Years ago, during her interview, we asked our first employee in Rochester what she was most proud of. Whether it was a childhood accomplishment or a recent achievement, we encouraged her to share anything meaningful. She struggled at first — then remembered her perfect attendance in high school and her four-year record of never missing a day at Wegmans. None of this was on her resume. But for us, it was everything. Can you imagine an employee with that level of dependability? We could — and we hired her on the spot. She turned out to be exactly what we expected: dependable, reliable, and exceptional.

Every year I meet college graduates eager to launch their careers. Whether their degrees are in HR, IT, or something else entirely, they all face the same challenge: standing out in a sea of resumes. For many — unless they’ve pursued law, medicine, or engineering — their resumes risk blending together. What separates candidates isn’t the paper. It’s the narrative.

Start with a blank page and ask yourself the questions that matter: Who am I? How did I become the person I am today? Who do I want to be? Your resume is a snapshot, but your interview is where your story comes to life. Draw from your upbringing, your education, the decisions that shaped you. How did your parents influence you? Why did you choose your schools? The answers to those questions — honestly considered — are what make a candidate memorable.

When you sit down for the interview, come prepared with your moments: when you felt most fulfilled, what you’re genuinely proud of, the decisions that changed your path. Find common ground with the interviewer — shared schools, shared interests, shared experiences. Those connections aren’t small talk. They’re the foundation of a real conversation.

The job market has changed since I first wrote this in 2009. LinkedIn matters. Keywords matter. Applicant Tracking Systems scan resumes before human eyes ever do, so tailoring your language to the role is no longer optional — it’s table stakes. Soft skills — communication, adaptability, the ability to work with people who are different from you — are valued as highly as technical expertise. And a handwritten thank-you note after an interview still works. It still stands out. Do it.

The workforce keeps evolving — AI, remote work, the departure of the Boomers, the rise of Gen Z. The tools change. The fundamentals don’t. Patience, preparation, and a story worth telling. Your resume may get you in the room. Your narrative gets you the job.

And when in doubt, remember this: a perfect attendance record might not make or break your career. But a great story sure can.