Most resumes aren't ready for unexpected job loss. Contact info is outdated. Recent work isn't reflected. Accomplishments aren't documented. Language is frozen in time. If you haven't updated your resume in over a year, you're not prepared. This guide shows you what a layoff-ready resume looks like and how to get yours there before you need it.

People who are genuinely ready for the next step often have resumes that don't reflect their true capability. The experience is there. The readiness is there. But the framing is off. If you're trying to get hired after a gap or transition, this diagnostic shows you where resumes stall and what's actually holding you back.

Resumes that look fine but don't move. Experience that matches on paper but stalls in practice. Advice that sounds right but doesn't change outcomes. If this feels familiar, you're likely dealing with ATS misalignment, over-quantification, keyword stagnation, or resume fatigue. Here's what's actually happening.

If your work history has gaps that feel complicated to explain and you're rebuilding but not sure how to make your experience look relevant on paper this is where to start