How to turn a boring list of jobs into your own personal superhero origin story
Let’s talk about resumes. Yes, that word. The document that makes even the most confident among us spiral into an existential crisis at in the wee hours of the morning. But your resume doesn’t have to feel like a weird, soul-less obituary of your work life. It can actually be… fun. Kind of. At least empowering. Maybe even magical, like a glittering handshake that says, “Hi, I’m amazing, and here’s proof.”
So if you’re aiming to create a resume that not only passes the bots but also gets real humans excited to call you? Let’s get into it.
First off welcome to the era of digital resumes. Sure, a tidy PDF is still solid, but if you’re not already cozying up to platforms like LinkedIn or creating a portfolio site that screams “Hire me, I’m brilliant,” you’re missing out. Think of your LinkedIn as your professional Hogwarts. Not only does it show off your experience, it gives people a taste of your vibe, your values, your top-notch review from “Former Manager Who Cried When I Quit.”
And yes, keywords matter. No, not the kind you whisper into the void hoping the algorithm hears you. The kind that make you pop in an Applicant Tracking System (or, the Resume Sorting Hat). If a job post mentions “project management,” your resume better not be out here talking about “coordinating workflows” like it’s trying to be mysterious. Speak the same language. Show how you did it. Bonus points for numbers. Like this:
Spearheaded a product launch that increased customer engagement by 47% > Helped with launch things sometimes, I guess?
You’re not just trying to get past a robot. You’re trying to hook a human. And humans love stories. So tell one. Not a fairytale. Not a memoir. A sharp, shiny little narrative about your work life that starts strong and ends with them wanting more.
Speaking of strong: ditch the objective statement, “Seeking a challenging position where I can grow…” Snooze. Instead, go for a summary. This is your opening number, your Broadway spotlight. Something like:
Detail-obsessed UX designer with a love for clean interfaces, surprising color palettes, and solving tricky user problems with joyful design. Led three redesigns in 2024 that boosted user retention by 30%.
Boom. That’s you. That’s your deal.
Now let’s talk format. The vibe for 2025? Clean. Minimal. Think classy AirBnB listing, not glittery MySpace page. Use bullet points, action verbs, plenty of white space, and a font that doesn’t look like it’s trying too hard.
If you’re in a creative field, feel free to add some subtle flair but the golden rule is always clarity over cleverness. Your resume isn’t a riddle. It should take 10 seconds to know what you do and why you’re awesome.
And hey, visuals? Not just for designers anymore. A slick little chart showing your results? Cool. A simple infographic of tools you use? Even cooler. Just keep it relevant. Think “neat, helpful, intentional” not “I just discovered Canva and lost control.”
Let’s not forget the shining stars of your resume: your achievements. These are your mic-drop moments. And they deserve numbers. Did you save time, increase revenue, lower stress levels across your entire department with your spreadsheets of doom-taming? Say so.
Example:
Implemented a new content calendar system that cut production time by 40% and got three team members to actually smile.
A good rule of thumb: if your bullet points still work when applied to any job in any industry, they’re too vague. Be specific. Be you.
Now, let’s sprinkle in the soft stuff. Because guess what? In a world full of automation, being human is a huge flex. Show you can adapt, solve problems, and work well with others. If you’ve mastered remote work, highlight that. Bonus points if you’ve tackled hybrid setups, or wrangled team collaboration across time zones and tech tools.
Oh, and let’s talk about diversity and inclusion. If you’ve worked on inclusive projects, led multicultural teams, or speak multiple languages, don’t keep that hidden like some side quest. This stuff matters. A lot.
Almost done! Before you hit “export,” check for consistency. Your resume, LinkedIn, portfolio should tell the same story. Same job titles. Same dates. Same general energy. You don’t want a recruiter wondering if “Strategic Content Sorcerer” on your site is the same person as “Copywriting Assistant” on your resume.
Last but not least: keep it short and shiny. One page is perfect unless you’re in a super technical or academic field. You want to leave them intrigued, not overwhelmed. Think of your resume as the movie trailer for the full story you’ll tell in the interview.
So there you have it. You are fully capable of writing a resume that doesn’t just exist in someone’s inbox but one that makes them pause, smile, and say, “Yes. This is someone I want to meet.”
Now go forth and slay your bullet points.
