The Resume Isn't the Problem
(Why fixing your format won't solve your job search)
You've tweaked the format. Updated the template. Added more keywords. Shortened it to one page, then expanded it to two. A/B tested subject lines and customized every application.
Still crickets.
Here's what I need you to understand: your resume isn't the problem.
The problem is that you're trying to solve a positioning issue with formatting fixes.
What actually happens in hiring
Your resume has two jobs:
Get past the ATS (the filtering system).
Tell your story to the human who reads it.
Most advice focuses almost entirely on job #1. And yes, plenty of qualified people still get stuck in the filter.
But here's the thing: the ATS is a rules-based problem. With the right keywords and clean formatting, you can usually improve your odds.
The harder part? Positioning your story so the human reading it wants to call you.
Real clients, real proof
Catherine — dream job at a top law firm Catherine's resume was polished, but it read like every other paralegal's: lists of responsibilities, no clear proof of value. We reframed her story around what made her uniquely valuable and coached her to negotiate with confidence. Within weeks, she landed her dream role at a top law firm and stepped into a senior position she once thought was out of reach.
Ryan — three competing offers at a higher level Ryan came to me with a strong background and a well-formatted resume, but it read like a list of responsibilities. There was no clear throughline that made his value impossible to miss. We rebuilt it around the problems he solves, the outcomes he delivers, and the leadership story behind the numbers. Within weeks, he had three competing offers, each at a higher level than his previous role and, more importantly, the confidence to own his value in every conversation.
The real issue most candidates miss
You're optimizing for robots when you should be positioning for humans.
The ATS gets you in the door. Your positioning gets you the call.
Here's what actually moves the needle:
Lead with business problems, not job titles.
Show math, not just effort.
Connect to their future, not just your past.
When the resume actually IS the problem
There are three legitimate resume issues I see:
The job description resume — duties instead of results.
The peer-focused resume — written for insiders, not decision-makers.
The responsibility resume — what you were supposed to do, not what you achieved.
But notice: these aren't formatting problems. They're positioning problems.
The 3P Method™ for your resume
Position — make your edge obvious in the first three lines.
Proof — every bullet should show outcome, not activity.
Path — connect your wins to the problems they need solved.
This works whether you're using a simple Word doc or the fanciest design template.
The test that matters
Hand your resume to someone who doesn't know your field. Give them 30 seconds.
Can they tell you:
What business problem you solve?
Who benefits from your work?
Why you're different from other candidates?
If not, no amount of formatting will fix that.
If you're getting overlooked
It's not because your margins are wrong or your font choice is bad. It's because your positioning isn't clear.
Your resume should tell one story: Here's the problem I solve. Here's my proof. And here's why it matters to you.
Everything else is just formatting.
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