You're bombarded with conflicting resume writing advice. How do you navigate the maze during your job search?

It’s always best to have a resume that you are confident with before you start applying and before you get bombarded with resume advice. Make sure you seek clarity for someone you TRUST that can demonstrate past results, ask for a sample before you start working with them! Your resume should be tailored to the job descriptions you are applying for in a readable format (I dislike fancy ones!) and showcase accomplishments. You might want to seek more than one opinion but keep in mind it’s YOUR resume, have a finalization version that you are happy with. Seeking too many opinions is not only frustrating but overwhelming.

EVERY person on this planet has free resume advice to give. RIGHT? All opinions are different too - so, who is right? Honestly, I tell all of my clients this: Choose the resume writer that you resonate with, even if that is not me. You have to have a kicka** resume that isn't just about you being the best candidate. It doesn't work like that. You have to resonate with the recruiter, the hiring manager and above all, stand the EFF out. Your only focus is to develop your resume with 1 focus: Beat the top candidate out there. Someone will always have 1 more year of experience than you. Someone will always have a more solid interview than you. Your only focus should be is to be just a bit better than them. It starts with your resume.

Ensure your resume is clear and concise, highlighting your key skills, experience, and accomplishments. A well-structured resume makes it easier for recruiters to see your value.

One approach is to research industry-specific standards and trends, allowing individuals to align their resumes with employer expectations. It is also essential to prioritize clarity and conciseness in presenting skills and experiences, focusing on highlighting achievements rather than simply listing job duties. Additionally, considering the use of keywords relevant to the desired position can enhance visibility and increase the chances of passing through automated applicant tracking systems. Ultimately, seeking feedback from trusted mentors or career development professionals can provide valuable insight

Choose a format that best represents your strengths and is appropriate for your industry. A clean, professional layout can make all the difference.

The days of the "one and done" resume are over, unfortunately. You must be able to customize your resume for each application. Choosing a format and content that will make that easier is key! This allows you to quickly make updates to your master resume that help recruiters and ATS systems see you have the qualifications for the role and bring you in for interviews. It's a balance between hitting those checkmarks and having the keywords needed to get through the ATS screening, while also making it easy for the human eye to scan your resume and make a great first impression.

These steps will help you get past ATS 100% ➟ Identify Keywords – Extract terms from the job description, like Project Management ➟ Strategic Placement – Integrate naturally into resume sections; if you're an entry-level or fresh grad, focus on placing your education first. ➟ Optimize Formatting – Ensure compatibility with ATS, use a simple resume format. ➟ Proofread – Verify keyword relevance and context or you may use Grammarly. ➟ Test – Use ATS-friendly tools to check resume effectiveness, like Jobscan.

Incorporate relevant keywords from job descriptions to optimize your resume for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). This step ensures your resume gets noticed.

It seems now a days having an open to work banner means you get messages left and right for resume help so choose carefully who you decide to work with all while keeping in mind YOU know your experience and achievements better than anyone else think about your personal brand! -Google the XYZ format that google recruiters use for measurable results while creating bullet points -have a link to your website and LinkedIn and make sure your profile is up to date -have a readable format not a fancy one and tailor experience to job descriptions

As a candidate who has applied to several jobs in the past year, one bit that I could share: Keep your resume yours: We may have skyrocketing anxiety comparing our skills to others applying for similar jobs. The key is to stick to what you know best and highlight them wisely in your resume. Watching bits of YT videos just to add another skill is not helping, rather hurting you. Use the time to sharpen your strengths. Someone may know python better than you while java maybe your strong suit. Giving a perception of "knowing it all" does NOT help. Hence, keep your resume YOURS. Honestly, no one is expecting you to know it all, and if they do, that's a red flag. This DOES NOT mean stop learning - this advice only pertains to your resume.

Impact and the ability to quantify the results is very important. I believe that it's even more important to translate your achievements into how they add value to an organization. It's great to have a long list of wonderful achievements, but what any company really wants to know is how you can help them!

Get your advice from someone who has actually read and reviewed resumes. They know the ins and outs. Advice will vary for position and industry. But there are basics everyone should follow. Simple, concise, results versus duties. No color, graphs, recommendations, interests, street address etc.

Never underestimate the power of feedback for resumes but seeking too many opinions will bombard and overwhelm you! No one wants to go back to the drawing board too many times. If you decide to hire someone try to pick a specialist in your field rather than a generalist so they can help you align your skills, ask for samples of their work and check their recommendations. You want to choose someone that is highly skilled and capable of results- if you are not seeing in increase in interviews seek another opinion, often times universities have alumni services that can help free of charge.

Navigating conflicting resume advice can be challenging, but seeking counsel from trusted advisors can make all the difference. Those who know you well can help you step back, see the bigger picture, and highlight your strengths. Collaborating with mentors, colleagues, or career professionals not only refines your resume but also ensures your unique personality and motivations shine through. Sharing your "why"—what drives you to excel—can set you apart in a competitive job market, making your resume not just a document but a true reflection of who you are.