Tailor Your Resume:

 Tailor Your Resume:

If you are relying on AI to generate your resume, remember you will need to adapt your resume to the job posting by tweaking your bullet points and skills to directly match the keywords and responsibilities listed in the job description to get past ATS scanners.

This is a fundamental that AI cannot do for you. And this is one of many reasons why you do not want to rely to write your resume (besides the fact that hiring managers can spot an AI generated resume from a mile away and often disqualify the candidate).

TikTok - Words Not to use when Writing Resumes

 TikTok - Words Not to use when Writing Resumes

 https://www.tiktok.com/@allanwritescareers/video/7274719215393819947

Bad Advice - Number of Years on Your Resume

  Bad Advice - Number of Years on Your Resume

Your old college pal told you that you need to have all of your career experience on your resume because employers want more experienced people for the positions they are looking to full.

SORRY - BAD ADVICE!!!

Why in the world would you say that Allan?  That makes all the sense in the world.

Well, age discrimination is real and it has nothing with your ability to do the job.  The primary issue is the hiring manager's willingness to pay you your worth. The goal of your resume is to get you in the door.  If you are 53 years old and have 30 years of sales experience, you need to remember that you are competing against younger sales professionals who, at the end of the day, demand lower compensation. Think of it like this, when was the last time you read a job posting that mentioned as a requirement - "25+ years of experience is required"?  You have not read this because this posting does not exist.

In this "what have you done for me lately world" that we live in, it is only necessary to go back 10-12 years tops for mid-level work.  Include achievements to demonstrate success.  Once you get in the interview, you can speak to culture fit and salary requirements to show that you are a good match.

Target your Resume - Look for Keywords in the Job Description

  Target your Resume - Look for Keywords in the Job Description

Just do not submit your resume when interested in a job your saw posted online. Analyze each job description for keywords that show what the employer is seeking as qualification and include those keywords in your resume in the "Core Strengths" (keyword section) as well as in experience and summary where relevant.

For example, if the position is for a marketing manager, an employer might list keywords like "marketing communications," "campaign management," "A/B Testing" o in the job description. Pay particular attention to anything listed in the "Requirements" or "Qualifications" sections - this will make your analysis and tweaking of your resume easier and less time consuming.

Please, I beg of you, target your resume!

 Please, I beg of you, target your resume!

Tailor your resume, using the job posting as a guide. Using a general resume for each application is foolish and a waste of time. Take five (5) minutes to review the job posting, identify the key requirements and keywords, and adjust your resume accordingly to showcase your primary skills and achievements. 

If you do not embrace the need for making adjustments, chances are that you will not pass ATS requirements.

Functional Resumes (NO!)

 Functional Resumes (NO!)

Employers often prefer chronological resumes over functional ones for several reasons:

Clarity of Career Progression: Chronological resumes clearly outline a candidate's career progression and employment history, making it easier for employers to see how skills and experiences have developed over time.

Skepticism About Gaps: Functional resumes can obscure gaps in employment. Employers may be wary of candidates who choose this format, as it can raise questions about why they are not presenting their experience chronologically.

Focus on Skills: While functional resumes highlight skills, employers often want to see how those skills were applied in real job situations. A chronological format provides context for skill use within specific roles.

Industry Norms: Many industries have a traditional preference for chronological resumes, so deviating from this norm can make a candidate seem less familiar with standard practices.

Federal Resumes:

 Federal Resumes:

For those of you who are looking for new opportunities in 2026, this serves as a reminder:

The long federal resume is officially out. Beginning Monday, September 29, 2025, USAJOBS will accept only two-page resumes, whether you upload a file or use Resume Builder. USAJOBS will enforce the new limit and clear searchable resumes from the Agency Talent Portal (ATP) so everyone plays by the same rules.

Attention To All Those Looking for new Opportunities in 2026

 If you are sick of being treated like a commodity, getting 2% raises and believe your employer offers like opportunity for career growth, then you need to accept these facts:

1. It is an employer's market (and always has been).

2. It is your responsibility to manage your career, not your bosses.

3. 2025 has been a horrible year across multiple sectors, specifically technology and government.

Today is December 12th.  In 29 days, we turn the page and a new year begins, with new hiring budgets and career opportunities.  To be successful in your job search, you need to accept that the level of the playing field is established.  It is not for you to change (or can you - 'cause you can't).  You must adapt and play the game within the guidelines of the playing field.

If you do not have an ATS - compliant resume, get one.  Don't argue the point - not worth your time.

Stop looking for job on job boards - waste of time.  Start networking - the best jobs are found through networking (aka the Hidden Job Market.)

Don't wait until January to update your resume and LI profile.  Be ready - proactive - poised - motivated and not reactive.  The time is now to get ready.  You will be glad you did.

How to handle past jobs on your resume (10+ years).

 How to handle past jobs on your resume (10+ years).

You should summarize / keep brief the roles on your resume older than 10- 12 years and in most cases, omit roles that are older.

Delete roles not related to your career. Keep jobs in the resume that show your career progression

You need to identify a balance between the skills you offer (currently used as well as past skills that could use a "brush-up" without including outdated information.

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SPECIAL NOTE: I am now taking on speaking engagements to groups as well as accepting invitations to critique resumes, cover letters and LinkedIn profiles at trade shows, workshops, seminars and various other events. Please contact me via ajbresumes@gmail.com or 415.519.9659 for more details.

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www.allan-brown.com

Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) - Use of icons and separators / dividers

  Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) - Use of icons and separators / dividers

1. Never use icons on the resume; this will block ATS scanners.

2. Never use wingdings or another symbol. this will likely block the ATS. You can use a bullet that is within the context of the font - that is fine. You can also use the divider " | " is not considered a symbol and translates as text.

Bad Advice - Number of Years on Your Resume

 Bad Advice - Number of Years on Your Resume

Your old college pal told you that you need to have all of your career experience on your resume because employers want more experienced people for the positions they are looking to full.

SORRY - BAD ADVICE!!!

Why in the world would you say that Allan?  That makes all the sense in the world.

Well, age discrimination is real and it has nothing with your ability to do the job.  The primary issue is the hiring manager's willingness to pay you your worth. The goal of your resume is to get you in the door.  If you are 53 years old and have 30 years of sales experience, you need to remember that you are competing against younger sales professionals who, at the end of the day, demand lower compensation. Think of it like this, when was the last time you read a job posting that mentioned as a requirement - "25+ years of experience is required"?  You have not read this because this posting does not exist.

In this "what have you done for me lately world" that we live in, it is only necessary to go back 10-12 years tops for mid-level work.  Include achievements to demonstrate success.  Once you get in the interview, you can speak to culture fit and salary requirements to show that you are a good match.

Bad Advice - Resume Writing - LinkedIn URL

 Bad Advice - Resume Writing - LinkedIn URL

Your friend insisted on having your LI profile your resume, told you it must be there for recruiters to find your LI profile.

SORRY - BAD ADVICE!!!

Why in the world would you say that Allan? That makes all the sense in the world.

Here's why you might want to reconsider:

Recruiters pay LinkedIn thousands of dollars per year to find candidates, and they will find you too! Plus, adding your LinkedIn profile address might raise a red flag if the content is inconsistent with your resume. So, think twice before adding it.

Better yet, update your LI profile, make sure the content is consistent with the resume and don't add it. Takes up space. Don't worry - the recruiter / manager will find you (see above).

Bad Advice to Job Hunters

Here is some really bad advice:

Listen to people who tell you to write your resume with ChatGPT.  

Why do you write this Allan?  Well, I was on an online forum and somebody offered this advice to a frustrated job seekers.  Sad thing is, it was not done tongue-in-cheek.

1. Hiring managers can ID AI-generated resumes from 10 miles away.  They do not like it.

2. Unless the candidate changes the resume to customize the document to the targeted job, the resume will get rejected by the ATS, let alone hiring managers

3. ChatGPT cannot customize resumes to the job description, no matter how how input is given.

While they may be trying to help, they are just hurting you.  Need more information about why this is bad, message me.

Federal Resumes - Additional Changes for Deliverables - Essays

Federal Resumes - Additional Changes for Deliverables

Essay Changes

The timeline for the new requirements comes as the government hiring freeze is set to expire on October 15, 2025, unless extended again.

In addition to the resume, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is also changing the essay requirements. Applicants to Senior Executive Service (SES) positions will no longer be required to submit lengthy essays and will instead be subject to a structured interview. 

However, all job applicants at GS-5 or above will be asked essay questions on their views of the current administration and which of President Trump’s executive orders are “significant” to them. While the questions will be presented on each application, OPM says that candidates can choose not to answer them without being penalized. 

USAJOBS

 GREAT NEWS!!!!!

As of September 27, all USAJOBS (the job site for FEDERAL EMPLOYMENT) applications, have a mandatory two-page resume limit. This is great news - the older criteria was silly, outdate and cumbersome! Now the playing field is level and a candidate can use a ATS compliant resume (do not use AI to write your resume) for private sector and public sector jobs.

THIS IS A BIG DIFFERENCE MAKER! 

More TikTok - Making a Resume Great!

  More TikTok - Making a Resume Great!

https://lnkd.in/g6JP7hVT

One way employers can ID AI-written resumes - "Keyword Stuffing"

 Keyword stuffing: While AI-powered resume builders focus on using keywords, some AI-written resumes may unnaturally and excessively cram keywords from the job description to get past ATS, a tactic easily identified by human recruiters.

Do Companies Use AI to ID AI-generated Resumes?

 Do Companies Use AI to ID AI-generated Resumes?

This question was presented by a client this morning. The answer is that companies are starting to use AI to ID resumes written by AI / Robots / Machines and not people. This practice is in the beginning stages but common sense tells me that the hiring managers wants to read a resume written by a person.

The rest of this week will be dedicated to this topic. Stay tuned.

Target your Resume - Look for Keywords in the Job Description

 Target your Resume - Look for Keywords in the Job Description

Just do not submit your resume when interested in a job your saw posted online. Analyze each job description for keywords that show what the employer is seeking as qualification and include those keywords in your resume in the "Core Strengths" (keyword section) as well as in experience and summary where relevant.

For example, if the position is for a marketing manager, an employer might list keywords like "marketing communications," "campaign management," "A/B Testing" o in the job description. Pay particular attention to anything listed in the "Requirements" or "Qualifications" sections - this will make your analysis and tweaking of your resume easier and less time consuming.

Why hiring managers do not like AI generated resumes - Misrepresentation

 Why hiring managers do not like AI generated resumes - Misrepresentation

Misrepresentation of content is a major issue as AI can sometimes include inaccurate or outdated information. AI-generated resumes may also overemphasize keywords for applicant tracking systems (ATS) without providing meaningful content for human reviewers. Finally, the use of AI in resume writing raises ethical concerns for some, who see it as a form of misrepresentation or taking a shortcut.