There comes a point when you’re writing a resume that the words seem to blob together, and you feel like you can’t read properly. It’s not writer’s block, it’s that you can’t see what is there. You need a new perspective and that could be printing it out. The writer, Junot Diaz, says that “When he types a draft and then prints it out, its flaws become even more apparent to him.” (Process, The Writing Lives of Great Authors, page 158)

I suggest going one step further. Print it and then cut it up. Here’s how to do the Cut-Up Resume Technique

Watch this video to see how the cut-up resume technique is done:

 

 

Try the Cut-up Resume Technique

1. Print or handwrite the resume bullet-points out onto paper. And then cut them up into strips.

Seeing the words on paper instead of a screen wakes up your brain.  It also allows you to see each bullet point on its own instead of as a collection. This new view can inspire creativity and help you to make edits you would never come up with looking at the screen.

2. Read each bullet point aloud, if it sounds strange make edits on the strip of paper.

Don’t lose the creative momentum by going back to the screen. Write your edits on the strips.

3. Read each one again and place them in the best possible order.

Reading them on paper can help you to see the story in a new way. Layout the strips in the order you think has the biggest impact.

4. Make the edits in your resume

Now, return to your resume and make the edits and play around with the order in which you tell the story.

Do one more line edit read, and send your resume out.

 

If you’re stuck at the stage of trying to write your resume profile or accomplishment statements, my resuMAY course shows you how to build a resume in 3 weeks. The process is fun, confidence building, and help you to see how awesome you are.