Your Resume Isn’t the Problem—Your Positioning Is

If your résumé isn’t landing interviews, it’s not just the formatting—it’s the message. Here’s how to shift your résumé and career positioning strategy to actually get seen.

If you’re sending out résumés and hearing crickets, your first instinct might be to change the font, tweak the layout or add more buzzwords.

But here’s the truth:

It’s not your formatting.

It’s not even your résumé.

It’s how you’re positioning yourself.

And no, this isn’t about making your résumé “prettier.” This is about making sure it shows up the way you do on your best day—sharp, strategic and impossible to ignore.

Think of your résumé like trying to get into a club on the busiest night of the year. There’s a line down the block. The bouncer is overwhelmed. Everyone thinks they deserve to be inside.

You get to the front, and the bouncer gives you a once-over and waves you off.

Was it your personality? Your vibe? Your potential?

They didn’t even ask.

All they had was a split second to judge if you belonged.

And if your résumé doesn’t look like someone who’s meant to be at the table, you’re getting passed over—no matter how qualified you are.

That’s positioning.

It’s not about your experience. It’s about how you present it.

What Most Résumés Are Missing

I spend a lot of time in job-seeker Facebook groups. Every week, I see smart, high-achieving women sharing screenshots of their résumés and asking, “What’s wrong with this?”

I usually offer quick feedback:

“Even out your margins.”

“The font’s too small.”

“These bullet points are underselling you.”

And while formatting tweaks help, they don’t fix the real problem:

A résumé that doesn’t know what it’s trying to say.

Your résumé isn’t a list of tasks. It’s your pitch. It should say who you are, what you do and why you’re a fit before they even meet you.

What Positioning Actually Looks Like

When I say “positioning,” I mean:

• Clarity about what you do and where you’re headed

• Messaging that connects your past to your future

• Confidence in the value you bring—and the problem you solve

It’s about presence—on the page and in their minds.

But when you’re in a tough spot, questioning your next move or stuck with no one to talk to who gets it, it’s hard to tell your own story well.

That’s where I come in.

The CEO Test

Imagine you’ve landed the job you want.

Now imagine the CEO walks in and gives you five minutes to explain why you belong there.

Would you fumble your way through your background?

Or would you confidently connect the dots and make your case?

That’s what your résumé should do. It’s your first shot at making your value crystal clear.

Your résumé should:

• Show how you solve problems

• Tell a story that makes sense for your next move

• Sound like someone who’s done the work—and is ready for more

If you’re done guessing and ready to start showing up differently, book a résumé revamp and let’s get your story in alignment.