Gabrielle Suttis

I think the associations that I'm part of - all of the members that I've met, the other writers - it's one of the most collaborative industries I've ever encountered. Everybody has been really supportive, and the education that they provide is phenomenal. It really makes it clear that resume writing is a skill, and job searching, there's a whole strategy behind it. It's not something that everybody knows how to do. So my skill set fits in really well with that attention to detail that's required, and the big picture thinking, as well as the smaller picture thinking. I also think I have a really strong ethical compass. Ethical decision-making in job searching and hiring is important - the candidate has to represent themselves authentically, and hiring managers have things that they can base hiring decisions on, and it's a matter of bridging that gap.

I think it sounds cheesy, but be yourself. Be authentic. That will attract the right people to you in a way that putting on a mask or a costume won't. And that's hard in the business world, but I think it's true.

I think for women trying to build their own business and develop their resume writing skills, network in the industry and outside the industry. Other resume writers are incredibly helpful and very valuable relationships to have. That's the easy thing - you find these other kind of weirdos, and we all group together really easily. But to branch out outside of that community too is where you find the most people who really need your help. That's how you can have the biggest impact, is building your community.

I think the biggest opportunities are about making a difference and creating ripples. If you can help one person get that job or get that next step, then that causes ripple effects throughout their community, because they're happier, they're more fulfilled, hopefully they're getting paid more than they were before, and that can even have intergenerational trickle-down, where their entire family from then on out is set up better. The challenge is largely AI. A lot of people are thinking that AI can just write them a resume, but writing a resume is a skill, and it has to be personalized, and AI cannot do it justice like a human can. I also think educating people about what actually makes a good, effective resume is a challenge. We all need one, but we're never really taught how to do it. This is your livelihood - it's a really important document that opens the door and starts the conversation. So helping people understand the value of a well-done strategic resume is a challenge sometimes.

I think ethics is a first big one, and authenticity - being able to be yourself. When I worked in corporate, I didn't feel like I always could, so I really, with my resumes, I really tried to drive home the point that the candidate is also vetting the employers. It's not a one-way decision. They have stakes in this next step too. And then also adventure, in the sense of being open to opportunities, being open to experiences, rolling with the punches, so to speak.