In a world of AI-powered job boards, recruiter scroll fatigue, and tight hiring windows, your resume needs to do more than list responsibilities—it must position your value in a way that grabs attention and gets results.

September is a prime time to update and upgrade your resume, especially as hiring surges before Q4. Whether you’re seeking a new role, pivoting industries, or elevating into leadership, now is the time to make sure your resume works as hard as you do.

As a master resume writer, here are my top tips for making your resume stand out during #SeptemberSurge.

1. Lead with a Targeted Headline & Summary

Generic won’t get you noticed. Tailor your headline to reflect your current value AND your career goal.

Example:
Strategic Operations Leader | Driving Scalable Growth in Tech-Enabled Startups

Follow it with a 3–4 line summary that answers:

• Who you are

• What you’ve done

• What kind of opportunity you’re targeting

This section is your personal brand elevator pitch in writing.

2. Make It Results-Driven (Not Just Duty-Filled)

Hiring managers want to see impact—not just job functions.

Use the CAR formula in your bullet points:

• Challenge: What problem did you solve?

• Action: What did you do?

• Result: What changed because of your effort?

Example:
Increased operational efficiency by 23% by redesigning onboarding workflows, resulting in a 40% decrease in time-to-productivity.

Quantify wherever possible.

3. Tailor for ATS Without Sounding Robotic

Use job descriptions to identify keywords—but don’t overload your resume with jargon.

Instead:

• Include relevant titles, tools, and skills naturally

• Use clear, concise language

• Focus on alignment over keyword stuffing

Your resume needs to pass both the algorithm and the human eye.

4. Format for Skimmability

Most recruiters spend less than 10 seconds on a first scan.

Make sure your resume includes:

• Clear section headings (Summary, Core Skills, Experience, Education)

• Bolded job titles and employers

• White space for readability

• One consistent font (no more than two sizes)

Your design should elevate your content—not compete with it.

5. Reflect Where You’re Going, Not Just Where You’ve Been

If you’re transitioning to leadership or pivoting industries, your resume should reflect that direction.

Use your summary, core competencies, and positioning language to align with your next role—not just your past.

Think of your resume as a highlight reel. What are you most proud of?

Include:

• Awards or recognitions

• Special projects or initiatives

• Promotions or growth milestones

• Cross-functional leadership experience

These are proof points of excellence—and they matter.

💡 Coach Tamara’s Insight

“Your resume isn’t a biography. It’s a strategic marketing document for your next opportunity.” – Coach Tamara

📢Action Steps

✔ Choose 1-2 roles you're targeting
✔ Use them to revise your headline and summary
✔ Refresh at least 3 accomplishment bullets using the CAR formula

Want a second pair of expert eyes?

🗓️Schedule a complimentary Clarity Session

Let’s turn your resume into a powerful tool—not just a formality.

#SeptemberSurge #ResumeTips #ExecutiveBranding #JobSearchStrategy #CareerGrowth #ProfessionalBranding #iPropelYou