160 to 1

160+ resumes. 20 stand-outs. 6 interviews. 3 finalists. 1 hire!

I just hired a Digital Marketing Specialist. It is always an exciting time, imagining working with someone new and what they will bring to the team. So many exciting jobs to be done…

This search gave me a few takeaways I wanted to share for anyone currently job hunting.

First off, I worked with an amazing Talent Acquisition partner (thank you @Chris Ybarra!) who did so much of the heavy lifting. Grateful for the entire team that helped (Emma, Elijah, Ashley!!)

Second, I’m a complete Type-A and had to skim every single (local!) resume that came in. #IKnowWhatILike

So here are some honest observations from my brain.

Out of area

50% of applicants were 1,000 miles away. This was clearly an in-person role. If you are going for a half-court shot (since I was just at a CIF basketball game… go with me):

• Put a cover letter
• Explain WHY you are applying anyway
• Tell me why you think YOU are the right person, despite the distance
• I am probably not going to move forward, but initiative matters!

Please. Use. PDF.

• Multiple resumes came in as a Word Doc.
• Spacing is off. It sometimes looked wonky.
• One resume came in with tracked changes from someone critiquing it. (!!!!)

So. PAINFUL!
(Should I have emailed them and given them a heads-up? Eek! I didn’t… What would you have done?)

Creative resumes stand out!

I loooved seeing resumes with color and clean graphics. It made me pause and look twice.

BUT: My top two two candidates had simple, traditional resumes.

• Verdict? Design helps, but content is still KING.

Let me see your personality!

I will confess. I really loved seeing a “Personal Interests” line at the bottom. This was an entry level position. Anything helps!

It shows personality.
It makes you feel human.
It made me stop every time.

Did I flag everyone who had one? No.
Did it consistently make me smile? Yessssss!

Instead of actual interests, this could be adapted to awards, skills, passions that relate to the job you are applying for. The links to personal blogs, writing portfolios, websites… YES! I love it so much.

Resume photos: helpful… and complicated

Three resumes had photos.
Two stood out because they looked friendly.

Is that bias?
Probably.
Is that why HR discourages photos? Also yes.

(My fun conversation with HR about this topic was amazing!)

I even debated whether to include this point at all because it’s complicated. Will I tell my kids to put a photo on theirs? I haven’t yet… (Does their resume have color on it? YES!)

But one clear rule:
If you use a photo, make it intentional.

No:

• Mask hanging off your chin (double eek!)
• Distracting backgrounds
• Anything divisive

If you’re unsure, skip it. (The third resume should have skipped it!)

Be careful with AI cover letters

There were only a handful of cover letters. That surprised me! It’s an extra “upload” that might warrant a hiring manager to click. But most were clearly unedited AI output. Long, vague, and full of “corporate speak”. If you are using AI, ADD YOUR VOICE. I want to know why you want this job, not why you want any job.

When you’re a finalist, send the thank-you note

Out of the final three, one did not send a thank-you email.

All three were strong.
But I noticed.

A thank-you note:

• Shows intent
• Shows professionalism
• Shows you care

Ask for feedback. You may not get it.
But it still leaves a strong impression.

Curiosity is your superpower!

The best candidates had poured over our website, asked deep questions, and mentioned specific interests. One candidate had a written list of questions they referenced. #impressed

Years ago, I hired someone who referenced specific quotes from my LinkedIn profile. That level of preparation is unforgettable.

Interviews are about personality, not just skills

Hiring is hard. Being hired is harder. In a stack of 160 people, the “small” details, the PDF format, the thoughtful question, the sincere WHY… creates the biggest impression.

Your questions matter just as much as your answers.

I’m excited to welcome our new Marketing Specialist to the team in a few days!