“Let’s Fix Your Resume” — Simple Tips to Stand Out Without the Stress

Resume writing should be easy, not part of the stress!

Between working in HR and recruiting for seven years, I’ve seen a lot of resumes. Some were fantastic. Others… had potential but missed the mark. Now that I’m helping people with life and career direction, one of the most common questions I get is: “Can you take a look at my resume?”

Yes. Yes, I can. And I want to share a few things I wish everyone knew.

The Most Common Resume Mistakes (and How to Fix Them)

1. Making it too long or too vague You don’t need your whole life story. You need your best story. Focus on the last 10–15 years and tailor your bullet points to the kind of job you’re applying for.

Fix it: Cut out unrelated jobs (unless they show key transferable skills) and keep the resume to 1 page if you’re early in your career, 2 pages max if you’re more experienced.

2. Listing job duties, not accomplishments Anyone can copy and paste from a job description. What hiring managers want to see is impact.

Fix it: Instead of saying “Managed schedules,” say “Managed daily scheduling for 10+ team members, improving efficiency by 15%.” Use action verbs and measurable results wherever you can.

3. Skipping a summary That quick little paragraph at the top? It’s valuable real estate. Think of it like your elevator pitch—it sets the tone for everything that follows.

Fix it: Add a short, tailored summary (2–3 sentences) that tells the reader who you are and what you bring to the table.

4. Forgetting keywords Most companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) that scan resumes before a human ever sees them. If your resume doesn’t include the right keywords, it may never make it to a real person.

Fix it: Pull keywords from the job posting (skills, tools, qualifications) and naturally work them into your resume. Don't keyword-stuff—just be intentional.

5. Typos. Yes, still. I can’t stress this enough: a typo can cost you the interview. I’ve seen otherwise strong candidates get passed over because of something that could’ve been caught with a second glance.

Fix it: Proofread. Then have someone else proofread. Then read it out loud. Your future self will thank you.

A Few Bonus Tips That Make a Big Difference

• Use a clean, modern format. No fancy fonts. No rainbow colors. Keep it readable and professional.

• Avoid “References available upon request.” It’s outdated. Everyone knows.

• Keep your file name professional. Something like Firstname_Lastname_Resume.pdf is perfect.

• Always save it as a PDF. This keeps your formatting consistent across devices.

  
  

Final Thought: Your Resume Isn’t Just Paper

Your resume is a reflection of your story, your skills, and your value. If you’re feeling unsure or overwhelmed, that’s totally normal. But don’t let it stop you from putting yourself out there.

You’re not just a title or a timeline—you’re someone with experience, drive, and potential. Let your resume show that.

And yes, these tips are everywhere on the internet. But making sure you're doing them right—with clarity, confidence, and strategy—is where a career coach can really help you shine.

-Barb