How to Review Your Resume Like a Hiring Manager

You’ve done the hard work. You’ve clarified your purpose, reflected on your strengths, researched your target roles, and rewritten your resume with intention.

Now it’s time for the final “R” of resume development: Review.

This step can make or break everything you’ve done so far. And yet—it’s the step most people rush.

Review Like a Professional

You wouldn’t submit a report to your boss without proofreading it. Your resume deserves the same care. In fact, it deserves even more—because it’s your first impression.

Start with the basics:

• Run a spell check. Yes, seriously. It catches more than you think.

• Read it out loud. Does it flow naturally? Are there any awkward phrases?

• Compare it to the resumes you found in your research. Would you call yourself in for an interview?

• Drop it into ChatGPT or another AI tool for a quick review—it might catch inconsistencies or offer helpful improvements.

  
  

Then, get a second (and third) set of eyes. Ask a friend or colleague with strong writing skills—and, ideally, someone familiar with your target industry—to review your resume. Ask them:

• Is anything unclear or confusing?

• Do any sections feel repetitive or weak?

• Would you be able to tell what job this person is aiming for?

  
  

Beware of Brain Blindness

There’s a reason it’s hard to catch your own errors: your brain fills in the gaps. It knows what you meant to write, so it smooths over mistakes. This is called “generalization,” and it’s a common pitfall in resume writing.

The solution? Let it sit. Step away for a day or two before doing your final pass. Better yet, ask someone you trust to review it cold—with no context. If they can quickly understand who you are, what you’re good at, and what role you’re aiming for, you’re on the right track.

This Might Take a Few Rounds—That’s Normal

The review phase often brings you right back to rewriting. And that’s okay. That’s progress.

Every edit you make brings your resume closer to a clear, compelling representation of who you are and where you’re going. So be patient with yourself, and stay focused on the goal: a resume that feels like you and speaks directly to the job you want.

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I hope these five Rs of Resume Development gave you a clear path (and the confidence!) to move forward in your career with intention. If your professional life could use a reset, start with your story. Your next chapter might be closer than you think!