Great Resumes Are Made from Great Questions

by Thea Kelley | June 12, 2025

“Great Resumes Are Made from Great Questions” (June 12, 2025). 

🎯 Core Message

Thea Kelley emphasizes that a differentiated, compelling resume doesn't come from simply listing job duties—it comes from asking and answering high-impact questions about your experiences. Whether DIY-ing, using AI tools, or collaborating with a writer, your ability to probe deeply defines the quality of your resume.

🧭 Reflect on Each Role

Kelley recommends educators treat each position as a story:

• Was it newly created? Identify the problem it addressed and how you solved it.

• Was it existing? Compare your performance to predecessors.

• What was your departmental context? Explore how you shifted the climate.

• Challenges & outcomes: What obstacles you navigated—and how.

• Broader impact and evolution: Did your scope grow even without a title change?

These reflective questions help uncover concrete examples of initiative, leadership, and impact. 

📝 Add the “So What?” Factor

For every bullet point, ask “So what?” to transform vague achievements into results-focused statements. For example:

• Before: “Developed a career advancement program.”

• After:

  • “Developed a career advancement program—50% of participants were promoted within six months.”

  • Or, “…receiving a 30-point increase in 360° evaluation scores.”

These specifics make bullet points measurable, compelling, and resume-worthy. 

🔍 Don’t Overthink—Quality Over Quantity

Kelley notes you may ask 50+ questions, but only 10–15 strong answers are needed for a powerful resume. Focus efforts on uncovering your best stories, not exhausting every possible angle. 

✨ Showcase Your Unique Distinctives

Ask yourself:

• What unique strengths set you apart?

• Are these evident in your resume?

• Do they stand out within the first 20 seconds?

• What first impression does your resume create?

These questions help you craft a personal brand and positioning, vital for standing out in competitive applicant pools. 

🗣️ Choosing a Resume Writer: Process Matters

If outsourcing, assess whether your writer uses:

• Only a questionnaire, or

• A conversational approach (interview-style).

Kelley asserts that a dialogue-based process produces richer content, clearer insights, and resumes that reflect your voice. 

🤖 AI and Prompt Prep

When using AI tools, give them high-quality, precise input. Your answers to these reflection questions serve as the raw material—rich, action-driven content prompts for a more dynamic AI-generated resume.

🗝️ Key Takeaways for Educators & Coaches

1. Ask powerful questions—start every role description with probing inquiries to unearth impact.

2. Turn bullets into stories—quantify outcomes with “so what” follow‑ups.

3. Be selective—not every answer makes the cut; quality trumps quantity.

4. Highlight distinct strengths—ensure they’re visible early in your resume.

5. Evaluate writing partnerships—a conversational approach pays.

6. Use AI intentionally—feed it your best stories, not bland job descriptions.

📋 Practical Steps to Try

💬 Closing Reflection

Kelley’s practice of “great questions → great answers → great resume” empowers educators and coaches to articulate meaningful impact, not just tasks. These questions help connect your work to student learning, program growth, leadership, and systemic improvement. The result: resumes that resonate with hiring teams and authentically reflect your contributions.

Original Article

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Prepared with the assistance of AI software

OpenAI. (2025). ChatGPT (4) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com

©Michael Keany+AI