June 2006
Résumé Writing: pros and cons
of using a professional
By
President of Workforce Associates
and author of
NetWork: Maximizing Your Career Resources on the Internet
Available online and in print from Author House
June 2006
Résumé Writing: pros and cons
of using a professional
By
President of Workforce Associates
and author of
NetWork: Maximizing Your Career Resources on the Internet
Available online and in print from Author House
It is often joked that if you get two Americans together who haven't previously met, within minutes they will form at least three groups/associations/societies!
No questions about it, there are thousands of groups that Americans have formed, whether church groups, hobby groups of all kinds, and professional and trade groups as well.
Professional groups that may not come easily to your mind are those that have formed around professional resume writing. There is the National Resume Writers Association, for example, that is a newly formed group with an annual conference, as well as comprehensive exams that their members must pass. Check out www.nrwa.com/ for details.
Another related group is the Professional Association of Resume Writers and Career Coaches that has been around longer and has more members around the country. It also offers a rigorous certification program, training videos, and telephone support to its members.
Why do I mention these groups? Because so many job hunters are tempted to have someone ghost write their resumes rather than researching the latest techniques and tips for writing one. And there certainly are many valid reasons for having a professional help you in writing your resume:
1. They are trained to take your career history, ask you questions and then draft a resume with your career goals in mind using key words for your targeted position/industry. Good ones will offer guarantees of the success of the product that they produce. Can you be objective about your own skills and experience?You may also want to consider using a professional resume writing service if any one of the following conditions applies to you:
2. Professional writers are up-to-date about the importance of electronic resumes, how to format them, and how to sprinkle action verbs and key words throughout the resume for maximum effectiveness.
3. They should be knowledgeable about Applicant Tracking Systems that many companies use to vet and kick out resumes that are not customized enough to get through the filtering process.
1. English is not your first language. Grammar and spelling are not your strong points. If this is the case errors will probably occur within your resume and this is a terrible first impression for a reader.Criteria to help you Select the Right Professional Resume Writer
2. You haven't written a resume in years and have no idea what is expected these days. Do they still put an objective on a resume? Are cover letters in email still required?
3. You have had a career that has included a lot of job hopping or gaps in employment and an expert is necessary to de-emphasize these areas with your career highlights in mind.
4. You took time off from work and want to get back into the job market.
1. Use a certified resume writer. There are several certifications but the most prestigious of these is the NCRW that is described above. Only 27 resume professionals have earned this certification nationwide. Certification is one of your assurances that the writer you select is dedicated to providing the highest quality of service and will deliver a superior product.Who else is providing resume Writing Services? There are many reliable resume services online to check out. Like NRWA and PARW/CC members, there will be charges associated with them. For example, CareerBuilder works with Resume Edge and 1-on-1 Resumes. In addition, CareerBuilder offers its own resume writing service.
2. Speak with the person who will actually be writing your resume. The person who sells you their services may not actually write your resume. You want to work closely with the actual writer, not a subcontractor whose qualifications are unknown to you or whose style doesn't fit your personality.
3. Make sure you understand from the writer what they will be doing to revise your existing resume or the strategy they will use in developing one from scratch. Remember, it is your career. The writer needs to understand your background and be able to provide the right strategy to meet your goals.
4. What is the process used to gather information? Is the writer going to interview you, or just give you a form to fill out? If the writer insists on using a form, you may only get back what you provided in different words. Make sure the writer will interview you to search for additional information and ways to present your background to your best advantage. Remember, accomplishments sell. A good resume writer knows how to pull them out of you.
5. Editing. Will you have a chance to make changes and provide input after the resume writer presents the first draft? This is very important...the writer should be open to your thoughts. Changes are almost always required, even minor ones. Insist on this!
6. What others services, tools, and certifications should the professional writer offer? Professional career service providers are often certified in career coaching and job transition. They will also be able to provide cover letters, resume distribution to recruiters and companies, career portfolios, and interview training
7. What is the turnaround time? Typical turnaround time will vary from writer to writer, but expect a successful resume writer to be in demand. One to two weeks is normal.
8. Do I have to meet with the writer personally? No, it has become everyday occurrence to work with resume professionals by phone, transferring documents by Internet and fax, but it is good to know that the resume firm has a traditional office, even if you don't visit it.
9. How much will it cost? Superior resumes take expertise and time to develop. Fees will vary depending on years of experience, numbers of jobs, and position level. Most of the world of resume writing is unregulated. There are thousands of complaints every year that someone did a poor job of constructing a resume that resulted in not getting a job or not getting the right job, costing YOU the job hunters thousands of dollars in having to continue your search and foregoing earnings.
Resume Edge is one of my favorites. It offers 50 samples of before and after resume massaging for many different professions. Highly regarded by the Wall Street Journal's Career Journal, Monster, Yahoo, Wetfeet, and the two associations mentioned above, it should be the first place that you turn to, regardless of whether you work with a professional resume writer through resume Edge or write your own. Resume Edge has a solid guarantee policy and a range of prices for the amount of handholding and phone service you need. They also have lower rates for students just getting started in a job search.
One on One Resumes has a quite different approach. For $89.95 they promise to deliver a solid resume within three business days. Their rate is the same regardless of the length of your experience and talents. Their website offers 5 sample resumes to use as models to develop your own.
Websites such as CollegeGrad offer 200 templates and sample resumes--for Accounting through Zoology grads--for free as long as you honor the copyright terms. They also have a MBA Center for those with advanced degrees to show their experience to advantage.
Don't forget to tap the career resource centers at community colleges and universities around the country. Most of them have professional career counselors who help their alums or members of their communities update their resumes at little or no cost. Many public libraries also offer resume workshops for job hunters. And the workforce development systems, called "One-Stops" in most states, also are staffed with professional job counselors who can offer free services.
Enjoy the beginning of summer! See you in July.
Jane M. Lommel, Ph.D.
jlommel@WorkforceAssociates.com
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