Steal My

Resume/CV
Secrets That
Got Me Hired!
Sharing the 9 steps I used (+ 1 bonus!)

🕔 9 min -

Joseph Louis Tan Joseph Louis Tan

@josephlouistan @josephlouistan
Why does
one resume get
picked over
countless others?

Joseph Louis Tan 2

@josephlouistan
It's about
narrative, clarity,
and authenticity.

Joseph Louis Tan 3

@josephlouistan
Let's demystify the
art of crafting a
winning resume
that tells YOUR
unique story.

Joseph Louis Tan 4

@josephlouistan
By the end of this guide,

You will:
● Grasp the secrets to crafting a
persuasive narrative.

● Know how to eliminate fluff and

make every word count.

● Navigate the world of Applicant

Tracking Systems (ATS).

● Answer screening questions like a

pro.

● Get insights into highlighting your

career achievements.

Joseph Louis Tan 5

@josephlouistan
Step 1

Craft Your
UX Designer
Narrative

Joseph Louis Tan 6

@josephlouistan
Step 1
Craft Your UX
Designer Narrative
● Understand Your Unique Selling
Proposition (USP): Know what sets
you apart from other UX designers.

● Showcase your design ethos and

style: This is about your design
philosophy.

● Make it about your journey:

Highlight how you got into UX design.

● Show growth and progression:

Show how your roles has evolved.
Joseph Louis Tan 7
@josephlouistan
Step 1
Craft Your UX
Designer Narrative

Example (Wrong):

"I'm a designer with experience in

various projects."

This is too generic. It doesn't provide

any specific information about the
designer's experience, specialties, or
background. This makes a candidate
hard to stand out in a pool of resumes.

Joseph Louis Tan 8

@josephlouistan
Step 1
Craft Your UX
Designer Narrative

Example (Right):

"Self-taught UX Designer, specialized

in e-commerce. Transformed from a
marketing background, I bring
consumer insights into intuitive
designs."

This paints a vivid picture. It highlights

the designer’s unique journey better.

Joseph Louis Tan 9

@josephlouistan
Step 2

Eliminate
the Fluff

Joseph Louis Tan 10

@josephlouistan
Step 2
Eliminate the Fluff
● Prioritize achievements over mere
roles: Instead of just mentioning job
titles, highlight what you achieved in
those roles.

● Be concise: Every word and bullet

point should have a specific purpose.
Avoid using jargon or buzzwords.

● Details matter: When discussing

projects or teams, give specifics.

● Avoid repetition: Do not repeatedly

mention same skills/achievements.

Joseph Louis Tan 11

@josephlouistan
Step 2
Eliminate the Fluff

Example (Wrong):

"Worked on numerous UX projects."

Such a statement lacks depth and
context. It doesn't convey the
significance or impact of the projects,
nor does it provide any insight into the
role or responsibilities the candidate
held.

Joseph Louis Tan 12

@josephlouistan
Step 2
Eliminate the Fluff

Example (Right):

"Led a team of 5 in redesigning an

e-commerce website, increasing
user engagement by 20%."
This example demonstrates leadership,
specifies the domain (e-commerce),
and quantifies the impact of the work.
It's clear, concise, and impactful.

Joseph Louis Tan 13

@josephlouistan
Step 3

Distinguish
Yourself

Joseph Louis Tan 14

@josephlouistan
Step 3
Distinguish Yourself
● Titles can be game-changers: More
than just describe your role, titles
can show your expertise & focus.

● Use credibility markers: Mention

significant projects, certifications,
courses, or collaborations that can
add to your skills and experiences.

● Showcase awards or recognitions:

If you've been recognized in your
field or received any design awards,
highlight them.

Joseph Louis Tan 15

@josephlouistan
Step 3
Distinguish Yourself

Example (Wrong):

"Worked as an intern at XYZ Corp."

This is a missed opportunity to
highlight contributions and roles, even
as an intern. It lacks specificity about
the nature of the projects or the value
added during the internship.

Joseph Louis Tan 16

@josephlouistan
Step 3
Distinguish Yourself

Example (Right):

"Collaborated as a UX Design Intern

on Project Alpha at XYZ Corp,
focusing on mobile-first strategies."
This showcases the specifics of the
project, the nature of collaboration, and
the focus area. It paints a picture of a
proactive intern making significant
contributions.

Joseph Louis Tan 17

@josephlouistan
Step 4

Quantify
Achievements

Joseph Louis Tan 18

@josephlouistan
Step 4
Quantify
Achievements
● Numbers provide context & scale:
Saying you improved user retention
is one thing, but improving it by 30%
offers a tangible result.

● Be specific about how your designs

made a difference: Did it increase
sales, improve user satisfaction, or
reduce support queries?

● Talk about iterative improvements:

Discuss A/B tests or iterations that
you've made based on user feedback
and the results of these changes.
Joseph Louis Tan 19
@josephlouistan
Step 4
Quantify
Achievements

Example (Wrong):

"Improved website design of an

online store."

While this mentions a contribution, it

doesn't provide a clear measure of the
impact or the scale of the
improvement.

Joseph Louis Tan 20

@josephlouistan
Step 4
Quantify
Achievements

Example (Right):

"Redesigned an online store leading

to a 30% increase in user retention."

This provides both the action taken and

its result. The quantified impact
showcases the value of the redesign
and gives a metric that potential
employers can grasp.

Joseph Louis Tan 21

@josephlouistan
Step 5

Design & Format

Joseph Louis Tan 22

@josephlouistan
Step 5
Design & Format
● Keep it clean and professional:
Your resume should reflect your
design sensibilities. Opt for clean
lines, legible fonts, and a structured
layout.

● Prioritize readability: Ensure it is

easily readable. Avoid fonts that are
too small or have tight line spacing.

● Use a consistent style and format:

This includes consistent bullet
points, headers, and text styles.

● Highlight important details: Use

bold or italics sparingly to emphasize
important details
Joseph Louis Tan
or achievements.
23
@josephlouistan
Step 5
Design & Format

Example (Wrong):

Jumbled fonts, inconsistent bullet

points, colorful background.
An inconsistent and overly colorful
design distracts from the content. The
jumbled presentation suggests a lack
of attention to detail, which is crucial in
UX design.

Joseph Louis Tan 24

@josephlouistan
Step 5
Design & Format

Example (Right):

Uniform font, clear headings,

consistent bullet points, white
background.
This layout is easy to read and
understand. A clean presentation
focuses the reader's attention on the
content, demonstrating
professionalism and attention to detail.

Joseph Louis Tan 25

@josephlouistan
Step 6

Reinforce Your
Narrative

Joseph Louis Tan 26

@josephlouistan
Step 6
Reinforce Your
Narrative
● Use keywords strategically: Identify
keywords for the role and include
them naturally within your resume.

● Show personality: Share side

projects or hobbies that align with
your profession and the role applied.

● Highlight your continuous learning:

Showcase any recent courses,
webinars, or workshops attended.

● Connect the dots: Ensure that each

section of your resume aligns.

Joseph Louis Tan 27

@josephlouistan
Step 6
Reinforce Your
Narrative

Example (Wrong):

"Likes to read and travel."

These interests, while valid, are generic

and don't provide insights into how they
may benefit or shape one's UX design
perspective.

Joseph Louis Tan 28

@josephlouistan
Step 6
Reinforce Your
Narrative

Example (Right):

"Curates a monthly newsletter on

emerging UX trends. Adventurous
foodie who gets design inspiration
from global travels."

These interests are not only specific

but also tied back to the profession.

Joseph Louis Tan 29

@josephlouistan
Step 7

Length is
Not the Key

Joseph Louis Tan 30

@josephlouistan
Step 7
Length is Not the Key
● Focus on substance over length:
Better to have a concise, impactful
one-page resume than a lengthy one
filled with fluff.

● While concise is good, ensure

you're not missing key details:
It's a balance. Don't skip over critical
projects or achievements just to keep
the resume short.

● Every piece of information should

add value: Before adding any point,
ask yourself, "Does this make my
resume stronger?"

Joseph Louis Tan 31

@josephlouistan
Step 7
Length is Not the Key

Example (Wrong):

A 4-page resume with repetitive

information and generic roles.
An overly lengthy resume can
overwhelm recruiters and dilute the
core achievements. Repetition and
generic information can overshadow
significant contributions.

Joseph Louis Tan 32

@josephlouistan
Step 7
Length is Not the Key

Example (Right):

A crisp 2-page resume detailing

unique projects, roles, and results.
This resume is to the point and
highlights the essential and impactful
contributions. It respects the
recruiter's time while showcasing the
candidate's achievements.

Joseph Louis Tan 33

@josephlouistan
Step 8

Understand
Applicant Tracking
Systems (ATS)

Joseph Louis Tan 34

@josephlouistan
Step 8
Understand Applicant
Tracking Systems/ATS
● Debunk the myth: Understand that
ATS systems are tools to help
recruiters manage resumes, not
necessarily to screen you out.

● Make your resume genuine: Instead

of stuffing it with keywords, focus on
genuine experiences and skills.
Context matters.

● Ensure text readability: Some ATS

might not read text within graphics or
images. Stick to standard text.

Joseph Louis Tan 35

@josephlouistan
Step 8
Understand Applicant
Tracking Systems/ATS

Example (Wrong):

Resume filled with buzzwords

without context.

Overloading a resume with keywords

for ATS systems might seem strategic,
but without context, it becomes clear
that it's a tactic to game the system. It
makes the resume feel disingenuous.

Joseph Louis Tan 36

@josephlouistan
Step 8
Understand Applicant
Tracking Systems/ATS

Example (Right):

Resume with relevant keywords

seamlessly integrated into genuine
descriptions.

This approach feels authentic. It

demonstrates an understanding of
industry terms and their appropriate
application.

Joseph Louis Tan 37

@josephlouistan
Step 9

Answer
Screening
Questions
Like a Pro

Joseph Louis Tan 38

@josephlouistan
Step 9
Answer Screening
Questions Like a Pro
● Address screening questions
comprehensively: Provide complete
details, avoid vague answers.

● Use the time, money, team, and

scope method: This provides a clear
picture of your role and the scale of
your contributions.

● Show problem-solving skills:

Screening questions often probe
challenges faced and how they were
addressed. Highlight your
problem-solving capabilities.
Joseph Louis Tan 39
@josephlouistan
Step 9
Answer Screening
Questions Like a Pro

Example (Wrong):

"Handled a project with a team."

This is vague and leaves many

questions unanswered. How big was
the team? What was the project? How
long did it last? What was the outcome?

Joseph Louis Tan 40

@josephlouistan
Step 9
Answer Screening
Questions Like a Pro

Example (Right):

"Managed a 6-month project with a

team of 10, on a $50k budget,
achieving all deliverables ahead of
schedule."

It answers all potential questions and

showcases project management skills,
leadership, and efficiency.

Joseph Louis Tan 41

@josephlouistan
Bonus Step

Highlight Your
Career
Achievements

Joseph Louis Tan 42

@josephlouistan
Bonus Step
Highlight Your
Career Achievements
● This section is a snapshot of your
best moments: Think of this as the
highlight reel of your career. What do
you want the recruiter to definitely
notice at the top of your resume?

● Use metrics to support your

achievements: Numbers provide
clarity and are more impactful than
vague statements.

● Relate back to the role: Align this

with the requirements or preferences
stated in the job description.
Joseph Louis Tan 43
@josephlouistan
Bonus Step
Highlight Your
Career Achievements

Example (Wrong):

"Worked on important projects at

ABC Design Co."

The term "important" is subjective.

Without context or results, it's hard to
gauge the actual significance of these
projects.

Joseph Louis Tan 44

@josephlouistan
Bonus Step
Highlight Your
Career Achievements

Example (Right):

"Spearheaded the revamp of ABC

Design Co's flagship product, leading
to a 25% increase in sales."

This highlights a key role in a significant

project and provides quantified results,
making the accomplishment clear and
verifiable.

Joseph Louis Tan 45

@josephlouistan
Here are your

Key Takeaways:
● Craft a compelling, authentic
narrative: Your resume should tell a
story, not just list roles.

● Every word on your resume should

serve a purpose: Be intentional with
your content.

● Quantify your achievements:

Numbers give context and make your
achievements more tangible.

Take screening questions seriously—they can be a

differentiator: Answer with clarity, precision, and
strategy to stand out from the crowd.

Joseph Louis Tan 46

@josephlouistan
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