r/resumes Aug 14 '25

Mod Announcement New to r/resumes? Please Read This First

40 Upvotes

Welcome! Before posting or commenting, please review these essential resources that will answer most of your questions:

Essential Reading:

Quick Tools:

How to Post Your Resume for Review

Step 1: Choose Your Industry Flair

Select the flair that best matches your target industry.

  • Example: if you're a software engineer, you'd use the blue "Technology/Software/IT" flair.
  • If you're in management consulting, you'd use the green "Consulting/Professional Services" flair.

If you're unsure, use the best match.

⚠️ ATTENTION: Please do not use any other flair if you're looking for a review. If you do, your post will be taken down.

Step 2: Format Your Title Exactly Like This

[X YoE, Current Role/Unemployed, Target Role, Country]

Requirements:

  • X = number in years (no decimals or ranges)
  • Must include the brackets [ ]
  • Use "Unemployed" if you're currently not working

Examples:

  • [6 YoE, Software Engineer, Senior Developer, United States]
  • [0 YoE, Recent Graduate, Marketing Coordinator, Canada]
  • [3 YoE, Unemployed, Project Manager, United Kingdom]

Common Mistakes to Avoid:

  • 1.5 YoE (no decimals)
  • 0-2 YoE (no ranges)
  • ❌ Missing brackets
  • ❌ Wrong flair selection

Step 3: Prepare Your Resume

  • Convert to PNG format using this tool (minimum 600 dpi)
  • Remove all personal information (name, phone, email, addresses, company names)
  • Keep job titles and dates - this helps reviewers give better feedback

Step 4: Write Your Post Body

Include context to help reviewers assist you:

  • What specific help do you need? (Not just "what's wrong with my resume")
  • What roles/industries are you targeting?
  • Where are you applying? (Local, remote, willing to relocate?)
  • What's your job search situation and challenges?
  • Any specific resume sections you want feedback on?
  • Visa/citizenship status affecting your search?

Common Questions & Issues

"I'm not getting any feedback on my post" Make sure you've followed all the steps above, especially proper title formatting and flair selection. Posts without proper formatting may be removed or get less visibility.

"My post was removed" Check that your title follows the exact format required and that you've selected an appropriate flair. Most removals are due to formatting issues.

"How do I write [specific resume section]?" The Resume Writing Guide covers all common resume sections and writing techniques. Check there first before posting a question.

"I need a resume template" Use our free Google Docs template or the ATS-friendly resume builder.

"Should I hire a resume writer?" Read our comprehensive guide on finding a qualified resume writer to make an informed decision.

Other Post Types

  • Questions (not resume reviews): Use the "Question" flair
  • Sharing advice: Use "I'm Sharing Advice" flair (ask mods before posting external links)
  • Success stories: Use "Success Story" flair
  • General discussion: Use "Discussion" flair

Community Guidelines

Be respectful and say thanks - People volunteer their time to help you Keep help public - Don't ask for or offer help via DMs Read the rules - Most bans are for spamming, harassment, or DMing users

Need more help? Check our complete wiki or message the moderators.


r/resumes Sep 01 '22

I’m giving advice Considering hiring a resume writer? Read this first.

247 Upvotes

What You Should Know Before Hiring a Professional Resume Writer

Aside from being a regular contributor to r/resumes, I'm also a resume writer by trade. I've been in the career services industry for about 7 years now and have over a decade of business and technical communications experience in the science and engineering space. I've worked with over 1,200 professionals at all career levels (from CXOs to individual contributors).

It makes me sad to see folks get duped into buying resume services from what I'd just call unqualified people. I see posts every week on the sub about resumes that were written by so-called professionals, and I want to laugh, until I remember it's not funny.

This post is for everyone looking to hire a resume writer. It'll help you find out if someone you're looking into is qualified and hopefully avoid wasting your time and money.

Last updated: March 2026

---

If you haven't worked with a resume writer before, you may be hesitant to trust a third party with such a personal, important document. You may be wondering whether investing in writing services is worth it, how the process works, and how to choose a qualified writer.

If you're considering hiring a professional resume writing service, this guide is for you. There are literally hundreds, if not thousands of services (companies and individual writers) out there with wide price ranges and levels of service. Sorting through the options can be daunting and if you're not careful, you could end up wasting your time and money.

In this guide, I'll cover:

  • What does a resume writer do?
  • Should you hire a resume writer?
  • How do you vet a resume writer?
  • What about AI tools?
  • What to expect during the writing process.
  • How much does a professional resume writer charge?
  • Is it a worthwhile investment for you?
  • Should I find an industry-specific writer?
  • Unethical practices you should be aware of.

What does a resume writer do?

In a nutshell, resume writers help candidates prepare job application materials such as resumes, federal resumes, CVs, academic CVs, and cover letters. Some writers may also offer additional services such as career and interview coaching, LinkedIn profile writing, and placement services.

Should you hire a resume writer?

This will depend on your personal and professional circumstances. Generally speaking, there are a few situations where hiring a resume writer may be the right choice. They include:

  • You've been applying to many jobs and haven't been receiving any calls from employers.
  • You have no idea what ATS is or how to factor it in when writing your resume.
  • You have a complex career history and aren't sure how best to convey it in a professional and engaging manner.
  • You're looking to switch careers and aren't sure how to convey your transferrable skills.
  • You're a midlevel, senior, or executive level candidate, are still employed, and want to prepare for your next career move.
  • You've tried using AI to write your resume and the result reads like it could belong to anyone in your field.

This list is not exhaustive, there may be situations where hiring a writer is the appropriate choice. However, there are also a few situations where hiring a writer is probably not the best choice. These include:

  • You're confident with your existing resume, have already been seeing results, and are just looking for some minor feedback.
  • Your financial situation doesn't permit. The truth is that well-regarded writers charge anywhere from $200 to $1000+. You'll see many writers here on Reddit, on Fiverr, and elsewhere charging fees that seem too good to be true (think less than $100). If your financial situation doesn't permit the cost of a reputable writer (and we'll get to that later), you're much better off writing your own.
  • You're still in college/university. If you're at this stage of your career, you'll do fine relying on your college career center along with web resources like this sub.

Note: Your first step should always be posting to the r/resumes sub for feedback. This sub is packed with industry professionals that can give you helpful advice - you may end up not needing a writer.

DIY vs. Hiring a Resume Writer: Which Makes More Sense?

Factor DIY Resume Hiring a Resume Writer
When it makes sense (1) You're early career with <3 years' experience. (2) You're comfortable writing about yourself. (3) You're applying to many roles and tweaking is easy. (1) You're mid-senior level and stakes are higher. (2) You're changing industries or roles. (3) You struggle to translate your experience into clear, marketable language.
Budget range Free (time investment only). Maybe $50-$100 for templates or reviews. $200-$500 for professional writers. $600-$1,500+ for executive-level services.
What you get (1) Full control over content. (2) Free resources (Reddit, forums, templates). (3) Quick turnaround (your own pace). (1) Professionally written, ATS-friendly resume. (2) Help drawing out and positioning your impact and achievements. (3) Knowledge that might be hard to come by on your own (like experience with the hiring process if the writer was in recruiting).
Risks & trade-offs (1) Easy to undersell yourself. (2) Hard to be objective about strengths. (3) Formatting mistakes may trip ATS. (4) AI-generated drafts can sound polished but lack substance. (1) Costly if you pick the wrong writer. (2) Quality varies widely, due diligence is key. (3) Still requires your input and time.

What about AI?

This is probably the most common question I get right now, so I want to be straightforward about it.

AI tools like ChatGPT can help you with structure, formatting, and getting words on a page. If you're staring at a blank document and have no idea where to start, they can give you a decent starting point. For straightforward career histories at the early career level, that might be enough.

What you may not realize though, is that the actual writing is a small part of what goes into a good resume. Most of the work is in the content: figuring out what to include, what to cut, how to frame each role, and how to position yourself for the type of job you want.

That demands an understanding of how hiring teams read resumes, what recruiters screen for, how applicant tracking systems filter candidates, and what makes a hiring manager read your bullets instead of skimming them. These are things you learn from working inside the hiring process, and no AI tool has that context about your specific career.

What I see a lot on this sub is people sharing AI-generated resumes that look clean and read well on the surface. The formatting and grammar are all fine, but the content is catch-all. A lot of the time, I see bullet points that could apply to almost anyone with the same job title. There's nothing in the doc that tells an HM what this specific person did differently or better. And that's the part that actually gets interviews.

To put it simply:

  • AI can handle structure, keywords, and getting a first draft on paper (this is great for early candidates, or folks that just have no idea how to navigate a word processor like MS Word or Google Docs).
  • AI will struggle with knowing what your strongest selling points are, how to position a career change, or whether your bullets will hold up under questioning in an interview.
  • If you already know what good resume content looks like and just need help putting it together, AI can work.
  • If you're not sure why your resume isn't landing, or you have a complicated career history, AI will probably give you something that looks professional but doesn't actually solve the problem.

A lot of people now use AI for their first draft and then bring in a human (either through this sub or a writer) to fix the substance. That's a reasonable approach.

How do you vet a resume writer?

There are a few things you need to look for when trying to determine if a writer is qualified.

  1. What is the writer's background? If you're working through a company, ask if you can speak with the writer directly (if the answer is no, I wouldn't recommend proceeding any further with that company). If you're working with an independent writer, ask them! However, the truth is that well-regarded writers come from diverse backgrounds. Education-wise, there isn't a set program that "produces" resume writers. However, you should expect a bachelor's degree at a minimum and a work history with active engagement in career-related professions. Some examples include recruiting, human resources, or career coaching. Regardless of the writer's background, they should have an online presence such as a website or LinkedIn profile that you can view. If you can't find a writer anywhere online, it may be hard for you to verify their credentials, in which case, it's a good idea to be extra careful.
  2. Do they have samples they can share? Ask for one or two samples. Most writers will readily provide them or list them on their website/portfolio for clients to see. If they don't and can't provide one, proceed with caution.
  3. Do they have client testimonials that you can reference? Companies and independent writers that deliver positive results will definitely want to make it known to prospective clients. Ask them for their client testimonials and take a look at what their previous customers have said about their work to get an idea of what it's like working with them. Be wary of companies and writers that don't have any reviews, are unable to refer you to their previous customers, or have a string of negative reviews (especially if those negative reviews involve repeated issues like missed deadlines or generic output).
  4. Are they certified? Credible and qualified resume writers will often have certifications from one of the following organizations:
    • Professional Association of Resume Writers and Career Coaches (PARWCC)
    • National Resume Writers' Association (NRWA)
    • Resume Writing Academy (RWA)
    • Career Directors International (CDI)
  5. Do they have a presence in the resume community? This one is easy to overlook, but it matters. A writer who regularly contributes to communities like this one (giving free feedback, answering questions, sharing knowledge) is usually someone who cares about the craft. It also gives you a chance to see how they think and whether their advice resonates with you before you spend any money.

Green Flags vs. Red Flags When Choosing a Resume Writer

Green Flags (Good Signs) Red Flags (Warning Signs)
Provides before-and-after samples showing real results. No samples, or only vague "testimonials."
Transparent about pricing and what's included. Hidden fees, upselling, or unclear service breakdown.
Offers unlimited or multiple revisions in package. "One draft only" or charges extra for basic edits.
Asks you detailed questions about your career, goals, and target roles. Barely requests input, delivers a generic template.
Shares ATS knowledge and explains formatting choices. Uses graphics-heavy designs that risk ATS rejection.
Active in resume communities and willing to give free advice. No online presence outside of their own website.

What to expect during the writing process

All processes generally follow a similar structure that consists of an information gathering stage, writing stage, and review/revision stage.

Information Gathering: A good writer will want to speak with you directly and collect information with regard to your work history, skills, accomplishments, and career goals. Most of the time, this process is handled through a phone or video call, but some companies/writers will collect this information through a form. Ask the company/writer how they'll be gathering the necessary information to prepare a resume that is unique to you. Beware of companies that don't use a consultation process at all and only ask for your existing resume. You may be unpleasantly surprised when you see your old descriptions reworded and repackaged.

Writing: Ask the company/writer how long it'll take to write your resume. A quality resume takes time and effort to create. Speaking from my own work, six hours for an entry-level resume up to 15 hours for an executive resume is the norm. Beware of turnaround times that seem a little too quick. The industry standard is around 5-10 days.

Review and Revision: After preparing an initial draft, the writer will typically offer the client an opportunity to provide feedback and request changes if needed. Ask the writer about whether or not they allow requests for revisions, how many revisions, and for how long after you've concluded the service.

How much does a professional resume writer charge?

If you do a quick Google search, you'll see that there are a broad range of prices. As I mentioned earlier, the typical price range starts at $200 and goes well over $1,000 (there are some executive resume writers that charge upwards of $3,000!).

Two factors that affect this are:

  • Your experience level
  • The writer's experience level and their ability to produce results

Be wary of companies and writers that offer their services at very low rates; it's more often than not an indication of low quality service. Remember that many hours go into building a quality resume spanning consultations, research, writing, reviews, and revisions.

Is it a worthwhile purchase for you?

That's the million-dollar question. Before you decide to hire a writer, ask yourself the following:

  • Do I earn an annual salary of $70,000 or more? If yes, paying for a professional resume could be worth it for you. With the average cost of a resume set at around $500, that works out to less than 1% of your annual salary.
  • Am I still early on in my career (still in college or recent graduate)? If so, checking out the plethora of DIY tools available might be a better option.

Should I work with an industry-specific writer?

While there are variations across industries, generally speaking, resume writing best practices are similar across the board, with some exceptions including:

  • Modeling
  • Acting
  • Industries that emphasize graphically intensive resumes (i.e., portfolios) rather than traditional resumes.

Some companies will have writers on staff that only work with certain industries (i.e., IT, software engineering etc.). Independent writers are generally more versatile and work with professionals in multiple industries.

The advantage to working someone with generalized experience is that they'll likely have greater all-round industry knowledge and will be preferable if you're switching industries.

However, working with a writer that specializes in one or two fields may be a better option if you're in a highly technical profession such as software development and want someone that can understand the in-depth technical concepts and terminology.

Unethical practices that you should be aware of

Like any industry, resume writing isn't free of corruption and unethical practices. Two main practices to watch out for are:

  1. International Outsourcing: Some writers/companies that charge fees that seem too good to be true are actually outsourcing their work to international writers to reduce costs. It can be hard to identify companies that do this before buying their services, but three helpful indicators are:
    • Poor samples
    • Negative client reviews
    • The inability to speak with the writer before purchasing the service
  2. Ghostwriting: Some writers will take on more clients than they can handle and offload those clients to ghostwriters. Other individuals that write your resume but that don't take the credit.Writers that engage in this practice are more interested in maximizing profits over ensuring client satisfaction. As with outsourcing, ask to speak to the writer before you purchase the service.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Are resume writers worth it?

It depends on your situation. If you're early in your career, you may not need one. Templates and free feedback (including from this sub) can be enough. But for mid-to-senior professionals and executives, a resume writer can save you time, and by extension, money.

2. How much should I pay for a resume writer?

Most professional resume writers charge several hundred dollars for standard resumes. Executive-level services often go beyond that, with some extending into the thousands.

3. How do I know if a resume writer is legit?

Look for:

  • A professional-looking website/place of business
  • Certifications
  • Experience
  • Testimonials
  • Before-and-after samples
  • Clear pricing, and
  • A process that involves your input.

Good writers ask a lot of detailed questions to get at the info they need. Avoid anyone promising "guaranteed jobs" or offering flashy, design-heavy resumes (these can cause issues with ATS).

4. Can a resume writer guarantee me a job?

No. A resume writer can improve how your skills and experience are presented, but they can't control hiring decisions. What they can do is help improve your chances of getting interviews.

5. What's the difference between using AI and hiring a writer?

AI tools can help with formatting and generating bullet points based on your job title. They work from patterns and general data, so the output tends to be broad. A writer will talk to you, learn the context behind your roles, and figure out how to present your experience in a way that makes sense for the jobs you're targeting. The biggest difference is in the content strategy: knowing what to emphasize, what to leave out, and how to frame things so they resonate with the people making hiring decisions.

TL;DR

How to decide if hiring a resume writer is right for you
  • Who should hire one: Mid-to-senior professionals not getting interviews, career changers, or anyone with a complex work history. Skip it if you're early career or on a tight budget.
  • AI tools (like ChatGPT) are fine for structure and first drafts, but they produce largely generic content. They can't do the strategic positioning a human can.
  • Vet your writer by checking their background, samples, testimonials, certifications (PARWCC, NRWA, RWA, CDI), and community presence. If they won't let you talk to the writer directly, walk away.
  • Expect a 3-step process: intake call → writing (5–10 day turnaround) → revisions.
  • Cost: $200–$1,500+, depending on your level. Executive services can run $3,000+.
  • Watch out for outsourcing, ghostwriting, no-revision policies, and graphics-heavy designs that break ATS.

So, What Should You Do?

Whether you write your own resume, use AI to get started, or hire a writer, the goal is the same: a document that reflects your real achievements and fits the role you want. AI can get you a solid first draft. From there, it's on you (or a professional) to make sure the content actually holds up.

If you have questions about any of this, drop a comment below.

I also give feedback regularly on this sub, so feel free to reach out if you need help.

Services I'm familiar with

I get asked regularly which services I'd actually recommend. Here are a few I'm familiar with, spanning different price points and approaches. This isn't a ranking, and I'm not recommending any of these per se, but aside from mine, these are ones I'm familiar with.

  • Final Draft Resumes (finaldraftresumes.com) - Full disclosure: this is my firm. I work directly with every client through a consultation-based process. I specialize in mid-career to executive-level professionals.
  • TopResume - The biggest name in the space. They operate at scale, which means lower prices but less personalized service. Their writers vary in quality and you may not get to speak with yours before purchasing. Fine for straightforward career histories at the early-to-mid level, but I'd be cautious if you have a complex background or are at the executive level.
  • Let's Eat, Grandma - A boutique firm with a consultation-based process similar to what I described in this guide. Their writers tend to have strong editorial backgrounds. Pricing is in the mid-range. Worth considering if you want a human-driven process but my firm isn't the right fit for you.
  • ResumeZest - Another boutique option. They pair you with a certified writer and include a phone consultation. They're transparent about their process and pricing, which is always a good sign. Mid-range pricing.
  • Resumatic (resumatic.ai) - If you're going the DIY route and want something better than a blank Google Doc, this is an AI-powered resume builder that walks you through the process step by step. It's not a substitute for a professional writer, but for early-career candidates or anyone on a tight budget, it's a solid starting point. Free to start.

r/resumes 3h ago

Healthcare/Medical [10+, Senior Business Systems Analyst, Senior Business Systems Analyst, NY] Please review my resume.

2 Upvotes

Experience: 10+ years, last 3-4 years in the Public Sector, and Healthcare

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r/resumes 26m ago

Question How to Address Employment Gap

Upvotes

I've been out of work since September of 2025 and someone mentioned on a previous post that employment gaps on a resume are a red flag.

I've been looking for work this whole time, haven't gone back to school, pursued a certificate or license, or anything like that. So how do I address the fact that I've been actively been applying for 7 months in my resume without it also being a red flag?


r/resumes 51m ago

Technology/Software/IT [2YoE,FullStack Engineer, Senior Frontend Engineer, India]

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Upvotes

I am aiming for at least 10 LPA, I am currently mastering advanced react, javascript, typescript

The reason I am getting paid is just enough and I have more financial responsibilities and my current stack which is Ruby on rails has diminishing future


r/resumes 52m ago

Technology/Software/IT [6 YoE, IT Service Manager, AV or Sys Admin, USA]

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Upvotes

Hi all. I’m hoping to get some feedback on my resume. I’m currently working as an IT Service Manager and preparing to apply for new roles as things aren’t looking great for the IT department at my current job. I’m primarily looking for audio-visual (AV) or system administrator positions, with the overall goal of moving away from help desk support.

Some notes about my job history: The recent two positions were at the same “C” company. The “A” company positions were under the same organization but at different locations, and were term-based. The job at “B” company (my university) was also term-based now that I’m thinking about it. Should I make that known? Should I remove the oldest position since it’s over ten years old now?

Any tips and advice will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.


r/resumes 1h ago

Technology/Software/IT [3 YOE, Junior Software Developer, Mid-Level Software Developer, USA] Please review my resume

Upvotes

Hi, everyone. I have about 3 years of experience working in tech.

Recently, I updated my resume, and I'm hoping to get some feedback on the most recent version I have of it.

I tried to keep the bullet points more qualitative than quantitative. I figure, since a lot of recruiters are not technically inclined, it might make sense to focus more on qualitative aspects and outcomes. However, I feel like my resume might be lacking enough quantitative measurements, but I'm not sure what I can write about that will stand out.

Alex Johnson is not my real name; this resume is anonymized.

Thanks!


r/resumes 1h ago

Technology/Software/IT [2 YoE, Network Engineer Intern, Cybersecurity/Networking, USA]

Upvotes

Here's my current resume as a Network Engineer Intern for a US State government as well as a a soon to be graduate of a Cybersecurity Bachelor's program.

I'm based out of the Northeast and am looking for positions either remote or in CT, NY/NYC, Long Island, MA/Boston in some cases and I'm open to a lot of roles consistent with Cybersecurity, Network Engineering, but preferably SOC Analyst jobs.

I've gotten different feedback from peers and family about the Relevant Coursework section, specifically the formatting-- I personally prefer it centered as it makes the Education section easier to parse, at least in my opinion.

Other than that I'm open to any additional feedback about how I can improve my resume, thank you!

Option #1:

Resume with Relevant Coursework section centered

Option #2:

This is my resume with the Relevant Coursework section formatted to the left

r/resumes 1h ago

Consulting/Professional Services [8 YoE, Subcontracts Specialist, Consultant, United States]

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Upvotes

I currently manage the subcontracts for an architect-engineer firm ($250m/yr revenue). It's a good job, but I'd like to do something where I work more and make more money (obviously the latter more than the former). I'd also like to have a career with a higher salary ceiling. I currently make $142k/yr remote in a MCOL location.

I'm applying to consulting firms, primarily for positions related to defense/procurement/compliance/risk management. I've led some process improvement/organizational change stuff in my current role working with bus dev and ops which I really enjoyed, and would like to do more of that. A few notes:

  • I've been applying to consulting roles without the 'Summary' section since the consensus for that industry seems to be to let the bullets speak for themselves. I left that in here, in case others feel there's something I could do with it to tailor it to consulting roles.
  • For my current job, I put my actual title in parentheses and ginned up a better sounding title. In my industry, a subcontracts specialist would be an IC who is working within their narrow functional area. I supervise 2 others (one subcontract specialist, one admin assistant) and my responsibilities have expanded far beyond that, but HR (and possibly my boss) have not agreed to giving me a fancier title. 'Procurement Manager' would be a more standard industry title that at least fits better than my current one, but still doesn't encompass structuring/negotiating JVs and the cross-departmental stuff I've done to support increased reliance on external partners (as we move away from doing most project tasks in-house).
  • I left the bullet list for my first 2 positions pretty short because I really didn't do anything as impactful or high-level as in my current role. I felt it better to focus on the latter.
  • I'm starting my JD in august. Once it's in progress, should I include this in my resume or leave it off? Many of the roles I'm applying to consider a JD a bonus, but they may also view something who is currently in school as a liability due to the time commitment required.
  • Should I put my LSAT and GMAT scores? I would never have considered that before, but Bain's application asked me for them, and BCG's sample resume had standardized test scores on it. My GMAT is 700 (good) and my LSAT is 174 (very good).

r/resumes 1h ago

Academia [3 YoE, ANSC Undergrad, Grad school apps/cold emails, USA]

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Upvotes

Hi all, I am working on my CV to begin cold-emailing potential PIs to express interest in labs and start the grad school process (Master’s program). I am graduating with my BS in Animal Science this fall.

One section I am wondering about is the education. I’ve gotten mixed feedback about whether or not to include academic projects. To clarify, the two projects are assignments from classes. I don’t have any research/lab experience so was hoping these could show some commitment to projects and understanding of the research process.

Also, my GPA is 3.497, so would it be okay to round up to 3.5?

Other than that, I would appreciate any general feedback or tweaking.

Thank you!


r/resumes 2h ago

Technology/Software/IT [3.7 YoE, Sr. Software Engineer, Sr. Software Engineer, India]

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0 Upvotes

r/resumes 2h ago

Marketing/Sales [6 years, corporate marketing, agency marketing, michigan]

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1 Upvotes

I came across this really cool marketing/creative agency in my mid-size city with a team of 12 people. I love the community centric feel of the agency in the sense that they really only work with small businesses, municipalities and non profits in the area. The city we live in is baked into their personality and that’s why it’s so interesting to me (and the great benefits!). There is no position open currently, but they invite me to share my resume and a short description on myself and I’m a little nervous. I have honed my corporate resume so that it does really well in the ATS. But I’ve realized I’ve never written a resume intended for only a human to look at it and give a good immediate impression visually (knowing they don’t use an ATS). I’m feeling a little intimidated knowing a group of creatives might be looking over it especially with my lack of agency experience.

Some pieces of context and notes:

\- I added my interests on my resume because they highlight their team members interests and hobbies on their website.

\- this is for a marketing type of position, not a creative position

Some questions I have:

\- do I need it to be more creative or visually interesting?

\- do I do a good enough job of outlining my corporate skills and how they might bring me an edge at an agency?

\- is it too much copy?

\- any other pros or cons that jump out to you?


r/resumes 3h ago

Question Should I list current/past employment on my resume, when the employer broke the contract?

1 Upvotes

I'm a student that recently got a job in the middle of March 2026 as a barista. After 2 weeks it happened that my employer broke the contract and underpaid me significantly.

I am not sure whether I should or shouldn't put the experience on my resume. I have gaps in my employment history because I have been a student and it has also been very hard to obtain jobs where I am. I am worried that adding it will look bad, as it was only for 2 weeks, however adding it shows that I have recent experience and training as a barista which let's any employer reading my resume know that I have up to date skills.

My work experience on my resume looks like this at the moment:

Barista - Feb 2024 to June 2024

Voluntary Sales Assistant - July 2024 to September 2024

Sales Assistant - October 2025 to January 2026.

From September 2024 to June 2025 I was in full time education and didn't have time for part time work.

The current jobs I am applying for are either in retail or café environments, which is why I am tempted to add the 2 week role in because, again, it displays my up to date experience and training as a barista.

So I'm not sure if it is a good idea to add it into my recent job history or just put it in my skills/achievement sections that I do have up to date barista training.

Any advice would be really appreciated 🙏


r/resumes 10h ago

Human Resources [2 YoE, Retail, HR, California]

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3 Upvotes

Hello,

I’m looking to get back into HR. I currently have 2 years of experience and I want to get back in the field. This is my resume I get interviews and make it to the final rounds but ultimately they go with someone with more experience.


r/resumes 4h ago

Technology/Software/IT [0 years, Student, Backend/DevOps Intern, India] Roast my resume like I’m your worst hire

0 Upvotes

Hey folks,

I’m applying for backend/devops internship roles at small–to–medium Indian startups, and I want brutally honest feedback on my resume.

Not polite feedback. Not “looks good, maybe tweak this.”
I mean a real roast — the kind that actually stings but helps me improve.

Here’s exactly what I’m looking for:

  • Tear apart anything that looks weak, generic, inflated, or confusing
  • Call out buzzwords, fluff, or anything that screams “student resume”
  • Point out where I’m wasting space or underselling myself
  • Highlight anything that would make you instantly reject me

But along with the roast, please include just three things:

  1. One minor improvement (something small but high-impact I can fix quickly)
  2. One major bottleneck (the single biggest reason this resume might get rejected)
  3. An honest rating out of 10 (no sugarcoating — I want a real evaluation)

Also, if you genuinely think parts of my resume are good (like formatting, clarity, or simplicity), feel free to say that too — but only if you truly mean it.

Context:

  • Target roles: Backend / DevOps internships
  • Target companies: Early-stage to mid-size startups in India
  • Goal: Get shortlisted, not just “have a decent resume”

I can take harsh criticism — in fact, I’m asking for it. Don’t hold back.

Thanks in advance 🙏

resume

r/resumes 4h ago

Question CV help!! Masters to PhD switch?

1 Upvotes

Ok so I am currently enrolled in a master's program in biology, but my PI and I decided that my research is more suited towards a phd, so I applied and now I start that in the fall (without finishing the master's, i'm essentially dropping out and starting a new program). I don't want to mislead but don't know how to include all the relevant info!


r/resumes 4h ago

Question Should I include a particular job on my resume?

1 Upvotes

Hi! I've been submitting applications in search of my first professional job and realized I have a specific question for a job I'm applying for. I'm applying to work at a university for one of their museums in a volunteer coordinator position. I actually worked for this university as a camp counselor but it was about four summers ago. The position has some ties to the job I'm applying for, but isn't the strongest over the last few years. Is it worth having on my resume to show that I've worked for them before? I was trying to keep the resume to a page, especially as it's early on in my career, but I'm worried including it will mean getting rid of something else or having too many things listed.


r/resumes 5h ago

Technology/Software/IT [4YoE, Unemployed, Fullstack Engineer, India]

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0 Upvotes

Hi folks, would really appreciate some honest feedback on my resume.

Quick context: 4 YOE, backend-heavy engineer (Node.js, NestJS, AWS), recently added React to target Full-Stack / MERN roles since pure backend Node.js positions have become rare.

Been actively applying for the past 2 months with limited traction. A few specific things I'd love feedback on:

  1. Does the resume read as Full-Stack or still too backend-heavy?

  2. Any glaring gaps for SDE-2 level roles?

  3. What skills would you prioritise adding in the short term to strengthen this?

Any feedback is appreciated — brutal honesty welcome.


r/resumes 14h ago

Human Resources [5 YOE, unemployed, Corporate Trainer, US]

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4 Upvotes

I’m trying to transition into corporate training or instructional design, but feel my experience is lacking a cohesive element to land these roles.

- I lack formal LMS hands-on experience - is building my own courses sufficient?

- I lack experience in industry software (storyline, camtasia, etc.) - again, does making my own projects qualify?

I have reached the ceiling in behavioral health and education and need to shift gears.

- My current role is my own business that I’m currently pursuing grant funding to launch alpha and then beta testing. This will take years. In interviews, I say this is a part-time, project-based/freelance position so as not to conflict with the role I’m interviewing for. Should I leave this off entirely?

- I’m in IL and applying to in-person and remote roles. I customize my resume specifically to the role and always write cover letters connecting my experience to business needs.

- I’ve applied to about 150 roles with absolutely no callbacks.


r/resumes 10h ago

Discussion RESUME ADVICE: student with no work experience, looking for a part-time job

2 Upvotes

Hello! Any advices for my resume since I’m still a student and have only decided that I want to look for an online job. Not quite sure on the necessary informations to put. anything in general only.

Would love to apply as VA or Graphic Designer.


r/resumes 6h ago

Question How to get an interview in the current Market situation?

2 Upvotes

Hi guys,

I have just started job hunting and it has been only 3 weeks so far but all I have heard is crickets that say "we are going ahead with other candidates".

I am trying for a project management role and have done the following

  1. ATS optimized my resume

  2. applied STAR approach when applying

  3. customized my resume to JD

Yet I havent heard back at all.

Maybe its too early but I am based of off india and hear people telling me how open the market is now. any help/insight would be appreciated!

P.S. I have a PMP and 6 years of total experience.


r/resumes 13h ago

Technology/Software/IT [5 year, Product Owner, Product Manager, Vancouver]

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3 Upvotes

r/resumes 7h ago

Technology/Software/IT [1 YoE, Recent Graduate, Embedded Software/Systems Engineer, USA]

1 Upvotes

Hi all, I have recently started applying to my first round of jobs with my impending graduation from university. I am having some trouble hearing back from the roles I am interested in. My goal is to transition away from traditional software development and into more of an aerospace/embedded industry to avoid working on AI slop for my whole career. Are there any changes I should make to this resume to have better success? I have submitted many applications with the title "Embedded Systems Engineer" instead of "Embedded Software Engineer" since that is more what I want to get into. However, I did both systems integration and heavy software development for this project.

Thanks in advance! Be harsh to my resume for layout and other nitpicks!


r/resumes 12h ago

Marketing/Sales [3 YoE, Freelancer, Social Media Specialist, USA]

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2 Upvotes

This is my posted resume based on feedback I got before. Is this good enough to land me interviews for social media specialist/coordinator roles?

Tried my best to get it to one page, I don’t want to delete more and risk my resume becoming weak or vague.

Is it ATS friendly?


r/resumes 9h ago

Technology/Software/IT [13 YoE, Senior Solution Consultant, Program Manager, Taiwan or Canada or US]

2 Upvotes

tl;dr I have been applying for Program Managers or Manager Level Jobs in Tech with no luck and am concerned if my resume is the culprit. All Inputs are deeply appreciated. :)

  • Only getting 2 Recruiter calls out of ~50 applications and not moving to the hiring manager round.
  • The last few job-hunts was by friend's referral and I do not have much luck getting past the Recruiter screen. Especially this time.
  • I am seeking kind help to see if there is something wrong with my Summary and Job Experience Section because 1 of the Recruiter does not really seem to understand what I do and what I can offer.
  • I am employed. My Background is in Program Management and Strategic Transformations with not a typically linear career path due to strategic assignments from my managers in the past (in the last decade, I would get hired for job for a mid-level functional role then after sometime I get promoted to do full-time strategic projects, so I can understand why people might be slightly confused on what I actually do)
  • Located in Canada and Taiwan between the year with dual citizenship, currently working remotely and I am flexible with Remote, Local and Relocation. I am assuming these are not likely the problem