ATS-Proof Resume + Interview Mindset - Real Talk with a CMO, Saurabh Sharma

If you’ve been ghosted after “doing everything right,” watch this. In today’s episode of Hire Well & Get Hired, I interview Saurabh Sharma (CMO | Ex-Adobe, ServiceNow, Toyota, SF 49ers) on what actually makes candidates stand out—in the resume, the interview, and online.

Who this is for: job seekers (new grads → execs), career changers, and anyone navigating a tougher market.

What you’ll learn

Interview mindset that works: Stop pitching. Start partnering. Treat it as a two-way fit conversation so you can uncover the real problems and respond with relevant wins.

The resume section that wins: A clear Executive Summary at the top that aligns with the role (purpose + proof + a touch of personality).

Design vs. readability: Keep the resume clean and simple. Save the colors/case studies for your portfolio/website—link it!

ATS reality check: Lines, columns, busy layouts = parsing fails. Plain structure = you get found.

Length myth, answered: 1–2 pages is ideal; spill to 3 only if every line earns its keep and maps to the job today. Archive the rest on LinkedIn/portfolio.

Pro tip: Consider a short Loom intro when appropriate. We live in a visual culture—use it to complement (not replace) the resume.

Chapter guide

00:00 Why this series exists (help you get seen, heard, and hired)
02:30 Market has flipped—what that means for your search
07:50 The “don’t sell—diagnose” interview approach
10:50 What Saurabh reads first on a resume (and why)
13:50 Creative roles: where to put design flair (and where not to)
16:30 ATS pitfalls that quietly hurt qualified candidates
18:00 The page-length myth (and when 3 pages is fine)
21:30 Editing older experience without losing credibility
24:20 Saurabh’s current interests + how to connect

Action steps (do these next)

Rewrite your top section: Role you’re targeting + the problems you solve + proof (metrics/brand names/projects).

De-clutter formatting: One column, clear headings, no heavy lines/graphics.

Link your work: Portfolio/Behance/website with short case-study blurbs (“problem → actions → results”).

Prep 5 fit-finding questions for interviews (culture, success metrics, first 90 days, team rituals, decision process).

Optional: Record a 60–90 sec Loom intro for selective outreach.

Connect with Saurabh

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sky11/


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I’m Lora Cerulli - headhunter, hiring strategist, keynote speaker, and host of Hire Well & Get Hired. I’ve helped 1,000+ people land roles that fit.

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