As a recruiter, I spend my days reading resumes, coaching candidates, and connecting people with new opportunities. And while every search is different, there are a few universal truths I wish every job seeker knew. If I could sit down with each of you for five minutes, here’s what I’d say:

1. Keep Your Resume Boring (Yes, Really)

I know—it feels counterintuitive. You want to stand out, to grab attention. But when it comes to resumes, less is more.

• No colors.
• No fancy formatting.
• No creative fonts.

A simple, black-and-white, straightforward resume is far more effective. Recruiters and hiring managers want to quickly understand what you’ve done, not get distracted by design choices. Save your creativity for the interview—your resume’s job is to be clear, concise, and easy to read.

2. Stay Professional Online

I get it—the job search can be frustrating. But posting negatively about recruiters, companies, or hiring processes on LinkedIn (or anywhere public) rarely works in your favor. Most hiring managers will check your online presence. If they see complaints, rants, or bitterness, it signals risk.

It’s completely valid to feel frustrated—but channel that energy into private conversations, networking, or constructive feedback directly to recruiters. Companies are drawn to candidates who show professionalism even when the process isn’t perfect.

3. Be Specific on Your Resume

One of the biggest mistakes I see? Vague resumes.

• Don’t just say “responsible for testing.” Tell me what you tested, how you tested it, and what the results were.
• Don’t just list “project management.” Share the size of the projects, the budgets, the teams you led.

Hiring managers want to picture exactly what you did, at what scale, and with what impact. Specifics help me market you to clients with confidence—and they help you stand out from the dozens of resumes that all say the same generic things.

Final Thought

At the end of the day, your resume and your online presence are your first impression. Make it count by keeping it clear, professional, and specific. Recruiters want to help you land the right role these small adjustments make a big difference in how quickly we can connect you with opportunities.