Blue Elk Branding

06/03/2026

🚩 The Biggest Resume Mistakes: Are You Making Them?

After reviewing thousands of resumes over the years, I've noticed the same mistakes come up again and again. Unfortunately, many of them can prevent a qualified candidate from ever getting an interview.

Here are some of the biggest resume mistakes I see:
Using job descriptions instead of accomplishments
Employers already know what your job was. They want to know what you achieved, improved, saved, increased, or delivered.

No professional summary
The top third of your resume is some of the most valuable space on the page. A strong summary immediately tells employers who you are and what value you bring.

Poor formatting
Tiny fonts, overcrowded pages, graphics, tables, and text boxes can make your resume difficult to read and create problems with Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).

Focusing only on responsibilities instead of results
"Managed a team" is a responsibility. "Managed a team of 15 employees while reducing turnover by 20%" is an accomplishment.

Too many pages with no strategy
More content doesn't always mean a stronger resume. Every line should earn its place on the page.

Grammatical and spelling errors
A single mistake can create doubt about your attention to detail, especially in competitive job markets.

Leaving out measurable results
Numbers help employers understand the impact you've made. Whenever possible, quantify your achievements.

The reality is that most resumes aren't rejected because the candidate lacks experience. They're rejected because the value of that experience isn't being communicated effectively.

When was the last time you had a professional review your resume? If you'd like a complimentary resume or LinkedIn critique, feel free to reach out to me here on Facebook or by email at [email protected].

05/25/2026

Honoring the brave men and women who have served and sacrificed for our country. Today is a reminder that their courage, dedication, and selflessness should never be taken for granted. Grateful not just today, but every day, for those who have protected the freedoms we enjoy.

05/20/2026

Client feedback like this really means a lot to me.

I know how stressful and time-consuming the job search process can be, especially for busy professionals trying to balance work and life while figuring out their next move. My goal is always to make the process easier while creating resumes and LinkedIn profiles that genuinely reflect who my clients are and the value they bring. Thank you again, Chris, for putting your trust in me.

If you’ve been thinking about updating your resume, LinkedIn profile, or overall professional brand, feel free to reach out anytime.

05/07/2026

AI is changing the workplace faster than most people expected, and for many, it’s hitting close to home. I’ve spoken with several professionals who have recently been laid off, and this is the reality they’re sharing. A recent article highlighted a tough decision many CEOs are facing right now: either reduce headcount or expect more from the teams that remain.

That decision is playing out in real time. Some professionals are navigating layoffs, while others are being asked to do more with less. Neither is easy, and both come with a lot of pressure. If you’ve been impacted, it can be frustrating and even shake your confidence. If you’re still in your role, the expectations likely feel higher than they did a year ago.

This isn’t just about technology; it’s a shift in what employers are looking for. It’s no longer only about experience, but how you think, how you adapt, and how you handle change. You don’t need to become an AI expert overnight, but you do need to be clear about the value you bring. Your resume and LinkedIn profile should reflect more than responsibilities; they should show impact, growth, and how you’ve evolved.

If you’ve been laid off, this is not a reflection of your worth or your capabilities. There are still companies looking for what you bring, and the right opportunity will recognize that. This moment may feel uncertain, but it can also be the start of something better aligned with where you’re meant to go.

Company bosses are splitting into two camps over what the technology’s best, immediate benefits are. Neither calls for more hiring anytime soon.

05/04/2026

Not every room is the right room.

Many professionals start questioning their value when they’re not getting interviews or traction. In most cases, it isn’t a lack of experience or capability.

It comes down to positioning or being in front of the right audience.

If your resume isn’t clearly showing your impact, or your LinkedIn isn’t aligned with the roles you’re targeting, the right people won’t see your value.

The same goes for businesses. If your LinkedIn company page isn’t active or positioned correctly, potential clients may never see what you offer.

The goal isn’t just to be qualified. It’s to make sure your value is clear and visible to the people who are actually looking for it. If you’ve been feeling stuck, it might not be you. It may just be time to reposition.

If you want a second set of eyes on your resume, LinkedIn profile, or need help with Facebook or LinkedIn business page setup and ongoing management, feel free to reach out. I’m happy to take a look and share a few suggestions.

04/28/2026

THINKING ABOUT USING CHATGPT TO WRITE YOUR RESUME?

I get why people try it; it’s fast, easy, and feels like a good starting point. That being said, using ChatGPT to create your resume from start to finish can work against you. The biggest issue is how generic it sounds. Many AI-written resumes read the same, and recruiters can spot that quickly. They rely on broad statements that don’t show real impact. It doesn’t know your story. It works off what you provide and often misses what actually matters. Your experience needs to be positioned in a way that aligns clearly with the roles you’re targeting.

It can introduce errors as well, from repeated wording (like using “led” in every bullet) to subtle grammatical issues; these small mistakes can make a big difference in how you’re perceived.

Formatting is another problem because ChatGPT cannot properly format or lay out a resume. Structure, consistency, and an ATS-friendly design all play a role in whether your resume gets reviewed or passed over.

It tends to focus on responsibilities instead of results. Hiring managers want to see outcomes and measurable impact, not a list of tasks. Consistency matters, and your resume and LinkedIn profile need to match. Dates, titles, and messaging should align. Inconsistencies can raise red flags, and AI will not catch that.

ChatGPT can help with brainstorming or getting started, but it should not be the final product when your next opportunity is on the line.

If you’d like a second set of eyes on your resume or LinkedIn, feel free to message me on Facebook or email me at [email protected]. I’m happy to share a few suggestions, no pressure. You’ll find 140+ written recommendations on my LinkedIn profile from clients who have been happy with the results.

04/20/2026

I’ve been seeing more and more posts about layoffs lately, and I just want to say… I’m really sorry if you’re going through that right now. I know how stressful and overwhelming it can feel.

If you’ve recently been laid off (or even just feeling uncertain about your next step), I want to offer some support.

I’m currently providing complimentary resume and LinkedIn profile reviews, no pressure at all, just honest feedback to help you feel more confident moving forward. Sometimes a few small changes can make a big difference in getting noticed, and I’m happy to point you in the right direction, whether you decide to move forward with me or not.

If you’d like me to take a look, feel free to message me here or email me at [email protected].

You’re not alone in this, and you will land on your feet. I’m here if you need a little extra support along the way.

04/03/2026

Seeing the news about layoffs at Oracle this week hit a little different. I’ve been in communication with several people there recently, and you can feel the uncertainty.

Layoffs aren’t new, but the reason behind them is what stands out. AI isn’t some future concept anymore; it’s already here, and it’s starting to reshape teams across tech in real time.

What makes it harder is that many of the people impacted did everything right. They have strong experience, solid performance, and years of loyalty to their companies, and it still wasn’t enough. That’s the part people don’t talk about enough. Job security is starting to look less like “work hard, and you’ll be fine” and more like how well you’re positioned, how visible you are, and how quickly you can adapt.

If you’ve been affected recently, or you’re watching this happen at your company, you’re definitely not alone. There are a lot of talented people trying to figure out their next move right now.

Curious what others are seeing. Do you think AI is actually replacing roles, or just changing them?

03/30/2026

If someone searched your business on Facebook today… what would they actually find?

No page? An outdated one? Maybe something that doesn’t fully reflect what you do?

The reality is people are looking you up before they ever reach out, and your competitors who are showing up with strong, active pages are the ones getting that attention, and ultimately, the business.

Your Facebook business page is often part of that first impression, and when it’s missing or not positioned well, it can quietly cost you opportunities.

A strong page helps build brand awareness, show your expertise, create trust before the first conversation, and keep you top of mind with potential clients.

You don’t need to post every day, but you do need a page that clearly communicates who you are and what you do. That’s where I come in.

I help business owners create or optimize their Facebook business page, position their brand to attract the right audience, and manage content (2–3 posts per week) so they stay visible without having to handle it themselves.

If your page isn’t working for you or you’re not sure where to start, feel free to message me. I’m happy to take a look and give honest feedback.

03/24/2026

ATS Resume Tips: What to Include (and What to Avoid)

If you’ve been applying to jobs and not hearing back, your resume might not be getting past the system. Most companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to scan resumes before a recruiter ever sees them. If your resume isn’t formatted the right way, it can get filtered out, even if you’re qualified.

What your resume SHOULD include:
• Clean, easy-to-read format that flows top to bottom
• Strong summary at the top that clearly shows what you do and what you’re targeting
• Keywords from the job description woven in naturally
• Bullet points focused on results, not just responsibilities
• Clear section headings like Work Experience, Education, and Skills
• Consistent job titles and dates that match your LinkedIn
• Simple, professional fonts (nothing fancy)

What your resume should NOT include:
• Graphics, images, or icons
• Columns, tables, or text boxes
• Overdesigned templates (especially from Canva)
• Important information placed in headers or footers
• Long paragraphs that are hard to skim
• Made-up or overly creative job titles
• Keyword stuffing just to “beat” the system

If you’re not sure where yours stands, I’m offering complimentary resume critiques. I’ll take a look and give you honest feedback on what can be improved. Feel free to send it over via Facebook message or email at [email protected].