🔑 Your resume doesn't just unlock opportunities; it kicks down the door and clears the way for them to become real! ✍️ Your resume is more than a document; it's your first impression, story, and ticket to the next big opportunity. But is your resume working for you or against you? Here are some best practices to make sure it stands out for all the right reasons: ✅ Keep It Simple: Fancy designs and heavy formatting might look great, but they can confuse Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). Stick to clean, minimalistic layouts with clear headings and bullet points. Remember, the ATS/AI is color blind; different shades and patterns may throw it off. ✅ Tailor for the Role: One-size-fits-all resumes are a thing of the past. Customize your resume for each job by highlighting the skills and experiences most relevant to the position. Don’t “quick submit” without customizing! ✅ Use Action Verbs: Start each bullet point with strong action verbs like "led," "developed," or "achieved" to showcase your impact. ✅ Quantify Your Achievements: Numbers speak louder than words. And especially regarding a fundraiser's resume, “numbers add up,” as we say. Instead of saying "improved major gifts," say "major gifts increased by $X amount." ✅ Avoid Overdesigning: While bolding and underlining can help emphasize key points, avoid shading, graphics, or overly complex formatting, especially if you're applying through an ATS. ✅ Proofread, Proofread, Proofread: Typos and errors can be deal-breakers. Double-check everything, or have someone else review it for you. ✅ Remember, your resume is your brand on paper. Make it clear, stand out, and easy to read for both humans and AI. 🛠️ Make your resume into a powerful tool that opens doors? Don't let a less-than-perfect resume hold you back from your dream job. 🗓️ Click below to schedule a personalized session with me on Calendly! We'll review your current resume and work together to optimize it, or I can help you craft a new one that truly highlights your strengths and gets noticed by recruiters and ATS alike. Calendly.com/ExecSearches

Sending out resumes but not hearing back? You’re not alone. Most professionals assume the problem is their experience — but generally, it’s not. It’s how that experience is presented. The truth is: 🧩 Most resumes aren’t ignored because they’re bad. They’re ignored because they don’t stand out — or connect your experience to what hiring managers are looking for. Too often, they read like a list of job titles and tasks. No clear thread. No focus on what makes you different. No sense of where you’re headed. And when your career has taken a few turns, pauses, or pivots? Telling that story on paper is even harder. After reviewing hundreds of resumes over the past 10+ years, I’ve seen the same issues come up time and again: 🚫 Templates that look polished but bury your story — or confuse the digital filtering software used by most companies 🚫 Work experience sections that list responsibilities but not results 🚫 Bullet points that undersell your expertise 🚫 Missed opportunities to connect the dots between your roles and tell a memorable story That’s why I created the Standout Resume Checklist — a simple, proven system to help you: ✅ Format your resume so it gets through digital filters AND makes a strong impression on real people ✅ Find and use the RIGHT keywords, so your alignment with the role is clear ✅ Turn your past roles into ACHIEVEMENT-BASED bullet points that reflect your impact and growth ✅ Position your experience at the RIGHT level, so you're seen as a serious contender ✅ Customise your resume FAST — without rewriting it every time you apply Creating a standout resume is more than just the right words and formatting — it’s about how everything fits together. It’s about connecting the dots in your career and telling your story in a way that makes sense — so you can present your experience with clarity and confidence, and hiring managers can quickly see the value you bring. So grab the checklist today — and start applying with confidence tomorrow. https://writeandshine.com.au/src