Virtuoso Resumes & Recruiting

10/28/2025

The scariest thing this Halloween?
👻 Resume writers using fear to sell “robot-proof” resumes.
The ATS isn’t a monster under your bed — it’s software that organizes files.

So relax. Light a pumpkin candle.
Your resume is safe.

10/08/2025

You’re probably using your job search alerts wrong! Stop treating these emails like spam and start broadening your net. I recommend five kinds: broad net, skills-based, fresh 24-hr, company name, exclusions. Then dump them ALL into ChatGPT and ask it to filter for you. Let AI do the work.

10/03/2025

A resume isn’t the place to be shy.

Hiring managers aren’t mind readers—and they’re not looking for humility points. They’re scanning fast, and if your accomplishments don’t stand out, they won’t stop scrolling.

✅ “Managed projects” is not it.
🔥 “Cut escalations time by 67% by revamping scheduling flow” is.

Own it. Quantify it. Say it like you mean it.

If you did the work, take the credit. (Especially when they’re literally deciding whether to pay you.)

🎯 Tag a friend who needs a reminder that their wins deserve bold bullet points.

09/07/2025

The bright spot in this month’s garbage jobs report?

The Cambridge Dictionary has officially added the word skibidi. Yes, the one from Skibidi Toilet, the weirdly hypnotic meme series that lives rent-free in my kids’ Gen Z heads.

And while the economy’s circling the bowl, I see you Cambridge.

You didn’t just add skibidi to the dictionary, you basically dared me to use it in a resume. CHALLENGE ACCEPTED.

I’ll go first.

* Designed skibidi-cool UX that made Gen Z stop scrolling. Engagement up 144%.

Is it ridiculous? Absolutely.
Is it memorable? Also yes.
Is it going on a real resume? Probably not.
(But the bar has been set… and it’s bonkers.)

If you’re still writing resumes like it’s 2009, remember: the world has moved on. Even dictionaries have meme fluency now.

Need help translating you into 2025 career-speak, no delulu, just clarity?

Let’s talk. I don’t do mid. (And yes, I can see my kids rolling their eyes.)

08/03/2025

This weak a** jobs report validates everything I’ve been saying about the economy and job market for months now. It sucks. And it’s beyond hard. However - we can be all doom and gloom about the jobs report, and yes, I’m not crazy about where we’re headed, but I prefer to focus on what job seekers can actually do. Other than hide under the bed and cry uncontrollably, of course.

Here is what I am seeing that makes a difference.

- Networking. But not just from the tippy top. Remember the power that trusted employees have and connect, have real conversations with folks at your level. They often have influence.

- Searching smarter, not harder. Discover “we’re hiring” posts by using Boolean searches. All you need to do is add (you guessed it) “we’re hiring” in the search bar AND “account manager” - or whatever title it is that you’re looking for. Filter by posts and past 24 hours.

- Take a sniper’s approach vs. spray and pray. Tailor your resume, each time you apply for a role and make sure you have 100% alignment before pressing submit.

- Self-care. I can see y’all rolling your eyes at me, but this is actually important. You HAVE to take care of yourself. Physically, mentally - it matters. You must be in a good headspace to job search, interview, and network.

And finally, if you are thinking of working with a professional resume writer like me, make sure they are qualified. Ask for samples of their work. Heck, ask to talk to a client or two.

(Here I am being interviewed by Manuelita Nadebah Beck on ABC15 Arizona about the and .)

https://youtu.be/zpGwqQx8E_I

U.S. employers added just 73,000 jobs last month and Labor Department revisions showed that hiring was much weaker than previously reported in May and June. ...

11/21/2024

I don't know if y'all heard me yelling yesterday, but I'm over-the-moon proud to have 𝘄𝗼𝗻 𝗮 𝟭𝘀𝘁 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗜 (𝗧𝗼𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝘂𝗺𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘆) 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 yesterday. It's my second time entering and winning!

In case you're curious, here is a link to the winners: https://lnkd.in/g_XwDqB2

When I started this hashtag journey, it was out of necessity. Kiddo # 2 was so very sick that I couldn't go back to work. Keeping him alive consumed my days, and I wrote resumes at night when he slept.

I had no idea that what began as a way to feed my family would turn into a thriving company with three contractors and an international award recognizing my work. It's taken commitment and an unwavering passion for telling my clients' stories. (I keep asking questions until I get the information I know is hiding. It goes back to my early career in social work, getting folks to talk.)

This year also marks 18 years since I realized that charting my own path was better than having a boss. So, when I tell clients, "The bullseye comes before the resume," it is from experience. I set a goal, made a plan, and went after it. It works as long as you are disciplined and strategic. Seven years ago, when I decided to add recruiting to my services, I worked with my dear hubby (my recruiter) to make that happen, too.

09/27/2024

It's a bird, it's a plane, it's my very own nomination for a TORI (Toast of the Resume Industry Award)! This is my second time being nominated and I can't be more excited to be among such amazing company. (Maybe also validation that I haven't peaked yet and will continue my mission of helping as many job seekers as I can?)

The folks I've been nominated alongside are truly talented, and to be ranked in their number is humbling. Thank you to Laura DeCarlo for the continued support over this past year and giving me courage. That is a priceless gift, far beyond the nomination.

The category I've been nominated in is the Classic Difficult Transition Resume - one of my biggest passions. I love gathering client stories and turning those into compelling documents that change lives.

Good luck to my fellow nominees - you deserve many, many wins!

08/04/2024

Literally just posted on LinkedIn about this layoff in my backyard. I feel like I just recovered from the hard, hard times during the pandemic. Getting calls daily from folks who had been laid off is truly difficult and weighed very heavily on my spirit.

I really hope that Intel gives these folks time to get resumes together.

If you are one of the individuals taking a package, we have experience talking about wafers, quality escapes, and silicon

Chipmaker Intel says it is cutting 15% of its massive workforce — about 15,000 jobs — as it tries to turn its business around to compete with more successful rivals like Nvidia and AMD.

02/06/2024

Heard from multiple folks yesterday in my own backyard about the American Airlines layoff. Job seekers, I know it's hard, and no one saw this coming, but there is hope. There are jobs out there! Just know that it's not one magic thing that will do the trick.

➡ Dial in your resume ASAP.
➡ Make sure you use every single tool on LinkedIn, from job alerts to locking in keywords.
➡ Post, engage, and network. Above all, be your authentic self.
➡ Reach out to hiring managers and recruiters.

And, ask for help if this is overwhelming. We can assist with all of it.