David Culemann
Creator of JobSprout
David built JobSprout after watching good CVs get filtered out by software that could not read them. He writes here about resumes, screening systems and the job search, and he answers his own email.
Articles
Hard Skills vs Soft Skills: 100+ Examples for Your Resume
A complete hard skills list and soft skills list for your resume, sorted by industry, with rules for how many to include and how to prove each one.
Convert a Word resume to Europass without retyping it
Import a Word resume or PDF into the Europass layout. Check what changes and when your application needs the official Europass editor.
German Lebenslauf or Europass: which format do you need?
See one fictional resume as a German Lebenslauf and a Europass CV. Compare the layouts and follow the application's format and file requirements.
Tell Me About Yourself: The 3-Step Formula + 15 Sample Answers
Learn how to answer "tell me about yourself" with a simple present-past-future formula, 15 sample answers for different career situations, and the mistakes that make interviewers tune out.
The STAR Method: How to Answer Any Interview Question (25 Examples)
Learn the STAR method for interview answers with a clear framework and 25 worked examples covering conflict, failure, leadership, and more.
Best Fonts for a Resume, Ranked by a Typesetting Engine
The best fonts for a resume, ranked with real typographic reasoning: what each one signals, how it parses through an ATS, and the size and spacing that make it work.
AI Interviews: What to Expect and How to Prepare
A practical guide to the AI interview: what it actually assesses, the three formats you'll meet, and how to prepare so an algorithm doesn't cost you a job you'd otherwise win.
HireVue Interview: Questions, Tips and How to Practice
HireVue's AI scores a transcript of what you say, per its own documentation. 25 common questions, answer timing, and how to practice beforehand.
Mock Interview Questions: 60 to Practice, Sorted by Round
60 mock interview questions sorted by round, with what each one checks and how to practice them out loud.
AI Headshots: Do Recruiters Mind, and Will It Look Like You?
Are AI headshots OK for LinkedIn? What LinkedIn's rules say, what recruiters notice, the tells that give a fake away, and how to get one that looks like you.
How to Follow Up on a Job Application (6 Email Templates)
When to follow up on a job application, who to send it to, and six short email templates to copy. Timing backed by a survey of 300+ HR managers.
Should You Put a Photo on Your CV? Country by Country
Whether to put a photo on your CV depends on the country. Where it is expected, where to leave it off, the usual sizes, and what makes a good one.
What Recruiters See Before "See More" on LinkedIn
Your LinkedIn About holds 2,600 characters, but desktop shows about four lines before "see more". Where LinkedIn folds each section, and what to put first.
How to Take a Professional Headshot With Your Phone
How to take a professional headshot at home with your phone: the lens, the light, the distance and the crop, plus when an AI headshot does a better job.
LinkedIn Profile Review: Check Yours Before You Apply
A LinkedIn profile review to run before you apply, in the order a recruiter reads you, plus a free checker that shows what holds you back in search.
LinkedIn Profile Picture: Size, Tips and What Recruiters See
The right LinkedIn profile picture size (400 x 400 pixels or more, under 8MB), how to frame it for the circle crop, and what recruiters notice first.
ATS Scores Explained: What Is a Good Score (and What Actually Matters)
What an ATS score actually measures, what counts as a good resume ATS score, and why the "ATS auto-rejects 75% of resumes" claim is a myth. Includes real score bands and a free checker.
What Does a Good Resume Look Like in 2026? (Visual Guide + Examples)
See exactly what a modern resume looks like in 2026 with visual examples, before-and-after comparisons, and breakdowns by career stage and industry. Includes ATS-friendly formatting tips.
Professional Bio Examples: 30+ Templates for LinkedIn, Work, and Websites
Browse 30+ professional bio examples for LinkedIn, company websites, conferences, and social media. Includes templates for every industry, career level, and platform.
AI Prompt Engineer Resume: Examples, Skills, and How to Stand Out
Write a prompt engineer resume that gets interviews. Full resume example, summary templates, 10+ experience bullets, technical skills breakdown, and tips for career changers from software engineering, copywriting, data science, and UX research.
International Resume Format: How CVs Differ by Country (US, UK, EU, Australia)
Learn how resume and CV formats differ across countries. Covers the US, UK, Germany, France, Australia, Japan, and the Middle East with comparison tables and practical tips.
Resume for an Internal Transfer: How to Stand Out When You Already Work There
Learn how to write a resume for an internal transfer. Includes a full example, summary templates for lateral moves, promotions and department changes, weak vs strong comparisons, and advice on navigating the politics.
How to Decline a Job Offer Politely (7 Email Templates for 2026)
Declining a job offer is awkward, but doing it well is a career skill. Use these 7 email templates to say no gracefully, preserve the relationship, and keep the door open for future opportunities.
Introducing CV Scoring: Score & Fix Your Resume
Score your CV against the same checks recruiters and ATS software use, see exactly what's holding it back, and fix it in one click. Free, no sign-up, and yes, there's a roast mode.