Before You Write Your Resume, Do This

Career introspection often strikes at unexpected moments - a conversation with a friend, a frustrating day at work, or just a quiet evening when you finally have space to think. Big decisions about professional goals start to take shape. And then comes the desire for a new resume.

That's when I get the call.

There are many good ways to write a resume: you can hire a professional resume writer like me, use an online AI tool like Paige, or simply DIY (don't forget to download my free resume template). But regardless, you need great content.

So before you open that template, start thinking about the stories from your career that exemplify your best qualities. And drill down. Get specific.

Here's what I mean:

Find the numbers or get ready to estimate them.

How many students did you meet with in a month as an advisor? How many people attended the conference you organized? How much did your work increase readership in your company newsletter? Quantified achievements always stand out more than vague accomplishments.

Remember that all the specifics matter.

What was the exact title of that policy you reviewed? Which conference did you keynote and when? What were the names of some of the companies you pitched to? These details add credibility and help your stories come alive for your audience.

Focus on outcomes, not just activities.

Don't just list what you did; capture what happened because of it. Did your process improvement reduce costs? Did your analysis influence a major decision? Did your cross-functional leadership turn around a struggling project?

Collect the stories that showcase your unique value.

Were you asked to spearhead a specific project? Did you solve a problem that others couldn't solve before you? These types of narratives help set you apart from your peers while showing initiative and ownership.

Your resume shouldn't be a mush of job responsibilities, but a collection of specific stories that are wholly yours. Through them, you must make a compelling argument for why you're the solution to someone's problem.

Start building that argument now.

Need a gut check? Try the free resume review tool on Paige. Ready for a deeper dive? Work with me directly (contact me!) or use the Paige Resume Builder and its unique"build together" feature to build out your next perfect resume.

Career introspection often strikes at unexpected moments, including coffee with old colleagues and friends.