You're navigating conflicting feedback on your resume updates. How do you prioritize which advice to follow?

I prioritize feedback that aligns most with my career goals and the role I’m targeting. I trust the process: - listen openly - evaluate the context - choose what strengthens my personal brand

To prioritize which advice to follow, you need to assess the sources. This is to ensure that you don't follow the wrong advice. You must make sure that the source of this advice is one that's reputable and reliable such as a legit resume writer. This is to ensure that you don't use advice that isn't actually accurate. You must also make sure that the one giving advice is giving opinions based on the current trends, and not based on personal preferences. This is to ensure that it suits the current trends.

Not all resume feedback is created equal. If a trusted industry professional gives you insight, it’s worth listening closely—they know what hiring managers are actually looking for. Friends and family mean well, but they may not understand the nuances of your field. Always consider the source before making changes. The best advice comes from people who know your space and what it takes to stand out in it.

When you get different advice on your resume, it's important to assess your resources before choosing what to follow. Think about who is giving the advice... do they have experience in your field or have helped others get jobs? For example, if a hiring manager says to make your resume shorter, that might be more helpful than a friend who isn’t in your industry. Also, look at trusted websites or career centers for guidance. Using good resources helps you decide which feedback makes the most sense for your goals.

I cross reference with my Career Coach, make the smallest changes first, then slowly by slowly make more and more changes till I reach the success I am looking for.

When you get different suggestions, doing a relevance check helps you decide what matters most. Ask yourself: does this advice match the job I'm applying for?? For example, if someone tells you to add a lot of creative designs, but you're applying for a job in finance, that advice may not be helpful. Focus on feedback that fits the job role and industry. This way, your resume will be more effective and make a better impression.

Not all resume feedback is created equal. If a trusted industry professional gives you insight, it’s worth listening closely—they know what hiring managers are actually looking for. Friends and family mean well, but they may not understand the nuances of your field. Always consider the source before making changes. The best advice comes from people who know your space and what it takes to stand out in it.

Not all resume advice is created equal, especially when it comes to industry norms. For example, while a creative professional might benefit from a visually dynamic resume, a legal or finance role typically demands simplicity and structure. When feedback conflicts, say, one person tells you to “keep everything concise,” and another suggests adding more context, look at the role you’re applying for. Would the hiring manager appreciate brevity, or is storytelling and nuance more valued? Resume revisions should always align with the expectations of the field, not just general preferences. Relevance is your compass when advice feels unclear.

Determine how applicable the feedback is to the specific job or industry you’re targeting. For example, a resume tailored for a corporate finance role will differ greatly from one aimed at a UX design position. If the advice doesn’t align with the expectations or language of your field, it might be worth setting aside.

Once the credibility of the source is assessed, think about how relevant the feedback is to your specific situation. Advice may sound great in general, but consider if it aligns with your industry or career goals. It is important to filter the advice through the lens of your career level, industry norms, and long-term objectives.

Your resume should tell one clear story—not a patchwork of other people’s opinions. Conflicting feedback can easily throw things off track. The goal is to prioritise the advice that supports a consistent narrative—one that reflects your strengths, your journey and where you’re heading. When your story flows, hiring managers can see exactly why you’re the right fit. And that clarity? It’s what makes your resume stand out.

Pay close attention to recurring themes or suggestions. If multiple people, especially those with hiring experience, mention the same issue, such as a lack of metrics, unclear formatting, or vague job descriptions, it’s likely a valid area for improvement.

One of the biggest challenges when navigating conflicting feedback is avoiding a fragmented resume. Sometimes, clients are tempted to incorporate every suggestion, but that can result in a document that’s all over the place. It’s important to remember that a resume is not just a list of accomplishments; it’s a narrative of your career. If the feedback leads to inconsistency, such as adding irrelevant details or conflicting information, take a step back and focus on the overarching story you want to tell.

In the effort to implement different feedback, your resume can start to feel disjointed, especially when sections differ in tone, language, or format. When that happens, pause and ask: Does this version still read like one cohesive story? If the resume feels like it has multiple voices, prioritize the version that preserves your authentic tone and maintains consistency across sections. Even if a suggestion is technically sound, if it disrupts the flow or feels off-brand for you, it may not be the right change. Resume writing is as much about clarity and tone as it is about content.

Every resume should read like a story with a clear through-line. If feedback pulls me in different directions—add more tech jargon here, go more personal there—I step back and ask, “Does this still sound like me?” A polished resume loses power if it feels pieced together from multiple voices. I stick with the advice that helps build a focused message: who I am, what I bring, and where I’m going. If a suggestion muddies that narrative, it doesn’t make the cut. The best resumes aren’t just well-written—they’re aligned, intentional, and unmistakably yours.

Consider whether the feedback supports the direction you want your career to go. Even if the advice makes your past roles look impressive, it’s only helpful if it positions you well for your next opportunity. Emphasize changes that help bridge the gap between your current experience and your future aspirations.

When reviewing feedback, keep your future goals front and centre. If you’re aiming for a specific role or industry, your resume needs to reflect that direction—highlight the skills, experience and results that align with where you’re heading. The best advice is the kind that helps you bridge the gap between now and next. It’s not just about where you’ve been—it’s about showing that you’re ready for what’s ahead. That’s how you position yourself for the right opportunities.

Review and focus on advice that pushes you closer to your next goal, whether that means emphasizing certain accomplishments or adapting the language on your resume to reflect the competencies required for your next role. The right feedback should help you align your resume with the opportunities you're actively pursuing.

I treat my resume like a pitch for the job I want, not just a summary of what I’ve done. So when I get feedback, I filter it based on how well it supports that next step. If someone suggests cutting older but still relevant experience that shows transferable skills, I ignore that. If another recommends adding more leadership examples because I’m targeting management, that gets my attention. The goal isn’t just to reflect the past—it’s to shape perception for the future. I follow the advice that helps me close that gap and position myself as already ready for what’s next.

When feedback clashes, you don’t have to pick one side—sometimes the best approach is finding the middle ground. One person might say “add more detail,” another says “keep it short.” The sweet spot? Go deeper on your most relevant roles and keep the rest punchy. Pull out the parts of each suggestion that actually support your message and make your resume stronger. It’s not about pleasing everyone—it’s about creating something that works for your goals and feels true to you.

Instead of choosing one piece of feedback over another, try to find a middle ground or combine elements from both. Conflicting advice can often highlight nuanced areas that require a more balanced or creative solution. Use these moments to sharpen your messaging and make your resume even stronger.

I don’t take feedback as all-or-nothing—I look for the overlap and build from there. If one person wants more detail and another wants it tighter, I’ll keep the meaty bullet points for high-impact roles and condense the rest. It’s about making space for what matters most. Same goes for tone: if someone says it’s too formal and another says it’s too casual, I’ll aim for professional but human. Synthesis isn’t about compromise—it’s about clarity. I blend the advice that sharpens my message and drop anything that distracts from the main goal: getting interviews for the role I actually want.

At the end of the day, trust your gut. You know your career, your industry and your goals better than anyone else. If a piece of feedback doesn’t sit right—or doesn’t align with where you’re heading—it’s okay to let it go. Your resume is a personal brand statement. It needs to reflect your voice, your story and your value. Take on advice that helps you sharpen that message—but never lose the authenticity that makes it yours.

Ultimately, your resume is a reflection of your professional identity. If certain suggestions don’t feel authentic or distort your story, it’s okay to decline them. You know your strengths, achievements, and intentions better than anyone else, so don’t be afraid to let your instincts guide you.

In the end, I believe that a client's resume is their story, and no one knows it better than they do. While feedback from others is important, it is important to trust your instincts about what feels right for your career. If advice doesn’t resonate with the direction you want to take, or if it doesn’t align with the professional persona you're trying to project, you don't need to follow it. Be authentically YOU!