How Tailored Resumes Are Driving Results: Insights from Coaching Clients

February 21, 2025

How Tailored Resumes Are Driving Results: Insights from Coaching Clients



Joseph Roszhart September 30, 2024


In today’s competitive job market, a strategically crafted resume is more than a document—a powerful tool for career advancement. As a performance career coach, I’ve seen firsthand how adopting key resume strategies has helped my clients secure opportunities and stand out. Below, I’ll share three crucial resume tips that have yielded remarkable results for my clients, demonstrating how minor adjustments can lead to big wins.


1. Tailored Resumes: Quality Over Quantity

One of the most significant changes I’ve recommended to clients is shifting their mindset from a "numbers game" to a "quality-first" approach. Many candidates, including a client in the technology sector, initially sent the same resume to dozens of job postings, hoping for a response. However, by taking the time to tailor their resumes to each job—highlighting relevant skills, experiences, and key terms from the job description—their results skyrocketed.

For instance, this client had been applying for several months with no callbacks. After implementing tailored keywords and restructuring his resume to focus on specific achievements relevant to each role, he secured multiple interviews within weeks. Lesson learned: Tailoring your resume to each role shows attention to detail and makes your application more likely to pass ATS filters, improving your chances of getting in front of a hiring manager.


2. Action-Oriented Language: Showcasing Impact, Not Duties

Clients often need help showcasing their experiences effectively. One recurring issue I’ve seen is the tendency to list job responsibilities rather than accomplishments. One of my clients in the healthcare industry, for example, was focused on what she "did" rather than the outcomes of her actions. She could demonstrate her impact more clearly by switching her language to action-oriented verbs and quantifying results.

Instead of writing, “Responsible for patient records,” we revised it to, “Managed patient records for 500+ individuals, resulting in a 20% improvement in data retrieval efficiency.” The change was subtle but powerful. Using action verbs like “managed,” “improved,” or “orchestrated” alongside quantifiable outcomes helped this client secure the managerial role she had been aiming for. Action words, paired with numbers, catch recruiters' eyes and provide proof of competence, which passive language fails to do.


3. Optimizing Space for What Matters

Another effective strategy is making better use of resume space. A corporate client transitioning from one industry to another initially had an outdated resume filled with irrelevant roles and an objective statement. We removed the objective statement, which has become less relevant in today’s job market, and replaced it with a succinct career summary highlighting transferable skills. This change and the elimination of non-relevant job descriptions freed up space to include critical certifications, technical skills, and leadership achievements.

This "less is more" approach made her resume far more impactful. Not only did she begin getting noticed by recruiters, but she also found herself being fast-tracked for interviews. Takeaway: Streamlining your resume to focus on what’s relevant for the role you want while keeping it concise and scannable is essential in today’s market.


Real-World Results: Seeing the Transformation

These strategies have delivered tangible results across industries. A client in the engineering sector saw his response rate increase by over 50% after incorporating targeted action verbs and quantifiable metrics in his resume. Another client, transitioning from education to a corporate training role, successfully landed interviews by reformatting her resume to align more closely with industry standards and highlighting her transferable leadership skills.

The common theme? Intentionality. Whether tailoring their resumes to a job, optimizing the layout, or showcasing their unique achievements, the most successful candidates approach the job application process strategically. By viewing their resumes not just as documents but as marketing tools, they can present themselves in the best possible light.


Conclusion

As a performance coach, I aim to empower clients to approach their job search confidently and clearly. Through these resume strategies—tailoring content, using action-oriented language, and optimizing resume space—I’ve seen clients secure more interviews, land roles faster, and even pivot into entirely new industries. If you’re serious about your next career move, take these tips to heart and watch how they transform your results.

Remember: your resume is your marketing tool. Make it work for you.



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By Admin April 7, 2025
ATS-Optimized Resumes Meet Strategic Personal Branding: The Roszhart Coaching Advantage In today's competitive job market, your resume must fulfill two roles: it should get through Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and convey your unique professional story. At Roszhart Coaching, we view your resume as more than just a list of jobs—it's your personal brand, career narrative, and first impression with hiring managers. Why an ATS-Friendly Resume Matters Every day, companies sift through hundreds of resumes using ATS software. These systems look for standardized information: clear headings, simple formatting, and industry-specific keywords. To ensure that you get noticed, your resume must be designed for both machines and humans. Some key practices include: ✨ Simple, Clean Format: Use a one-column layout with standard fonts such as Arial or Times New Roman. Avoid using dynamic elements such as columns, headers, footers, graphics, or unusual bullet points to ensure ATS can accurately read your document. ✨ Keyword Optimization: Carefully tailor each resume to include the specific terminology and skills found in the job description. Remember, ATS algorithms scan for relevant keywords in sections like Work Experience, Skills, and Professional Summary. ✨ Standard Section Headings: Clearly label essential sections such as Contact Information, Professional Summary, Work Experience, Skills, and Education, ensuring that the ATS can easily identify and parse your qualifications. Following these ATS best practices increases your chances of your resume getting past the initial screening, allowing it to shine for the hiring manager. The Roszhart Coaching Process: Crafting a Resume That Sells You At Roszhart Coaching, we take the ATS challenge one step further. We optimize your resume for automated systems while focusing on strategic storytelling to make you stand out. Here’s how we do it: 💡 Deep Career Assessment: Every resume begins with an in-depth exploration of your professional journey. We explore your core values, motivations, and unique achievements to understand what you've done and who you are as a professional. 💡 The WOOP Method: Our proprietary WOOP process transforms mundane bullet points into compelling narratives. We capture: What you wanted to achieve, The Outcome realized, The Obstacles you overcame, and the Plan you implemented to succeed. This results-driven framework ensures that every statement on your resume is impactful and quantifiable. 💡 Tailored Branding: We reject the one-size-fits-all approach. Your resume is crafted to reflect your personal brand, positioning you as the ideal solution to the challenges hiring managers face today. From the layout to the language, every element is thoughtfully chosen. 💡 Interview Readiness: A standout resume is just the beginning. With our comprehensive interview preparation integrated into every resume package, we empower you to confidently articulate your story, address tough questions, and demonstrate your true value when you walk into the interview room. Why Choose Roszhart Coaching? With over 10 years of corporate project management experience and a proven track record in career coaching, I, Joseph Roszhart, bring a blend of strategic insight and practical know-how to every client engagement. Here’s what sets us apart: 🌟 Ahead of Industry Trends: We continually update our practices to ensure your resume is not only ATS-optimized but also aligned with the latest hiring practices. 🌟 Authentic Storytelling: Your professional narrative is unique. Our approach combines data-driven results with genuine personal branding, ensuring that hiring managers see both your achievements and your potential. 🌟 Measurable Impact: Our WOOP method guarantees that every accomplishment is backed by quantifiable results. We don’t just list your duties; we highlight your success. 🌟 Confidence Boost: With targeted interview preparation, you gain the confidence to convert opportunities into job offers. Take the First Step Toward Your Dream Job In this digital era, where automated systems and human judgment intersect, you deserve more than a generic resume. You deserve a strategic personal brand that not only passes ATS screening but also captivates hiring managers from the first glance. At Roszhart Coaching, we are dedicated to your career success from resume creation to the interview room. If you’re ready to transform your professional narrative and open doors to new opportunities, let’s work together. 📞 Call us at 818-403-5607 📧 Email us at joseph@roszhartcoaching.com 🌐 Visit roszhartcoaching.com Your career story is waiting to be told—make sure it’s one that stands out.
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