The #Firestarters’ Guide to Writing an Awesome Resume

With these tips, you’ll land your dream job in no time.

Going after your biggest goals takes vision, persistence and faith in yourself. But sometimes it also takes a powerhouse resume that showcases exactly who you are and what you can do.

If updating your resume feels overwhelming, I want to introduce you to someone who can help. Allow me to introduce you to April Willis, who brings incredible credentials to the resume game – she holds a doctorate, and three master’s degrees, and she has over a decade of experience helping professionals level up their careers. April’s worked with national nonprofits, startups, tech companies, and more. And today she’s sharing her top strategies for crafting a resume that gets noticed. She’s been my #1 go to resume writer since 2018—-so that means my last four gigs! Are you ready to get hired? Then let’s get started!

Ditch the ‘Objective’ – Lead with Impact Instead

One of April’s most powerful tips? Skip the traditional “Objective” section (It’s so 2005, right?!) and replace it with an executive profile. Now that may sound like it requires a lot of writing, but it’s actually pretty simple, April says. You just need three concise bullet points that mirror the job description. It should look something like this:
Results-oriented [Job Title]

Experienced in [blank]
Dedicated to [blank]
Proven to [blank]

Fill in those blanks with exact phrases from the job posting. This immediately shows the employer you’re the perfect fit they’ve been looking for.

Structure for Success

Just like a well-tailored business suit signals to the world that you’re a force to be reckoned with, a well-structured resume conveys to hiring managers that you know your stuff.

Where you put things on your resume really matters, April says. Unless you’ve graduated in the last three years or you’re applying for an academic position, your experience should come before your education. Why? Because hiring managers care most about what you’ve actually done.

And when you’re describing that experience, skip the dense paragraphs. “Use bulleted points and always start each with a strong action verb,” April advises. But here’s a key tip – don’t repeat similar accomplishments across multiple jobs. Each position should highlight unique achievements that showcase different skills.

Show Your Impact (With Real Numbers)

Want to know one of the biggest resume game-changers? Quantifying your achievements. Instead of just saying you “improved sales,” share that you “increased regional sales by 47% in six months.” Numbers grab attention and show your real-world impact. (And I bet you’ve got some impressive ones to share!)

Format for Real Humans (and Robot Screeners)

Your resume often has to impress a computer before it ever reaches human eyes. That’s because many companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to screen resumes first.

April recommends keeping your formatting clean and simple – skip the fancy fonts and creative layouts. Stick to classics like Times New Roman or Arial, and use a single-column structure. This ensures both the ATS and actual hiring managers can easily read your amazing qualifications.

Showcase Your Core Competencies

Here’s a pro tip from April that many people miss: At the bottom of your resume, include six to nine key competencies using one- to two-word phrases pulled straight from the job description. For example: “Project Management | Data Analysis | Strategic Planning.” This helps you pass those ATS screenings and gives hiring managers (who, like all of us, are really busy) a quick snapshot of your skills. Here’s an example:

Special Situations

Are you a freelancer or business owner applying for a traditional role? April has some smart advice: Instead of listing yourself as “Owner” or “Freelancer,” use the title that best matches the job you’re applying for. After all, as the boss, you have the flexibility to frame your experience in the most relevant way.

A one-page resume will do the job just fine for most of us. But if you’re a C-level executive, go ahead and write two pages. But use them wisely:

Page 1: Your name, contact info, executive profile and experience
Page 2: Save this for credentials and accomplishments – education, certifications, awards, publications and so on (not more work experience).

What to Skip

Unless they’re directly relevant to the job, leave off your personal interests and hobbies. I know your weekend hiking adventures are amazing, but hiring managers care more about your professional qualifications.

The Bottom Line

April shares one final piece of wisdom that really resonates with me: Every job posting is different, so your resume should be too. Take time to customize your executive profile and competencies for each role. Mirror the language from the job description. Show how your unique experiences align with what they’re seeking.

Remember, your resume isn’t just a list of past jobs – it’s a strategic tool for showcasing your value and advancing your mission. With these resume tips, hiring managers will be clamoring to talk to you!

The #Firestarters’ Guide to Writing an Awesome Resume