I’m looking for a fresh start but I’m not getting hired, what can I do?

Jan 29
2 min read

You're not 'un-hireable'. But your resume is telling a story you don't mean to tell.

If you've been applying and hearing nothing, it's not because you lack skills or aren't ready. It's because your resume is positioning you for your past when you need to be positioned for your future.

That's fixable. But you need to stop doing what isn't working.

For anyone trying to move forward after time away or a major shift.

Or 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.

Here's What's Actually Happening

Your resume is probably doing one of three things wrong and you can't see it because you're too close to it.

You're over-explaining.
Half your resume is spent justifying gaps or softening transitions that don't need softening. Hiring managers don't care about your timeline. They care if you can do the job. When you lead with context instead of capability, you lose them.

You're underselling real skills.
Managed a household under pressure? That's resource management.

Instead write:
1. Coordinated care or finances?
2. Operational planning. Navigated systems to get support. .
But if your resume doesn't say that in those terms, it doesn't count. The system won't translate for you.
Your language sounds apologetic.
"Assisted with."
"Helped support."
"Contributed to."
That's not humility, it's vague. And vague doesn't get callbacks.
You need to own what you did: coordinated, managed, resolved, led.

What You Should Do Right Now

Stop applying to everything and start with clarity.

Pick one role.
Not five. One. You can expand later, but right now you need a target. Everything on your resume, what you emphasize, and how you describe it, should connect to that role.

Write down what you've actually done.
Even if it wasn't a "job." Managed schedules? Handled logistics? Made decisions under pressure? That's experience. Don't dismiss it!

Use the job posting's language.
If the role says "project coordination" and your resume says "managed tasks," the system won't match them. Mirror the terms where it's accurate.

Cut the hedging.
Stop writing like you're asking permission.
"You coordinated it"- say that.
"You managed it"- own it.

Get real feedback.
Your friends love you, but they're not hiring managers. If your resume still isn't moving after you fix it, you need a professional eye.

Quick Poll: Where Are You Stuck Right Now?

What's the biggest challenge you're facing with your job search?

I keep applying but nothing's happening
I'm not sure what roles to target
I'm worried my gaps will disqualify me
Don't know how to describe my experience in resume language

When It Makes Sense to Get Help

If you've worked through these steps and you're still stuck, that's not a reflection on you.

It usually means the issue isn't something you can see from where you're standing.

At Wright's Resumes & Connections, we work with people who are rebuilding, transitioning, or starting fresh. We help you figure out what's actually holding you back and what needs to shift to start getting responses.

If this feels like more than you want to figure out on your own, you don't have to. Click the button below to book a free consultation and we'll walk you through what's next.

Explore Your Next Move

You're not 'un-hireable'. But your resume is telling a story you don't mean to tell.

If you've been applying and hearing nothing, it's not because you lack skills or aren't ready. It's because your resume is positioning you for your past when you need to be positioned for your future.

That's fixable. But you need to stop doing what isn't working.

For anyone trying to move forward after time away or a major shift.

Or 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.

Here's What's Actually Happening

Your resume is probably doing one of three things wrong and you can't see it because you're too close to it.

You're over-explaining.

Half your resume is spent justifying gaps or softening transitions that don't need softening. Hiring managers don't care about your timeline. They care if you can do the job. When you lead with context instead of capability, you lose them.

You're underselling real skills.

Managed a household under pressure? That's resource management.

Instead write:

Coordinated care or finances?

Operational planning. Navigated systems to get support. .

But if your resume doesn't say that in those terms, it doesn't count. The system won't translate for you.

Your language sounds apologetic.

"Assisted with."

"Helped support."

"Contributed to."

That's not humility, it's vague. And vague doesn't get callbacks.

You need to own what you did: coordinated, managed, resolved, led.

What You Should Do Right Now

Stop applying to everything and start with clarity.

Pick one role.

Not five. One. You can expand later, but right now you need a target. Everything on your resume, what you emphasize, and how you describe it, should connect to that role.

Write down what you've actually done.

Even if it wasn't a "job." Managed schedules? Handled logistics? Made decisions under pressure? That's experience. Don't dismiss it!

Use the job posting's language.

If the role says "project coordination" and your resume says "managed tasks," the system won't match them. Mirror the terms where it's accurate.

Cut the hedging.

Stop writing like you're asking permission.

"You coordinated it"- say that.

"You managed it"- own it.

Get real feedback.

Your friends love you, but they're not hiring managers. If your resume still isn't moving after you fix it, you need a professional eye.

Quick Poll: Where Are You Stuck Right Now?

When It Makes Sense to Get Help

If you've worked through these steps and you're still stuck, that's not a reflection on you.

It usually means the issue isn't something you can see from where you're standing.

At Wright's Resumes & Connections, we work with people who are rebuilding, transitioning, or starting fresh. We help you figure out what's actually holding you back and what needs to shift to start getting responses.

If this feels like more than you want to figure out on your own, you don't have to. Click the button below to book a free consultation and we'll walk you through what's next.