Writing and tailoring your resume for every job sounds like a lot of work. But consider what is at stake. Without a clear and compelling message, the person reviewing your resume will just move on to the next one. 

The same is true (and even more so) for your LinkedIn profile, which is searchable and visible 24/7. 

Listen, I am not a resume writer. I leave that to the certified pros. It’s as much art as it is science. 

Let me shout this so everyone can hear it. If you are applying to different jobs with the same resume, you can’t possibly be hitting the mark as well as you could. 

You MUST make sure that the key job requirements you possess (hard skills, industry knowledge, technical skills) are clearly identified and referenced. 

And don’t include EVERYTHING and hope the reviewer can find it. If you provide too much information you could confuse or lose the reviewer. Stay focused on what they need to know. Omission is not a bad thing if it isn’t relevant. 

Don’t get me wrong, AI can help A LOT! But you have to use it the correct way. 

Ask it to help you identify key skills. Stop. Don’t ask it to incorporate those into your resume. That’s a human function. 

People I trust have done deep dives into using AI to assist with resume writing. Here are two of those articles. (I am not encouraging you to use Teal’s resume builder as there is a cost involved but it isn’t a bad tool)

How to Write Achievement-Based Bullet Points - Teal

Use AI To Write A Standout Resume - Marie Zimenoff

Adrienne Tom (Executive Resume Writer) has a solid resume checklist for senior-level job seekers. 

Not Getting Hired Doesn't Prove Hiring Is Broken - Nick Kossovan

Some great points in this issue. Frustrated job seekers saying the hiring process is broken is like athletes saying the drafting system is broken. Not everyone gets picked in either case. Those that do usually do these 3 things well (Note: well means consistently and with intent).

Stop Chasing ATS Scores and Do This Instead - Jan Tengze

With over 200 ATS systems, scoring how well a resume performs is imprecise at best. Remember, your resume is being read by both an ATS and a human so you have to write for both audiences. Follow these tips to improve your resume’s alignment with the job posting.

Get More LinkedIn Views By Doing This - Sarah Johnston

Sarah is training her team using LinkedIn Recruiter (the expensive tool that many recruiters pay for to refine their candidate searches on LinkedIn). This post includes her findings and the why! 

TL:DR a complete and active profile ranks better (shows up more)!

How To Answer "Why should we hire you?"  - Shelley Piedmont

Including proof or evidence of your strengths isn’t enough. You need to show your logic and strategy behind the success. And your alignment with the company culture/systems. Being prepared to answer this question, whether you’re asked or not, it never a waste of time!

Should You Use Emojis at Work? Addressing the Many Faces of Professionalism - HR Digest

The answer, as always is… it depends. And it’s important to know how others feel. These are the results of the HR Digest poll. 

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Most of us start a job search thinking, “I won’t be out of work long.”

And that’s completely normal. Expectations come from hope, experience, and how we think things should unfold.

But when expectations don’t match reality, we feel frustrated, disappointed, or even rejected. Here’s what’s really happening:

We form expectations by:

🔹 Anticipating a specific outcome
🔹 Visualizing exactly how things “should” play out
🔹 A fixed idea of what we want or need

And when reality doesn’t align, it stings.

This is your reminder to check your expectations, not to lower your standards, but to protect your energy and stay focused on what you can control.

Common job search expectations that often miss the mark:

➡️ I’ll get feedback after the interview
➡️ Employers will communicate clearly and consistently
➡️ I’ll receive timely follow-up
➡️ I’ll be contacted regardless of the outcome
➡️ I’ll get a call because I’m qualified
➡️ The hiring process should be fast
➡️ Job boards will deliver the right opportunities
➡️ AI can do most of the work

In a perfect world, these would all be true. But hiring is messy, inconsistent, and often slow. Many parts of the process are outside your control.

So here’s the reframe:

Ask yourself,

“Is this expectation realistic based on my past experience or is it something I wish would happen?”

When expectations align with reality, the emotional rollercoaster gets easier to manage.

And where you do have control, take it.

🎯 If you haven’t heard back, follow up.
🎯 If you feel ghosted, reach out to someone else at the company.
🎯 If you’re waiting for clarity, ask direct questions.

Do everything within your power to get the information you need, even if it’s not the answer you hoped for.

And if you’ve done all you can?

LET IT GO!

Not because it doesn’t matter, but because your energy is better spent on new opportunities, new conversations, and new possibilities.

Just keep moving. 

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