How to Write a Resume That Doesn’t Sound Like Everyone Else’s

There’s something incredibly frustrating about job hunting—especially when you’re trying to stand out in a sea of similar resume. You’ve probably heard the same advice over and over: tailor your application, keep it to two pages, include action verbs. But even after doing all of that, your resume might still read like everyone else’s. The reason? Most resumes follow a formula that’s so overused, they end up blending into the background.

So how do you write a resume that actually sounds like you? One that feels authentic, specific, and memorable—without stepping too far outside what’s considered professional? It starts by changing how you think about your resume. Rather than treating it like a template to fill out, treat it like a personal marketing document. A good resume should not only list your work history and skills—it should also reflect your character, your unique strengths, and your working style.

The goal here isn’t to be quirky or outlandish. You’re not writing poetry. But your resume can—and should—feel human. If someone reads it and feels like they’ve already had a conversation with you, you’re on the right track.

Let’s talk about how to make that happen.

Avoid Resume Buzzwords That Say Nothing

Everyone’s seen those phrases before: "team player," "hard worker," "results-driven professional." These terms have become so watered down that they’ve lost all meaning. The problem with buzzwords is that they don’t actually show anything about who you are. They’re vague, impersonal, and frankly, boring.

Instead of relying on these stock-standard lines, focus on language that reflects actual behaviour or specific results. Think about how you can rephrase the usual fluff to sound more like something you’d actually say in conversation. For example, instead of saying “excellent communication skills,” you might explain that you’re someone who thrives in fast-paced environments where clear communication keeps everyone on track. Or that you’ve built strong working relationships across teams, both on-site and remotely.

It doesn’t have to be overly clever—it just has to feel real.

Use Real Examples That Bring Your Experience to Life

One of the best ways to avoid sounding like everyone else is to include short, concrete examples from your work experience. You don’t need long-winded paragraphs or detailed storytelling, but a sentence or two that shows what you did, how you did it, and why it mattered can make a big impact.

These small touches help a hiring manager picture you doing the job. And when they can see that, they’re more likely to believe you’re the right person for it.

Drop the Formality (a Little)

It’s tempting to use overly formal language in your resume because it feels professional. But too much formality can make your resume sound stiff and robotic. There's a way to be respectful and polished without coming across like a government document.

A good tip is to write like you speak—only slightly more polished. If you wouldn’t say, “Leveraged cross-functional synergies to drive deliverables,” then don’t write it on your resume. Instead, say something like, “Worked closely with teams from different departments to keep projects running smoothly.”

There’s no need to try and impress with jargon. What hiring managers really want is clarity and confidence.

Show Your Personality Through Your Work

A resume doesn’t need a personal statement filled with vague ambitions or clichés. But it can reflect your values and working style—through how you describe your experience.

Maybe you’re someone who naturally steps up during high-pressure situations. Maybe you’ve built a reputation for training new team members or keeping things calm when plans change at the last minute. These are personality-driven traits that matter in the workplace. Weave them into your experience. They say a lot about who you are and how you work, without needing a section labelled “Personal Qualities.”

If you’ve had unique experiences—like leading a project in a remote community, taking on a secondment, or finding a creative solution to a recurring problem—don’t leave them out. Those little stories say far more about your character and capabilities than any template ever could.

Highlight Impact, Not Just Tasks

A common trap is listing responsibilities instead of achievements. Anyone can say they “managed a team” or “handled scheduling.” What’s more compelling is describing how you made a difference.

Did your planning reduce delays? Did your training lead to better onboarding outcomes? Did your attention to detail catch a mistake before it became a bigger issue?

Even small wins can be powerful if you frame them as evidence of your value. You don’t need to load your resume with big claims or massive numbers—just focus on showing that your work had a purpose and left a positive mark.

Keep the Design Simple and Clean

Let’s not forget the visual side of things. While content is king, how your resume looks can also affect how it reads. A clean, well-structured resume is easier to follow and more likely to be read through. Keep your fonts legible, use white space wisely, and avoid over-the-top graphics unless you’re in a creative field.

There’s no need for fancy templates. In fact, some of them make your resume harder to scan or don’t pass through automated systems. Choose clarity over flash.

But within that simplicity, you can still inject some personality—through your tone, word choice, and the way you talk about your work.

Back Yourself

Finally, perhaps the most important part of writing a resume that doesn’t sound like everyone else’s is backing yourself. Too many people undersell their experience because they don’t want to sound boastful. But there’s a big difference between arrogance and confidence.

Your resume isn’t the place to be shy about your contributions. If you’ve made things better, solved problems, improved safety, mentored others, or helped your team deliver under pressure—say so. You’ve earned it.

Backing yourself also means being honest. Don’t stretch the truth or add things just to tick a box. Trust that your real experiences, told clearly and confidently, are enough. Because they are.

In Summary

A resume that stands out isn’t one that’s louder or longer—it’s one that feels genuine. If you can cut through the buzzwords, share your real experiences, use language that sounds like you, and show what makes your approach unique, you’ll already be ahead of the crowd.

It takes a bit more thought, and a little more effort, but it’s worth it. Because when a hiring manager reads a resume that actually feels like it was written by a real person—not just copied from the internet—they remember it.

And that’s the whole point, isn’t it?

If you’d like personalised support—whether it’s professional Resume and Cover Letter writing, FIFO Resume, Employer Sponsorship Resumes and Cover Letters, SEEK and LinkedIn profile optimisation, Selection Criteria for Government Jobs, one-on-one Job Interview Coaching or Other Professional Writing Services —call us on 0423 686 904 or email us at hello@adriennasresumes.com