Building a Resume that resonates

"The best resumes aren't the ones that tell us everything. They're the ones that show us why you're right for this role."

One of the most common pieces of advice I give candidates is simple: remove the clutter.

Recruiters often spend only a short amount of time reviewing a resume before deciding whether to progress a candidate, so your experience needs to be easy to digest and immediately relevant to the role you're applying for. Long professional summaries, lists of key skills and generic competency statements can take up valuable space without adding meaningful insight. Instead, focus on clearly presenting your career history and the achievements that demonstrate your suitability for the position.

The strongest resumes are tailored to the role, not copied and pasted from one application to the next. If you're applying for a Corporate Partnerships or Major Gifts position, highlight the experience most relevant to that opportunity. Showcase your partnerships development, donor stewardship, portfolio management and fundraising outcomes. Rather than listing every responsibility you’ve ever held, focus on the experiences that best demonstrate your ability to succeed in the role. A recruiter should be able to quickly identify why you're a match without having to search for the evidence.

For professionals looking to move into the not-for-profit sector, tailoring your resume becomes even more important. You don't need to document every achievement from your entire career. Instead, focus on the transferable skills that align with the role and organisation, whether it's business development, sales, customer engagement, marketing or relationship management. Make it easy for employers to see how your experience translates to their needs and why you’re interested in their organisation and mission.

In the for-purpose sector particularly, connection to cause still matters. Organisations are looking for people who not only have the capability to do the job, but who can authentically represent their brand, engage supporters and contribute to their mission. A strong resume demonstrates both professional fit and genuine alignment with the organisation's purpose. When recruiters and hiring managers can clearly see both, you're far more likely to progress to the next stage.

The best resumes aren't the ones that tell us everything you've ever done. They're the ones that quickly show us why you're the right person for this role.