Think your resume is the bee’s knees? If it's not landing interviews, chances are it's more like a soggy biscuit at a tea party, technically fine, but no one's excited about it.
Photo by Marielle Ursua on Unsplash
Employer branding professionals are expected to stand out, so if your resume reads like a generic job description, it's time for a rebrand.
Let’s break down why your CV might be gathering digital dust and how to fix it with actionable, no-nonsense tips.
1. You’re Selling Features, Not Benefits
Too many resumes read like a shopping list of responsibilities. The problem? Hiring managers want to see what you’ve achieved, not what you were supposed to do. For example:
✅ Before: “Managed employer branding campaigns across social media platforms.”
🔥 After: “Increased job applications by 35% through targeted social media branding campaigns, enhancing company visibility in competitive markets.”
Pro Tip: Quantify your impact. Numbers prove you know your stuff.
2. Your EVP Is MIA
You wouldn’t market a company without highlighting its Employer Value Proposition (EVP), so why skip yours? Think of your resume’s summary as your personal EVP:
- What makes you unique?
- What value do you bring to an organization?
- Why should they choose you?
Example:
“I’m an innovative employer branding specialist with a knack for turning company culture into compelling talent magnets. Proven success driving candidate engagement and boosting employer brand visibility through data-driven campaigns.”
3. It’s a Design Disaster
If your resume looks like it was built on a typewriter, we have a problem. Presentation matters, especially when your job involves aesthetics, messaging, and communication. Use clean, modern layouts that balance white space, clear headings, and a pop of color (but go easy—no rainbow explosions).
Tools to Try:
- Canva (easy templates, free options)
- NovoResume (ATS-friendly layouts)
- Adobe Express (sleek design with minimal fuss)
4. Buzzword Overload (Or Worse, Cliché Bingo)
“Dynamic team player with a results-oriented mindset.” Yawn. If your resume sounds like a corporate buzzword generator, hiring managers will skim right past it. Instead, use specific, powerful language that showcases your skills and achievements:
- Replace “strong communication skills” with “Delivered compelling employer brand narratives that increased social media engagement by 40%.”
- Swap “proven track record” with “Successfully led a rebrand that elevated Glassdoor ratings from 3.5 to 4.7 stars within a year.”
5. ATS Isn’t Your Enemy (But You’re Treating It Like One)
Yes, Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) filter resumes before humans see them. But that doesn’t mean your resume should read like a robot wrote it. The trick? Balance keywords with readability. Identify industry-relevant keywords from job descriptions, employer branding, talent attraction, recruitment marketing and weave them naturally into your content.
Avoid: Keyword stuffing like “Employer branding professional with employer branding experience in employer branding.”
Do: “Led employer branding initiatives that positioned the company as a top employer, improving candidate pipeline and reducing time-to-hire.”
6. Your Skills Section Is Just… There
A bullet list of skills is fine, but if it’s just “Social Media | Content Creation | Brand Management,” you’re not standing out. Instead, connect skills to outcomes. For example:
- Social Media Branding: Built a LinkedIn following of 50,000+, boosting brand awareness and inbound applications.
- Employer Value Proposition (EVP): Crafted compelling EVPs that attracted high-caliber talent, reducing recruitment costs by 20%.
- Analytics & Metrics: Leveraged data to measure employer branding ROI, aligning initiatives with business goals.
7. No Call to Action (Yes, Resumes Need CTAs Too)
Don’t just list your accomplishments—invite hiring managers to take the next step. End with a confident closing statement that positions you as the solution to their employer branding challenges.
Example:
“Ready to elevate your employer brand and attract top talent? Let’s connect to discuss how my expertise can help your organization stand out in today’s competitive market.”
If your resume isn’t generating interviews, it’s not about you, it’s about how you’re presenting your value. As an employer branding professional, your resume should showcase your ability to communicate, influence, and deliver results.
Don’t settle for “good enough.” Make it impossible to ignore.
👉 Looking for your next employer branding role? Explore current opportunities on our Jobs Board and take the next step in your career.
Published by Employer Branding Jobs – Your go-to source for insights, opportunities, and career growth in the world of employer branding.