August 27, 2025 by SME Membership The resume is a golden ticket in your career toolkit —but too often, it’s the thing quietly shutting doors instead of opening them. That’s why SME’s August Career Café brought together two seasoned experts – Laura Johnson, a personal branding strategist, and Arthur Hughes, a university instructor and former recruiter – to share strategies for building resumes that resonate. Here is what we got from the conversation. Whether you’re a student just entering the workforce, a mid-career professional considering a change, or a seasoned leader planning your next move, the conversation offered insights that you can apply immediately. The Most Common Resume Pitfalls: Why They Matter Both Johnson and Hughes agreed, one of the biggest resume mistakes they see is being too generic. Many resumes fail to show how an applicant’s experience aligns with the job they’re targeting. Instead of positioning themselves as a solution to a company’s challenges, job seekers often simply list responsibilities they’ve held in the past. Many experienced professionals miss the opportunity to brand themselves effectively at the top of the document. Think of your resume as a sales brochure that leads with your strengths. Then you can use your experience to show how you’ve created value. The Right Balance: Not Too Vague, Not Too Wordy Another challenge is balancing detail with clarity. Overly dense resumes filled with jargon can overwhelm readers. On the flip side, a resume that’s too sparse may fail to demonstrate your impact. The solution? Be specific, but strategic. Focus on the experiences most relevant to the role you’re applying for. Start by thoroughly researching the job description and tailoring your resume accordingly. Try to use a simple framework for each bullet point on your resume: What did you do, how you did it, and why it mattered. This approach not only provides structure but also naturally leads to the kind of quantifiable results hiring managers want to see. Quantifying Your Achievements, Event Without Numbers How do you quantify your accomplishments, especially if the details are confidential? Showing value without sharing sensitive data is possible by using percentages or qualifying language, such as “significant increase in efficiency” or “cut costs by 30%” that focuses on outcomes. While it can be tempting to solely rely on specific figures to demonstrate value, percentages often communicate your accomplishments more effectively. For example, in a small company, 50% cost savings might amount to tens of thousands of dollars, but in a large company, that same 50% improvement could be worth millions. By using percentages, you make the scale of your achievement universally clear, no matter the employer’s size. In addition, job seekers should tell a story: what was the challenge? What action did you take? What was the result? Focus on Transferable Skills If you’re changing industries, it is important to focus on how your existing skills transfer. Start by studying job descriptions in your target industry. Then tailor your resume and cover letter to emphasize shared competencies, problem-solving skills, and relevant accomplishments. Use the cover letter to explain your transition clearly and confidently. Remember, your resume doesn’t get you the job – it gets you the conversation. Keep in mind that your soft skills are what seal the deal. The Cover Letter: Optional or Essential? If you’re serious about a role, you should always include a customized cover letter unless the employer says not to. A strong cover letter can be a differentiator, especially if you’re transitioning careers or industries. He recalled a hire he made specifically because of a compelling cover letter. The key is to avoid generic templates. Show that you’ve done your research, understand the company’s needs, and are excited to help solve their problems. Start With Research – the Smarter Way to Apply Understanding a company’s pain points is crucial to tailoring your resume and cover letter. Some helpful tactics include: Starting with the company website. Investigate press releases, annual reports, and leadership blogs. Following the company on LinkedIn, browse employee profiles, and look for shared connections. Using AI tools to quickly summarize a company’s priorities or compare your resume to a job description. Reaching out to people already in roles you are targeting and request informational interviews to learn more about the company, the role, and the culture. While this does sound time-consuming, Hughes noted that if the job really matters to you, it’s worth the time and effort to show them that you’re the right fit. How to Handle Gaps in Employment Gaps on a resume are less taboo than they used to be, but employers still want to see how you spent that time. Use those career gaps as an opportunity to showcase personal development: Take online courses or pursue certifications. Volunteer in a capacity that leverages your skills. Add these experiences to your resume and LinkedIn profile. Final Thoughts Standing out in today’s job market requires more than listing your work history. It requires intentionality by tailoring your materials, showcasing your achievements with clarity, and demonstrating your potential to future employers. Take this time to review your resume, identify areas to quantify, revise sections that are too generic, and make sure your materials reflect not just where you’ve been, but where you want to go.
