Hi Reader,

It’s Sunday morning.

My body still thinks it’s Wednesday.

You know that feeling when your nervous system has left the building, but your calendar says, “No no, keep going”?

That was my week.

On Wednesday, I stepped well outside my comfort zone and landed face-first into PR.

As in, actually pitching a story to a Channel Nine producer.

Out loud.

In real life.

With no time to hide behind a carefully worded email and 47 unnecessary edits.

I had 30 seconds.

My delivery was terrible.

With time and practice, I could have made it much sharper. More polished. More media-ready.

Instead, I basically threw words into the air and hoped some of them landed in the right order.

But the story itself worked.

“Just like real estate, AI is so hot right now,” producer Tom told me.

Then he gave me the green light to email him the pitch.

I turned to PR queen and general force of nature Heidi Anderson and said: “What now?”

I was sitting on the couch, wriggling around like my eight-year-old son when he knows he has to explain something he definitely did.

Heidi looked at me and said:

“You stay on this for the next six weeks.”

Right. Cool. No pressure then.

Within 15 minutes, she gave me the playbook for taking this scrappy little story national.

TV. Print. Radio. Nothing was off limits.

And she meant it.

Inside the goodie bag was a handwritten note that said:

“Lisa, YOU are a powerhouse. I love what you do + your expertise is sooo brilliant. Big love, Heidi xx”

I’ll take it.

Obviously, I will now be keeping that note forever like a Year 8 girl who got a compliment from the popular kid.

But underneath the personal excitement was something bigger.

Because this story didn’t really start with me.

It started with Charlotte.

Charlotte is one of ECU’s journalism students, and a few days before my crash course in media, she popped into our team inbox asking for help with a news package.

She was working on a story about graduate job outcomes.

More specifically, she was talking to other students who were worried about whether their degree would still matter by the time they graduated.

When I pitched the story to Tom, I told him I had access to real student voices. And that mattered to me. Because Charlotte had done the work.

So yes, I want this story to go somewhere.

But not just because it might put my face on the telly for five seconds before someone asks, “Who’s that woman and why is she talking about jobs?”

I want it to help Charlotte too. I already have a career. She is building one.

And if this story gets picked up, it gives her something bigger to point to, not just the little piece tucked away on the ECU Vanguard website.

You can listen Charlotte’s story here.

And as for me?

I’ll be over here trying to convince my nervous system that pitching the media is not, in fact, the same as being chased by a bear.

~Lisa

Your Q&A

Should your resume sound like you?

Hi Lisa,

Do you think that resumes should “sound” like the person? How much should my natural communication tendencies influence the content that goes in my resume?

Jane

Hi Jane,

Partially.

Your resume should sound like you in the same way a dating profile should sound like you.

Accurate, recognisable, but not the full unedited director’s cut.

A resume is not written in the first person. No “I did this” or “I’m passionate about that”. Thank God. Sentences start with strong verbs, which naturally makes the writing sharper, cleaner and blunt.

That’s because your resume has one job.

It is an advertisement.

Yes, it’s about you. But it’s not for you. It’s for the person trying to work out whether you can solve their problem before their coffee goes cold.

So your natural communication style should influence the emphasis, not take over the document.

If you’re direct, your resume may lean into outcomes and sharp bullet points. If you’re supportive, it may highlight relationships, trust and consistency. If you’re analytical, it may focus on detail, evidence and precision.

And if you’re a social butterfly who loves a chat? That’s lovely. But your resume is not the place to bring snacks and tell the whole story from 1997.

Your cover letter can carry more personality because it is written in your voice.

Your resume should still feel like you.

Just the edited, employable version.

Thanks for writing in.

~Lisa

Get in Contact

To ask me a question about resumes or job searching, reply to this email. If it’s a standout question, I might share my thoughts in future newsletters.

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This information is for general purposes and doesn't consider your individual circumstances. It serves educational goals and isn't formal career advice. Always seek personalised guidance tailored to your needs.

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