[3 YoE, Unemployed, Project Manager, United Kingdom]
Common Mistakes to Avoid:
❌ 1.5 YoE (no decimals)
❌ 0-2 YoE (no ranges)
❌ Missing brackets
❌ Wrong flair selection
Step 3: Prepare Your Resume
Convert to PNG format using this tool (minimum 600 dpi)
Remove all personal information (name, phone, email, addresses, company names)
Keep job titles and dates - this helps reviewers give better feedback
Step 4: Write Your Post Body
Include context to help reviewers assist you:
What specific help do you need? (Not just "what's wrong with my resume")
What roles/industries are you targeting?
Where are you applying? (Local, remote, willing to relocate?)
What's your job search situation and challenges?
Any specific resume sections you want feedback on?
Visa/citizenship status affecting your search?
Common Questions & Issues
"I'm not getting any feedback on my post" Make sure you've followed all the steps above, especially proper title formatting and flair selection. Posts without proper formatting may be removed or get less visibility.
"My post was removed" Check that your title follows the exact format required and that you've selected an appropriate flair. Most removals are due to formatting issues.
"How do I write [specific resume section]?" The Resume Writing Guide covers all common resume sections and writing techniques. Check there first before posting a question.
"Should I hire a resume writer?" Chances are, you don't (especially if you're a recent grad or someone with under 5 years of experience), but to be sure, read out guide on finding a qualified resume writer, which will help you make an informed decision.
Other Post Types
Questions (not resume reviews): Use the "Question" flair
Sharing advice: Use "I'm Sharing Advice" flair (ask mods before posting external links)
Success stories: Use "Success Story" flair
General discussion: Use "Discussion" flair
Community Guidelines
Be respectful and say thanks - People volunteer their time to help you Keep help public - Don't ask for or offer help via DMs Read the rules - Most bans are for spamming, harassment, or DMing users
What You Should Know Before Hiring a Professional Resume Writer
Aside from being a regular contributor to r/resumes, I'm a resume writer by trade. I've been in the career services industry for about 7 years, have written for professionals at every level from individual contributor to CEOs, and I see the aftermath of bad "professional" rewrites posted to this sub all the time. This guide will help you avoid becoming one of them.
It makes me sad to see folks get duped into buying resume services from what I'd just call unqualified people. I see posts every week on the sub about resumes that were written by so-called professionals, and I want to laugh, until I remember it's not funny.
TLDR
A qualified resume writer typically charges $200 to $1,500 depending on your career level, with some executive services running $3,000 or more. Look for certification from PARWCC, NRWA, RWA, or CDI, a verifiable online presence, real samples, and a process that starts with a consultation call. The best test: if you can't speak directly with the person writing your resume before you pay, walk away.
If you're early in your career or on a tight budget, you probably don't need a writer at all. Post your resume to this sub for free feedback first. You may find that's enough.
The rest of this guide covers how the process works, what to expect at each stage, where AI tools fit in, and the unethical practices to watch for.
Last updated: August 2026
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What does a resume writer do?
In a nutshell, resume writers help candidates prepare job application materials such as resumes, federal resumes, CVs, academic CVs, and cover letters. Some writers may also offer additional services such as career and interview coaching, LinkedIn profile writing, and placement services.
To be clear, resume writers are not know-it-alls, and you shouldn't expect one to be. A writer who has worked across dozens of industries hasn't actually done the jobs in those industries. They don't know your codebase, your P&L, or your clinical protocols, and any writer who implies they do is overselling.
Here's the actual division of labor: you are the subject matter expert on your career. The writer is the expert on how hiring teams read, what recruiters screen for, and how to translate what you did into language that lands with the people making decisions. Their core skill isn't industry knowledge. It's extraction and positioning: asking questions you wouldn't think to ask yourself, pulling out accomplishments you've stopped noticing because they feel routine to you, and framing all of it for the audience you're targeting.
In the years I've been doing this, I've found the writers worth hiring are the ones who know exactly what they don't know. The ones comfortable saying "explain that to me like I'm not in your field" tend to produce better resumes than the ones who nod along, because the first group is extracting, and the second is guessing.
Should you hire a resume writer?
That'll depend on your personal and professional circumstances. Generally speaking, there are a few situations where hiring a resume writer may be the right choice. They include:
You've been applying to many jobs and haven't been receiving any calls from employers.
You have no idea what ATS is or how to factor it in when writing your resume.
You have a complex career history and aren't sure how best to convey it in a professional and engaging manner.
You're looking to switch careers and aren't sure how to convey your transferable skills.
You're a midlevel, senior, or executive level candidate, are still employed, and want to prepare for your next career move.
You've tried using AI to write your resume and the result reads like it could belong to anyone in your field.
This list isn't exhaustive, so there may be situations where hiring a writer is the appropriate choice. However, there are also a few situations where hiring a writer probably isn't the best choice. These include:
You're confident with your existing resume, have already been seeing results, and are just looking for some minor feedback.
Your financial situation doesn't permit. The truth is that well-regarded writers charge anywhere from $200 to $1,500 or more. You'll see many writers here on Reddit, on Fiverr, and elsewhere charging fees that seem too good to be true (think less than $100). If your financial situation doesn't permit the cost of a reputable writer (and we'll get to that later), you're much better off writing your own.
You're still in college/university. If you're at this stage of your career, you'll do fine relying on your college career center along with web resources like this sub.
Note: Your first step should always be posting to the r/resumes sub for feedback. This sub is packed with industry professionals that can give you helpful advice - you may end up not needing a writer.
DIY vs. Hiring a Resume Writer: Which Makes More Sense?
Factor
DIY Resume
Hiring a Resume Writer
When it makes sense
(1) You're early career with <3 years' experience. (2) You're comfortable writing about yourself. (3) You're applying to many roles and tweaking is easy.
(1) You're mid-senior level and stakes are higher. (2) You're changing industries or roles. (3) You struggle to translate your experience into clear, marketable language.
Budget range
Free (time investment only). Maybe $50-$100 for templates or reviews.
$200 to $1,500 for professional writers. Executive-level services can run $3,000+.
What you get
(1) Full control over content. (2) Free resources (Reddit, forums, templates). (3) Quick turnaround (your own pace).
(1) Professionally written, ATS-friendly resume. (2) Help drawing out and positioning your impact and achievements. (3) Knowledge that might be hard to come by on your own (like experience with the hiring process if the writer was in recruiting).
Risks & trade-offs
(1) Easy to undersell yourself. (2) Hard to be objective about strengths. (3) Formatting mistakes may trip ATS. (4) AI-generated drafts can sound polished but lack substance.
(1) Costly if you pick the wrong writer. (2) Quality varies widely, due diligence is key. (3) Still requires your input and time.
What about AI?
This is probably the most common question I get right now, so I want to be straightforward about it.
AI tools like ChatGPT can help you with structure, formatting, and getting words on a page. If you're staring at a blank document and have no idea where to start, they can give you a decent starting point. For straightforward career histories at the early career level, that might be enough.
What you may not realize though, is that the actual writing is a small part of what goes into a good resume. Most of the work is in the content and marketing: figuring out what to include, what to cut, how to frame each role, and how to position yourself for the type of job you want.
That demands an understanding of how hiring teams read resumes, what recruiters screen for, how applicant tracking systems filter candidates, and what makes a hiring manager read your bullets instead of skimming them. These are things you learn from working inside and alongside the hiring process. You can paste your entire work history into an AI tool, but it still won't have that hiring-side judgment. The other thing is that you need to write content you can speak to at length in an interview, as opposed to just writing stuff that sounds great on paper.
What I see a lot on this sub is people sharing AI-generated resumes that look clean and read well on the surface. The formatting and grammar are all fine, but the content is either catch-all, or doesn't quite connect the dots for the hiring team. I see bullet points that could apply to almost anyone with the same job title. There's nothing in the doc that tells an HM what this specific person did differently or better. And that's the part that gets interviews (Note: there are factors at play, like local market, volume of other applicants, timing that impact your candidacy that have nothing to do with your resume - for this guide, we're focusing on the stuff that is in your control).
To put it simply:
AI can handle structure, keywords, and getting a first draft on paper (this is great for early candidates, or folks that just have no idea how to navigate a word processor like MS Word or Google Docs).
AI will struggle with knowing what your strongest selling points are, how to position a career change, which content goes where, or whether your bullets will hold up under questioning in an interview.
If you already know what good resume content looks like and just need help putting it together, AI can work.
If you're not sure why your resume isn't landing, or you have a complicated career history, AI will probably give you something that looks professional but doesn't actually solve the problem.
A lot of people now use AI for their first draft and then bring in a human (either through this sub or a writer) to fix the substance. That's a reasonable approach.
How do you vet a resume writer?
There are a few things you can look for when figuring out if a writer is qualified.
What's the writer's background? If you're working through a company, ask if you can speak with the writer directly (if the answer is no, I wouldn't recommend proceeding any further with that company). If you're working with an independent writer, ask to speak them one on one. Well-regarded writers come from diverse backgrounds. Education-wise, there isn't a set program that "produces" resume writers. However, you should expect a bachelor's degree at a minimum and a work history with active engagement in career-related professions. Some examples include recruiting, human resources, or career coaching. Regardless of the writer's background, they should have an online presence such as a website or LinkedIn profile that you can view. If you can't find a writer anywhere online, it may be hard for you to verify their credentials, in which case, it's a good idea to be extra careful.
Do they have samples they can share? Ask for samples. Most writers will provide them or list them on their website/portfolio for clients to see.
Do they have client testimonials or reviews that you can reference? Companies and independent writers that deliver positive results will definitely want to make it known to prospective clients. Ask them for their client testimonials and take a look at what their previous customers have said about their work to get an idea of what it's like working with them. Be wary of companies and writers that don't have any reviews, are unable to refer you to their previous customers, or have a string of negative reviews (especially if those negative reviews involve repeated issues like missed deadlines or generic output).
Are they certified? Credible and qualified resume writers will often have certifications from one of the following organizations:
Professional Association of Resume Writers and Career Coaches (PARWCC)
National Resume Writers' Association (NRWA)
Resume Writing Academy (RWA)
Career Directors International (CDI)
Do they have a presence in the resume community? This one is easy to overlook, but it matters. A writer who regularly contributes to communities like this one (giving free feedback, answering questions, sharing knowledge) is usually someone who cares about the craft. It also gives you a chance to see how they think and whether their advice resonates with you before you spend any money.
Green Flags vs. Red Flags When Choosing a Resume Writer
Green Flags (Good Signs)
Red Flags (Warning Signs)
Provides before-and-after samples showing real results.
No samples, or only vague "testimonials."
Transparent about pricing and what's included.
Hidden fees, upselling, or unclear service breakdown.
Offers unlimited or multiple revisions in package.
"One draft only" or charges extra for basic edits.
Asks you detailed questions about your career, goals, and target roles.
Barely requests input, delivers a generic template.
Shares ATS knowledge and explains formatting choices.
Uses graphics-heavy designs that risk ATS rejection.
Active in resume communities and willing to give free advice.
No online presence outside of their own website.
Comfortable saying a role or industry is outside their wheelhouse, and asks you to explain technical details.
Claims deep expertise in every industry, or never asks clarifying questions.
What to expect during the writing process
All processes generally follow a similar structure that consists of an information gathering stage, writing stage, and review/revision stage.
Information Gathering: A good writer will want to speak with you directly and collect information with regard to your work history, skills, accomplishments, and career goals. Most of the time, this process is handled through a phone or video call, but some companies/writers will collect this information through a form. Ask the company/writer how they'll be gathering the necessary information to prepare a resume that is unique to you. Beware of companies that don't use a consultation process at all and only ask for your existing resume. You may be unpleasantly surprised when you see your old descriptions reworded and repackaged.
Writing: Ask the company/writer how long it'll take to write your resume. A quality resume takes time and effort to create. Speaking from my own work, six hours for an entry-level resume up to 15 hours for an executive resume is the norm. Beware of turnaround times that seem a little too quick. The industry standard is around 5-10 days.
Review and Revision: After preparing an initial draft, the writer will typically offer the client an opportunity to provide feedback and request changes if needed. Ask the writer about whether or not they allow requests for revisions, how many revisions, and for how long after you've concluded the service.
How much do resume writing services cost?
If you do a quick Google search, you'll see that there are a broad range of prices. As I mentioned earlier, the typical price range runs from $200 to $1,500, and some executive resume writers charge upwards of $3,000.
Two factors that affect this are:
Your experience level
The writer's experience level and their ability to produce results
Be wary of companies and writers that offer their services at very low rates; it's more often than not an indication of low quality service. Remember that many hours go into building a quality resume spanning consultations, research, writing, reviews, and revisions.
Are resume writers worth it?
That's the million-dollar question. Before you decide to hire a writer, ask yourself the following:
Do I earn an annual salary of $70,000 or more? If yes, paying for a professional resume could be worth it for you. With the average cost of a mid-career resume at around $500, that works out to less than 1% of your annual salary.
Am I still early on in my career (still in college or recent graduate)? If so, checking out the plethora of DIY tools available might be a better option.
Should I work with an industry-specific writer?
While there are variations across industries, generally speaking, resume writing best practices are similar across the board, with some exceptions including:
Modeling
Acting
Industries that emphasize graphically intensive resumes (i.e., portfolios) rather than traditional resumes.
Some companies will have writers on staff that only work with certain industries (i.e., IT, software engineering etc.). Independent writers are generally more versatile and work with professionals in multiple industries.
The advantage of working with a generalist is broader all-round industry knowledge, which is especially useful if you're switching industries.
One caveat either way: don't confuse specialization with mastery. Even a writer who works exclusively with software engineers hasn't shipped your product. What a specialist buys you is vocabulary and context, so you spend less of the consultation explaining fundamentals. What it doesn't buy you is a pass on your own involvement. You're still the source of the raw material. The better test than "have they worked in my industry" is "do they ask questions that show they understood my answers."
However, working with a writer that specializes in one or two fields may be a better option if you're in a highly technical profession such as software development and want someone that can understand the in-depth technical concepts and terminology.
Unethical practices that you should be aware of
Like any industry, resume writing isn't free of corruption and unethical practices. Two main practices to watch out for are:
International Outsourcing: Some writers/companies that charge fees that seem too good to be true are actually outsourcing their work to international writers to reduce costs. It can be hard to identify companies that do this before buying their services, but three helpful indicators are:
Poor samples
Negative client reviews
The inability to speak with the writer before purchasing the service
Ghostwriting: Some writers will take on more clients than they can handle and offload those clients to ghostwriters. Other individuals that write your resume but that don't take the credit. Writers that engage in this practice are more interested in maximizing profits over ensuring client satisfaction. As with outsourcing, ask to speak to the writer before you purchase the service.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is hiring a resume writer worth the money?
It depends on your situation. If you're early in your career, you may not need one. Templates and free feedback (including from this sub) can be enough. But for mid-to-senior professionals and executives, a resume writer can save you time, and by extension, money. A useful benchmark: if you earn $70,000 or more, a $500 resume is less than 1% of your annual salary.
2. How much should I pay for a resume writer?
Most professional resume writers charge between $200 and $1,500 for a standard resume, depending on your career level and the writer's experience. Executive-level services typically start around $1,000 and can run $3,000 or more. Be cautious with anything under $100; at that price, the work is usually templated, outsourced, or both.
3. How do I know if a resume writer is legit?
Look for:
A professional-looking website/place of business
Certifications
Experience
Testimonials
Before-and-after samples
Clear pricing, and
A process that involves your input.
Good writers ask a lot of detailed questions to get at the info they need. Avoid anyone promising "guaranteed jobs" or offering flashy, design-heavy resumes (these can cause issues with ATS).
4. Can a resume writer guarantee me a job?
No. A resume writer can improve how your skills and experience are presented, but they can't control hiring decisions. What they can do is help improve your chances of getting interviews.
5. What's the difference between using AI and hiring a writer?
AI tools can help with formatting and generating bullet points based on your job title. They work from patterns and general data, so the output tends to be broad. A writer will talk to you, learn the context behind your roles, and figure out how to present your experience in a way that makes sense for the jobs you're targeting. The biggest difference is in the content strategy: knowing what to emphasize, what to leave out, and how to frame things so they resonate with the people making hiring decisions.
TL;DR
Who should hire one: Mid-to-senior professionals not getting interviews, career changers, or anyone with a complex work history. Skip it if you're early career or on a tight budget.
AI tools (like ChatGPT) are fine for structure and first drafts, but they produce largely generic content. They can't do the strategic positioning a human can.
Vet your writer by checking their background, samples, testimonials, certifications (PARWCC, NRWA, RWA, CDI), and community presence. If they won't let you talk to the writer directly, walk away.
Expect a 3-step process: intake call, writing (5-10 day turnaround), then revisions.
Cost: $200 to $1,500, depending on your level. Executive services can run $3,000+.
Watch out for outsourcing, ghostwriting, no-revision policies, and graphics-heavy designs that break ATS.
Where to go from here
Whether you write your own resume, use AI to get started, or hire a writer, the goal is the same: a document that reflects your achievements and lines you up nicely with the role you want.
If you're still not sure whether you need a writer, post your resume on r/resumes for free community feedback. You might find that's enough.
If you do decide to hire someone, use the vetting steps in this guide, and take your time.
I’m a 2026 new grad trying to get a role as a software engineer. I’ve been applying for over a year now but I haven’t been able to get past the first few rounds of interviews. The past few months have been silent 🥲. I’ve been told that since I’ve applied to so many that it must be my resume. I’ve updated my resume soooo many times, but here is the latest version as of yesterday. What could it be??
I applied to this job below but was rejected pretty quickly. I was a bit dumbfounded as I thought (on paper at least) I checked all the boxes. I sent my resume over to Topstack to see if they can spruce it up. Does anyone see any reason with this new resume on why I wouldn't get at least 1 interview or am I shooting too high of a role?
I am just looking for general feedback on my resume for a local non-profit tutoring organization. I haven't held a paid position since covid; I finished my degree and volunteered. I just started the newest one, so I have something current when I apply next year. Also working on more certs. Not really because I need them for the job; just for my own professional development.
Hello! Im not sure about the flair, i apologize. Right now im putting together my resume to apply to MSW programs and im kind of unsure what to put. I consulted my career services center at my uni but they were not very helpful. Do I put my job experience, even if it isnt relavant? What should I put to make it stand out? My GPA is not great due to personal struggles, but the rest of my resume should be strong, especially because im earning 2 bachelor degrees at 20 years old. Thank you for your time.
I'm experiencing a lot of burnout/stress and stagnation at my current role, and I'm looking to make a move where I have more opportunity to learn/grow. I haven't been getting any interviews since starting to apply a couple months ago (got one online assessment through a recruiter but that's it).
I'm currently based out of Seattle, but I'm looking to relocate to the general northeast US to be closer to family in NYC. I've been mostly applying to roles that are remote-US or in the general northeast US (anywhere within the area of Washington DC to Boston to Pittsburgh). I'm trying to avoid the hubs themselves due to cost of living and not really liking city life.
Is there something obvious I'm missing here with my resume? I thought it looked pretty good for what I'm applying for (junior and mid level swe) but being ghosted/rejected has me second guessing and feeling discouraged. Maybe there's something wrong with how I'm applying, but not sure this sub is the place to ask about that.
hi! I am currently job searching at the moment. I was a preschool teacher and my bachelor's degree is in education. I am looking to change career paths due to health reasons and not being able to work in classrooms anymore. I am looking for a nonprofit job or admin job. I left my last teaching job at the end of the summer and have been working as a barista for a few months to pay the bills. I am not sure if it is better to add my current barista job on my resume because it looks better to be employed or to leave it off since I've only worked there for a few months. thanks in advance!!
Hello, Would appreciate advice on the following as a sort-of recently graduated student:
Summer of 2024 interned at Company A
Summer of 2025 interned at Company B
Winter 2026 did remote work for Company A
then went Full time with Company A
So Company B breaks up the order of employment. But would it be ok to put Company A first on a resume and include the 2024 position with the most recent work? So it would be:
Company A: present work, Winter 2026, Summer 2024
Company B: Summer 2025
It seemed silly to list Company A, then Company B, then back to Company A. And it wasted space. So I was wondering if I could do it like the above? Thanks!
Looking for honest feedback on my resume. I have applied to around 200 Data Analyst or Data Engineering jobs over the past year. That even includes Data Entry, SQL development and even ETL development and have not landed anything. What am I doing wrong? Any tips, tricks, or advice appreciated.
I am having imposter syndrome. Is infrastructure engineer a realistic next step for me? I could probably also move to another Infrastructure Admin role that allows me to engage with cloud infrastructure (or are labs enough?) My current job only deals with on-prem support.
How does my resume look for being ATS-friendly and good for HR. Im looking for IT roles as that is what I have experience in. Im looking for Local or Remote, but mostly Local as there is usually less competition. Im having issues with even hearing back from companies at this point. When I was laid off at the end of 2025 I was able to hear from companies but since the start of summer it has pretty much all dried up now I hear nothing. Im looking in the south of Boston, MA and I am an American citizen. I was doing fine at my old job and have a good recommendation from them. I was just included in a round of layoffs as they weren't doing good financially. Im not sure if its my resume holding me back or something else. Any Advice would be appreciated.
Workday (everyone’s favorite “upload your resume then manually retype it anyway" ATS) just rolled out “autopilot” agents for recruiting teams. Not just AI-assisted screening anymore, these monitor open roles, source candidates, and draft outreach absolUTEly on their own. The agent decides when to act, a person reviews afterwards rather than approving each step.
Practically, that means the first “recruiter” who ever touches your application might be evaluating it before a human does, and possibly drafting the outreach message too! IF you get flagged as a fit.
I’ve told clients for years to write for a human reader first and let the keywords follow naturally. Still think that’s the right way to go, honestly, but I’m just not sure a “human reader” is reliably who’s looking first anymore.
Hi everyone! I’d really appreciate some feedback on my resume.
I previously worked as a software engineer at a U.S.-based tech company and transferred to Vancouver, Canada, due to my U.S. work authorization expiring. I was recently unemployed while in Canada, so I’ve updated my resume and would love to get some feedback before starting my job search.
I have 4 years of professional software engineering experience and am primarily targeting mid-level SWE II positions. I’m open to relocating but am mainly focusing on opportunities in Vancouver.
I have about one year of experience in tax at a Big Four firm and am looking to transition into audit or another accounting role. My main concern is that my resume is currently two pages, and I’d like advice on what to cut or condense to make it one page without losing important experience. I’d appreciate feedback on which positions, bullet points, and sections are worth keeping. I'm also open to other feedback.
Hello everyone, what do you think about my resume? I've noticed it's quite different from what people usually post here. Should I go more into detail or something? Do you have any suggestions?
I'm targeting any position related to finance, the main goal here is relocation.
I had to deal with some homelessness in highschool up to 2019 when i got an opportunity to move to a small town and work in a large job producer, from there i moved to overnight retail and from there, My current role in a proper city
I want nothing more than to go to some form of post secondary, and to be honest i need out of the trades so badly, so i figure it all works out. Id like to find a weekend job in retail or fast food to help supplement savings and then income when i do go to school, but i cant seem to get anything. my last 30 applications have gotten 0 callbacks and its just driving me so far down mentally
im sorry that im lacking some grammer and punctuation here, its 6am and im off to the suffering factory and just needed to get this out with what brainpower i have before coffee
Hi everyone! I’d really appreciate some honest advice on my job search and how to improve my chances of landing the right opportunity.
First, thank you to u/teddythepooh99,u/Signal_Astronaut11, and u/LaFantasmita for the thoughtful feedback on my previous post. Your advice gave me a better understanding of where my resume needs improvement, particularly around demonstrating product discovery, stakeholder management, and hands-on SAFe experience rather than focusing too heavily on backlog management and delivery metrics.
A little about me: I’m early in my career and currently working in technology/business consulting, supporting an enterprise financial-services platform. I’ve been applying consistently for about a month, primarily to Junior/Associate Product Owner, Associate Product Manager, Product Analyst, and Business Analyst roles, but I haven’t received any interview invitations yet.
I’m applying to around five positions a day while working full-time, and my goal is to land a new role within the next 1-3 months. I’m also hoping to relocate from the Southeast to a larger metro area, with a particular interest in Seattle, Chicago, and major Northeastern cities such as New York and Boston. I’m primarily targeting onsite or hybrid opportunities.
At this point, I’m looking for advice beyond just resume edits. I’d love to hear from people who have successfully navigated an early-career job search, work in product or business analysis, or have experience hiring for these roles.
A few questions I’m trying to work through:
Am I targeting the right roles? Should I focus more heavily on Product Owner and Business Analyst positions to get my foot in the door, or continue pursuing Associate Product Manager opportunities?
How can I accelerate my job search? Beyond submitting applications, what has actually helped you get interviews—referrals, networking with hiring managers, recruiter outreach, portfolio projects, or something else?
How should I approach the location strategy? Would you focus on one or two cities, or apply across Seattle, Chicago, New York, Boston, and other major Northeastern markets?
What might be holding me back? If you were reviewing my background, are there gaps in my experience, positioning, or application strategy that would make you hesitate to interview me?
What would you prioritize over the next 1–3 months if you were in my position and wanted to maximize your chances of landing a role?
I’m motivated to make a move, but I also want to be strategic with the time I have outside of work. I’m very open to constructive criticism and would appreciate practical advice from people who have been through this process or regularly hire for these positions.
Thanks again to everyone who offered advice on my previous post, and thanks to anyone willing to share their perspective. I genuinely appreciate it!
Just the title, Im a sophomore applying to IB roles this cycle and do not know how to list my GPA. Currently, I have 3.95/4.00 under my previous institution and N/A/4.00 under my current institution since I don't have grades yet, as it is my first semester/quarter, and I won't have grades until mid-December. By then, some applications will already be due, so I cannot wait for grades.
I chose not to omit it because otherwise it may appear that my grades are really low which could get me autorejected.
Should I keep it as N/A, do I omit it, do I write pending, whats the solution?
I graduated from university in June 2026 with a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering. I have no conventional work experience (as in held a job at a company or an apprenticeship, etc...) however, I participated in many student activities that resulted in podium wins in competitions (FSUK 2025 and ISWTC 2026) and the buildup to these competitions involved genuine engineering work over 9 to 10 months each. Can I put them on my CV listed under "Work Experience" or would that be misleading? and if I can't, what should I put them under without selling myself short?
I am currently based in USA and have been applying for over an year for Backend Engineer/ AI Engineer / AI SWE roles. So far all I have got is 3 screenings and 1 interview. I am trying to see if there is something specific that is driving the rejections. Maybe larger set of eyes could spot it because I am unable to.
Long story short, I can only work 4 or 5 hour shifts for the foreseeable future due to a concussion that will not leave me alone. (Apparently, the more concussions you get, the worse they are, and my fifth(?) one has been plaguing me for over a year.) I can't do anything strenuous, or be in a very loud environment. I could probably get disability or something, but I WANT to work so I can train my brain to exist for longer periods of time again.
I am applying to local, hybrid, and remote positions, primarily customer-facing since I apparently thought getting marketable skills was too cool for me. I am seriously open for basically any entry-level position that has growth and will take me, though.
Is it my current situation, my resume, or a combination of both that is making things difficult for me? Any input on the resume, at least, would be great. Is the general layout okay, at least? Anything I should make fancier or more detailed?
