setting. But, get creative, make sure everything has character. 2. Production design. Don't skimp. My art team is scrappy and smart. They can take $5 and some cardboard and create some epic illusions. Find someone who understands how to work with a low budget, and has a very special eye for making something simple - turn into something beautiful. 3. Happy team = good movie. Keep your team happy, get their favorite crafty snacks, feed them a good lunch, break on time. I have had top-notch filmmakers working on my films and they agree to friend rates because they know my set is going to be respectful and comfortable (as comfortable as possible). The results are the incredible images they create. 4. A GOOD script. By the time we shot Regression, I was working on draft 23. Don't be precious, ask trusted and successful peers in the industry to give you honest feed back - AND TAKE IT. Listen to the majority. If too many people don't understand something in your script - it's probably because it doesn't make sense. You can get away with a lot in low budget filmmaking if your story is compelling and unique. Listen, learn, rewrite. 5. Be picky about your actors. The actors I cast in my movie are one-take-wonders. All of them. It's hard making an indie movie, sometimes you get one take and 5 minutes - get actors who respect your story, trust you, show up prepared, and can NAIL it on the first take. I have some Oscar worthy performances in some of those one-takes that I am very proud of. You don't always need a huge crew, expensive lenses and a fancy camera. You need talented people that you trust, an epic story, and a good environment. It's a lot easier to make a movie these days than it used to be. Don't let big studio budgets scare you - go make it happen.

Most large-scale energy initiatives follow the same pattern: start with big commitments, roll out connections, figure out the policy later. Nigeria did the opposite. And that’s why it’s working. Instead of treating private investment as an afterthought, Nigeria built the policy framework first. And that made all the difference. What Nigeria Got Right - 1. A Structured Energy Compact – Nigeria created a clear, integrated policy that combines grid expansion, mini-grids, and decentralized solutions into a single plan. Other countries still treat off-grid power as an afterthought. 2. Private Sector Was Built Into the Model – Most African energy plans rely almost entirely on government spending. Nigeria understood that public money alone won’t be enough, so they de-risked the investment landscape for private players. 3. Policy Stability That Investors Can Trust – The biggest deterrent to energy investment is regulatory unpredictability. Nigeria structured clear rules around licensing, tariffs, and long-term market participation, giving businesses and investors the ability to plan long-term—not just react to political cycles. The Results Speak for Themselves - - Nigeria is now the leading mini-grid market in Africa. - Private capital is flowing into the energy sector at scale. - The policy model is structured for real expansion—not just short-term funding cycles. Now compare this to many other Mission 300 countries - - There’s no clear strategy to integrate decentralized and centralized power. - Investment risk is still too high for private capital to flow at scale. - The policy landscape remains too unstable for long-term planning. Nigeria isn’t perfect. But it’s one of the few places where energy policy is being built for growth, not just for the next round of funding. If Mission 300 countries want to make real progress, this is the playbook - - Stable, investment-friendly regulation - A clear plan that integrates all forms of power - Long-term market structures that attract capital at scale Energy access is an industry, not a one-time intervention. And Nigeria is proving that when the policy is right, the investment follows. #NigeriaEnergy #Mission300 #SmartInvestment #EnergyForGrowth

Don’t Just List Tasks—Showcase Your Value on Your CV Your CV should not be a list of the jobs you’ve held—it should demonstrate the unique impact you’ve made throughout your career. Yet, so many CVs end up being little more than task lists. Take a look at this. 👉 Instead of saying, “Managed social media accounts,” Say, “Increased social media engagement by 45% in six months through targeted campaigns.” See how one focuses on tasks and the other highlights results? Employers want to see the value you bring, not just what you were told to do. A Client’s Success Story: I recently worked with a client who was in marketing. Her CV initially read like a job description: “Created email campaigns” and “Collaborated with sales teams.” While this is great for using key works and incorporating the job description, it just doesn't have any impact. We reframed her experience to focus on results: ✅ “Launched email campaigns that boosted open rates by 25%, contributing to a 15% increase in sales leads.” ✅ “Developed cross-departmental strategies with sales, resulting in a streamlined funnel and increased conversion rates by 10%.” The result? Not only did her CV stand out, but it led to interviews where she could discuss her real contributions. Here are some ways you can showcase value on your CV: 1️⃣ Use numbers, percentages, or metrics to quantify your achievements. 2️⃣ Highlight the outcomes and benefits of your work, not just the actions. 3️⃣ Start bullet points with strong action verbs like boosted, increased, reduced, streamlined, or led. Make it clear why you’re the one who can deliver results. www.joanneleecoaching.com 👉🏻Employers - let us know in the comments what you are looking for on a CV in 2025. #cvwriting #careercoaching #careerdevelopment #jobsearchtips

This is one of the most important things I’ve learned about resumes, and most don’t do it. Not doing this can hurt your chances of getting an interview 👇 Your resume 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐛𝐞 a description of what you are 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞 for. Your resume 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐛𝐞 a collection of your 𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐭 to the job you are applying for! Here's a simple example: A Project Manager's resume that describes what they are 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞 for looks like this: - Delivered the project on time and within budget. - Communicated updates regularly to all stakeholders. This is a terrible way to "stand out" - In this example, every Project Manager is responsible for delivering projects on time and budget, and for communicating with stakeholders. In other words, there's nothing 𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐪𝐮𝐞 about this person's resume. Your resume has to show: - Evidence that you have the experience they are looking for (Tailored resume) - Evidence of the value you bring to the team (Your past accomplishments) To write a resume that 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐨𝐮𝐭, here’s what you should do 👇 Write 𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬, not what you were responsible for : - What did you do? - What was the impact? - How did you accomplish it? Use the “𝐗 + 𝐘 + 𝐙” formula to write accomplishments: “Accomplished [𝐗] as measured by [𝐘], by doing [𝐙]” 🛑 Instead of writing: “Delivered a project on time and budget” ✅ Write this: 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐝 [𝐗]: “Launched ____ project” 𝐌𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 [𝐘]: “1 month ahead of schedule and increasing ROI by Z%” 𝐁𝐲 𝐝𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐠 [𝐙]: “, by creating a new communication process that allowed low and medium risk tickets to be pre-appproved, reducing friction during development” Together X + Y + Z: “Launched ___ project 1 month ahead of schedule and increasing ROI by Z%, , by creating a new communication process that allowed low and medium risk tickets to be pre-appproved, reducing friction during development” 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 help you show that you have the experience companies look for in 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐱𝐭 of a project that had impact to customers, your team or the organization. 𝐓𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 your 𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 to the job you are applying to will increase your chances of getting an interview. Adding more colors, graphs and random keywords will not. A few extra tips as you go through your accomplishments: 1. Not every accomplishment will have a number (impact). It’s ok, try to have as many as possible. 2. Accomplishments tailored to the job you are applying to >>>> accomplishments you believe are the most important. 3. You can skip the XYZ formula and instead write them as: Verb in past tense + what you did + the impact it had. ------ 🚀 Need help with your resume or Product Management interviews? Check out my comment below for THE BEST resources 👇 #productmangement #resume

Your Impact Report is Probably Boring (And It's Costing You Donors) One approach puts donors to sleep. The other opens wallets. Which are you choosing? Effective storytelling in impact reports is key. Here's how to do it: Start with a Hook: Before: "We provided 10,000 meals last year." After: "Maria turned our food bank into a stepping stone for her family's future.” Use the "Before and After" Technique: Before: "Our job training program had a 75% success rate." After: "John went from homeless to homeowner in 18 months. Here's how our program made it possible..." Incorporate Sensory Details: Before: "We built a new playground." After: "Where there was once an empty lot, kids now laugh and play. The bright red slides and yellow swings have brought new life to the neighborhood. Parents chat on nearby benches, watching their children make new friends and create lasting memories.” Showcase Donor Impact: Before: "Your donations helped us achieve our goals." After: "Because of supporters like you, Sarah received the life-saving surgery she needed. Here's a letter from her family..." Use Data Visualization: Before: "We increased literacy rates by 40%." After: [Include an infographic showing a child's journey from struggling reader to honor roll student, with key stats along the way] End with a Clear Call-to-Action: Before: "Please consider donating." After: "For just $50, you can provide a month of tutoring for a child like Tommy." How to implement this: ☑️Identify your most compelling success stories ☑️ Gather quotes and personal anecdotes from beneficiaries ☑️Collect before-and-after photos or data points ☑️ Craft your narratives using the techniques above ☑️ Test different versions with a small group of donors ☑️ Refine based on feedback and roll out your new, story-driven impact report

A Product Manager is nothing without the development team, who make the product vision a reality. Yet, as a PM, it's so easy to forget oneself and take all the glory for a release success. Here are 10 ways to ensure your team feels appreciated and recognized: 1) Celebrate Team Achievements Publicly Always acknowledge the team's hard work in company meetings, emails, or on social media. A public shout-out boosts morale and shows that you value their contributions. Perhaps invite a team member to join or replace you in a big presentation of a successful release. 2) Share Credit Generously When discussing successes, use "we" instead of "I". Highlight individual contributions and how they impacted the project's success. I often forget that even though I truly believe in every word of this post. 3) Provide Growth Opportunities Offer team members opportunities to learn new skills or take on new responsibilities. Investing in their growth shows you care about their professional development. Work with their team leader so everyone has a varied set of tasks to complete to make the work interesting. 4) Listen Actively Make time to hear your team's ideas and concerns. Active listening fosters a collaborative environment where everyone feels heard and valued. Never skip a retro! 5) Give Constructive Feedback Provide timely and constructive feedback that helps team members improve and grow. Be specific about what they did well and where they can enhance their skills. Remember to provide negative feedback privately. 6) Recognize Efforts Not Just Results Acknowledge the hard work and dedication, even if the project didn't turn out as expected. This encourages a culture of effort and resilience. 7) Foster a Positive Team Culture Encourage teamwork and camaraderie. Organize team-building activities or informal gatherings to strengthen relationships. It can be as trivial as taking lunch together. 8) Be Transparent Share information about your vision, company goals, and any changes. Transparency builds trust and shows respect for the team's role in the bigger picture. Be there corporate ally/ 9) Empower Decision-Making Allow team members to make decisions in their areas of expertise. This trust empowers them and increases their investment in the project's success. 10) Express Gratitude Personally A simple "thank you" can go a long way. Take the time to personally thank team members for their contributions. Name the success so it is not a lazy, generic gratitude. There you have it, my 10 tips to ensure your development team feels valued and appreciated. Do you agree with these suggestions? Which ones do you already practice? What's your number 11 advice? Share your thoughts in the comments! #productmanagement #productmanager #teamappreciation 📌 P.S. To become a great Product Manager who leads with appreciation, check out my courses at www.drbartpm.com :)

Here's what I actually wish more executives knew about showcasing results... Even the most impressive achievements fall flat without context. Don't just say: "Increased sales by 45%" Instead say: "Reversed 3-year sales decline by implementing consultative selling approach and territory optimization, resulting in 45% revenue growth ($3.2M) within 18 months" This "Results with Evidence" approach changes the whole ball game. Listing responsibilities tells employers what you were SUPPOSED to do. Showcasing results with evidence shows them what you ACTUALLY did. And... before you say "I don't generate any revenue..." You don't need revenue figures to quantify your impact! Measure: - Size metrics (team members, departments, locations) - Percentage improvements in any process - Time saved through your initiatives - Volume of work handled - Scope of responsibility Even without direct revenue figures, you can ALWAYS find ways to quantify your impact. If you're ready to transform your resume from a list of job duties into a powerful marketing tool that PROVES your true impact, download my free executive resume template: https://lnkd.in/ekYCz3sV. Your future self (with a calendar full of interviews) will thank you! #LinkedInTopVoices #Careers #Resumes

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗪𝗮𝗹𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘁, 𝗠𝗶𝗰𝗿𝗼𝘀𝗼𝗳𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗧𝗼𝗽 𝗠𝗡𝗖'𝘀. These days, most resumes look the same becoz everyone’s showcasing similar projects, often built by following the same online tutorials. So, what makes your resume stand out in in thousands people? Here's is the key things which you need to keep in mind before making any project: 1. 𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐯𝐞 𝐚 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐦: Even a small one. start building things I actually needed, A notes manager for my class. A budget tracker to stop overspending. A project reminder tool. These weren’t groundbreaking. But they were genuine and that authenticity stood out in interviews. 2. 𝐆𝐨 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐛𝐞𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐳𝐨𝐧𝐞: One new concept in every project. - React then try Firebase - HTML/CSS then learn deployment etc… It proves that you're growing, not just repeating tutorials. Recruiters love seeing genuine project rather copied one’s. 3. 𝐓𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐚 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭: Ask yourself: - Why did I build this? - Who did it help? - Did anyone actually use it? Stories are remembered. Dashboard aren’t. 4. 𝐊𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐢𝐭 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 (𝐢𝐟 𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞) Add a README. Share it on LinkedIn. Polish the UI. Push an update. A live project,even a smaller makes your resume way more attractive than an inactive GitHub repo. 5. 𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐈 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬? Because I’ve lived both sides. I’ve built projects just for marks. And I’ve built things that got me interviews, referrals, and confidence. #Internship #Resumeshortlisting #Projectswithpurpose #SoftwareEngineering #Developerjourney #Portfolio #Hr #Softwaredevelopment #Resume #Github