I’m going to say this as clearly as I can – because I’ve been saying it for 12 years:
A pretty resume has never gotten someone a job.
And no, adding more keywords, logos, graphics, or letting AI rewrite every bullet point isn’t suddenly going to change that.
I know there was a big push recently around AI-optimized resumes. And yes, I get why: people want every possible edge. But what I’m seeing now? The conversation is shifting back to something much simpler.
Relationships.
The Resume Arms Race Isn’t Working
Somewhere along the way, job searching turned into an optimization contest.
More keywords.
Better formatting.
Cleaner design.
AI-generated summaries that all sound exactly the same!
And candidates are spending hours perfecting resumes that still get ignored.
Why?
Because resumes don’t hire people. People hire people.
You can have the most optimized resume in the world, but if it lands in a pile of 300 applicants, or gets filtered by software, it doesn’t matter how polished it is.
That’s reality.
This Has Always Been About Relationships
I’ve always believed this. Always.
When you’re in a job search, it’s less about scrolling job boards and applying to everything that moves and more about looking at who you know.
Tell your neighbor.
Tell your sister-in-law.
Tell your former boss.
Tell the colleague you haven’t talked to in a while.
I’ve been giving this advice for over a decade, and it hasn’t changed, even with AI in the mix.
Because technology hasn’t replaced trust.
Your LinkedIn Connections Aren’t Your Network
Let’s clear something up.
Your 5,000 LinkedIn connections are not your network.
Your network is the 20 or 30 people who care about you and your career. The ones who would take your call. The ones who would make an introduction. The ones who would vouch for you.
That’s where the real power is.
Not blasting posts into the void.
Not sending your resume into the abyss.
What Actually Works Right Now
Here’s the approach I give candidates and it works far more often than a “perfect” resume ever will:
- Create a Short Target List
Identify a small list of companies you want to work for. Not 200. Maybe 10–15. Be intentional.
- Pick Your 20–30 People
Not everyone. Not your entire contact list.
Choose the people who:
- Know your work
- Care about you
- Want to help
- Make a Real Ask
This is where people get uncomfortable and where things change.
A simple message like:
“Hey Gary, I need some help. I’m unhappy in my role and wondering if you know anyone hiring a senior electrical engineer. I’ve been doing this for 25 years and feel a little stuck. Is there anyone in your network you could introduce me to?”
That’s it.
No pitch. Just honesty.
People Want to Help. Let Them
Here’s the part candidates forget: most people like helping.
They like making introductions.
They like being useful.
They like sending the elevator back down.
But they can’t help if you don’t ask.
And no, this isn’t “using” people. This is how careers have always moved forward. Quietly. Human-to-human. Behind the scenes.
So What Role Does the Resume Still Play?
Your resume still matters, but it’s not the star of the show.
It’s a supporting document.
It’s something someone asks for after a conversation.
It’s not the thing that opens the door.
The relationship opens the door.
Bring Job Searching Back to Being Human
AI isn’t going anywhere. Tools will keep evolving. Resumes will keep getting fancier. But hiring will always come down to trust.
If you’re spending all your energy optimizing a resume and none of it nurturing relationships, you’re focusing on the wrong thing.
So yes — clean up your resume.
But spend more time calling people.
Having real conversations.
Asking for help.
Because no matter how advanced technology gets…
Human connection still wins.
Michelle DeWeese brings over two decades of proven success in executive search, with a career defined by building high-performing teams across a wide range of industries. For for the past 15 years, Michelle has specialized in talent acquisition for the manufacturing and distribution sectors. Michelle holds both a Bachelor's degree and an MBA from Michigan State University. Outside of work, she enjoys golfing, playing pickleball, and spending time with her husband, Shawn, and their two Aussiedoodles, Zoe and Harper.
At Unified Talent Group, we partner with organizations of all sizes—from agile startups with limited HR infrastructure to global Fortune 100 companies. No matter where you are on your growth journey, you’ve come to the right place. We’re here to streamline and strengthen your talent acquisition strategy—efficiently, effectively, and with lasting impact.
