One Simple Change to Make Your Resume Stand Out

Let’s talk about the biggest mistake people make with their resumes—and how to fix it with authenticity in the workplace in mind.

First things first: too many people treat their resume like a brag sheet. The more buzzwords, the better, right? Wrong. If you want to stand out (and actually get hired), think of your resume as a marketing flyer.

Attention spans today? About as long as a TikTok dance video. So your resume has one job: 👉 Make the hiring manager say, “Hmm, I need to learn more.”

Here’s the kicker:Most hiring managers won’t even read that fancy bullet-pointed nonsense you crammed in there. So how do you get their attention—and keep it?

Ditch the Brag Sheet. Start With a Hook.

Like any good marketing piece, your resume needs a hook. Something that stops them in their tracks. And here’s the good news: you don’t need to rewrite your entire resume to stand out.

You just need to fix one part. 

👉 The summary. That top paragraph.

Most people fill that space with:

• Third-person nonsense.

• Clichés like “dynamic leader” and “results-driven.”

• A bunch of buzzwords that make you sound like a corporate robot.

Here’s what I want you to do instead:

Make It About Your Authentic Self at Work

Write in first person—like you’re talking to a human (because you are). Skip the corporate jargon and share your unique superpower.

What’s a superpower? It’s that blend of skills that makes you unlike anyone else. Maybe you’re a data nerd and a master storyteller. Maybe you can lead with empathy while still making the tough calls—hello, authentic leadership.

Example:

“My superpower is that I’m part data nerd, party master storyteller. I help teams understand what the numbers really mean—and why they matter. That way, you can focus on strategy while I translate the data into actions.”

See? That’s authentic. That’s memorable. And that’s what makes a resume jump off the screen.

Why It Works

Let’s get real: most hiring managers are buried in resumes. They’re overwhelmed and desperate for someone who can come in and make their lives easier. When you lead with authenticity—and show your unique mix of skills—you instantly stand out.

Because here’s the thing: they’re not just hiring a resume. They’re hiring a human. They’re looking for authenticity in the workplace—someone who can bring their authentic self at work and make a real impact.

But … What About Those ATS Systems?

Yeah, yeah. Keywords. SEO. Search terms.

Look, I get it. Toss a few in there. But if you litter your resume with so many buzzwords that it reads like a robot wrote it? Nobody’s gonna read it. Just like in marketing—SEO matters, but your story matters more.

How to Make Your Resume Stand Out—Today

Here’s your homework:

✅ Rewrite that summary paragraph.

✅ Make it first-person, not third.

✅ Tell a story that shows your unique superpower.

✅ Add a sprinkle of relevant keywords—enough for the bots but not so much it’s unreadable.

Different is better than better. And authenticity always beats cookie-cutter.

So go on. Be memorable. Be authentic. Be the human they can’t wait to meet.

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Watch the video on Youtube.

Erin Hatzikostas is an internationally recognized leader on the impact of authenticity in the workplace. Learn more about her keynote speaking, workshops, and other authentic programs here.