How to Use Great Storytelling in Your Resume

Almost everyone can agree that there is a lot of theorycrafting around resume writing.

We see it everywhere. An endless parade of experts describing the all the “insider secrets.” You’ve probably seen 100 posts on the following:

Tailoring your resume to the job.

Making sure you have all the right keywords.

Conquering the mysteries of ATS systems.

While these are important, they don’t get into what makes a resume actually good. Let’s back it up a bit, and step outside the noisy space about writing resumes and get down to the core of what a good resume is: your professional story.

Storytelling is the most ancient of all practices. Through storytelling, entire civilizations have used the written and spoken word to communicate to others about themselves, and how they view the world and the cosmos. Theorycrafting aside, good storytelling absolutely depends on great writing.

Here’s great writing advice from a few giants of storytelling:

ERNEST HEMINGWAY

“If a writer of prose knows enough about what he is writing about, he may omit things that he knows, and the reader...will have a feeling of those things as strongly as though the writer had stated them.”

Analysis: When writing, you don’t have to tell the reader everything to convince them of your knowledge and expertise. The breadth of the great value you are communicating is apparent in the things you do show the reader. This is also known as Hemingway’s Iceberg Theory.

How it applies to resume writing: A strong resume bullet shows the result above the surface, while hinting at the effort and skill below. Like an iceberg!

Bonus: Hemingway also famously said: “The first draft of anything is sh1t.” Basically, write everything down, don’t worry about how it sounds. Revise later until it is perfect.

ANTON CHEKHOV

“Don’t tell me the moon is shining; show me the glint of light on broken glass.”

Analysis: This advice from Chekhov aligns with the storytelling axiom: SHOW, DON’T TELL. Writing is much more interesting when the reader can visualize evidence instead of being handed vague statements. Details, actions, and results create an experience, not just information.

How it applies to resume writing: Don’t say “Responsible for improving efficiency.” Instead, “Reduced order processing time by 35% through the development of automated workflows.” Show the evidence of the outcomes of your work.

GEORGE ORWELL

“Never use a long word where a short one will do.”

Analysis: Orwell’s writing rules emphasized simplicity. For him, clear, direct language carried more truth and power than jargon or inflated phrasing. In fact, his six rules of writing -- such as avoiding clichés, cutting unnecessary words, and preferring the active voice -- are a masterclass in clarity.

How it applies to resume writing: Use plain, direct business language. Instead of “leveraged synergistic methodologies,” just say “improved collaboration” or “standardized processes.” Clarity ensures your achievements are absorbed in seconds. And in resumes, where recruiters skim at high speed, simple writing gets results.

MARK TWAIN

“The difference between the almost right word and the right word is really a large matter -- it’s the difference between the lightning bug and the lightning.”

Analysis: Twain understood that precision in language is what makes writing sparkle. The right word grabs attention, conveys power, and leaves no doubt in the reader’s mind.

How it applies to resume writing: Strong verbs and precise phrasing can transform a resume. Instead of weak or generic phrasing like “helped with” or “worked on,” choose verbs like “championed,” “engineered,” “negotiated,” or “accelerated.”

More examples:

Instead of: “Worked on sales initiatives...”

Use: “Accelerated revenue growth by launching three new sales initiatives that generated $4M in pipeline.”

The right word turns a flat statement into lightning.

The Takeaway: Resumes Are Micro-Stories

A resume is more than a document -- it’s a compressed story of your career. Each bullet is like a miniature narrative, showing a story arc:

Action (what you did)

Context (the challenge or situation)

Outcome (the measurable result)

When you apply timeless storytelling principles -- Hemingway’s iceberg, Chekhov’s showing, Orwell’s simplicity, Twain’s precision -- you will transform your resume from a dry list of responsibilities into a compelling narrative for the reader.

That’s how you stand out. Apply these concepts to all areas of your resume, especially the Summary, your Achievements, and your Experience Section. Telling an interesting story is how your resume gets noticed.

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