Episode 54: Your humble resume is costing you with Robynn Storey

Janine Rogan
Dec 22, 2025
3 min read

In this episode of the Pink Tax Podcast, host Janine Rogan welcomes Robynn Storey, the CEO and founder of Storyline Résumés. With 25 years of experience and over 400,000 clients helped, Robynn is a powerhouse in the world of executive career advancement.

If you feel like your resume is underselling your value or you're tired of being ghosted by recruiters, this conversation is packed with "no-BS" advice to help you reclaim your career power.

Your Humble Resume is Costing You: Career Power with Robynn Storey

The "Administrative Language" Trap

Robynn identifies a common pitfall for women: underselling themselves. She calls it "administrating your language" [13:28]. When asked for their strengths, many women default to "soft" answers like being organized or nice.

The Fix: Stop giving "girl answers." Instead of describing your job duties, focus on innovation, transformation, and metrics [14:04].

Use Dollar Signs: "Everyone loves dollar symbols," Robynn notes. Equate your impact to cost savings or revenue growth [15:52].
Ditch the Humility: Ask yourself: "What am I known for? What was my last big win?" These belong on your resume [16:13].

Navigating the Wage Gap from the Start

The wage gap isn't just about systemic issues; it's often baked into the initial offer. Robynn shares a shocking story of an attorney making $100,000 less than her male peers, discovered only because of an HR CC'ing error [09:26].

Her advice for the interview phase:

Ask for the Range Immediately: Don't wait until the sixth interview to find out the pay is below your worth [28:34].
Set Expectations: Ask, "What does the interview process look like?" and "What is your timeline for hiring?" [28:52]. This positions you as a high-demand candidate.

How to Stop Getting Ghosted

Tired of waiting weeks for a callback? Robynn shares her secret weapon—an email with a 97% response rate [31:01]. If you’ve been ignored after multiple interviews, send a firm message:

"If I do not hear back from you by the end of business today with the next steps, please remove my candidacy from this position."

This works because it triggers "FOMO" (fear of missing out) and forces the recruiter to provide an answer, even if it's just to explain a delay [31:57].

Career Changes and the "Motocross" Strategy

Robynn believes you aren't stuck in your industry. She shares the story of a jaded tech executive who loved motocross on the weekends. By reframing his "relationship-building" skills, he landed a dream job as the North American rep for Ducati [38:33].

Your hobbies and passions often hold the key to your next career move. "We spend more time at work than anywhere else," Robynn says. "Ask yourself what jazzes you up" [36:55].

Final Takeaways

Referrals are King: 90% of applicants come from job boards, but they account for only 15% of hires. Meanwhile, referrals account for 50-60% of hires [21:22].
Be Your Genuine Self: Don't try to hide your age or your background to fit an employer's bias. "It's never a mistake to be who you are" [36:23].

Resources Mentioned:

Robynn's Book: Career Confidence: No BS Stories for Finding Your Power [34:57].
Connect with Robynn: Find her on LinkedIn as Roberta Storey (her legal name) or at storylinerésumés.com [39:42].

Watch the full episode here: