Rebecca Henninger: Certified Professional Resume Writer – How I Write Resumes That Elevate Your Personal Brand and Career Value

One of the biggest challenges professionals face when writing their own resumes is effectively communicating their value—without feeling like they’re bragging.

As a career coach, I see this all the time. Clients say things like:
💬 "I don’t want to sound arrogant."
💬 "I don’t like talking about myself."
💬 "I wouldn’t say I’m the best at what I do."

But here’s the truth—your resume isn’t about bragging. It’s about strategically positioning your personal brand to showcase what makes you the right candidate for the job. If you don’t communicate your value, someone else will.

Step 1: Shift Your Mindset – Your Career Story Matters

Your resume is more than a document; it’s a marketing tool that tells your professional story. Hiring managers don’t just want a list of job duties—they want to see how you create impact.

🚀 Think about it this way: Would you hire someone who downplays their skills or someone who confidently presents their experience and results?

Your work has value. Your career journey is unique. Your personal brand deserves to be seen.

Step 2: Define Your Personal Brand

Before you start writing your resume, get clear on your professional identity and what sets you apart. Ask yourself:
✅ What are my core strengths and skills?
✅ What do colleagues and managers consistently praise me for?
✅ What impact have I made in my previous roles?
✅ How do I want to be perceived in my industry?

Your resume should clearly reflect who you are as a professional and what you bring to the table.

Step 3: Identify and Showcase Your Accomplishments

A powerful resume goes beyond listing job responsibilities—it highlights measurable results that demonstrate your expertise.

Ask yourself these key questions to uncover your achievements:
✅ What problems have I solved?
✅ How have I contributed to company growth, efficiency, or success?
✅ Have I led any key projects or initiatives?
✅ Can I quantify my results with numbers, percentages, or other data?

Example:
🔹 Instead of: “Managed customer accounts.”
✅ Say: “Managed 50+ client accounts, increasing retention by 25% through relationship-building and customized service strategies.”

🔹 Instead of: “Responsible for social media marketing.”
✅ Say: “Developed and executed a social media strategy that grew engagement by 60% and generated 500+ qualified leads.”

When you quantify your impact, you strengthen your personal brand by demonstrating real results.

Step 4: Use Clear, Impactful Language

Your resume should be compelling, concise, and easy to scan. Use strong action verbs and avoid vague phrasing.

📌 Do this:
✅ Led, implemented, optimized, transformed, increased, developed, executed

❌ Avoid this:

• Assisted with, helped, responsible for, involved in

Hiring managers want to see what you did—not what you were “responsible for.”

Step 5: Optimize for ATS and Readability

Many companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to screen resumes. Here’s how to ensure your resume gets through:
✅ Use keywords from the job description
✅ Keep formatting clean and simple (avoid tables, images, and text boxes)
✅ Use bullet points instead of long paragraphs
✅ Choose a professional font (Arial, Calibri, Garamond)

For best results, use a plain-text version of your resume when applying online, then bring a polished, well-designed version to your interview.

Step 6: Align Your Resume with Your LinkedIn Profile

Your resume is only one part of your personal branding strategy. Hiring managers will check your LinkedIn profile—so make sure it’s aligned!
✅ Use a professional headshot
✅ Write a compelling LinkedIn headline and summary
✅ Highlight key achievements in your experience section
✅ Engage with industry content to showcase thought leadership

Your LinkedIn profile should reinforce your expertise and credibility.

Final Thoughts: Your Career Success Starts with Confidence

Writing a strong resume isn’t about self-promotion—it’s about owning your professional value.

You are a high-performing professional. You bring unique strengths to the table. Your career story matters.

And if you need expert guidance? A career coach can help you craft a resume that positions you for leadership opportunities and career growth.

👏 I'm The Job Girl and I brand high performers for career success. I share actionable tips and practical advice to help you navigate career transitions with confidence.