In a job market where every job opening brings in a lot of people who want it, you need to get noticed. Now, it is more important than ever to show why you are the best for the job. This is where good help comes in. A career strategist like Jennifer Clinchy has helped many people make resumes that stand out. These resumes help them get noticed and get called for interviews, even in tough fields where many others apply. This guide looks at ways to build a strong resume by using expert tips.
- Start with Strategy, Not a Template
One of the main insights that Jennifer Clinchy gives is to think about resume writing as a way to show who you are, not how you set it up on the page.
Ask These before You Write
- Who is my target employer?
- What role do I want?
- What do I bring that helps the organization?
- What makes me different from others who have the same skills?
Clinchy says that to do well with your resume, you need to know how you talk about yourself.
Build a Compelling Top Section
The top part of your resume is called the “make or break zone” by Clinchy. This is the spot where hiring managers look first. They decide here if they will read more of your resume.
- Think Achievements, Not Tasks
Jennifer Clinchy says it is better to show what you have done instead of saying what your job is. Employers seek to observe the contributions you create. This helps them know what you can do for their business.
- Formula to Use
Clinchy recommends the CAR method:
- Challenge: What issue or task did you need to address
- Action: What action did you take?
- Result: What did you get from your action?
Example:
I turned around a sales area that was not doing well by starting a new CRM plan. This helped raise the number of leads that became customers by 40% in six months.
This way, you can see your achievements in a real and strong way.
- Understand How ATS Works
A lot of resumes go through automated software before any real person looks at them. Experts often suggest that candidates use words in their resumes that match the job they want. This will help get their resume noticed.
How Jennifer Clinchy Optimizes for ATS
- Look at 3 to 5 job descriptions to find keywords they all use.
- Bring both hard and soft skills into your bullet points and summaries in a way that feels smooth and easy.
- Use terms that most people in the industry know, not creative wording (for example, use “project manager” instead of “solution catalyst”)
Pro tip: Use both the short form and the full name, like “CRM” and “Customer Relationship Management.” This will help you get more keyword hits.
- Humanize Your Resume
While numbers are strong, Jennifer Clinchy says to also show emotional understanding and leadership. You can do this by using action words and stories about how you work with others and lead.
Example Soft Skill Statements
- “I led teams from different parts of the company through quick changes in the organization.”
This brings together people and how well they do at work. It is something that many employers want now.
- Avoid Overdesigned Templates
Clinchy says this very clearly. Fancy designs you get from Canva or Etsy may not pass ATS checks. It is better to go with clean and well-structured layouts.
- Recommended Format Features
- 1–2 pages max (unless you’re C-level)
- Standard fonts (Calibri, Arial, Georgia)
- List experience with the latest job first and go backwards
- Clearly marked parts: Experience, Skills, Certifications
- One Resume Does Not Fit All
Each job application needs a slightly different copy of your resume. Jennifer Clinchy says small changes can make a big difference.
- What to Customize
- Headline statement
- Keywords in the core skills section
- Make sure your experience bullets match the top three things this role needs
- Company name mentions, tools, or ways they use
You can use job descriptions like roadmaps. They help your Executive Resume Writing to fit what the company wants.
- Resumes Focus on Strategy, Not Merely Composition
Making a resume that catches attention takes more than adding your details in a basic layout. The expert framework can help you make a resume that brings in new opportunities. It does not matter if you are looking for your first job or you are going for a top job. This will work for all levels.
- Recent and Relevant First
If you are someone who works in a special field, your education can help you stand out. Clinchy says to place your education after your work experience. But, if you are a new graduate or just got an important skill, then you should place your education before your experience.
- Tips
- List the certifications with the name of the group that gave them and the year you got each one.
- Don’t list any old or irrelevant classes.
- Executive-Style Touch
For people who have over 10 years of work experience, Jennifer Clinchy says you should add a Career Snapshot. This should go between the short intro and your work history section.
- What to Include:
- Industries you’ve worked in
- Notable clients or partnerships
- Revenue impact or leadership span
This short look gives a quick story about you and your work.
In today’s market, a resume needs to be more than good. It should be smart, work well, and feel right for you. The tips from Jennifer Clinchy show you a plan to make a resume that fits what people want now and helps your brand stand out.
By using her tried-and-true tips, you will get a resume that gets through the bots and connects with people who do the hiring for each job.
