I am rewriting my resume writing book to bring it up to date with some new concepts and expanded examples. While working on the outline for the new book, I thought I would try to run the outline through Sudowrite’s Story Bible (which used to be called Story Engine).
I wanted to see if Sudowrite would work on non-fiction works as it does for fiction works. Well, that didn’t work out quite the way I was expecting. It turned my outline for the non-fiction resume-writing book into a story.
That got me thinking, would this be an acceptable method to pass knowledge to some people? An edutainment-type story versus a straight-up instructional guide on how to write a resume?
Please let me know your thoughts about receiving guidance through a story. Is it something you might be interested in?
The following passage is a first-run AI generation of the beats created from the outline I previously created. I still need to clean it up for information sharing, but I want to see what everyone thinks of this idea. It could be something that I would publish the guide as I initially planned and in a story form, so two books.
Happy to hear your thoughts.
The sun poured through the window, casting a warm glow over the stacks of papers scattered across the desk. At the center of the chaos sat Jessica, brows furrowed in concentration as she searched for the perfect ingredients to craft her resume masterpiece.
“Alright,” she murmured, thoughtfully tapping her pen against the paper. “Let’s start with achievements.”
Jessica knew showcasing a well-rounded skill set was crucial for standing out in the competitive job market. She considered the different types of achievements that could be included in her resume: professional, academic, and extracurricular.
“Professional achievements are important,” she said, jotting down notes. “They show that I can get things done in the workplace.”
She recalled her successful project management experiences, where she had led teams to achieve their goals on time and within budget. Those accomplishments demonstrated her ability to navigate complex situations and drive results.
“Next up, academic achievements,” she continued, recalling her years spent in school. “These will prove my dedication, knowledge, and ability to succeed in an educational setting.”
Her eyes drifted to the framed diploma hanging on the wall – evidence of her hard work and determination. She remembered the countless hours spent studying and the feeling of accomplishment when she finally received her degree.
“Transcripts and academic awards can provide valuable accomplishments for my resume,” she mused. “They’ll help hiring managers see that I’m serious about my education and have the skills to back it up.”
She felt a surge of pride as she listed her academic honors, such as making the Dean’s List and earning scholarships. These achievements reflected her strong intellect and showcased her commitment to continuous learning and growth.
“Finally, extracurricular achievements,” she said, smiling at volunteering and club participation memories. “These show that I’m well-rounded with diverse interests and skills.”
Jessica knew including extracurricular achievements on her resume would highlight her leadership, teamwork, and personal growth. She noted her role as president of the student council and her volunteer work at the local animal shelter.
She surveyed the list of achievements before her with a deep breath – a solid foundation to build her resume. Now, the task ahead seemed less daunting as she recognized the value of showcasing her diverse accomplishments to potential employers.
“Let’s do this!” Jessica exclaimed, feeling confident and ready to tackle the next steps in crafting her perfect resume.
Jessica leaned back in her chair, thoughtfully tapping her pen against her chin. She considered the importance of extracurricular achievements and how they could demonstrate her leadership, teamwork, and personal growth to potential employers.
“Extracurricular activities can really make a difference,” she mused aloud. “They show that I’m not only focused on academics but also dedicated to improving myself and my community.”
As she reviewed her list of accomplishments, she wondered how best to present them on her resume. That’s when she recalled reading about the 2Q approach – a strategy for enhancing the impact of achievements by quantifying or qualifying them.
“Let’s see,” Jessica said, thinking out loud. “The 2Q approach involves assigning a number to an achievement or providing context to give it more weight.”
She glanced at her notes, pausing at her role as student council president. “For example, instead of just writing ‘President of Student Council,’ I could say ‘Led a team of 20 students in organizing campus-wide events, resulting in a 30% increase in student participation.'”
“Wow!” Jessica exclaimed, impressed with the effect of the 2Q approach. “That sounds much more impactful. It shows that I had a definite role in leading the team and making a difference on campus.”
Encouraged, she continued applying the 2Q approach to her other achievements, such as volunteering at the local animal shelter. “Instead of saying ‘Volunteered at Animal Shelter,’ I could write ‘Contributed over 200 hours of service to care for abandoned animals and assist in adoption events, helping rehome over 50 pets.'”
“By quantifying my achievements, I’m giving hiring managers a better idea of the scope and impact of my work,” Jessica realized. “And by qualifying them, I’m providing context to help them understand what I did and why it mattered.”
Jessica felt renewed excitement as she refined her resume with the 2Q approach, knowing that these compelling descriptions of her achievements would make a strong impression on potential employers.
“Thanks to the 2Q approach, my achievements will stand out and showcase my skills, dedication, and accomplishments,” she thought confidently. “Now I’m one step closer to landing my dream job!”
As Jessica continued working on her resume, she began understanding the importance of measurable impact in achievements. “Linking my accomplishments to tangible outcomes demonstrates my ability to produce results and make a difference in my work environment,” she thought.
“Take my internship at the marketing agency, for example. Instead of just writing ‘Successfully completed marketing project,’ I can quantify and qualify it with something like ‘Played a key role in increasing client’s social media engagement by 25% through targeted campaigns, resulting in a 15% boost in sales over three months.'”
Jessica realized that by emphasizing the measurable impact of her achievements, she could better demonstrate her value and potential to future employers. “I’m showing them that I don’t just participate in projects or activities—I make a real difference.”
Motivated by her progress, Jessica continued refining her resume, ensuring each bullet point showcased her abilities, commitment, and passion. As she finished her final draft, she felt a sense of pride in her accomplishments and newfound confidence in her job search.
“Thanks to the 2Q approach and understanding the importance of measurable impact, my resume is no longer just a list of activities and experiences,” she reflected. “It’s a powerful testament to my potential as a future employee, and I can’t wait to share it with the world!”
With her newly enhanced resume, Jessica knew she had taken a significant step forward in her career journey, ready to face the challenges ahead and secure the opportunities she deserved.
Jessica sat at her desk, staring at her computer screen. Her fingers hovered over the keyboard, ready to continue refining her resume. She thought about the following steps: highlighting the value of metrics in achievements and demonstrating her professional influence.
“Metrics,” she muttered under her breath. “Numbers can provide concrete evidence of success.” She recalled a conversation with her mentor, who emphasized the power of quantifying achievements.
“Remember, Jessica, numbers help quantify the scope and impact of your work,” her mentor had said. “They give hiring managers a clear understanding of what you’re capable of achieving.”
“Right,” Jessica said to herself, nodding. “I should use more numbers in my resume.” She scanned her document, searching for areas where she could include specific figures. In the section detailing her leadership role during a company-wide cost-saving initiative, she added, “Reduced department expenses by 8%, saving $12,000 annually.”
“Much better,” she whispered, a smile forming. Now, it was time to demonstrate her professional influence. She knew her achievements showcased her ability to lead, influence others, and drive positive change in her field.
“Let me think of a project where I made a significant impact,” Jessica said, tapping her chin. She remembered a cross-functional team she had led, tasked with improving customer satisfaction rates.
“Ah, yes! That’s perfect!” she exclaimed. She typed a bullet point: “Led a team of 5 colleagues from various departments, implementing new strategies that increased customer satisfaction rates by 20% within six months.”
As she read the sentence, Jessica felt her chest swell with pride. She was telling a story of her professional influence, showcasing her leadership skills and her ability to bring people together and drive change.
“Wow, this is really coming together,” Jessica mused while editing her resume. “By including metrics and demonstrating my professional influence, I’m painting a more vivid picture of what I can bring to a potential employer.”
Her fingers flew across the keyboard as she made her final adjustments. With each added detail, Jessica’s resume transformed from a simple list of experiences into a testament to her abilities, dedication, and impact.
“Done!” she declared, hitting the save button. She leaned back in her chair, satisfaction washing over her. “This resume doesn’t just show what I’ve done—it shows who I am.”
Jessica’s heart raced as she stared at her computer screen, her resume now a powerful testament to her abilities. However, she realized that simply listing her achievements wouldn’t be enough to truly convey her story. She needed to provide context to help hiring managers understand her challenges, her strategies, and the overall significance of her accomplishments.
“Alright,” she muttered, “let’s dig deeper into the customer satisfaction project.” Her fingers hovered over the keyboard as she considered adding context to her achievement.
“Remember how we had to conduct surveys and analyze the data before implementing the new strategies?” Jessica asked herself, recalling the extensive process that had led to their success. She quickly typed a new bullet point: “Analyzed survey results from 500+ customers, identifying key areas for improvement and developing targeted solutions.”
“Perfect!” she exclaimed, a grin spreading across her face. “Now it’s clear what problems we faced and how we tackled them head-on.” But Jessica knew she couldn’t stop there. She needed to tailor her resume for different audiences to make her achievements more relevant to potential employers.
“Let’s see,” she pondered, “what if I’m applying for a job in marketing? How can I emphasize my skills in that area?” With a determined nod, Jessica adjusted her bullet point: “Utilized market research techniques to analyze customer feedback, leading to targeted improvements that increased satisfaction rates by 20% within six months.”
“Nice,” she whispered under her breath, impressed with her adaptability. “This shows that I have strong marketing skills and know how to use data-driven insights to drive change.”
She continued adjusting her resume, focusing on other industries she might apply to. She highlighted her ability to collaborate with the sales team for a sales position and utilize their input to create more effective strategies. For a customer service role, she emphasized her dedication to improving customer experience and her ability to work with diverse teams.
“By tailoring my achievements for different audiences, I’m making it easier for hiring managers to see the value I can bring to their team,” Jessica thought, her excitement growing. “I’m not just listing my accomplishments—I’m telling a story demonstrating my skills, passion, and potential.”
With renewed confidence, she continued refining her resume, eager to showcase the full extent of her professional journey. Each line and word painted a picture of the challenges she overcame, the strategies she employed, and the difference she made in her field. And as she finished, she knew her story was worth sharing.
Jessica sat at her desk, the glow of her laptop illuminating her determined face. She took a deep breath and readied herself for the final step in perfecting her resume: crafting impactful bullet points.
“Concise, powerful language,” she reminded herself, knowing that hiring managers spend seconds scanning each resume. “I need to make every word count.”
She examined her first achievement, recalling the tips she had learned about the 2Q approach—quantifying and qualifying her accomplishments. Jessica knew this would help create a more substantial impact on potential employers.
“Okay, here goes,” she murmured, tapping away at her keyboard. Her fingers danced across the keys as she rewrote her original bullet point:
“Managed marketing team” became “Led a team of 8 marketing professionals, increasing sales by 15% within one year through innovative strategies.”
“Perfect,” she thought, her pulse quickening with excitement. “The numbers show measurable impact, and I’ve highlighted my leadership skills.”
As Jessica continued down her resume, she focused on using action verbs and specific details to convey her achievements. The dull, static phrases of her past were replaced with vibrant descriptions that leaped off the page.
“Organized events” transformed into “Spearheaded fundraising events, raising over $10,000 for local charities and fostering community engagement.”
“Researched industry trends” evolved into “Conducted comprehensive market analysis, identifying key opportunities and helping to shape company strategy.”
Each revision filled Jessica with pride as if her true worth was finally being showcased. And as she neared the end of her resume, she paused to reflect on her journey.
“I’ve come a long way,” she mused, reflecting on the different types of achievements she had highlighted—professional, academic, and extracurricular. The 2Q approach was instrumental in conveying her accomplishments, ensuring that each was quantified or qualified for maximum effect.
“Measurable impact,” she repeated, remembering the importance of linking her achievements to tangible outcomes. Using metrics and numbers, Jessica provided concrete evidence of her success and demonstrated her ability to produce results in her work environment.
“Showcasing achievements with context,” she contemplated, recalling the advice to tell the whole story behind her accomplishments. By providing context, she allowed hiring managers to understand her challenges, her strategies, and the overall significance of her achievements.
“Creating impactful bullet points” had been the final piece of the puzzle—using concise and powerful language to capture the attention of hiring managers and make her resume stand out from the competition.
With a triumphant smile, Jessica closed her laptop, feeling more confident about her job search. She knew that her polished resume would be invaluable in opening doors to new opportunities and propelling her career forward.
“Ready or not, world,” she whispered, her eyes shining with determination. “Here I come.”
End passage.
Jim's Place 