Five Things Your Resume Forgot to Do

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Your resume isn't broken. But it’s missing key parts.

Think of your resume like a piece of IKEA furniture. It looks complete, but something’s off. The frame is there, but it wobbles when you put weight on it. That’s what happens when you skip key resume basics. You’re not falling apart. You’re just missing a few essential screws.

It’s a challenging job market right now, so you can’t afford to be “almost” put together. Here are five easy-to-miss things that make your resume less effective and what to do instead.

1. Open With a Clear Personal Brand

Generic summaries won’t get you noticed. Recruiters and hiring managers need to know who you are, what you’re great at, and how you add value.

Example: Jordan, Project Manager

Jordan is a project manager, and he had his resume open with “Experienced project leader with strong communication skills.” That’s generic (and sounds like AI), so we changed it to:

“PMP-certified project manager leading global teams to deliver enterprise tech rollouts on time and under budget.” This clear, specific language aligns with what tech employers want to see. It tells a story in one sentence.

2. Customize It (Even Just a Little)

In the olden days, one resume had to suffice for different roles. With applicant tracking systems and volumes of resumes to screen, you don’t have a choice but to tailor your resume to each target role.

Example: Priya, Data Analyst

Priya had one resume that she sent to jobs in every industry, from healthcare to retail to energy. She listed every skill but didn’t speak directly to any specific audience.

For each role, we made light edits. We moved relevant bullets to the top, mirrored the language from the job description, and adjusted the titles to match the company's usage. Suddenly, she went from no responses to multiple interviews in a week.

3. Translate Tasks Into Results

Don’t just list what you did. Show what changed because you did it. Hiring managers and recruiters need to see evidence of your expertise. Not every bullet needs metrics accomplishments, but your impact should be obvious.

Example: Marcus, Operations Supervisor

Marcus created generic bullets like: “Managed inventory and tracked shipments.” With a focus on specific numbers, we revised it to: “Improved order fulfillment rates by 22 percent by redesigning the warehouse flow and updating tracking software.”

4. Point to What You Want Next

Your resume should reflect the role you’re aiming for, not just the one you had last.

Example: Lena, Senior Designer

Lena wanted to move into a design leadership role, but her resume still focused on hands-on execution. We reframed her brand to spotlight her ability to lead strategy, mentor teams, and drive cross-functional initiatives. Her role bullets highlighted how she shaped brand systems, elevated creative standards, and coached junior designers into leads, positioning her as a design leader already delivering impact, not just hoping to.

5. Proof It Like a Pitch

Research suggests that screeners spend less than 10 seconds reviewing your resume. Your layout must be clean, scannable, strategic, and so clear in its progression that readers want to learn more.

Example: Darius, Marketing Specialist

Darius had a full page of dense text with no bullets, white space, or hierarchy. We broke it into crisp sections, added action verbs, reworked his font choices, and even added some subtle color. The result? A resume that reads better and makes his experience easier to spot in under ten seconds.

Want to Stop Sending a Wobbly Resume?

Even great candidates forget the basics when they’re busy, burned out, or too close to their own story. Minor fixes like these can help you shift from being overlooked to being in demand.

If your resume isn’t quite up to par, I can help. Reach out to schedule a time to discuss your resume strategy. Let’s tighten it and make it work more effectively for you.

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Hillary Hufford-Tucker is the founder of Relevated Brands. Since 2019, she has helped professionals build relevance and elevate their visibility through distinctive resumes, LinkedIn profile optimization, and individualized personal brand plans. Hillary holds certifications in career coaching, transitions, digital strategy, and reinvention, along with an MA in strategic communications and a Level Two Award in Wine from WSET. Splitting time between Illinois and California, she’s a cyclist, author, traveler, and Syrah enthusiast, sometimes all at once.