Jan
31
Filed Under Job Hunting | Comments Off
A resume writer has to size up a client’s professional life and career direction in short order. It is not always straightforward. A good resume writer will uncover accomplishments and provide consultation on career goals.
That said, it is difficult for a resume writer to answer the question,”How much do you charge to do a resume? This article will help you to see things from the perspective of a resume writer.
Let’s “listen in” on a call from a job seeker seeking to have his or her resume “typed up.”
Resume Writer: “Good morning, XYZ Resume Service. How may we help you?”
Caller: “Yes, I’d like to know how much you charge to type up a resume.”
Resume Writer: “Our prices start at $225 and go up from there depending on the complexity of the resume.”
Caller: “$225! To type up a one-page resume? Wow, I didn’t realize it was that much!”
Resume Writer: “No, the typing is free.”
Caller: “What do you mean?”
Resume Writer: “Yes, I know that sounds strange. But, please let me explain. It is important for you to understand that a professional resume service is very different from a typing service. The word processing work that goes into the creation of the resume is to materialize the resume. That aspect of the resume development process involves a lot of creativity to produce a very crisp looking, attractive resume that will stand out in a pile of poorly formatted, disorganized resumes. And honestly, that’s the easy part. Before we get to that point, we provide in-depth consultation to ask many gold-mining questions that are specific to what your particular job is about and what your current situation is behind why you need a resume.
For example, are/were you:
* A new graduate?
* Recently laid off?
* Returning to the workforce?
* Seeking to acclimate your career from the military to civilian workforce?
* Bored in your current job and need a change?
“More than just typists, we are qualified to answer many questions that go beyond the resume preparation, such as how to answer tough interview questions or how to post your resume online. If you tell us you are not sure what type of position you are seeking, we will not be able to develop your resume because our resumes are very focused. Like you, we want your resume to WORK! We do not write one-size-fits-all resumes.”
“Our expertise is sure to make a big difference between your getting a job and making your next career move. We take the necessary time to understand what you do and to obtain important information about your work history and accomplishments. Yes, it is not just about your responsibilities. A strong resume needs to focus on your strengths and achievements. Once we have the right information, we organize it and develop a strategy that often results in a format unlike the simple chronological format. When we are done, we engage in the follow up process to review the resume and make necessary revisions. Considering the work that goes into it and the end result (most important), $225 (or more) is an excellent investment for such a service.”
What did you get out of listening in on this conversation? Did you only want to hear the price, or did you find yourself interested in the value behind the price? The answer to this question will measure how seriously you take your career. With the stiff competition out there, your resume is vital. It is your calling card.
Contact a qualified resume writer who will take the time to speak with you about your needs. Sure, money is important. You don’t want to spend it foolishly. But, there is a difference between spending and investing.
So, how much do you think you should pay a resume writer who will partner with you to develop a resume that is going to generate many favorable interviews, prepare you for your interview, and contribute to your increased confidence level?
The next time you call a resume service, try something like this:
“Hi, I was just on your website and am interested in your resume services. I’d like to know what your process is and what you would charge someone like myself with 14 years of experience in capital equipment sales. My background has been in health care, but I’d like to try retail or pharmaceutical sales.”
This is a great way to inform the resume writer where you are in your career and to facilitate a positive conversation from the onset that is not solely based on price.
Antonietta
Jan
30
When sending an email of your resume to a potential employer, how do you introduce yourself?
Filed Under Job Hunting | 2 Comments
In the message? I plan on emailing my resume, letter of recommendation and cover letter. However I am not sure how to great myself to the employer via message. I don’t want to mess this up. I want to set myself apart from the rest. Any suggestions? Samples? I am applying for a position in the health care field. Thanks!
Franklyn
Jan
29
Filed Under Job Hunting | Comments Off
When you attempt to craft a resume, there is always the danger that you will fall in love with your own creation. While it stands to reason that you would want to produce a resume that reads well to you, your opinion doesn’t count as much as a prospective employer’s viewpoint.
As a result, it is vitally important that you turn out a resume that tells employers exactly what they want to know. If your resume is deficient in any way…if it fails to inform a recruiting manager where you worked, how long you worked there, what your educational background is, what skills you possess, and your general qualifications for a specific position…your resume will quickly end up in the waste bin.
Don’t Depend on the Interview to Make Up for Problems With Your Resume
A number of job-seekers are satisfied with producing a resume that’s less than perfect because they hold out the hope that they can make up for their resume’s flaws through a stellar performance during a job interview. The problem with this line of thinking is that, unless your resume is top-notch, it is unlikely that you will be selected for any interview at all. Therefore, it pays to devote time and attention to fine-tuning your resume so that it meets the needs of prospective employers.
Put Yourself in the Employer’s Place
In order to write an effective resume, you need to put yourself in the place of the hiring manager. The employer’s eyes may be glazing over from all the resumes he or she has had to review. As a result, the employer is probably skimming through the stack looking for potential employees who fit some key criteria: the criteria being that they will perform the job effectively and efficiently; they will benefit the company; and they will be dedicated to their position.
Be Sure to Cover the Basics
While it is certainly wise to make your resume as brief as you possibly can, it is critically important that you include the basic information a prospective employer wants to know. You might be surprised at the fact that a number of job-seekers forget to include their e-mail addresses or cell phone numbers—two key ways for employers to get in touch with them. Also, be sure to include your snail-mail address, in case the employer needs you to fill out an application or a survey.
Your resume should include a complete job history (at least, post-college), information about skills you have that are applicable to the job you’re applying for, a list of the degrees you’ve earned and the colleges, universities, and relevant training programs you’ve attended, and your references. A prospective employer wants to know what your references have to say about you—he or she doesn’t want to take the time to call you and track down names and phone numbers at the last minute. The more complete the information you provide about your references, the better. Providing reference information as an addendum to your resume is a positive option.
Indicate Why Your Candidacy is Special
Once you’ve covered the basics, it’s highly important that you provide the employer with information that will distinguish your candidacy from the rest of the job applicants. If your resume is overly broad in focus, it will not attract the interest of a corporate recruiter. Instead, consider narrowing your focus by including information about special skill sets you possess, leadership roles you’ve held, and evidence of your team-building abilities. This information, like the rest of the information on your resume, must be presented in a clear, concise manner—otherwise, the employer will simply move onto the next resume.
Don’t Forget the Profile
Employers are definitely interested in your key accomplishments, evidence of your professionalism and your pursuit of excellence. These achievements can be easily encapsulated in a profile section at the beginning of your resume. Recruiters can read through the profile quickly, giving them an immediate impression of your suitability for the position that’s been advertised.
What Employers Don’t Want to Know
It is also important to pay some attention to what employers don’t want to know—or, at least, what they would prefer not to read on your resume. While each prospective employer is unique, there are certain common viewpoints that most share when it comes to resume appraisal.
In an effort to set themselves apart from the pack of other job applicants, a number of job-seekers make the mistake of making their resumes “too personal.” For instance, one individual who was seeking a position in government tried to portray himself in a unique light by including the names of his three dogs. Rather than making him appear intriguing, his decision to include dog news on his resume proved to be a deal-ender.
Also, for the most part, your resume does not need to explain in detail why you left a particular position. You can leave the discussion of that for the eventual job interview. It is far better to talk about the pitfalls in your job history in person rather than to try to explain them on paper.
The Intangibles
There are certain intangibles that employers want to know about you—information that you can convey in your resume. For instance, by proofreading your resume carefully and making sure that it is error-free, you are showing a prospective employer that you have a keen eye for detail. By presenting your resume in a professional, easy-to-read manner, you are demonstrating that you have excellent written communication skills. By listing your community and volunteer activities, you show an employer that you have a sense of commitment to bettering the world around you. These intangibles can often determine whether or not you are called in for an interview—or whether your resume is kept on file—never to be seen again.
This article was written by the certified professional resume writers of Resume Service. The writers at AccuroResumes will help create a perfect professional resume suited to your best needs. See why thousands of people are discovering the benefits of a perfect professional resume written by AccuroResumes.com. You are guaranteed to be 100% satisfied with your new, professional resume or, your money back. Reproductions of this article are encouraged, but must include a link pointing to http://www.AccuroResumes.com/.
Kacie
Jan
27
I recently applied for a job by sending my resume via email to the company’s Human Resources department. I received an email confirming they are evaluating it.
My question is: How do I follow up with HR on my resume? Anybody have good job hunting tips?
Thedora
Jan
27
Filed Under Job Hunting | Comments Off
Professional Resume Writing
There is a lot involved in creating a professional resume that is attention grabbing and lands interviews. Did you know that some job postings can bring in as many as 500-1,000 resumes? And, recruiters will spend between 10 and 30 seconds reviewing a resume with their primary goal being to whittle down the piles of resumes that they receive each day to a manageable stack of “keepers”. Obviously, there is a lot of competition out there from other job seekers vying for the same position.
You’ll need to start your resume writing by deciding on a format. There are essentially 3 different resume formats: the chronological resume, the functional resume and the combination resume. Each has its advantages and disadvantages which is explained below.
The Chronological Resume Format
The chronological resume format is the most common and the one that people are most familiar with. In the chronological format, each of your jobs and corresponding descriptions of responsibilities are listed in chronological order starting with the most recent job. Dates of each job are included on the resume and it usually includes a career objective section, skills & attributes section or profile section and an education section.
The Functional Resume Format
The functional resume format is not as common and most often recommended for people who have gaps in their work history or for those who have been out of the workforce for a while. What is most prominent about this resume format is the candidate’s skills, attributes and accomplishments. A career objective should also be included as well as any educational qualifications. The actual jobs however, do not include the dates. The career history section will typically be limited to a list of company names, location of each company and job titles. One advantage to using this format is that it usually shortens the length of a resume. If you’ve got a 25 year job history and several jobs where you’ve performed a lot of the same duties, you can imagine how lengthy (not to mention repetitive) your resume might get. The functional resume format is an effective way to reduce the number of pages that an employer will have to read and will make your application more impactful. The disadvantage to this resume format is that recruiters don’t like it. They get suspicious about your job history if no dates are included and may toss it in the garbage if it raises too many questions. Although, at one time I used a functional resume because in my chronological resume I had gaps in my work history that I suspected were keeping the phone from ringing with interview requests. I changed the format from chronological to functional and the phone started to ring! So, for the best of both worlds, you might want to try the combination resume if you’ve got gaps in your work history or have been out of the workforce for a while.
The Combination Resume Format
The combination resume as its name implies, combines the best of both the chronological resume and the functional resume. A functional resume format is followed but the job dates are included. The employer is primarily interested in knowing what value you can bring to the company so that if your first page (or the first 2/3rds) of your resume can effectively show what value you bring to the company, then any gaps may be overlooked in favour of bringing you in for an interview.
Fredra
Jan
26
How do i make a resume if i have NO previous work experience?
Filed Under Job Hunting | Comments Off
Help please i want to apply for a summer job. I just turned 15 and i’m desperate for a summer job.
How do you make a resume?
(Any sites/links would be helpful)
And what things do you include in resumes?
~ I volunteered in middle school if that counts. But i haven’t had a previous job before.
Ediva
Jan
25
What is the correct way to format your resume if you’d like to include an “online resume” website as well?
Filed Under Job Hunting | 1 Comment
I have created an “online resume” that shows some of the projects I’ve done during my career, as well as peer recommendations and their contact information if references are required.
My resume gives brief detail about my accomplishments, but my online resume goes into more detail.
How do I get someone to look at my online resume when I am submitting my hard copy resume for consideration?
Nash
Jan
23
What do I save my resume under in order for others to view as an attachment?
Filed Under Job Hunting | 1 Comment
Please help, I need others to be able to see my resume as an attachment. Many are emailing me back saying that they could not open the attachment. Mind you, the resume was created on Microsoft word and I sending it from a Mac computer from documents.
Kerrin
Jan
19
I am a senior in highschool, and I do not know how to write a resume. I would like to know either the easiest way to write a resume, or recieve different resume formats.
Wynn
Jan
18
Filed Under Job Hunting | Comments Off
Having an attention-grabbing resume is one of the most important parts of the job search. Your resume and cover letter are your introduction to a potential employer; and without a strong introduction, you may never get another chance to make a good impression. As a result, the success of your job hunt can hang on how well your resume is written.
Maybe you are entering the work force after graduating from college. Or maybe you just need to find a new job. Regardless of why you are looking for work, a skilled resume writer has the power to help you get your foot in the door.
Why Should I Use a Resume Writer?
Resume writing services are more than just a word processing or proofreading service. A resume writer takes your work experience, education, your strengths and weakness, and ties it all up into one little package. Although people usually think of their resume as a simplistic listing of their education and experience, it is actually more like a sales document. In order for your resume to effectively sell you, it not only has to be well written and visually appealing, but also has to present the goods - you - in the best possible light.
Sound easy? Of course not. Why is it, then, that so many people attempt to write their resumes on their own? You wouldn’t try to write a legal contract when the outcome could impact the rest of your life - you would hire a lawyer. By the same token, you should entrust your resume to a professional resume writer.
What Does a Resume Writer Do?
A resume writer’s goal is to convince potential employers that you are perfect for the job. In order to sell your strengths, a resume writer will:
Discuss your career focus and gear your resume to your unique goals
Choose the best format to highlight your strengths
Write an attention-getting summary or list of objectives
Use convincing language to maximize your strengths and minimize your weaknesses
Personalize your resume in a way that shows you off to your best advantage
Make your resume available in different file formats if needed
Make changes as necessary
Of course, a resume doesn’t really stand by itself. Your career decisions, where and how you search for jobs, and the quality of your cover letter all impact how your resume is received. In other words, if you are looking for work in the wrong places, or don’t introduce your resume properly in the cover letter, it won’t matter how dazzling your resume is.
Resume writing services often offer a whole package approach to resume writing. To ensure that you land your dream job, your resume writer may offer additional services, such as:
Career consultation
Job search consultation
Cover letter writing
Resume distribution
Interview preparation
What Should I Look for in a Resume Writing Service?
A good resume writing service is one that offers you everything necessary to get the attention of potential employers. When shopping for a resume writer, you should look for:
1.Convincing literature on their services. Whether you are browsing a website or looking at an informational pamphlet, pay close attention to how convincing the literature is. If they can’t sell themselves, they likely won’t be able to do a good job of selling you.
2.A good reputation. Don’t forget to Google! If a resume writing service is worth its salt, you should be able to find good reports from happy customers. Even more importantly, if they aren’t any good you are almost certain to find complaints.
3.Experience. Your career is in your resume writer’s hands, so make sure you choose someone with experience. If your career is in a specialized field, you might even want to look for a resume writer who specializes in the field - a writing service that knows the industry will also know what its employers look for in a resume.
4.Education. Submitting a resume with errors is embarrassing enough, but when you’ve paid to have it done right it’s downright tragic. Make sure your resume writer is educated and/or certified, so that you can be sure you’re getting your money’s worth.
5.Personal attention. You don’t want someone who is going to simply plug your information into a resume writing program - you could do that yourself. In order for your resume to stand out, it needs a unique touch that can only be achieved if your resume writer has taken the time to discuss it with you.
Of course, when you are shopping for a resume writing service, don’t forget to listen to your gut. You will have to work closely with the writer during the creation of your resume, so it is important to feel comfortable with him or her.
Putting Your Career First
Hiring a resume writer ensures that your resume looks professional and gets attention. Although the expense may seem unnecessary, consider that you have already invested thousands of dollars into your education so that you could simply get to this point. When your entire career is at stake, don’t throw it away over a typo or a passive verb! A resume writing service can help you make your dream job a reality.
Annelise