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How to Choose a Resume Writing Service

Wed, 01 Apr 2009 18:21:17 +0000

Benefits and Drawbacks of Professionally Written Resumes…

If you feel you are capable and qualified to write a compelling and effectual resume, then by all means give it a shot! Save your money! My goal is not to sway you in one direction or the other in that regard. The only thing I suggest is that you have someone else look it over when you are through for proofreading and editorial purposes. That never hurts…

However, if you’re not extremely confident in your skills as a writer and/or marketer, I would sincerely recommend you hook up with a professional resume writer to help you craft the perfect resume for you. A seasoned veteran in these matters can be an invaluable resource.

Now, some pro resume writers are more expensive than others and you need to be careful. Too often people get swept up in the fancy websites and empty promises when, in truth, these “agencies” charge an arm and a leg for fairly basic resume writing services. Some even outsource the resume writing to contracted writers (like me), pay them a modest sum, and collect huge profits for very little actual effort.

One way to avoid making the wrong choice is to do your homework on the companies as much as possible. One thing to pay attention to, if you can find them, are “Testimonials” from actual clients. Reading these comments can often give you a good idea of the quality of work you can expect. But even then it’s hard to know that you will get your money’s worth. Conversely, you also have to be wary of those who claim to be professional resume writers, but only charge $20 for their services. You have to wonder how much time and effort they will actually put forth on your behalf.

If you do decide to go with an established “agency”, then find out before hand exactly what you’re getting for the $199 you have to pay. Scrutinize over the details and ask questions. If you don’t get the answers you’re looking for, then keep on searching. In my professional opinion, you shouldn’t ever need to pay that much for a new resume. But that’s just me, apparently. I seem to be the pariah in this industry because I choose to keep my prices so low, given the quality of my services.

No matter what you opt to pay, I’d say it’s a good investment to make since a resume can make you or break you when you’re looking for a job. And once you have it professionally formatted, you can just add to it over the years. Plus, it’s a tax deductable expense. These are all things to consider when soliciting help with your resume.

Here I’m supposed to say something along the lines of “So check out my unbeatable prices!” and sell you on my services, but truth be told I think you should do whatever is best for you. If you want to talk to me in some more detail about your career aspirations, then feel free to contact me. If you can afford it and you’d feel more secure having your resume written by an “agency” for $199, then go for it. If you want to write your own resume, more power to you. Just remember it’s your career, your life, and it may be helpful to have a professional at your side. Best of luck, whatever you choose to do!

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Interview Tips and Advice

Tue, 31 Mar 2009 18:45:53 +0000

How to Prepare for an Interview…

There are many things to consider when interviewing with a potential employer, especially in a face-to-face scenario versus a telephone interview, but here are a few helpful reminders for you:

1) DO YOUR HOMEWORK! Research is perhaps the most crucial cornerstone to success in an interview. Read all you can about the company you’re interviewing with and be prepared to talk intelligently about their position in the industry. This will show the hiring manager that you are indeed interested in the company and not just passively interviewing or “feeling things out”. They want to know that you’re motivated and proper preparation will show them that you are.

2) Bring a copy of your resume to physically hand a hiring manger during a face-to-face interview. Sometimes they will already have one in hand, but it can’t hurt to bring one anyways. That way the hiring manager can go down your resume and talk to you in some more detail about your experiences and relevant skill sets.

3) Dress appropriately, professionally, and two levels above the position you are interviewing for.

4) Show up early. Leave plenty of time for surprises and make sure you arrive 10-15 minutes before the interview is scheduled. Showing up late is NOT an option!

5) Listen more than you talk. Ask leading questions and try to get the interviewer to describe the position in detail as early in the interview as possible. That way you can relate your skills and background to the position as described. As a rule of thumb, the hiring manager should talk 60% of the time and you should talk 40%.

6) Don’t let your guard down. It’s nice to build rapport, but don’t become too comfortable in the interviewing process. Don’t say more than is necessary. I can’t tell you how many times I saw a candidate talk their way OUT of a job because they let their guard down. Don’t make this mistake. Continue to sell yourself throughout!

7) Don’t ask questions about salary in the initial interview. This shows the hiring manager that you are only motivated by monetary gains and no one wants to see that. They want to see that you’re interested in the position first and foremost, not the money.

8 ) Don’t answer questions with a simple “yes” or “no”. Explain things in detail whenever possible, but don’t go overboard. Make sure your stay on point and don’t veer from the context of the situation. Be sincere and keep in mind that you alone have the power to sell yourself to the interviewer. Help them to realize why they NEED you within their organization.

9) Close the sale. At the end of every interview, make sure to ask the interviewer what the next step is. Push them to commit to a follow-up and continue to stay in contact with them without being invasive and annoying.

These are just a few things to consider, but follow these simple rules and you’ll be well on your way to success! Best of luck to you!

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Focused Resumes = Effective Resumes

Mon, 30 Mar 2009 18:22:58 +0000

Focus, focus, focus!

I have a lot of clients who want me to write them more of a “generic” resume so they can send it out to many different employers in many different industries. Although I can do this and have developed a good method for doing so, I still do not think this is the way to go…ever!

If you can, I always recommend tailoring your resume for each individual position you apply for. It’s much more professional and shows the hiring manager that’s you’re not scattered and desperate, but centered and driven.

However, if that’s just not feasible, at the very least I would suggest targeting a specific kind of position within a specific industry. Try to narrow it down as much as you can without limiting yourself.

My reasons for saying this are as follows: an unfocused resume sends a very clear message that you are unfocused about your career. And a hiring authority doesn’t want to see that. They want to see that you have career goals and that those aspirations correspond with their needs as an employer.

Even the slightest alterations to your resume, when you have a specific job in mind, can go a long way. It’s all a matter of focus!

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Curriculum Vitae versus Professional Resume

Mon, 30 Mar 2009 18:11:09 +0000

What is a CV?

I’d like to clear up some confusion on this subject because I have a lot of clients who want me to write them a CV (or Curriculum Vitae) without really know what one is.

In short, a CV is really just a fancy term for an academic resume. In the United States, a Curriculum Vitae is used primarily when applying for academic, education, scientific or research positions. It is also applicable when applying for fellowships or grants.

This of course is in contrast to a Professional Resume. A resume is used in just about every industry outside of academia and is a crucial aspect of the hiring process in the corporate world. The format of a Resume is typically much different from that of a CV, which tends to be more functional, with a focus on education, and include extras sections for publications and the like. A good business resume will generally be more chronological in format and highlight a completely different set of work-related skills.

I hope that helps to shed some light on the issue!

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Sample Resumes

Mon, 30 Mar 2009 18:03:29 +0000

The Problem with Templates…

If you are surfing the web and looking for a good resume sample or template to use as a guideline for your own resume, make sure the sample you settle on is appropriate considering your background, the industry you’re in, and your career intentions.

Because when it comes right down to it, different styles of resumes should be employed in different industries. By way of illustration, a computer programmer’s resume will vary greatly from that of a sushi chef. They both have very different skill sets which need to be highlighted in very different ways in order to be effective. If both those individuals tried to write their resumes in the same format, it would be a disaster. Hiring authorities, respectively, each have their own expectations and some resume formats are better than others at addressing those individual expectations.

Here’s another example: I always suggest Chronological formats for the average job seeker, but a Functional resume may be much more valuable to someone who has jumped around a lot in their career. Or, for someone who has had a fairly self-explanatory career. A waitress, for instance, may be better off with a Functional resume since the job description as a waitress for Company A would likely be the same as the job description as a waitress for Company B.

So, in summation, know the different types of resumes and make an informed decision when you choose a template. Don’t just find a sample resume online that looks impressive and copy that exact format. You may be doing yourself a great injustice!

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Add Value Every Step of the Way When Writing Your Resume

Mon, 30 Mar 2009 17:44:36 +0000

Value-Added Throughout the Hiring Process…

The hiring process is just that: a process. You start with initial contact in the form of a cover letter and resume. I call this the Paper Phase. If these “papers” are well written and enticing enough for a hiring manager to consider you, then they’ll likely proceed to the Interview Phase.

Now, they may start off with a phone interview or they may just skip right to the face-to-face interview, but this is where they meet the person behind the paper. This is where the intangible crosses paths with the tangible. And if there is a disconnect in the two, it can be a turnoff to a hiring manager. That’s why I always suggest complete honesty and full disclosure in the Paper Phase.

No matter what though, a cornerstone to success throughout the hiring process is adding value each step of the way. In the Paper Phase, you need to show the hiring authority what you have to offer right from the start. Employers use your past successes as a gauge for future ones, so show them how you will be able to hit the ground running. If you do not properly identify your qualifications, experiences, and talents, your resume will be generic and will not hold the interest of an employer.

Furthermore, you need to reinforce these qualifications throughout the process. In the Interview Phase you should come prepared. Do your homework on the company and be able to talk in detail about how your skills are a match for the position you’re applying for. Be specific, too.

After any contact and especially after an interview, you should also send Thank You letters to the appropriate individuals. Follow-up is very important to many hiring managers, so you should do this at every conceivable junction. And this is not permission to stalk and hound these people. It’s a simple courtesy, once again reinforcing your attributes, and assuring them that you are very interested in finding out what the next step would be.

Every step you take you should be asking what the next step is. That’s how you close them. How you seal the deal. Just remember to respect their professional position and don’t go overboard!

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How to Write a Resume

Sun, 29 Mar 2009 19:24:21 +0000

What to do…

I truly hope you weren’t looking for one universal formatting methodology because, in truth, there is no cookie-cutter way of writing a resume. What works best for one person may not be best for another. Some people will benefit from a Chronological resume whereas that format may be detrimental to someone who has jumped around a bit in their career. Some people may be competent enough to write a targeted, job-specific resume for each position they plan to apply for. Other people may not have that luxury.

The only thing I can suggest is that you do your homework. Know the different types of resumes (Chronological, Functional, Targeted, and Combination) and know the distinct merits of each. Then make an informed decision as to which style is best for you.

If you have a lot of experience to speak about, I recommend a two-page resume. Do not try and condense everything to fit on one page since that’s no longer the norm when it comes to resumes. If you want to take it one step further, write your two-pager for passing out electronically and then prepare a one-pager as well which you can physically hand to hiring managers.

If you are a recent graduate or applying for more entry-level positions, a one-page resume should be perfectly sufficient. Highlight your acquired skills and sum up how they would translate into the position you are applying for. But keep it short and sweet. For these types of jobs, you just want to entice the reader to call you in for an interview. And that’s when you turn on the charm!

Other than that, there are a few other tricks of the trade. For instance, make sure you use appropriate spacing throughout your resume. You want it flow nicely, not only in language but in appearance. And if you plan on sending out your resume electronically, never use anything smaller than a 12 size font. Anything less than that and it can get difficult to read.

If you choose to write your own resume, make sure to have someone edit and review it for you. Remember to include all your current contact info on the header of the resume as well. That means full address, email, and any phone numbers you don’t mind sharing. Give a hiring manager plenty of ways to get in touch with you and maybe…just maybe…they will!

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Types of Resumes: Chronological, Functional, Targeted, & Combination

Sun, 29 Mar 2009 18:45:42 +0000

Which One is Right for You?

The different types of resumes serve different purposes and it’s really up to you to choose which one is best for you, however I typically recommend a Chronological format for the average job seeker. A Chronological resume lists your work history, including the years, with your most recent position listed first. I can tell you for a fact that employers respond best to these types of resumes because it’s easy for them to identify where you’ve worked, what titles you’ve held, and how long you worked at each of your past employers. Most importantly, it shows that you have nothing to hide.

On the flip side, we have Functional resumes. A Functional resume highlights your skills and experiences as a whole, but doesn’t really address where or when you acquired those skills. People tend to leave out years of employment in these types of resume which to me, and many hiring managers, says they are trying to hide someone. This format is usually adopted by people who are changing careers or have big gaps in their employment history.

Another type of resume is a Targeted resume, which is essentially a resume written to target a specific job. This type of resume is tailored to speak of a person’s experiences as they directly pertain to the open position they are applying for. This may be the most effective kind of resume, however it’s fairly impractical for someone who’s on the “hunt” and applying to multiple companies.

A final option is what some people call a Combination resume. In fact, most of the resumes I write tend to fall under this category because they do not focus strictly on chronology, nor on functionality, and they target specific types of positions. They are a combination (as the name would imply) of the other rigid formats outlined previously.

Throughout my career, I have personally developed and honed my own unique style which combines the strengths of these various formats. That said, I’m obviously a fan of “outside-the-box” resumes, but that’s within reason. Remember, I’ve been doing this for a long time and my style is based on a familiarity with the staffing industry. I wouldn’t suggest you try to get too crazy with your formatting unless you know what you’re doing!

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Cut to the Chase When Writing Your Resume!

Sun, 29 Mar 2009 18:27:10 +0000

Straight to Your Experiences…

I can’t tell you how many resumes I’ve seen over the years where I had to read a page and a half of nonsense before I got to the “meat” of it. This goes along with my theory that you don’t want to give a hiring manager a novel to read, you want to make it as easy on them as possible to get the information they are seeking.

So don’t waste time…get to the good stuff. Keep in mind that a hiring manager has specific questions in mind when they review a resume and they expect specific answers. One of the most important questions they are asking is: “Who has this person worked for in the past?”

For this reason, I always suggest that serious job seekers highlight their experiences first and foremost. Right below your one-sentence Objective Statement you should segue into and Experience section. In this section you should list your past employers, the years you worked for them, your job titles, and a brief description of your duties there.

I find that most people will benefit from a chronologically formatted resume because it shows that they have nothing to hide and employers like that. I also prefer chronological to functional because you can talk in more detail about your individual jobs, how they varied, and the specific accomplishment you’ve had. This is in contrast to being generalized and seemingly superficial about your skills and achievements.

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How Many Pages Should My Resume Be?

Sun, 29 Mar 2009 18:10:20 +0000

A One-Page Resume is No Longer the Standard…

A common misconception is that a professional resume should only be one page. However, that’s not really the case these days. I while back, before the miracles of technology, I would have agreed. But now that most resumes are being read on a computer screen versus on paper, there’s no need to limit yourself in such a way.

Those who try to cram all their info on one-page resume usually resort to smaller font and zero spacing. When viewed on screen, this is not an attractive format. It makes it hard to read and even harder to skim, which is what hiring managers tend to do.

Now, I’m not saying you should write a 20-page catalogue of your experiences. Nor am I advocating the use of size 20 font. Instead, I would say 12-14 size font should suffice and recommend you keep it at two pages. That leaves plenty of room to say what needs to be said.

This is not universal, mind you. Some people, namely those with very little career experience or those just out of college, should stick to a one-pager. If they try to extend it to two, most often they are just adding fluff. And that’s not something a hiring manager wants to see. So use your better judgment in this regard.

Ideally, I suggest you have two versions of your resume: a one-pager you can physically hand to employers (in the interview, etc) and a two-pager you can send electronically. I would write the two-pager first and then just “shrink” it down, cutting out anything that is not absolutely pertinent to your objective and tightening up the font a bit.

That’s my two cents…

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