Em Richards on Storytelling, Inclusion, and Showing Impact – Voices of Work

At Yotru, we created the Voices of Work series to share the stories of people who are shaping how we hire and get hired. This feature highlights Em Richards, Co-Founder of Silly Onion and Brand & Content Lead at Wildcat Careers. Em has written and optimized more than 8,000 CVs and LinkedIn profiles, built campaigns in the MSP and tech space, and has become a strong advocate for inclusive hiring and candidate-first branding.

Connecting the Dots Across a Career

Em’s career path has taken her from vocational assessment to CV writing and brand leadership. At first glance these roles may seem different, but she sees a clear throughline.

“For me, it all comes back to helping people tell their story in a way that actually lands,” she explained. “Whether it’s a CV, a LinkedIn profile, or building a business brand, it’s about taking something that feels messy or overwhelming and making it clear, human, and confident.”

That thread of storytelling shows up in everything she does, whether it is helping a client articulate their skills on paper or shaping a brand narrative that connects with an audience.

What Makes Applications Stand Out

After working on thousands of career documents, Em knows what separates a strong application from one that blends in.

“An achievement isn’t just a cold fact; it carries the how or why behind it,” she said. “A competency isn’t simply a label; it demonstrates how someone acts, leads and inspires. On LinkedIn, it all comes down to voice. A great profile should sound unmistakably like the person it represents, because that’s what builds real connections.”

At Yotru, this is what we believe too. A resume shouldn’t just list polished phrases. It should capture the person’s voice and show proof of what they have done. That’s why we designed our builder to encourage candidates to add context and outcomes, so the story feels authentic.

Inclusion Through Personal Branding

Inclusivity has been central to Em’s work from the start. She believes resumes and profiles can give overlooked candidates a chance to be seen for who they are.

“You can write an application tailored to a job’s culture, but it might not be the culture for you,” she said. “Representation matters because when someone has felt invisible, a CV or profile that reflects their strengths and personality can be the moment they finally feel seen.”

That perspective reflects what many job seekers face today: finding not just a job, but a workplace where they belong.

Turning Complexity into Clarity

One of Em’s strengths is helping people cut through the noise. Most candidates overthink their stories, trying to fit everything in.

“My job is to take that huge, complex story and bring it down into something people can recognize, resonate with and engage with,” she explained. “Sometimes that means simplifying an overly complex CV, sometimes it means stripping it right back so your mate down the pub would understand it.”

It is an approach that resonates with us at Yotru as well. Our templates focus on clarity. They give people a framework that highlights achievements without losing the human story.

Looking Ahead: The Skills Candidates Will Need

When asked about the future of hiring, Em did not hesitate.

“The more someone learns, the more adaptable they become – and that learning can come through formal study, free resources, YouTube videos, blogs or even AI-led learning,” she said. “Employers want people who can learn, pivot and bring ideas with them.”

Adaptability, in her view, will be the currency of careers.

Showing Real Impact

If there is one thing Em emphasizes in every CV or LinkedIn profile, it is proof.

“Numbers speak louder than adjectives,” she said. “Instead of saying you’re great at leadership, show how many people you managed, or how you improved a process. Proof doesn’t have to be dramatic; even small wins add weight.”

At Yotru, this belief sits at the core of what we build. Our platform prompts candidates to combine metrics with stories so their resumes show both credibility and character.

Extra Lessons from Experience

Over the years, Em has noticed that small tweaks often have the biggest impact. One of the most important is consistency. A CV that flips between different voices and styles loses trust quickly.

She also draws on her creativity through Wildcat Careers and Silly Onion, where she builds communities that value individuality. Creativity, she says, helps cut through noise and spark trust because it shows you are not just copying what everyone else is doing.

And for those just starting out, whether students or career changers, her advice is simple: try. “Don’t wait until you feel ready. Confidence usually follows after the leap, not before it,” she said.

About Em Richards

Em Richards is a UK-based career and brand specialist focused on inclusive hiring and storytelling. She is Co-Founder of Silly Onion, a brand for neurodiverse, LGBTQ+, and disability-friendly communities, and Brand & Content Lead at Wildcat Careers. With over 8,000 CVs and LinkedIn profiles created, and recognition as a 2025 CRM Marketing Employee of the Year finalist, Em is known for turning complexity into clarity and advocating for authentic, inclusive career stories.

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