#117 - Your Resume's Story
Adam Karpiak
My resumes and job search strategies get people hired. Go to KarpiakConsulting.com for my services! Looking for a job sucks. I make it suck less.
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Check out Issue #117 - Your Resume's Story and let me know what you think!
SHAMELESS PLUG
If your job search needs a little more help, Karpiak Consulting offers resume and LinkedIn services, as well as job search strategy coaching.
Who knows…maybe it’ll help you get 2 offers in 1 month like this client ??
So how did I help this resume review client get interviews so quickly?
Impactful storytelling.
They came to me to me after leaving a job that was draining every ounce of energy...70+ hour weeks, no balance, and no backup plan. The goal? To find a remote or hybrid role with better work-life balance and a company that truly values its people.
Their resume had strong experience but wasn’t making the impact needed to stand out. It lacked focus, context, and the storytelling that hiring managers look for when deciding who moves forward. I told them how to rework it to highlight achievements, quantify results, and align their skills with the roles they were targeting.
Basiclly to not just list experience, but to tell a story in a way that hiring managers needed to see.
Fast forward just one month, and they're now juggling multiple offers...roles in industries that are new, fully remote, and aligned with their vision for balance and growth. This is what happens when your resume isn’t just a list of what you’ve done...it’s a clear, compelling case for why you’re the perfect fit.
The key to making your resume impactful is to move away from the “everything but the kitchen sink” approach. It’s tempting to include everything you’ve done, hoping a recruiter will spot what’s relevant, but that rarely works. Recruiters don’t have time to sift through long paragraphs or unrelated details to figure out your fit. Your resume needs to focus on what matters most for the roles you’re targeting. Start by getting clear on your goals. What type of role do you want? What skills and experience does that role require? Once you’ve defined that, take a hard look at your resume and remove anything that doesn’t serve that narrative.
If your experience isn’t a perfect match for your target role, it’s essential to connect the dots for recruiters. Highlight transferable skills and achievements that show how your past work aligns with what they’re looking for. Don’t just hope they’ll see the connections...spell them out. For example, if you’re moving into a new industry, focus on accomplishments that demonstrate adaptability, problem-solving, and leadership...qualities that translate across roles and industries. The way you frame your experience is everything.
Your resume also needs to be easy to read. Recruiters are scanning, not studying, so make it simple for them to see why you’re a great fit. Avoid long paragraphs and overly detailed descriptions. Use concise, impactful statements that focus on measurable results.
Your resume isn’t just a list of responsibilities...it’s a showcase of your impact. For every task or role you include, ask yourself why it matters. What was the result? How did it benefit the organization? Why should the hiring manager care?
When your resume tells a clear, compelling story about your value, it’s no longer a document...it’s your ticket to the next step in your career.
If you’re feeling like your resume isn’t telling your story the way it should and don’t know how to frame your experience, our services can help.
BEST (WORST?) JOB POST OF THE WEEK
Here’s the job post that got the most people talking on my Instagram this week!
I’m burnt out just reading this
If you come across an irritating job posting, email it to the newsletter or DM me on Instagram and I’ll add it to the list to post!
PREMIUM SUBSCRIBER QUESTION
Is it worth following up after applying? If so, when should I do it, how do I find the right person to contact, and what should I say?
领英推荐
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JOIN OUR COMMUNITY!
Don't forget about our LinkedIn group,?the Jobseeking is Hard Community!
We now have more than 6,800 members!! If you're looking for a job, this active group is for you. Here you can freely talk about your job search...the ups, the downs, the frustrations, what works, what doesn't work. It's an unlisted group, meaning it doesn't appear in search results for non-group members and is not visible to others on members’ profiles. This community is here to help each other, passing on leads and ideas. And most importantly, support, encouragement, and empathy.
AFFILIATES!
NOTE: As an affiliate to these services, we will receive compensation if you purchase products or services through the links provided.
BETTERHELP: 15% OFF YOUR FIRST MONTH OF ONLINE THERAPY
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Interested? When you get your new profile pic, be sure to post about it to kickstart the networking!
COURSERA PLUS: ONLINE COURSES
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HUNTER: FREE TRIAL FOR EMAIL ADDRESS FINDER
Want to follow up on your job applications? Looking to network? Have some target companies? Try Hunter! The Email Finder is all you need to connect with any professional. It puts all our data together — email formats, email addresses found on the web, and verification status — to find reliable contact information in seconds.
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Try it for free here! https://hunter.io/?via=jobseekingishard
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Jobseekers, have a great rest of your week, and good luck with those applications!
-Adam
PS!! If you're enjoying the newsletter, let people know! Forward it, post it on social, tag me, whatever...the bigger the discussion, the better! The idea is to help as many people as possible!
About Adam- Recognized as a leading voice on hiring and workplace trends, Adam has been recruiting and providing career advice since 2003, developing high-trust relationships based on honesty with companies and jobseekers. A highly sought-after speaker, he has appeared in numerous outlets, including Bloomberg News, Business Insider, LinkedIn, and CNNMoney. You can find out more about Adam's resume and coaching services here.
OK Bo?tjan Dolin?ek
Hire the CHARACTER*TRAIN the Skills | HR-Talent Specialist | Memb of Australian HR Inst 627823
1 个月Good One : to add to his point: Stupid interview questions Here how it's commonly generated in Malaysia : The Hiring Reality in Malaysia: A Call for Better Practices Key Issues: Overloaded Hiring Managers: Managers often demand "perfect candidates" within unrealistic timeframes, ignoring underlying issues like poor departmental management that lead to high turnover. Unprepared Interviewers: Many hiring managers fail to review CVs or prepare adequately, leading to irrelevant questions and unfair rejections like “not a cultural fit.” Weak Rejection Excuses: Candidates are often dismissed for shallow reasons, such as living far away or lacking certain skills, without proper evaluation of their potential. The Solution: Companies must educate and train hiring managers to: Prepare for interviews effectively. Use fair and structured evaluation methods. Understand and uphold their company culture. By empowering hiring managers, companies can improve the recruitment process, retain talent, and build stronger teams. For Job Seekers: Stay persistent and look for recruiters who advocate for you. Finding the right job is possible with preparation and resilience. Good luck!
?Collaborative ?Strategic Partner ?Results-Driven
1 个月Yes, yes, yes!
My resumes and job search strategies get people hired. Go to KarpiakConsulting.com for my services! Looking for a job sucks. I make it suck less.
1 个月This week’s issue is definitely recruiter-approved ?? “I have no affiliation with this newsletter; I just genuinely believe it offers the perfect balance of humour and practical tips.” ??