Resume Strategy, Career Branding & Job Search Advice

Straightforward advice for navigating a ridiculous hiring system

Resume strategies, LinkedIn guidance, career branding, real client examples, and a few thoughts on building a career — and life — that makes sense for you.

Nicole Steen 8/5/26 Nicole Steen 8/5/26

Are Creative Resumes ATS-Friendly?

Can a resume use color, custom fonts, and a side column without getting rejected by ATS? Yes. After 1,500+ clients and a 100% interview rate, here is what actually matters.

Nicole Steen 11/18/24 Nicole Steen 11/18/24

Changing Careers? Here’s How to Rewrite Your Resume for a Totally Different Industry

Making a big career pivot? Don’t let your resume hold you back. This case study shows how we transformed a UX designer’s resume for a new creative path in animation—no paid experience required. Learn actionable tips for reframing your experience, updating your skills, and confidently owning your career change.

Nicole Steen 11/11/24 Nicole Steen 11/11/24

How I Transformed a Freelance UX Designer’s Resume to Secure In-House Interviews

See how I helped a UX designer turn her freelance project list into a cohesive resume that got her interviews in just five weeks. This case study dives into the resume strategy that made her stand out to recruiters and hiring managers.

How Do You Show a Promotion on Your Resume?

There is no single correct way to show promotions on a resume. Here’s how to decide what to combine, separate, expand, condense, or clarify.

How Do You Show Leadership on a Resume Without Direct Reports?

Can you show leadership on a resume if nobody reports to you? Yes. Show the decisions you made, the people who relied on your work, and what changed.

How Do You Explain a Career Gap on Your Resume?

Do you need to explain a career gap on your resume? Sometimes. Here’s how to address layoffs, caregiving, health breaks, and time away without oversharing.

How Do You Write Resume Accomplishments Without Metrics?

Do resume accomplishments need numbers? No. Here’s how to prove scope, change, complexity, adoption, and business value without inventing a single metric.

Should Your LinkedIn Profile Match Your Resume Exactly?

Should your LinkedIn profile match your resume exactly? No. Here’s what should stay consistent, what should change, and how to make both work together for ATS, recruiters, and hiring managers.

Resume Writer vs ChatGPT: What AI Gets Right (And What It's Missing)

ChatGPT can absolutely help you write a resume. The bigger question is whether it's helping you tell the right story. Here's what AI gets right, what it misses, and why strategy matters more than writing.

What Makes a Modern Resume Stand Out in 2026

The resumes that stand out in 2026 are the ones that make your value instantly clear through focused positioning, clean design, impact-driven storytelling, and a future-facing message.

How to Prove You’re the Perfect Fit in 5 Seconds: The Power of a Career Highlights Section

Learn how to use a Career Highlights section to prove alignment in 5 seconds flat: a simple resume strategy that helps hiring teams see exactly why you’re the right fit.

How Strategic Job Title Tweaks Helped a UX Designer Pass ATS and Get Interviews

See how reworking job titles helped a UX designer’s resume pass ATS filters and finally land interviews — proof that small, strategic changes can make a big impact.

How Much Does a Resume Writer Really Cost? Here’s Why It’s Worth Every Penny

Most people think resume writers just polish bullet points, but the right one transforms how you’re seen. Here’s what resume writers actually cost, what you get at each tier, and why career branding is worth every penny.

How a 60-Minute Resume Review Helped a UX Designer Land Interviews in 2 Weeks

See how a 60-minute resume review helped a UX designer go from zero responses to multiple interview requests. Sometimes, all it takes is a quick consulting call to make your resume stand out.

From Job Seeker to Standout Candidate: 5 Hacks to Upgrade Your Creative Resume

Ready to stand out in a crowded job market? Discover five powerful hacks to craft a creative resume that goes beyond basic. This guide is packed with fresh strategies tailored for UX, design, and other creative roles—no recycled advice here. Perfect your personal brand, capture hiring managers' attention, and start landing interviews with a resume that works for you.

Zodiac Resumes: Discovering Your Career Strengths Through the Stars

Astrology offers a unique lens to view our innate talents and qualities, and understanding these can be pivotal in shaping our careers.

In this unique exploration, I've crafted zodiac-themed resumes, each aligning with the inherent strengths and qualities of the astrological signs. From the ambitious Aries to the imaginative Pisces, dive into a world where your professional potential is written in the stars.

Why Quitting Your Job Without a Backup Plan is a Game-Changer for Your Career

You've heard it a million times: "Don't quit your job until you have another one lined up." It's the kind of advice that's been passed down for generations, almost like a sacred career commandment. But what if I told you that this age-old wisdom is not just outdated, but it's actually holding you back? Buckle up, because we're about to challenge everything you thought you knew about career planning.

The Power of Visualization and Your Resume

You’re approaching your resume all wrong! Most applicants use their resume as a document to reflect their past work experience, role titles, and skillsets. What if I told you that your resume should be future-focused instead of retrospective? I know, I know, that flies in the face of what traditional resume writers encourage.

Why Personal Branding is So Important to Your Career Search

Whatever drives your career goals, one thing is for sure: You need to develop a personal brand. Attention is difficult to capture and even harder to maintain. Your personal brand is how you stand out from the sea of applicants and remain top of mind for hiring managers.

How to Pivot Your Career from a Graphic Designer to Creative Director

Are you a graphic designer considering a career shift into a creative director role? Keep reading — this blog is for you. “Creative Director” sometimes feels like an elite position, only achievable for nepo-babies living in Manhattan high-rise lofts. I’m here to tell you that isn’t true.

Resume Strategy, Career Branding & Job Search Advice

Straightforward advice for navigating a ridiculous hiring system

Are Creative Resumes ATS-Friendly?

Changing Careers? Here’s How to Rewrite Your Resume for a Totally Different Industry

How I Transformed a Freelance UX Designer’s Resume to Secure In-House Interviews

Keep checking back for more tips and inspiration.

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