How I Tackle Resume-Writing Stress (and How You Can Too)

Writing a resume in today’s job market can feel overwhelming, but you’re not the only one feeling the pressure. Nearly every client I work with runs into at least one of these roadblocks:

• Lack of confidence when it comes to “selling” themselves on paper

• Uncertainty about which skills and experiences to highlight

• Limited knowledge of modern resume formats and trends

• Trouble shaping their background into a clear career story

• Questions about how to tailor a resume for a specific job or industry

If that list looks familiar, keep reading. Below is the exact framework I use to help clients ditch the stress and submit a resume they’re proud of.

1. Research the Role and the Industry

Start with the job description. Circle keywords that appear more than once, note the problems the employer needs solved, and spend a few minutes on the company’s website to get a feel for its culture and goals. This context drives every decision you make next.

2. Identify Your Key Impact Areas

For each position you’ve held, write down the top two or three ways you made life easier, cheaper, faster, or better for the organization. These impact areas become the backbone of your resume bullets.

3. Prove Your Value With Data

Whenever possible, tie your achievements to numbers:

• Revenue generated or costs saved

• Percentage growth or efficiency gains

• Awards, ratings, or customer satisfaction metrics

• Concrete results turn a generic task into proof of performance.

4. Tailor and Format for Today’s Standards

• Put the most relevant information in the top third of the document

• Use a clean, modern layout with clear headings and plenty of white space

• Incorporate the keywords you circled during research, but keep sentences readable

• Stick to standard section titles like “Experience” and “Education” so applicant-tracking systems and readers can parse your content correctly

5. Get Honest Feedback

Share your draft with a trusted colleague, mentor, or career coach. Ask them:

• Does my opening summary capture what I bring to the table?

• Are my achievements clear and compelling?

• Is anything confusing or irrelevant?

• Outside eyes spot gaps you may have missed.

Quick Bonus Tips

• Keep it to one page if you have under ten years of experience

• Save the file as both DOCX and PDF to accommodate different recruiting systems

• Update LinkedIn the same day you update your resume for consistent branding

• Proofread, then proofread again, typos can undo all your hard work

Final Thought

Resume writing is a skill, and like any skill it impro

ves with practice. Break the process into smaller steps, stay focused on the employer’s needs, and refine until every line shows how you can help. You’ve got this. And if you need a second set of eyes, I’m only an email away.