Michelle

About Michelle Dumas

Michelle Dumas is the founder and CEO of Distinctive Career Services, one of the internet's longest-standing and most respected professional resume writing firms. Michelle is a 6X certified and 7X award-winning resume writer and career consultant. To learn more about the services offered by Distinctive Career Services visit https://www.distinctiveweb.com

Are Cover Letters Still Necessary in 2025? What You Need to Know

Most job seekers waste hours agonizing over cover letters—or skip them entirely. Both approaches miss the point. So, are cover letters still necessary in 2025? Short answer: Yes. But not in the way they used to be. Let’s unpack what’s

2025-06-10T22:02:53+00:00June 10th, 2025|Cover Letter Writing|

Building a Standout Resume for New Graduates in 2025

Shrinking job prospects. AI-dominated hiring funnels. Rising expectations. That’s the world the Class of 2025 is stepping into. According to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, unemployment among recent graduates has risen to 5.8% — the highest since 2021. Meanwhile, internship postings are

2025-06-02T17:40:27+00:00May 19th, 2025|Resume Writing Tips|

Building Your Resume for Internal Promotion vs. External Career Advancement

"Same experience, different audience—why isn't my resume working for both?" This question echoes from professionals who discover that the resume that impressed their current employer falls flat when seeking advancement elsewhere—or that their polished external resume seems oddly disconnected when pursuing an internal promotion.

2025-04-15T14:10:52+00:00April 15th, 2025|Resume Writing Tips|

The ‘Business of One’ Mindset: Building Your Personal Brand on LinkedIn

In today's digital-first job market, having the right skills isn't enough—you need to be visible, memorable, and distinctly valuable. Think about this: Would you invest in a business that blends into the background, fails to communicate its unique value, or stays silent about its

Navigating the Shift: Building a Resume to Transition from Federal Government to Private Sector Jobs

If you're a federal employee watching recent headlines unfold, you're undoubtedly aware of the unprecedented workforce restructuring efforts that the Trump administration has implemented. These moves have already triggered thousands of layoffs and offered resignation deals—some of which come with pay-through dates but also

2025-05-11T22:51:18+00:00February 7th, 2025|Resume Writing Tips|

Why Your Professional Summary Could Make or Break Your Job Search (And How to Get It Right)

You're the perfect candidate for your dream job. Your experience matches perfectly, your skills are exactly what they're looking for, and you're ready to make your move. But here's the catch – you've got just seconds to convince the hiring manager you're worth a

2025-02-05T20:19:41+00:00February 5th, 2025|Resume Writing Tips|

10 Proven Ways to Get Recruiters to Find You on LinkedIn

Imagine a recruiter scrolling through LinkedIn, searching for the perfect candidate. How do you ensure your profile grabs their attention and stands out among millions? In today’s competitive job market, being visible to recruiters on LinkedIn isn’t just an advantage—it’s essential. LinkedIn isn’t just

2025-01-16T21:02:56+00:00January 16th, 2025|Job Search Advice, Personal Marketing|

From Chaos to Clarity: Building a Job Search Strategy That Works

Let’s be honest—job searching can feel like a whirlwind. One day, you’re updating your resume; the next, you’re scrolling through job boards or tweaking your LinkedIn profile. It’s all too easy to feel like you’re spinning your wheels, jumping from one thing to the

2025-01-06T22:40:54+00:00January 6th, 2025|Job Search Advice|

15 Power Moves To Improve Your LinkedIn Profile Today

With over one BILLION professionals now on LinkedIn and 7 people being hired through the platform every minute, your LinkedIn profile has never been more crucial to your career success. Whether you're actively job searching or simply keeping your options open, a well-crafted LinkedIn

2025-02-07T03:34:39+00:00December 2nd, 2024|Online Job Searching|

New Year, New Job! A 21-Day Plan to Kickstart Your Career for the New Year

As the new year approaches, many of us reflect on our careers and contemplate a change. If you've been feeling unfulfilled, eager for new challenges, or ready to pursue a long-held passion, you're not alone. In fact, January is one of the most popular

2025-01-13T14:58:37+00:00November 21st, 2024|Job Search Advice|
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