Stretching the truth on a resume
This might sound like common sense, but when you go to write your resume, make sure that each sentence you write is true.
True means accurate and defendable. If you spoke the sentence out loud, you could do so confidently, without wavering.
If you try to stretch the truth on a resume, it's likely that a hiring decision-maker will spot the stretch, especially if they've been working in the industry for a long time.
If you get caught stretching the truth during a job interview, it could cost you the job.
I'm sure this isn't a fun post to read, especially if you're a job seeker.
I've worked with many job seekers who have felt pressured to stretch the truth on their resumes.
And I fully understand why they felt the need to do so, without judgment. This is a tough job market, and the pressure to stand out is tremendous.
But as you read this post, I want my message to sink in as deeply as possible:
If you stretch the truth, and if the reader of your resume suspects that you're stretching the truth, you won't be granted an interview.
If you can't speak about your resume's content confidently and unwaveringly during the interview, you won't land the job.
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I wrote today's post with the full blessing of one of my newest clients. I'm genuinely thankful that she feels comfortable with me writing about this topic, because it's not an easy thing to dig into.
My client has been stretching the truth on her resumes and applications, and she's been doing it for a long time. Last week, she got caught during a panel interview. The interviewers' feedback was so strong that she finally felt compelled to reach out for help.
This week, we're going to work together on fully rewriting her resume. Every line will be accurate and defendable.
If you're in a similar situation to my client's, and if you need help rewriting your resume, send me a message today.
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The best resumes are tactical and inspirational
There are so many resources available on how to write a resume. But very few teach you how to move a reader to take action.
When I write resumes, I keep these 3 goals at the forefront of my mind:
- I want to guide the reader's eye across the page, so they stay engaged with my client's career story.
- I want to dig into the reader's mind and heart, so that my client becomes the most memorable candidate.
- I want to get the reader excited about responding back - with a phone call, an email, or a LinkedIn message.
The best resumes are tactical and inspirational. They highlight our highest achievements. And they make the reader covet those achievements for their own organization.
—
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I chat with my job seekers daily
Every day, I chat with my job seekers in the DMs.
They send me job postings they want to apply to and ask me to look them over.
They have me revise their resumes and cover letters to align with the job postings.
They have interviews lined up for the following week. They ask for my tips and advice.
This level of access and customized support is why my job seekers choose to work with me.
—
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The way you market yourself
The way you market yourself should always be top of mind during a job search.
A big aspect of marketing is showcasing yourself as a solution: to the companies you’re targeting, to their hiring teams, and to your future supervisor.
When you begin brainstorming ways on how to be seen as a solution, start by thinking about your specific profession.
If you understand your profession's pain points, and if you can speak to how you personally solve those pain points, the hiring world will pay attention.
—
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Before we start a new project
Before we start a new project, I tell my job seekers to choose the resume package that aligns best with their needs:
- Do they just need a resume?
- Do they need a cover letter as well, or LinkedIn profile editing?
- How about interview practice sessions? Do they need full access to my calendar?
Every resume package in my store includes:
- Unlimited resume revisions for 30 days.
- Guidance for interviews and salary negotiations.
- Messaging access to me for any questions throughout the duration of the job search.
I have strong beliefs about giving my clients everything they need to have an outstanding job search.
I take care of my clients. 💪
—
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The same problem
I work with new graduates to senior leaders across all major industries.
Many of my clients come to me with an impressive list of achievements.
They’ve worked at leading companies in their respective industries.
They’ve built products and led programs that have changed the market landscape.
Some of my clients have held prestigious titles. They were city council representatives, TED/TEDx speakers, Chiefs of Party, or C-level executives.
All of them had the same problem:
They didn’t know how to market themselves on their resumes.
If you don’t know how to write about yourself or your achievements on a resume, you’re far from being alone.
This is a common and perfectly normal problem that even the world’s highest performers experience.
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I choose not to use AI
I choose not to use AI with anything I write, especially with my resumes and cover letters.
I didn't make this choice out of a dislike of AI. I'm also not worried about AI "coming to take my job" - actually, I think the opposite.
I'm convinced that down the road, my choice to never use AI will become my greatest strength in the marketplace.
The job seekers I work with now already value my resumes for being custom-made and highly specific to their needs.
Every resume I create is strategic. From the very first sentence, I craft each document intentionally, in full alignment with my job seeker’s desired outcomes.
The skills I offer can't be duplicated by AI, no matter how intelligent the software. 💪
—
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Don’t give away your power
Salary negotiations begin long before you receive your offer letter.
Your job application, followed closely by your resume, sets the foundation for the salary you’ll be offered by hiring decision-makers.
Your interview, and the way you present yourself, will tell hiring decision-makers where to shift that salary in the range.
Complacency, cautiousness, and self-deprecation will prevent you from earning the higher salaries you dream about.
Giving away your power and downplaying your achievements will hurt your ability to negotiate for better.
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Never write “see resume” on your job application
I strongly advise that you never write "see resume" in any area of your job application.
Hiring team members have been known to reject applications that use "see resume" without reviewing them.
Even if you're an outstanding candidate and check off every box on the job posting, you could lose out on your chance to interview.
Don't throw away your opportunities by writing "see resume" instead of answering your application questions.
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Examples of posts that job seekers can write on LinkedIn
Posting on LinkedIn can be a little intimidating if you're a job seeker.
It's not always easy to put yourself out there, in front of your network, and talk about yourself.
If this is your first time posting, a tip that I like to recommend is writing about the topics you'd typically cover in an interview.
Day 1: Introduce yourself.
- "Hello to my new connections! I'm Gabby, a scientist and project manager. I've been working in the pharmaceutical industry for over 7 years."
- Add a photo or headshot to the post. (Optional step, but highly encouraged!)
Day 2: Talk about your strengths.
- Intermix your strengths with an accomplishment that goes with them.
- "I've worked on award-winning marketing campaigns for the Fortune 500. I was invited to speak at Social Media Marketing World in 2024."
Day 3: Why should companies hire you?
- "As a member of your organization, I can..."
- What problems could you solve for the companies that hire you? What do you bring to the table?
Day 4: Q&A
- Invite your network to interact with you. Let them give you your next set of post topics.
- "Hello, network! I'm creating a mini-Q&A. What questions do you have for me? What can I tell you about myself?"
—
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The job market is too saturated
Saying that the job market is too saturated is the most disempowering statement a job seeker can make.
I can guarantee that you bring value that no other professional can bring to the industry you serve.
You hold unique insights and distinctive achievements that could easily set you apart in the job market.
You have a story that nobody else can tell.
—
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Having a tough job search? Use this list to troubleshoot
Below, I've made a list of 20 things I look for when a job seeker is having a tough job search.
If you want to stand out to your future employers, save this list.
20 things I look for:
A well-organized resume with a clear structure, pattern, and flow.
A resume with an intentional design - something that draws my eye across the page.
An attractive resume - a document that looks inviting, something I'd actually want to read.
A resume that gives me a clear picture of who you are, from just the top 1/3 of the page.
A resume that makes me want to keep reading after scanning the top 1/3 of the page.
A value proposition that's desirable: a strong and valid reason why a team would want you as a member.
A value proposition that both a technical and non-technical person can understand with little effort.
Keywords that make sense for the job you're after.
Keywords that don't overpower the page, i.e. keyword stuffing.
A work experience section with accomplishments, achievements, value-adds, and metrics.
Work experience that makes me envious - I want to think, "How can I get this person to do these exact same things for my own company?"
An education or education-equivalent section that makes sense for the job you're after.
Additional qualifications that add to your resume - nothing that's distracting.
Any areas across your resume where I'm scratching my head and asking, "Why is this here?"
A resume that tells your story so well that a cover letter shouldn’t be necessary.
Cover letters that serve as deep-dives - they give detail/clarification if a reader wanted to learn more.
Cover letters that harmonize with the resume - again, nothing that's distracting.
An online presence and/or LinkedIn profile that harmonizes with the resume - consistency is key if we want to build trust.
A job search strategy that makes sense: if you've applied to 300 jobs, and nobody has called you, then your strategy needs to evolve.
Proof that you've invested in your career path: networks, connections, affiliations, certifications. How are you tied to the profession/industry that you'd like to join? Where is evidence that you've invested in the profession/industry?
Bonus 21. Any evidence of AI being used.
As a strict rule, I never use AI-generated content on my resumes, cover letters, or LinkedIn profiles. Hiring decision-makers don’t like to read AI. They continually express on LinkedIn that they don’t like job seekers using AI in any area of their job application.
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Do hiring decision-makers see you as a safe bet?
A couple of things that have been on my mind today:
1. Hiring decision-makers often check a potential candidate's LinkedIn profile before extending an interview.
They'll almost always look at your photo first, headline second, summary third, and work history at the bottom of the page. Then they'll look at the types of posts you've written.
2. It's always worthwhile to make sure that your job applications and resumes harmonize with your LinkedIn profile. But it's also worthwhile to look through your posts, comments, and reshares.
Are you confrontational on the feed? Hiring decision-makers can see your comment history and the way you engage with others.
Are you bringing a strong political lean to your posts? The companies you're applying to might heavily discourage any politics at work, and your posts could be sending up a red flag.
Are you positive, friendly, and/or neutral? Do you display emotional intelligence in your writing?
Will hiring decision-makers see you as a safe bet? Or are you coming across as a risk that's not worth pursuing?
—
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What I’ve been up to
I remember writing my last post to you all in March. And then a year went by.
Everything is still going well! I had a very busy 2022. It's looking like 2023 will be the same.
What I've been up to:
- I'm still a full-time resume writer and career coach. I spend half of my time with clients on LinkedIn. The other half is spent with clients on Fiverr Pro.
- I've been working away in my "cave" for the past year. I'm writing a book and working on an online course. I'm mentoring other resume writers and career coaches.
- I was invited to work with the Fiverr Business platform, and very recently, I was invited to work with Stoke Talent (acquired by Fiverr). This opens up my services to a wider audience - these are exciting times!
I'm still loving Florida. There are mornings when I wake up, look at the palm trees outside my window, and can't believe that I live here.
I don't leave the house as often as I'd like, but I'm working on that!
I hope you all have been doing well!
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Become a beacon
If you've been going through a particularly tough job search - and you just aren't seeing the results that you know you should see with your background and expertise - it might be time to change up how you're playing the game.
I'm the person job seekers go to when they've tried everything in their power to land an interview: applying to hundreds of jobs, making every strategic edit possible on their resume, and yet being rejected constantly by hiring managers and recruiters without ever knowing why.
If you feel like you have a relatively good grasp on your job search, and you just need a resume writer to polish up your document, then I might not be the right choice for you. ;)
While I can polish a resume as well as any resume writer, my talents are in helping job seekers actually land their desired job roles - and with companies that will pay them exactly what they should be making.
How do we make this happen?
- Rather than just positioning you as the best person for the job, we take it one step further.
- We make you highly desirable to hiring managers and recruiters - appealing to their biggest needs and private wants from a job candidate - which often isn't explicitly asked for in the job posting.
- Now, you're not just standing out from the crowd - you've become a beacon, and you're attracting hiring decision-makers to you.
Job seekers: what are you doing to make yourself highly desirable to hiring managers and recruiters?
What could you bring to the table that would alleviate their pain points?
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Fiverr’s Choice
I had been on LinkedIn ProFinder for a couple of months when I first learned about Fiverr Pro. To become a resume writer on ProFinder, I had to go through a vetting process with the LinkedIn team. I expected that Fiverr's vetting process was going to be roughly the same.
I didn't realize at the time that there were only eight pro-level resume writers on the entire Fiverr platform. The fail rate for applications was astonishing.
When I looked at the portfolios of the pro resume writers, one person, in particular, stood out. She was the hiring manager for the Obama White House, and she had earned the achievement of "Fiverr's Choice." She was considered the best of the best on Fiverr, and she was hand-picked by the team for this title.
I told myself that if the Fiverr team ever found me worthy of joining the pro-level ranks, I would strive to be the next Fiverr's Choice.
Last night, as I logged onto my dashboard to speak with a new client, I found out that they'd given me the achievement. :)
Since this is my first time receiving this, I can't say how long I'll get to keep it. My understanding is that this is updated regularly as new clients sign up for work and as new resume writers join the ranks.
But there was a moment in time when I was the best of the best on Fiverr, and I was the resume writer that Fiverr hand-picked for the title.
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Questionable job postings
While digging through job postings, have you ever come across a posting that seemed a bit... off? Maybe there were bullet points in the job description that didn't make sense - or maybe the compensation didn't make sense for the responsibilities listed?
I've been thinking a lot about job postings this week - the people who write them, the people who approve them, and the people who end up applying to them.
Here are a few thoughts about those odd or questionable postings:
1. Material may have been added to the posting.
- The last person to edit the posting might have desired additional skill sets or mastery within a second key discipline. But rather than creating a new position or training from within, they hope to get those skills from the next person hired.
- If you still want to apply: Speak to the items in the posting that align with what you can provide. Then, think about the pain points that the post writer might be trying to address with the out-of-place bullet points. Try to speak to those pain points across your application.
- Ask yourself: What is the writer of this posting actually after?
2. The previous employee who occupied the desk may have been underpaid.
- The person who created the post may have intentionally listed the lower salary, hoping to find candidates that would accept it just like the previous employee.
- If you still want to apply: You get to make an important decision. You can either list your desired salary in alignment with the posting salary. Or, (and I wish more than anything you'll do this), you'll list the salary you actually want on your application.
- In the end, you might not hear back from the employer. But you'll have taken one more step toward the ending of unfair employment practices, and that means more than you could ever imagine.
Job seekers, what are your thoughts? Do you have anything we can add to the conversation?
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When resume writing was just my side-hustle
When resume writing was just my side-hustle, I would devote my entire weekend to doing all the work I needed to do to keep things going.
Friday at 6:00 pm, I would log off my work computer, drive back to the apartment, and immediately log onto my laptop. I would then spend the next six hours prospecting, sending emails, writing resumes and cover letters, and checking up on clients.
The entire weekend would continue like this, and it was only on Sunday evenings that I would stop to take a break.
I had one folder on my desktop that contained everything - templates, client agreements, and Excel sheets filled with all kinds of workflows, pricing breakdowns, and metrics.
After a particularly long and challenging weekend, I would find myself staring at the folder and wonder what it was all for.
Looking back on it now, the one overwhelming thought I have is gratitude. I could have easily - and I mean easily - deleted that folder with one click.
But I didn't quit - and because I didn't quit, I got to create and shape the life I always wanted. I became my own boss. I figured out how to make the same income while cutting my work hours in half. I even found a place just a few minutes away from the beach - something that I dreamed about my entire life.
If you have a folder on your desktop that contains everything you've ever wanted for your life, my challenge for you is to take this entire weekend and get to work. :)
With each weekend and with each bit of effort you make, you'll get closer and closer to fulfilling your dreams.
—
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P.S. I'm able to take on one new client in August for bi-weekly Zoom coaching calls. If you want to get your side-hustle up and running, and if you want someone to help you make things happen, send me a message today.
Job postings
My job seekers often tell me that when they're applying for jobs, they fit the job posting criteria perfectly. They have the right education requirements and the right skills. Everything seems to align.
And yet, despite their best efforts, nobody gives them a call.
There are a number of reasons as to why this might be happening. The ones below are what's currently on my mind:
- The hiring manager might be looking for a perfect replacement for the last person who occupied the desk. But rather than writing the posting to attract someone with similar abilities, they just copied and pasted the job posting template that was used previously.
- Pro-Tip: Before applying to the job, try to find out who was formerly at that desk. What did they bring to the table that made them an asset to the organization?
- If the job posting is generic enough, the hiring manager might be digging through too many applications that are all "perfect fits." When this happens, the differentiators become the hiring manager's new focus areas.
- Pro-Tip: Do you have any interesting or fascinating achievements that you could add to your application? Can you spin them in such a way that it might create intrigue for the hiring manager?
Always remember - the goal of your application is to make the hiring manager want you on their team.
Bring to the table what the hiring manager wants, and you will get the callback you're after.
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Hiring is an exhaustive process
During my first two years as a resume writer, I made it non-negotiable to get on a call with a recruiter or hiring decision-maker every week. I always asked them this one specific question:
"What do you want to see from job seekers who apply to your company?"
It was an intentionally broad question - and I ended up receiving interesting, surprising, and thought-provoking responses.
Here are a few that I'm thinking about today:
1. Hiring is an exhaustive process - not just for the job seeker, but for the people in charge of hiring. Applications that are easy to digest and comprehend tend to get more attention and gain more traction.
2. Hiring can also be a pretty dry process. I had hiring managers tell me that they would put off the task - or they would only look through applications early in the morning/late in the evening/on weekends.
3. What tends to make the process less dry?
- Reading sincere and heartfelt application answers.
- Contemplating a candidate's engaging career story.
- Considering how a candidate might fit in with the team.
Hiring managers, what are your thoughts on these? What do you want to see from job seekers who apply to your company?
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