I hear it time and time again. “Can you help me with my resume?” My response is almost always the same. “Yes, I can and I will but we won’t start there.” Your resume is not the best place to start when conducting a job search or contemplating a career transition.

I understand the attraction to start there because it’s tangible, active, and has an endpoint. Hear me when I tell you that you aren’t doing yourself any favors starting with your resume.

Whether we like it or not, a resume is a marketing document. Until you are clear on what story you are telling, you are not ready to work on your resume. You are much more likely to set yourself up for success (and less stress) by starting with reflection and other exercises that bring self-awareness first.

Start by getting clear on your strengths, values, interests, and workplace preferences and determine what target job(s) those are best aligned with. Then, tailor your resume, LinkedIn profile, and networking pitch to speak to that alignment as part of your job search strategy. That clarity of self at the beginning sets you up for a successful career transition that feels more like a process to move through with you in control rather than something to endure at the whim of employers.

If you’d like support for your job search or give the gift of support to others, send me a message at msweatman@gmail.com or book a consult to discuss your needs here.

2  bonus  tips:
💡Don’t use a resume template because they are not ATS compatible.

💡Don’t hire a resume writer that doesn’t include this self-awareness and clarity work as part of writing a resume.