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Free guides are on the way.
Learn is where I'll publish free, research-backed Guides. Each one is a short, practical read that builds real intuition, and each points to a course if you want to go further.
The first Guides focus on resumes. While I finish them, start with the free AI-Ready Resume Checklist below.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Do hiring firms really check your social media before inviting you to interview?
Yes. In one survey of 1,000+ employers, 70% researched candidates online, and 57% found something that led them not to interview or hire. Your online presence is an extension of your resume.
Is having no online presence at all a safe choice?
No. About half of hiring firms say they are less likely to interview a candidate they cannot find online. You need a professional presence that supports your resume.
If your social media accounts are private, can employers still see your posts?
Often, yes. Reposts, followers (who may work at your target firms), and archived copies of the web can all expose “private” content. Audit it, clean it, and post professional content regularly.
Is a creative, multi-column resume template a good way to stand out?
No. Applicant tracking software and AI screeners often misread columns, tables, and boxes, and people find them harder to scan. A traditional single-column format wins: substance over form.
How long does a recruiter spend on a first look at your resume?
Roughly six to thirty seconds. Your resume must be scannable: bullet points, short phrases, readable fonts no smaller than 10 points, and margins that print well.
Is “resume.pdf” a good file name?
No. It gets lost in a hiring firm’s folders. Use something like “LASTNAME First Resume [date] [job reference],” and send a PDF unless told otherwise.
Should you include a “References available upon request” line?
No. Employers assume you will provide references if asked. Use the space for achievements.
Should you have a Career Summary or a Career Objective at the top of your resume?
Most candidates should write a Career Objective. A Career Summary generally fits only decades-long careers or unusual, highly technical backgrounds.
Is your career objective about what you want, or what you offer the firm?
Most are about the candidate (“to secure a position that provides experience…”). A strong objective is employer-focused. It shows professional fit and how you will help the firm and your future co-workers create value: a win-win.
Does your resume list job responsibilities, or achievements?
Firms hire achievers, yet most resumes only list duties, titles, positions, and responsibilities. Instead write each bullet point as an achievement with actions, results and data as convincing support. The Resume Guidebook and particularly the Resume E-Course have details and numerous examples.
Is “Proficient in Excel” a strong resume line?
No. It’s an unsupported self-claim, and “Excel” is software, not a skill. An achievement such as “Completed the KPMG 75 top audit Excel functions course” proves the skill instead.
Do you know if your current resume includes self-claims?
Words like “excellent communicator,” “detail-oriented,” “proficient,” and “strong team player” are self-claims. Research shows less self-promotion increases evaluators’ perception of fit. Replace each claim with an achievement, or make sure an achievement supports it.
What if you don’t yet have the skills a firm wants?
Don’t give up. Start building them, and show it: “Completing online course: Introduction to Alteryx” or “Taking CPA review course to pass the exam in 2026” signals you are achieving.
Who are the two “gatekeepers” your resume must pass?
First, applicant tracking software scanning for keywords. Second, an HR screener who may not know the job in detail. Both look for keyword fit.
Can you reuse the same cover letter for every application?
Reuse the structure, not the substance. Tailor the achievements, your forward-looking reason for applying, and one detail that shows you researched the firm. Keep it to one page.