How Resumes Shape First Impressions

Lately, I’ve been receiving more requests to review resumes—from friends who've been impacted by layoffs to job seekers eager to land their next role to students prepping for summer internships or jobs after graduation. I'm fortunate to come across a lot of resumes and enjoy reviewing them, so if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: your resume is your first impression. I know it's an extremely competitive job market, so I hope these quick tips support anyone looking to stand out: ✅ Lead with impact—Start each bullet point with a strong action verb and highlight results, ideally with a % impact - could be improvement in satisfaction scores, time saved, money saved, etc. And if you're leading a lot with "Managed" or "Coordinated," there are likelier stronger verbs to choose. ✅ Keep it clean & brief—Recruiters and hiring managers often skim, so make sure your resume is easy to read, well-structured, and free of fluff. My rule of thumb is if you have less than 8-10 years of work experience, it should fit on one page. And keep the format simple and ensure your personal data is safe: I only need to see your name, phone, email, and LinkedIn profile. Sharing home or mailing addresses isn't necessary and may signal an unwillingness to relocate. ✅ Grammar & consistency matter—A simple typo can cost you credibility! Ensure your formatting, punctuation, and verb tenses are consistent throughout. ✅ Tailor, tailor, tailor—One-size-fits-all resumes? Nope. Customize your resume for each role or company by mirroring keywords from the job description. Here's where AI can help... ✅ Leverage AI tools—Think of Copilot or AI-driven writing tools as your personal editors. They can catch grammar mistakes, improve clarity, and optimize your resume for keyword searches. You can also ask them for suggested learning courses or articles to improve upon skills that may be helpful in jobs you're looking for. ✅ Showcase YOU—Your resume isn’t just about what you’ve done—it’s about what you can bring. Highlight unique skills, projects, or volunteer experiences that set you apart. I often find that the most interesting and insightful interview questions can come from someone reviewing your resume and asking you something at the very bottom of it. For me, I was often asked about teaching dance fitness classes and why that was a passion of mine. If it's on your resume, ensure YOU want to talk about it! And while this post was all around resume/CV tips, I hope you prioritize networking and finding warm introductions through people in companies or with career paths that inspire you. Those connections can help and be an extension of your professional brand! Comment below any other tips or what resonates most ⬇️ #ResumeTips #JobSeekers

Last month, I posted an opening for an Urban Designer at form follow people. The response? Over 100 applications. The shortlist? 10. Why so few? Because most candidates made avoidable mistakes—the kind that make you wonder if they even read the job description. Let’s start with the basics. When I open an application, I’m hoping to see: > A thoughtful email. > A tailored cover letter. > A clear, relevant portfolio. Instead, here’s what I got: (aka red flags🚩!) >Empty emails—No greeting, no introduction, just an attachment. >Cover letters addressed to someone else—or worse, for a completely different position. >Zipped files—forcing me to download and unzip to see your work (spoiler: I didn’t). >Portfolios I couldn’t read—because the layout was chaotic, the margins were nonexistent, and the graphics were questionable. >Work that didn’t match the role—interior design for an urban design position? Why? Some went even further. One person forwarded an email they’d sent to another company. Now, let me be honest. I want to hire you. I’m rooting for you. But your application? It’s your first project for the firm. Here’s how to make it count: 1/ Write a proper email. Your email is the first impression. A simple, clear introduction that shows you’ve read the job description goes a long way. 2/ Follow the instructions. If someone ask for a cover letter, send one. If they don’t, don’t. This isn’t just about instructions—it’s about showing you care. 3/ Make your portfolio reader-friendly. Good design is clear. Think clean layouts, logical organization, and graphics that tell your story without making me squint. 4/ Be relevant. Show work that aligns with the role. This isn’t a catch-all job market—tailor your portfolio to the position you’re applying for. 5/ Be honest. If you exaggerate, it’ll show. And it’s not just about getting caught—it’s about starting off with trust. Hiring isn’t a mystery. It’s a conversation. Your application is the first line. Make it thoughtful. Make it relevant. And most importantly, make it easy for someone to say, “This is it.” But here’s the twist: Applications are only half the battle. Interviews? That’s a whole different game. Want to know how to ace those? Drop a comment below, and maybe I’ll spill the secrets. 👇

Job seekers need to take more responsibility for the state of recruitment. I've been recruiting for 25 years, and the gap between what candidates think employers want and what actually gets you hired has never been wider. Here's what I'm seeing that's killing people's chances: 🚨 The resume lottery approach Blasting out a one page resume to 100+ jobs and wondering why no one responds. Then blaming "the market" or "AI screening tools." ✅ Reality check: If your resume doesn't immediately answer "Why you? Why this role? Why now?" - it's going straight to the bin. The experience mismatch 🚨 Pitching yourself as the first hire at a startup when you've only worked at ASX 50 companies ✅ Reality check: startups need scrappy generalists, not process-dependent specialists 🚨 Calling yourself a "Fintech expert" with zero fintech experience ✅ Reality check: Buzzwords without proof = instant credibility death 🚨 Applying for Sydney roles with immediate start dates while overseas needing sponsorship ✅ Reality check: Employers want solutions, not problems to solve The wake-up call I needed In 2007, my ex-boss rejected my hastily thrown together resume in 30 minutes. She was appalled. It didn't reflect my achievements. It didn't address the challenges of the role I was going for. It didn't sell my value. It set a terrible first impression. Her words have stuck with me ever since: "You never get a second chance to make a first impression." Your resume should answer one question: Does this person understand what we need and can they deliver it? Not: Here's my work history. But: Here's the exact outcome you're looking for, and here's proof I've delivered it before. If you're not getting callbacks, the problem isn't the market - it's your messaging. I've put together a video that walks through how to fix this. People who follow this framework usually get hired within 90 days. But the real impact? It creates millions in additional career wealth long-term by positioning you for the right opportunities, not just any opportunity. The question to ask yourself: Does your resume reflect what you want to be known for, or just what you've done? Because employers hire for today's problems, not the past or the future.

𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝟱 𝙈𝙤𝙨𝙩 𝙄𝙢𝙥𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙀𝙭𝙚𝙘𝙪𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙍𝙚𝙨𝙪𝙢𝙚𝙨 𝙄'𝙫𝙚 𝙀𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙎𝙚𝙚𝙣..... As a career coach, I've reviewed thousands of executive resumes. Some stand out from the pack. Here are the top 5 that left a lasting impression: 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙎𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙮-𝘿𝙧𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙣 𝙍𝙚𝙨𝙪𝙢𝙚 Why it worked: This resume told a compelling career narrative, weaving achievements into a story of professional growth. It wasn't just a list of jobs; it was a journey. Key takeaway: Your resume should tell your unique professional story, not just list facts. 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙈𝙚𝙩𝙧𝙞𝙘𝙨 𝙈𝙖𝙫𝙚𝙣 Why it worked: Every achievement was quantified. From "increased revenue by 237%" to "led a team of 150+", numbers dominated this resume. Key takeaway: Quantify your achievements whenever possible. Numbers speak louder than words. 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝘿𝙚𝙨𝙞𝙜𝙣 𝘿𝙮𝙣𝙖𝙢𝙤 Why it worked: Clean, modern design with subtle infographics made this resume visually appealing without being over-the-top. Key takeaway: In the digital age, design matters. A well-designed resume shows attention to detail and modern sensibilities. 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙗𝙡𝙚𝙢 𝙎𝙤𝙡𝙫𝙚𝙧 Why it worked: Instead of just listing responsibilities, this resume focused on problems faced and solutions implemented. Key takeaway: Frame your experience in terms of challenges overcome and value added. 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙇𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙧 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗶𝘁 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗲𝗱: This resume incorporated the executive's published articles, speaking engagements, and industry recognition. 𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆: Showcase your industry influence and thought leadership to stand out at the executive level. 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗼𝗻 𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘀: ✔ Clear, concise language ✔ Strong personal branding ✔Focus on results, not just responsibilities ✔Tailored to specific roles/industries ✔Impeccable formatting and attention to detail Remember: Your resume is often your first impression. Make it count! 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲𝘀 𝗮 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘂𝗺𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂? 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀! #ExecutiveResumes #CareerAdvice #PersonalBranding #JobSearch #LeadershipDevelopment

I was working with a Product Designer who didn’t have a summary on her resume. Once we added one, her experience and focus became clearer. I’ve seen this a lot lately where people either skip the summary entirely or fill it with vague lines like “strong communicator” or “team player.” That doesn’t show us what you actually do. Your summary is your first impression. It should help someone quickly understand: - Who you are as a professional - What kind of work you do - The industries or types of problems you’ve worked on - What you bring to the table Here’s the example we landed on for her: Senior Product Designer with 7+ years of experience driving end-to-end UX for B2B SaaS and fintech products. Deep expertise in 0→1 product launches, complex user flows, and building scalable design systems from scratch. Skilled in Figma, user research, and cross-functional collaboration with product and engineering teams. Why it works: It’s specific and includes relevant keywords (B2B SaaS, fintech, 0→1). It highlights real skills and strengths, not fluff. If you’re writing (or rewriting) your summary, keep it simple: - Lead with your title and years of experience - Mention the industry or product type you’ve worked on - Highlight a few core strengths or skills - Keep it short 2–3 sentences max This might seem like a small section but it’s actually one of the most important parts of your resume. Why? Because it’s often the first thing a recruiter or hiring manager reads. In a matter of seconds, they’re deciding whether to keep reading or move on. A clear, focused summary can make all the difference in getting their attention and getting the interview.

📄 Your Resume: Your First Impression As a recruiter, I come across resumes daily, and one of the biggest hurdles is unclear job histories. Some resumes list roles with no dates or provide vague timelines like "2020" for more than one role. When qualifying for years of experience, this leaves me guessing: • Did you stay in one role for 3 months and another for 12 months? • Were you working both roles at the same time? Your resume is your opportunity to shine! 🎯 It's your chance to tell your professional story. Be clear and specific: ✅ Include exact dates (month/year). ✅ Highlight key skills and accomplishments for each role. ✅ Show how your experience aligns with the role you're applying for. Remember, recruiters and hiring managers aren’t mind readers. Help us help YOU by painting a clear picture of your career journey. 🎨 Let’s make your resume your strongest advocate! 💪

As a recruiter, I don't spend a lot of time on your resume I know many of you are shocked by that statement... So let me tell you what I look for when I scan your resume: -A strong professional summary -Job Titles -The first 1-2 bullet points per experience (more towards recent experiences) -Relevant keywords, numbers, and metrics -Education (if it's a specific requirement for my open position) & Certifications That's it So, let's breakdown how we make a great first impression with each of these areas 1. Professional summary should be roughly 4 sentences, highlighting accomplishments and achievements related to the job description while adding in the relevant keywords (not buzzwords, there are differences) and quantifiable metrics. Note: For someone who has experiences that are earlier in their career they fear will get skipped over by the recruiter, the summary is a great place to bring those front and center. 2. Job Titles (you don't have to put the EXACT title you have right now, just don't flat-out lie) need to be relevant. Example: Someone applying for an account manager role with a title of outside sales rep can say "Outside sales account manager" or something to that effect. Again, don't LIE and take this too far. This is all to say you don't need to put your EXACT title. Make it relate to the field you are looking to get into with your resume. 3. Lead with your strongest bullet points first (accomplished [X] as measured by [Y], by doing [Z], AKA the Google Recruiter Method) then followed by your bullet points that are more about what you did in your role on a day-to-day basis. Include relevant keywords. 4. Education is simple, do you have the degree I'm looking for? Certifications are always beneficial (don't put your LinkedIn certifications on your resume, please...these need to be legit certifications) And there you have it Below in the comments I'll leave links to some articles that reference a "recruiter heat map" that will show you how we look at resumes You'll see where we spend the most of our time and the least of our time *Hint: It'll back-up what I just laid out here

🚨 Your Resume: The Make-or-Break First Impression You Can't Afford to Mess Up Have you ever sent out a resume only to spot a glaring typo hours later? That sinking feeling in your stomach? I'm here to tell you why those small details matter more than you think. 📝 The Hard Truth About First Impressions In today's competitive job market, recruiters spend an average of just 7.4 seconds scanning your resume. That's right – 7.4 seconds to decide your professional fate. A single typo or broken link can send your application straight to the "no" pile. Here's your essential pre-submission checklist: The Basics Matter Double-check spelling and grammar Verify all dates are accurate Ensure consistent formatting Confirm phone number and email are current Digital Presence Test ALL hyperlinks Verify LinkedIn URL is correct Check that portfolio links are active Ensure email address is professional Content Quality Remove outdated information Verify current job titles Update skills section Align achievements with target role 🔍 Pro Tip: Read your resume backward! This tricks your brain into seeing each word individually rather than auto-correcting mistakes. 💡 The Hidden Impact Remember: It's not just about avoiding mistakes. A meticulously proofread resume shows: Attention to detail Professional pride Respect for the recruiter's time Communication skills 🎯 Take Action Now: Set aside 30 minutes today Print your resume Read it aloud Have a trusted colleague review it Test all digital elements Don't let a preventable error cost you your dream job. Your future self will thank you. Ready to level up your job search? Drop a 👍 in the comments if you're committing to a resume review today! #CareerAdvice #JobSearch #ResumeWriting #CareerDevelopment #JobSeeker #ProfessionalDevelopment #CareerTips #JobHunting #Employment #ResumeSuccess 🔄 Share this post with someone who's job hunting! 💬 What's your best resume proofreading tip? Share below! 🎯 Follow me for more career advancement strategies Remember: Your resume isn't just a document – it's your professional story. Make every word count.

Resume Red Flags: What Makes Recruiters Roll Their Eyes Just reviewed 87 CVs this morning before my second coffee. Thought I'd share some common resume issues that make recruiters like me silently groan and what they signal to us: "References available upon request" = You've wasted valuable space stating the obvious. Everyone knows this. "Responsible for..." = You've listed your job description instead of your achievements. Tell me what you accomplished, not what you were supposed to do. "Proficient in Microsoft Word" = Unless you're applying for your first job, basic computer skills are assumed. Tell me about relevant technical skills instead. "Team player with excellent communication skills" = You've used generic phrases that everyone claims. Give specific examples that show these traits. "2018-2019: Company X, 2019-2021: Company Y, 2021-2022: Company Z" = You've had three jobs in four years with no clear progression. Be ready to explain this pattern. Large unexplained gaps = You haven't addressed obvious timeline holes. A simple explanation is better than making me wonder. Tiny font and no white space = You're trying to cram too much information. Edit ruthlessly - quality over quantity. For job seekers: Remember that your CV has about 6-8 seconds to make a first impression. Focus on achievements, not responsibilities. Quantify results when possible. Customise for each application. For hiring managers: Look beyond these common issues. Sometimes the best candidates have unconventional CVs. Focus on transferable skills and potential, not perfect formatting. The most successful placements I've made weren't always the candidates with flawless CVs, but those who clearly communicated their value and showed genuine interest in the role. #Recruitment #JobSearch #CareerAdvice

We just hired 6 people last week on the marketing team. 🤯 And some truths about standout candidates always hold true. Across my career, I’ve read hundreds of resumes and interviewed more candidates than I can count. And while every role is different, these three things always make a difference: 1️⃣ Your resume is your first impression. Make it count. - You don’t need a fancy design (seriously, sometimes it distracts), but you do need clarity and clear ties to business impact. - A long list of activities with no results? That tells me you don’t know how your work ladders up to priorities. Clean formatting, relevant content, and a strong top third are key. - And please, for the love of god, keep it under two pages. 2️⃣ Energy matters. A lot more than you think. - Seriously. Enthusiasm is contagious and it makes a huge difference. People want to work with people they like. People who are curious, thoughtful, and engaged. - Vibes and chemistry can be the tiebreaker in close calls…many people don’t realize that. - Check the nerves and be yourself. 3️⃣ Referrals still rise to the top. - When a candidate comes recommended by someone on the team, I’ll always take a look. Because it speaks to trust and cultural fit, two things no resume or interview can fully capture. - If you know someone inside, don’t hesitate to ask for an introduction. And ask early cause timing matters. This market is tough. I see how much people are putting into the process. If you’re in the thick of it right now, I hope this helps…even a little. Would love to hear what’s working for others, too. #jobsearch #marketingjobs #hiring #career