Human Workplace CEO and Founder Liz Ryan explains how to make your resume sound like there's a human being rather than a robot or zombie behind it. If you don't have a Human-Voiced Resume(TM) of your own yet, this deck will help you get there!

1. How to Make Your Resume
Sound Human

2. The Resume Problem
Most of us have been taught to write a resume
in a horrible style we call Corporate Zombie
Speak.
Who talks like that? “Results-oriented
professional with a bottom-line orientation.”
What does it mean? We all sound like robots
when we describe ourselves that way.

3. You are way cooler than that!

4. Everything about you is unique:
• No one else has your story - or ever will
• No one has the exact mix of talents
you have
• No one else has your personality
• You are one of a kind!

5. Why not show more of your human
side in your resume?

6. It isn’t hard to make your resume
sound human
Start by telling your story
to someone, or writing it
down.
You’ll incorporate your
life and career story into
your Human-Voiced
Resume™!

7. Go through your resume with a red pen and get
rid of all the Corporate Zombie Speak language:
Results-oriented professional
Motivated self-starter
Works well with all levels of staff
Meets or exceeds expectations
Skilled at managing cross-functional teams
Seasoned Business Professional
These are a few examples. There
are lots more!

8. What will you put into your resume in
place of the zombie words you took
out?
Take a look at Jane Banks’ BEFORE and AFTER resumes on the
next two pages. Jane’s BEFORE resume makes her sound like
any battle drone. The language puts a reader to sleep. None
of Jane’s sparkling personality comes through!
Jane’s AFTER resume is a Human-Voiced Resume™. Notice
how Jane seems to be a real person now! Jane comes alive on
the page. You can write your own Human-Voiced Resume™
that lets a person reading your resume – your hiring manager,
that is – know you’re human (and a smart, funny and
awesome human, at that)!

9. JANE ELIZABETH BANKS
17 Cherry Tree Lane
London, CO 80203 (123) 234-3456 gojanego@foggylondon.com
SKILL SETS
Results-oriented, self-motivated professional with strong skill sets in
communication, relationship development, negotiations, customer service,
operations, purchasing and marketing. Well versed and proficient in writing,
communication, vendor selection, administration, policy development and
implementation.
WORK SUMMARY MID-MARKET MANAGER, Chimney Sweep Industries, Los
Angeles, CA
February 2011 – Current
· Develop and maintain relationships with store operators to create and
implement appropriate marketing plans
· Collaborate with area-wide Operations staff to ensure proper training of
Here is the top section of Jane’s BEFORE Resume. It’s very traditional!

10. Let’s bring more of Jane across in her
new Human-Voiced Resume™!

11. Here is the top section of Jane’s
Human-Voiced Resume™
Jane Elizabeth Banks
London, Colorado (123) 234-3456 jane.elizabeth.banks@gmail.com
http://www.linkedin.com/janeelizbanks
Operations Manager
I’ve been managing back-end operations for retail chains since I graduated from college in
2000. I thrive in chaotic environments where a combination of smart, nimble processes and a
human touch keep the wheels turning and keep store staff and customers happy. I’m
passionate about helping businesses grow and helping my colleagues succeed on the job.
Experience
MID-MARKET MANAGER, Chimney Sweep Industries, Los Angeles, California
February 2011 – Current
Chimney Sweep is a retail chain that sells and services fireplaces and home spas. We were
growing at 40% a year when I joined. I wrote store processes (used at our first location and
the 20 new stores that followed), trained store staff, and became the store managers’ advisor
on people, training and process issues.

12. Now Jane’s resume sounds human!
You can put a human voice in your resume, the same way Jane
did! Read Liz Ryan’s columns and follow Human Workplace on
Twitter: @humanworkplace
Join Human Workplace as a member, too!

13. What is Human Workplace?
Human Workplace is a publishing, coaching and
consulting firm. Our mission is to reinvent work for
people.
Our CEO and Founder, Liz Ryan, is a former
Fortune 500 HR SVP and the world’s most widely-
read career and workplace advisor.