Most people write their resume like it is a job history. A list of everywhere they have been, everything they were responsible for, and every role they have held, in order, from most recent to oldest. And then they wonder why they are not getting callbacks. Here is the truth: your resume is not a record of your past. It is a pitch for your future. It is a marketing document, and the product it sells is you. The moment you make that shift, everything about how you write it changes.
Why Most Resumes Get Ignored
Recruiters spend an average of 7 seconds reviewing a resume before deciding whether to keep reading or move on. That means your resume has one job before anything else: survive the first scan. Two things kill resumes before a human ever reads them. First, Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), software that screens resume keywords before passing them to a recruiter. If your resume does not include the right language, it may never reach a person at all. Second, a lack of clear, visible value. If a hiring manager cannot see what you bring to the table in 7 seconds, you have lost them.
Pull 3 to 5 job postings for roles you actually want. Highlight the keywords that appear most often. Those words belong in your resume, especially in your Summary and Areas of Expertise sections.
The VCR Formula: Write Bullets That Actually Land
Every bullet point on your resume should follow the VCR formula: Verb + Contribution + Result. Verb: What did you do? Start with a strong action word, spearheaded, implemented, designed, launched, streamlined. Contribution: How did you do it? What skills, tools, or approach did you use? Result: What was the measurable impact? Percentages, dollar amounts, time saved, people impacted.
Before: Responsible for managing the company social media accounts.
After: Grew Instagram following by 47% in 90 days by implementing a consistent content calendar and daily engagement strategy.
The second one tells a story. The first one just takes up space.
If you are a manager or executive, use the RAST format instead: Result first, then Action, then Situation/Task. Lead with the win, then explain how you got there.
The Dos and Don’ts That Make the Biggest Difference
The free handout below covers all of the dos and don’ts in detail, but here are the ones that matter most:
✔️ DO lead with your Summary of Qualifications and Areas of Expertise, before your work history. Give hiring managers a reason to keep reading before they ever get to your experience.
✔️ DO tailor your resume for every application. One-size-fits-all fits none. Adjust your keywords, your bullets, and your summary to match the specific role.
❌ DON’T use tables, columns, text boxes, or graphics. They break in ATS scans and may cause your resume to appear as a blank document.
❌ DON’T stop at one page unless you are a student or early career. Two pages is the standard, even for 3 to 5 years of experience.
❌ DON’T list duties. Show results. Every single time.
Closing Thoughts
Your resume is the first thing standing between you and the opportunity you want. It deserves more than a quick update, it deserves a strategy. The free Resume Dos & Don’ts handout below walks you through every section of a strong resume, includes a clean template you can start using today, and gives you the full VCR formula with examples. Download it, use it, and if you have questions, I am always just an email away at kathy@kbcareercoaching.com.
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