Hard Truths About Your Resume
Let’s talk about the dreaded resume. With the internet full of conflicting advice and way too many Canva templates to choose from, it’s no wonder we’re overwhelmed before we even open a Word doc.
But here’s the thing: if you want the job, you need a resume that actually works. And sometimes, the best resume advice isn’t sugarcoated—it’s straight-up real talk.
Whether you're applying for your first job or finally going after something that lights you up, here are a few hard (but helpful!) truths to get your resume into shape:
Keep It Simple
We get it. You’ve done a lot. But listing every single task from that internship three summers ago? Not necessary.
Aim for four strong bullet points per job or role. Start each one with a confident action verb:
Coordinated
Managed
Executed
Created
Supported
Be direct. Be specific. Make it easy to scan. Recruiters aren’t reading every word, they’re skimming. Make those bullets count.
One Page, Sister
We know... narrowing down your accomplishments to one page feels impossible, especially when you’ve been super involved. But unless you’re deep into your career, your resume should stick to one page.
Cut the fluff. Keep what matters. Focus on experiences that relate to where you're headed, not just where you’ve been.
Bonus tip: Most of your college activities can go as your career progresses, unless they’re truly standout.
Match the Job
Applying for a creative job? Your resume can reflect that, but don’t overdo it. A little personality is welcome, but stick to clean formatting, easy-to-read fonts (like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman), and don’t go wild with colors or overly cutesy fonts.
Think polished, not Pinterest.
Skip the Personal Stuff
You don’t need to include your age, marital status, or a photo. That’s outdated and honestly... distracting. Let your experience do the talking.
Get Specific
Numbers matter. They show impact, not just effort.
Instead of: "Helped plan events." Try: "Assisted in coordinating logistics for a 500-person industry conference, including vendor management and scheduling."
Or instead of: "Increased social media engagement." Say: "Grew social media engagement by 30% through targeted content campaigns."
Specific = memorable.
Save It Like A Pro
This one’s easy to overlook. But don’t. Save your resume as a PDF
Name the file: FirstName_LastName_Resume
This makes it easy for an employer to find (and keeps your formatting intact, no matter what system they’re using).
Your resume doesn’t need to be fancy. It needs to be you.
Clear, confident, and future-focused.
The job market can be noisy, but with the right tools (and a few sisterly reminders), you will stand out.
Polishing up your resume? Starting fresh in your career?
We’ve got your back.
For more real-world tips, honest encouragement, and sisterhood that shows ufp for you, follow along at @heysistercollective. Let’s navigate the hard stuff together.
