Whether you realize it or not there may be many mistakes on your resume that need to be fixed and you may not even know it. While some of the mistakes may be outdated information, there are also other less obvious mistakes that still require attention. Fixing small mistakes on your resume will help you to increase the power of your resume. Knowing if these mistakes exist and how to fix them could mean the difference between your career life and death.
Here are some of the more common mistakes that need to be fixed on a resume:
• Personal e-mail: If your e-mail inbox is empty take a look at your e-mail address. No, not is it spelled right, but what does it say? A potential employer is much more likely to respond to an e-mail address such as johnsmith@someplace.com rather than ladysmanjohn@someplace.com. While a cute, clever e-mail address may be fun for you and your friends, remember you are trying to get a job so you must look professional. If you don’t already have a regular looking e-mail address, get one. They are free and could mean more interviews in your future.
• Personal information: You need to not only make sure that your personal information is correct but you need to also watch what you put down. Don’t get into race and religion on your resume as this may turn some employers off. Though they cannot legally discriminate, they can pass over your resume if they do not like what they see. Besides, it is nobody’s business but your own who you do or don’t pray too.
• Hobbies: Again, be careful of what you are putting down. You may think it is great that you enjoy mountain climbing and surfing, but a potential employer may view you as a risk taker and be turned off. The idea behind your resume is to make the employer want you, not to scare them away.
• Check the basics: Double and triple check all of your contact information. It may sound redundant but if you have just one number wrong in your telephone number due to a typo you will obviously not be receiving any calls. This is an easier mistake to make than you might think and no, spell check is not going to catch the fact that your phone number is wrong. What good is a sparkling resume if the prospective employer can’t get a hold of you?
• K.I.S.S.: That stands for keep it simple stupid and is a great acronym for your resume. Don’t get too caught up making your resume so flashy that it then becomes busy and cluttered. If your resume looks too cluttered to a potential employer, they may think that is the type of person you are and once again they will be turned off. Keep your resume easy to read and easy to follow and above all else, keep it neat.
Your resume is your sales pitch to landing an interview so you have to make the most of it. By constantly checking your resume and performing these easy fixes you will increase the power of your resume and thus increase your chances of landing the job of your dreams.
Compare the best resume services.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
The Best Three Professional Resume Writers
Hiring a professional resume writer to create your resume can be the best thing you ever decided to do when it comes to helping you land more interviews. The problem lies in finding a good professional resume writing service that can accomplish this and doing a search online will have you sifting through hundreds, if not thousands, of possible candidates.
A good resume writer has to have knowledge, experience, and above all great work which may leave you wondering where the heck you are going to find all that. Well wonder no more as there are three professional resume writers that standout from the rest and offer outstanding service and support and a great bang for your buck. The best three professional resume writers are:
1. ResumeWriters.com: ResumeWriters.com’s resume writers have over ten years of experience in every type of resume you can imagine. They were featured in a Time Magazine article and have hundreds of thousands of satisfied customers. They also belong to the Professional Association of Resume Writers as well as the Career Directors International so you known their writers are tip top. Their writers can handle any type of resume from student to government to professional, you name it, and their customer satisfaction rate is an outstanding 98 percent. Best of all, their service is backed with a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee which leads to a spot in the top three.
2. ResumeEdge: ResumeEdge has been writing resumes for many years now and has been in operation online for the past 11 years. There writers are some of the most well versed and professional writers that the resume writing business has to offer. All of the writers they have on staff have to pass rigorous training and they are members of the Better Business Bureau, the Professional Association of Resume Writers, and the Certified Professional Resume Writers. Just like ResumeWriters.com, ResumeEdge has many different samples that you can peruse to determine if you will like their style of writing or not. Add all that to the fact that they have plenty of sample resumes for you to view and it all adds up to ResumeEdge making the grade and landing in the top three.
3. Resumes Planet: Resumes Planet offers a wide range of resume writing services and has been doing the business of resume writing for many years now. They too offer 100 percent satisfaction guaranteed and even give you free interview tips with their service. On their website you will find many different sample resumes that you can view that will help you feel better about using them. Their biggest perk is that they do offer a 24 hour turnaround time if you need it and their customer support is 24/7 which safely lands them in the top three resume writers.
All three professional resume writer services offer a wide range of services so do your homework and check into each one thoroughly before you make your decision. But you will be hard pressed to find any other resume writers out there today that offer the service and support of these top three and by the way, their prices are very reasonable and among the best in the industry.
A good resume writer has to have knowledge, experience, and above all great work which may leave you wondering where the heck you are going to find all that. Well wonder no more as there are three professional resume writers that standout from the rest and offer outstanding service and support and a great bang for your buck. The best three professional resume writers are:
1. ResumeWriters.com: ResumeWriters.com’s resume writers have over ten years of experience in every type of resume you can imagine. They were featured in a Time Magazine article and have hundreds of thousands of satisfied customers. They also belong to the Professional Association of Resume Writers as well as the Career Directors International so you known their writers are tip top. Their writers can handle any type of resume from student to government to professional, you name it, and their customer satisfaction rate is an outstanding 98 percent. Best of all, their service is backed with a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee which leads to a spot in the top three.
2. ResumeEdge: ResumeEdge has been writing resumes for many years now and has been in operation online for the past 11 years. There writers are some of the most well versed and professional writers that the resume writing business has to offer. All of the writers they have on staff have to pass rigorous training and they are members of the Better Business Bureau, the Professional Association of Resume Writers, and the Certified Professional Resume Writers. Just like ResumeWriters.com, ResumeEdge has many different samples that you can peruse to determine if you will like their style of writing or not. Add all that to the fact that they have plenty of sample resumes for you to view and it all adds up to ResumeEdge making the grade and landing in the top three.
3. Resumes Planet: Resumes Planet offers a wide range of resume writing services and has been doing the business of resume writing for many years now. They too offer 100 percent satisfaction guaranteed and even give you free interview tips with their service. On their website you will find many different sample resumes that you can view that will help you feel better about using them. Their biggest perk is that they do offer a 24 hour turnaround time if you need it and their customer support is 24/7 which safely lands them in the top three resume writers.
All three professional resume writer services offer a wide range of services so do your homework and check into each one thoroughly before you make your decision. But you will be hard pressed to find any other resume writers out there today that offer the service and support of these top three and by the way, their prices are very reasonable and among the best in the industry.
Monday, September 21, 2009
What does a resume editing service do?
There’s been a lot of talk lately about resume editing services. It wasn’t so long ago when to most people editing a resume meant having a spouse or friend look over the document. But, in today’s competitive market it can be a good idea to turn to the professionals for resume editing. Resume editing services have a lot to offer and you can benefit tremendously from their services.
With over 3.5 million Americans sending out resumes every month, it is essential that you have a top-notch resume. Many companies specializing in resume writing also offer a resume editing service as well. And edit of your existing resume may be a more affordable way to ensure your resume stands out among the competition.
Resume editing services employ professional resume writers that have a good understanding of what makes a good resume. They are up to date with the current trends. Just as in the fashion world, resume styles can go out of fashion. Your resume may be overlooked by a hiring manager just based on an outdated template. Professional resume writers also know the current buzz words in each industry. They know what’s hot with hiring managers.
We often have a hard time selling ourselves. It can be hard to brag about ourselves to a stranger. Plus, we often sell ourselves short on our skills and accomplishments. A professional rewrite of your resume can transform it from a piece of paper listing your experiences to an attractive document highlighting your accomplishments.
There are some key areas that will be addressed in an edit of any resume:
• Proofreading & Editing. They will start with the basics – spelling, grammatical errors, and punctuation. An error of this nature can send your resume straight to the trash.
• Formatting. Potential employers may interpret your ability to organize information on how well it is presented in your resume. Professional writers employ the most advanced organization techniques to your resume.
• Structural Coherence. Your experience and accomplishments need to be presented in an orderly manner, so as to convey a natural professional evolution.
• Theme. Professionals will apply a theme to your resume based on your career objectives.
• Information. With a fresh perspective of your resume, professionals will be able to weed out information that lacks detail and replace it information that presents more meaning.
• Voice. It’s important that your resume be presented in a uniform, active voice.
• Keywords. Professionals know the popular keywords that need to be present on your resume.
You may think your resume is ok, and it may well be ok, but in today’s market you’ve got to make sure your resume stands out. Your resume may be the only way to get the attention of a hiring manager. By utilizing a professional resume editing service, you can ensure that your resume gets noticed.
There are several companies that offer resume editing. If you are on a budget, but searching for a way to jump start your job search, a professional edit of your resume could be the answer. Remember, these professionals deal with resumes all day. They know what works, what’s popular, and how to turn your resume into a marketing tool to advertise you and your experiences.
With over 3.5 million Americans sending out resumes every month, it is essential that you have a top-notch resume. Many companies specializing in resume writing also offer a resume editing service as well. And edit of your existing resume may be a more affordable way to ensure your resume stands out among the competition.
Resume editing services employ professional resume writers that have a good understanding of what makes a good resume. They are up to date with the current trends. Just as in the fashion world, resume styles can go out of fashion. Your resume may be overlooked by a hiring manager just based on an outdated template. Professional resume writers also know the current buzz words in each industry. They know what’s hot with hiring managers.
We often have a hard time selling ourselves. It can be hard to brag about ourselves to a stranger. Plus, we often sell ourselves short on our skills and accomplishments. A professional rewrite of your resume can transform it from a piece of paper listing your experiences to an attractive document highlighting your accomplishments.
There are some key areas that will be addressed in an edit of any resume:
• Proofreading & Editing. They will start with the basics – spelling, grammatical errors, and punctuation. An error of this nature can send your resume straight to the trash.
• Formatting. Potential employers may interpret your ability to organize information on how well it is presented in your resume. Professional writers employ the most advanced organization techniques to your resume.
• Structural Coherence. Your experience and accomplishments need to be presented in an orderly manner, so as to convey a natural professional evolution.
• Theme. Professionals will apply a theme to your resume based on your career objectives.
• Information. With a fresh perspective of your resume, professionals will be able to weed out information that lacks detail and replace it information that presents more meaning.
• Voice. It’s important that your resume be presented in a uniform, active voice.
• Keywords. Professionals know the popular keywords that need to be present on your resume.
You may think your resume is ok, and it may well be ok, but in today’s market you’ve got to make sure your resume stands out. Your resume may be the only way to get the attention of a hiring manager. By utilizing a professional resume editing service, you can ensure that your resume gets noticed.
There are several companies that offer resume editing. If you are on a budget, but searching for a way to jump start your job search, a professional edit of your resume could be the answer. Remember, these professionals deal with resumes all day. They know what works, what’s popular, and how to turn your resume into a marketing tool to advertise you and your experiences.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Job Search Tax Deductions
With so many Americans out of work or looking for a better job to make it these days, it’s important to note that some job search costs are tax deductible. In the IRS Publication 529, there is an entire section devoted to “Job Search Expenses”. Even if your job search doesn’t yield results, you can still claim the expenses on your taxes.
As with most things in life, there is a catch. The IRS has three major exclusions – so don’t go saving all those receipts quite yet.
1. You must be looking for a job in your current occupation. If you are looking to shift careers you will not be able to deduct your expenses.
2. Another deal breaker – if it’s there has been a “substantial” break since the end of your last job and the current search. The IRS doesn’t define substantial, so be sure to check out this detail with a tax advisor.
3. If you are looking for a first job, say fresh out of college, you do not qualify for this deduction.
If you are looking for a new position in your current field and there hasn’t been a substantial time lapse since your last job you’ll want to track all your expenses. You will be able to itemize your expenses on Schedule A on your next tax return. Here are some examples of job search related expenses:
• Resumes. If you are looking for a new job in your present occupation, all the money you spend on preparing and mailing out your resume is deductible. This includes if you pay to for a professional resume writing service or resume distribution service. Even though most applications are done online, if you choose to mail in your resume you can deduct the paper, envelopes, and even postage.
• Employment and outplacement agency fees. Again, if you are looking in your present occupation, you can deduct employment and outplacement agency fees – if you pay them yourself. If your employers reimburses you for these fees, you’ll have to add that to your gross income.
• Travel and transportation expenses. Be careful on this one, but if your job search, again in your present occupation, requires you to travel you may be able to deduct your expenses to and from the area. You need to be able to demonstrate that primary reason for the travel is to look for a new job and not personal. Even if you are looking for a new job in your present area you may be able to the mileage incurred during your search.
When in doubt, just save the receipt for every job search related expense. When you are ready to file your taxes, be sure to read the details regarding the deductions on Schedule A. You can find details on these deductions in Publication 529. If you have financially contributed quite a bit to your job search, it is probably worth consulting with a tax advisor regarding your qualifying deductions. Keep in mind the fees incurred in the cost of tax preparation software programs, tax publications, or tax advisors are deductible as well.
As with most things in life, there is a catch. The IRS has three major exclusions – so don’t go saving all those receipts quite yet.
1. You must be looking for a job in your current occupation. If you are looking to shift careers you will not be able to deduct your expenses.
2. Another deal breaker – if it’s there has been a “substantial” break since the end of your last job and the current search. The IRS doesn’t define substantial, so be sure to check out this detail with a tax advisor.
3. If you are looking for a first job, say fresh out of college, you do not qualify for this deduction.
If you are looking for a new position in your current field and there hasn’t been a substantial time lapse since your last job you’ll want to track all your expenses. You will be able to itemize your expenses on Schedule A on your next tax return. Here are some examples of job search related expenses:
• Resumes. If you are looking for a new job in your present occupation, all the money you spend on preparing and mailing out your resume is deductible. This includes if you pay to for a professional resume writing service or resume distribution service. Even though most applications are done online, if you choose to mail in your resume you can deduct the paper, envelopes, and even postage.
• Employment and outplacement agency fees. Again, if you are looking in your present occupation, you can deduct employment and outplacement agency fees – if you pay them yourself. If your employers reimburses you for these fees, you’ll have to add that to your gross income.
• Travel and transportation expenses. Be careful on this one, but if your job search, again in your present occupation, requires you to travel you may be able to deduct your expenses to and from the area. You need to be able to demonstrate that primary reason for the travel is to look for a new job and not personal. Even if you are looking for a new job in your present area you may be able to the mileage incurred during your search.
When in doubt, just save the receipt for every job search related expense. When you are ready to file your taxes, be sure to read the details regarding the deductions on Schedule A. You can find details on these deductions in Publication 529. If you have financially contributed quite a bit to your job search, it is probably worth consulting with a tax advisor regarding your qualifying deductions. Keep in mind the fees incurred in the cost of tax preparation software programs, tax publications, or tax advisors are deductible as well.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Don’t Lie on your Resume – but do Spin
Honesty is always the best policy and the same holds true when writing our resume and you should never flat out lie; but there are times when you should spin. You hear the term spin from the politicians that can take any situation and ‘spin’ it to become something totally different. While you may view a Governor drinking a beer at a bar as a bad thing, you may not feel that way, once a spin doctor gets a hold of the story and tells you that the Governor was simply out in an attempt to re-connect with the local blue collared workers of America. Same situation, different spin.
It is this art of spinning that can be used to help you at times on your resume. Here are some places on your resume where you never want to lie, but you may want to spin:
• Education: If you only completed three and a half years of college, put that down. It may be tempting to say that you did graduate, but these days it is very easy for potential employer to check. But you also don’t want to simply put that you didn’t graduate. Here is a perfect place to spin. Tell why you didn’t complete college. For example, ‘I left school early to take a position with XYZ corporation and am currently seeking information about online coursed that will help me to complete my schooling and obtain my degree.’ Same situation, just worded differently.
• Time gaps: This is especially for the former stay at home moms. It is very bad to leave large time gaps in your resume, but you never want to lie and say you worked when you really didn’t. At the same time you don’t want to just say you stayed at home to take care of your child; spin it. For example, ‘I took some time out of the private sector and devoted much of my time to volunteer work.’ This can be especially true as most stay at home moms do find themselves volunteering a great deal for the schools in which their children attend. This is a wonderful skill and when spun properly it can not only look good on a resume, but it will also fill that nasty time gap.
• Experience: Never lie about what you can and cannot do for an employer because the time may come when you are asked to perform what you said you could do and then you are stuck staring like a deer in the headlights. You should however, spin your work experience to be relevant to the job in which you are applying. If you are applying for a management position at a financial firm and you have managed before at a fast food restaurant, key in on the fact that you did mange others before, not necessarily who. For example, instead of saying you managed the fry section of your local greasy spoon, say, ‘At XYZ I was in charge of a four member team and oversaw their day to day activities to ensure proper productivity was taking place.’ Beats the heck out of saying you yelled at four guys to drop more baskets of fries.
Again, being honest is the best way to get a job and if you lie you are taking a big risk that you will get caught. Instead of telling outright lies on your resume, think like the politicians do and make sure that you are spinning your story in a way that will come off pleasing to anyone who reads it.
Read reviews of the best resume services.
It is this art of spinning that can be used to help you at times on your resume. Here are some places on your resume where you never want to lie, but you may want to spin:
• Education: If you only completed three and a half years of college, put that down. It may be tempting to say that you did graduate, but these days it is very easy for potential employer to check. But you also don’t want to simply put that you didn’t graduate. Here is a perfect place to spin. Tell why you didn’t complete college. For example, ‘I left school early to take a position with XYZ corporation and am currently seeking information about online coursed that will help me to complete my schooling and obtain my degree.’ Same situation, just worded differently.
• Time gaps: This is especially for the former stay at home moms. It is very bad to leave large time gaps in your resume, but you never want to lie and say you worked when you really didn’t. At the same time you don’t want to just say you stayed at home to take care of your child; spin it. For example, ‘I took some time out of the private sector and devoted much of my time to volunteer work.’ This can be especially true as most stay at home moms do find themselves volunteering a great deal for the schools in which their children attend. This is a wonderful skill and when spun properly it can not only look good on a resume, but it will also fill that nasty time gap.
• Experience: Never lie about what you can and cannot do for an employer because the time may come when you are asked to perform what you said you could do and then you are stuck staring like a deer in the headlights. You should however, spin your work experience to be relevant to the job in which you are applying. If you are applying for a management position at a financial firm and you have managed before at a fast food restaurant, key in on the fact that you did mange others before, not necessarily who. For example, instead of saying you managed the fry section of your local greasy spoon, say, ‘At XYZ I was in charge of a four member team and oversaw their day to day activities to ensure proper productivity was taking place.’ Beats the heck out of saying you yelled at four guys to drop more baskets of fries.
Again, being honest is the best way to get a job and if you lie you are taking a big risk that you will get caught. Instead of telling outright lies on your resume, think like the politicians do and make sure that you are spinning your story in a way that will come off pleasing to anyone who reads it.
Read reviews of the best resume services.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Resume Writing Tips for the Stay at Home Moms Re-entering the Workforce
Advise for Moms who want to get back to Work
Resume writing for women who are stay at home moms and are looking to re-enter the workforce can be a tricky deal. Being a stay at home mom is a wonderful thing and all women who decide to do that should be commended, but now comes the challenge of writing a solid resume so that you can get back to working on a full time basis. The main problem for all you stay at home moms is that now when you prepare your resume you will have a gap in employment. This does not look good but there are some things you can do that will help you fill in those gaps and be more likely to get an interview and eventually a job.
Here are some simple tips for preparing your stay at home mom resume:
• Don’t get cute: It may sound cute to put ‘Household CEO’ or ‘Professional kid taxi’ on your resume, but the fact is it may actually hurt you. This is contrary to a lot of opinions and there is no doubt that being a stay at home mom is indeed a full time job, but there are those who will not agree with your decision or wished they could have stayed at home like you did. What you may inadvertently do by getting cute is turn of the individual going over your resume. If that happens, you will never get an interview and obviously you won’t get the job you are after either.
• Look past your home life: Most stay at home moms don’t have much idle time on their hands, but when they do it is generally put it to good use. This can be done in the form of volunteering, continued education, or even some freelance part-time work. By highlighting this on your resume you show the potential employer that you were committed to using and maybe even sharpening your skills while you were not in the workforce full time. Volunteer work is especially great here as many volunteer jobs are more demanding than the jobs you will be applying for.
• Highlight past experience: If you worked before you decided to stay at home with the kids, then you should of course highlight that. You will naturally be putting on your resume anyway, but perhaps there was some way in which you stayed somewhat involved with your former profession. If so be sure to include it.
• Don’t leave the time gap blank: Whatever you do, don’t leave the time that you were at home blank on your resume. You may be the best stay at home mom ever, but the potential employer doesn’t know that, so do your best and make sure something goes down.
Remember, the entire point of a resume is to make it appealing enough to get the potential employer to call you in for an interview. Once you get your foot in the door, you can explain the time you spent at home however you see fit.
Tip: Get help with your resume by consulting with a professional resume service.
Resume writing for women who are stay at home moms and are looking to re-enter the workforce can be a tricky deal. Being a stay at home mom is a wonderful thing and all women who decide to do that should be commended, but now comes the challenge of writing a solid resume so that you can get back to working on a full time basis. The main problem for all you stay at home moms is that now when you prepare your resume you will have a gap in employment. This does not look good but there are some things you can do that will help you fill in those gaps and be more likely to get an interview and eventually a job.
Here are some simple tips for preparing your stay at home mom resume:
• Don’t get cute: It may sound cute to put ‘Household CEO’ or ‘Professional kid taxi’ on your resume, but the fact is it may actually hurt you. This is contrary to a lot of opinions and there is no doubt that being a stay at home mom is indeed a full time job, but there are those who will not agree with your decision or wished they could have stayed at home like you did. What you may inadvertently do by getting cute is turn of the individual going over your resume. If that happens, you will never get an interview and obviously you won’t get the job you are after either.
• Look past your home life: Most stay at home moms don’t have much idle time on their hands, but when they do it is generally put it to good use. This can be done in the form of volunteering, continued education, or even some freelance part-time work. By highlighting this on your resume you show the potential employer that you were committed to using and maybe even sharpening your skills while you were not in the workforce full time. Volunteer work is especially great here as many volunteer jobs are more demanding than the jobs you will be applying for.
• Highlight past experience: If you worked before you decided to stay at home with the kids, then you should of course highlight that. You will naturally be putting on your resume anyway, but perhaps there was some way in which you stayed somewhat involved with your former profession. If so be sure to include it.
• Don’t leave the time gap blank: Whatever you do, don’t leave the time that you were at home blank on your resume. You may be the best stay at home mom ever, but the potential employer doesn’t know that, so do your best and make sure something goes down.
Remember, the entire point of a resume is to make it appealing enough to get the potential employer to call you in for an interview. Once you get your foot in the door, you can explain the time you spent at home however you see fit.
Tip: Get help with your resume by consulting with a professional resume service.
Compare Resume Writers to Find the Best
Writing a resume is sometimes easier said than done and many times individuals finds themselves comparing resume writers in an attempt to find the best one for their situation. This is an extremely smart move as a solid resume is the key to winning the position you desire in today’s job market. So how do you ensure that you are getting the best bang for your buck and more importantly for your situation?
There are many things to consider when you compare resume writers and price should not be the first thing. Here are some of the considerations:
• Experience: First and foremost when choosing a resume writer you should consider their experience. A good resume writer will have many samples for you to view so that you are sure you will be happy with their service. If you find a resume writer that does not have many or any samples to show you then you should be wary as they are probably not the most experienced.
• Personal touch: Many resume services are online only. What this means is that you will not correspond with an actual person let alone the person that is writing your resume other than via e-mail. A good resume writer should not only provide you with their e-mail address, but there should also be a way for you to call and talk to the writer. It is after all, your resume and you should be allowed to have as much input as you like. Talking to the resume writer beforehand is also a good way to get a feel for how the writer will perform and allow you the opportunity to ask some questions. Think of it as the resume writer interviewing for you.
• Experience in your field: As there are many different types of jobs today, there is the need for many different types of resumes. A government resume is going to differ severely from that of a management resume. Make sure that when you are comparing resume writers that you are looking at how much experience they have in writing resumes for your particular field of expertise.
• Price: Last but certainly not least you should consider the price. With the advent of the Internet it will be very easy for you to search and find a number of good resume writers to compare. If you find several that offer everything you are looking for then of course it is in your best interest to go with the cheapest. A word of caution here; make sure you know what is included in the price. Many resume writers charge a base price and then charge you all sorts of ala carte services that you may have assumed were included; that is until you get the bill.
A good solid resume is the key to getting the job you desire. If you can’t write a solid resume yourself there is nothing to be ashamed of. Just as you have your professional skills, a resume writer has theirs. Knowing what to look for when comparing resume writers will not only save you some unwanted headaches, but will help you land the job of your dreams.
There are many things to consider when you compare resume writers and price should not be the first thing. Here are some of the considerations:
• Experience: First and foremost when choosing a resume writer you should consider their experience. A good resume writer will have many samples for you to view so that you are sure you will be happy with their service. If you find a resume writer that does not have many or any samples to show you then you should be wary as they are probably not the most experienced.
• Personal touch: Many resume services are online only. What this means is that you will not correspond with an actual person let alone the person that is writing your resume other than via e-mail. A good resume writer should not only provide you with their e-mail address, but there should also be a way for you to call and talk to the writer. It is after all, your resume and you should be allowed to have as much input as you like. Talking to the resume writer beforehand is also a good way to get a feel for how the writer will perform and allow you the opportunity to ask some questions. Think of it as the resume writer interviewing for you.
• Experience in your field: As there are many different types of jobs today, there is the need for many different types of resumes. A government resume is going to differ severely from that of a management resume. Make sure that when you are comparing resume writers that you are looking at how much experience they have in writing resumes for your particular field of expertise.
• Price: Last but certainly not least you should consider the price. With the advent of the Internet it will be very easy for you to search and find a number of good resume writers to compare. If you find several that offer everything you are looking for then of course it is in your best interest to go with the cheapest. A word of caution here; make sure you know what is included in the price. Many resume writers charge a base price and then charge you all sorts of ala carte services that you may have assumed were included; that is until you get the bill.
A good solid resume is the key to getting the job you desire. If you can’t write a solid resume yourself there is nothing to be ashamed of. Just as you have your professional skills, a resume writer has theirs. Knowing what to look for when comparing resume writers will not only save you some unwanted headaches, but will help you land the job of your dreams.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
SES Resume Writing – An Overview
What you need to know about Senior Executive Services Resumes
SES resume writing is an undertaking like no other. SES stands for Senior Executive Service and represents some of the top government jobs that are available. Requirements for obtaining an SES position are extremely strict and that being said, if your SES resume is not perfect you may not even get the chance to go up for review.
An SES resume has to be extremely well written but it should be noted that it also must be accompanied with certain documents. Along with your SES resume each SES position will also require an ECQ, or Executive Core Qualification and a PTQ, or Professional Technical Qualification to be filled out as well. These two additional documents along with your SES resume are going to be what sells you as the perfect candidate for the job. Again, if not written properly, you will crush your chances of getting reviewed.
When preparing to write your SES resume you should consider the following:
• Relevance: The SES position you are after will have certain qualifications that must be met in order for you to be considered. While many of your accomplishments may be of great stature, if they are not relevant to the position, leave them out. Only include relevant information that pertains to the SES position you are trying to get.
• Give more: This goes with the first point. Even if you think something is insignificant, if it is relevant to the SES position, put it down. Remember you are going after a very high profile job and simply writing a cookie cutter resume will not do you any good. With an SES resume you must be ready and willing to give more.
• Provide ALL information requested: Don’t deviate from the mean. Whatever the guidelines are for the specific SES position you are after, follow them to the letter. When it comes to an SES position you do not want to try to get creative and go off subject because this will end up costing you in the end.
• Admit defeat: Writing an SES resume is probably going to be the hardest thing you will ever do. If you think you can do it yourself and do it effectively then by all means have at it. If you find though that the process is not going along the way you would like then it is imperative that you seek the help of a professional SES resume writer. There is no shame in admitting this defeat. Just because you can’t write an SES resume doesn’t mean you are any less smart than the next person, in fact quite the contrary. You are only going to get one shot at the potential interview of a lifetime and you owe it to yourself to do whatever it takes to make that happen.
Just as with any other type of job an SES position requires a resume. This resume however is not like the ones you have written in the past or the one you learned to write in college. Again, make sure you have a firm grasp on the process of writing your SES resume and if not, find someone to help you so that your dream of obtaining an SES position doesn’t slip away.
SES resume writing is an undertaking like no other. SES stands for Senior Executive Service and represents some of the top government jobs that are available. Requirements for obtaining an SES position are extremely strict and that being said, if your SES resume is not perfect you may not even get the chance to go up for review.
An SES resume has to be extremely well written but it should be noted that it also must be accompanied with certain documents. Along with your SES resume each SES position will also require an ECQ, or Executive Core Qualification and a PTQ, or Professional Technical Qualification to be filled out as well. These two additional documents along with your SES resume are going to be what sells you as the perfect candidate for the job. Again, if not written properly, you will crush your chances of getting reviewed.
When preparing to write your SES resume you should consider the following:
• Relevance: The SES position you are after will have certain qualifications that must be met in order for you to be considered. While many of your accomplishments may be of great stature, if they are not relevant to the position, leave them out. Only include relevant information that pertains to the SES position you are trying to get.
• Give more: This goes with the first point. Even if you think something is insignificant, if it is relevant to the SES position, put it down. Remember you are going after a very high profile job and simply writing a cookie cutter resume will not do you any good. With an SES resume you must be ready and willing to give more.
• Provide ALL information requested: Don’t deviate from the mean. Whatever the guidelines are for the specific SES position you are after, follow them to the letter. When it comes to an SES position you do not want to try to get creative and go off subject because this will end up costing you in the end.
• Admit defeat: Writing an SES resume is probably going to be the hardest thing you will ever do. If you think you can do it yourself and do it effectively then by all means have at it. If you find though that the process is not going along the way you would like then it is imperative that you seek the help of a professional SES resume writer. There is no shame in admitting this defeat. Just because you can’t write an SES resume doesn’t mean you are any less smart than the next person, in fact quite the contrary. You are only going to get one shot at the potential interview of a lifetime and you owe it to yourself to do whatever it takes to make that happen.
Just as with any other type of job an SES position requires a resume. This resume however is not like the ones you have written in the past or the one you learned to write in college. Again, make sure you have a firm grasp on the process of writing your SES resume and if not, find someone to help you so that your dream of obtaining an SES position doesn’t slip away.
Successful ECQ Writing
If you are trying to land a Senior Executive Service, or SES job with the federal government, a vital part of that process is the need for successful ECQ writing. ECQ stands for Executive Core Qualifications and consist of five parts. These ECQs must be filled out and turned in with your SES application.
The ECQs give the federal hiring recruiters a better idea of whether or not an applicant has the competencies and characteristics that they are looking for. In other words, ECQs that are well written can give you an advantage over other applicants. If your ECQs stand out from the crowd, you will have a better chance of landing the job, but on the flip side, if not prepared correctly, your application may wind up on the bottom of the pile.
The five main ECQs are as follows:
• ECQ 1: Leading Change
• ECQ 2: Leading People
• ECQ 3: Results Driven
• ECQ 4: Business Acumen
• ECQ 5: Building Coalitions
Theses ECQs should be one to one and a half pages in length and should be clear, concise, and contain specific examples of your abilities in each one. When preparing your ECQs it is not only important to come off sounding professional but also to come off sounding like the statements are coming from your own voice. As obvious as it may seem, it is imperative that your ECQs be both grammatically correct and contain no spelling errors.
The approach to use in successful ECQ writing is called CCAR. This stands for Challenge, Context Action, and Result and is broken down as follows:
• Challenge: Here is where you can describe a specific challenge, problem, or goal.
• Context: Describe who you worked with and the environment of that work when taking on the challenge.
• Action: Go into the specific actions you took when taking on the challenge you described.
• Result: Give the exact outcome of your actions with the challenge you described. This will show how effectively you can accomplish tasks and what your leadership ability is.
While there is no set time frame when it comes to successful ECQ writing, it should be noted that if not executed properly, the federal employer is simply going to look you over and move on to the next applicant. Many individuals that do decide to tackle this monumental task on their own will find themselves spending three or more hours on each ECQ constantly writing and editing and so on. It is for this reason that many choose to hire a professional ECQ writer. Hiring an ECQ writer will not only ensure that your ECQ writing is successful, but these individuals also know the latest trends that the federal employers are looking for.
When it comes to the federal government, only those that have successful ECQ writing skills will be considered for the position. Remember, you are going after an SES job, which is the cream of the crop, so which ever method you choose, be sure that your ECQs are prepared the right way using the CCAR format so that you can maximize your chances of landing your dream federal job.
The ECQs give the federal hiring recruiters a better idea of whether or not an applicant has the competencies and characteristics that they are looking for. In other words, ECQs that are well written can give you an advantage over other applicants. If your ECQs stand out from the crowd, you will have a better chance of landing the job, but on the flip side, if not prepared correctly, your application may wind up on the bottom of the pile.
The five main ECQs are as follows:
• ECQ 1: Leading Change
• ECQ 2: Leading People
• ECQ 3: Results Driven
• ECQ 4: Business Acumen
• ECQ 5: Building Coalitions
Theses ECQs should be one to one and a half pages in length and should be clear, concise, and contain specific examples of your abilities in each one. When preparing your ECQs it is not only important to come off sounding professional but also to come off sounding like the statements are coming from your own voice. As obvious as it may seem, it is imperative that your ECQs be both grammatically correct and contain no spelling errors.
The approach to use in successful ECQ writing is called CCAR. This stands for Challenge, Context Action, and Result and is broken down as follows:
• Challenge: Here is where you can describe a specific challenge, problem, or goal.
• Context: Describe who you worked with and the environment of that work when taking on the challenge.
• Action: Go into the specific actions you took when taking on the challenge you described.
• Result: Give the exact outcome of your actions with the challenge you described. This will show how effectively you can accomplish tasks and what your leadership ability is.
While there is no set time frame when it comes to successful ECQ writing, it should be noted that if not executed properly, the federal employer is simply going to look you over and move on to the next applicant. Many individuals that do decide to tackle this monumental task on their own will find themselves spending three or more hours on each ECQ constantly writing and editing and so on. It is for this reason that many choose to hire a professional ECQ writer. Hiring an ECQ writer will not only ensure that your ECQ writing is successful, but these individuals also know the latest trends that the federal employers are looking for.
When it comes to the federal government, only those that have successful ECQ writing skills will be considered for the position. Remember, you are going after an SES job, which is the cream of the crop, so which ever method you choose, be sure that your ECQs are prepared the right way using the CCAR format so that you can maximize your chances of landing your dream federal job.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Are Paper Resumes still needed?
These days everything has gone digital including resumes, which begs the question, is a paper resume still needed? There are many sites online now that you can go to and upload a digital version of your resume and more employers than ever before will have access to it. While the digital revolution is indeed a great one, there are still times where having the old standby of a paper resume is handy indeed.
Here are some times when you will find having a paper resume to your advantage:
• Beating the streets: Yes this is the old fashion way of job hunting. The idea here is to print out a dozen or so copies of your resume in paper form and hit the road. Whatever job it is you are trying to get, like insurance sales for example, will get a resume from you and if you don’t get a job the first day out you will try handing out another dozen paper resumes the next day. Eventually you will land a job. This type of tenacity is rare indeed these days, but you should never underestimate the power of a good personal introduction.
• Faxing potential employers: There are many job opportunities that want you to do nothing more than fax them a resume and then they will contact you if they are interested. It is true that there are programs now that will digitally fax a copy of your resume to the potential employer for you, but many people don’t have this software in which case it is easier to make a paper copy and fax it over and over again.
• Networking: When you are looking for a job you should be talking to everyone about it and not just your friends and family. You never know who could be out there waiting to hire someone just like you. If you do happen to meet someone who is interested in your services what are you going to do, tell them to check out your resume online? It can never hurt you, but it may help you to have a few paper resumes handy wherever it is you are going. Print them out and put them in a folder and leave that folder in your car. If need be you can excuse yourself just long enough to fetch a paper resume.
• At an interview: If you are being interviewed for a job then chances are that the interviewer has already looked over your resume, but what if they want a copy from you? It is better to have one ready and the interviewer not ask for it then it is to not have one ready and have the interviewer want it. Taking your paper resume with you ensures that you are covered.
Having paper resumes with you is no guarantee that you will find a job, but look at it this way; it can’t hurt. When you are trying to secure the job of your dreams it is always best to be prepared, even if you are a little over-prepared.
Compare resume services at JobGoRound.com.
Here are some times when you will find having a paper resume to your advantage:
• Beating the streets: Yes this is the old fashion way of job hunting. The idea here is to print out a dozen or so copies of your resume in paper form and hit the road. Whatever job it is you are trying to get, like insurance sales for example, will get a resume from you and if you don’t get a job the first day out you will try handing out another dozen paper resumes the next day. Eventually you will land a job. This type of tenacity is rare indeed these days, but you should never underestimate the power of a good personal introduction.
• Faxing potential employers: There are many job opportunities that want you to do nothing more than fax them a resume and then they will contact you if they are interested. It is true that there are programs now that will digitally fax a copy of your resume to the potential employer for you, but many people don’t have this software in which case it is easier to make a paper copy and fax it over and over again.
• Networking: When you are looking for a job you should be talking to everyone about it and not just your friends and family. You never know who could be out there waiting to hire someone just like you. If you do happen to meet someone who is interested in your services what are you going to do, tell them to check out your resume online? It can never hurt you, but it may help you to have a few paper resumes handy wherever it is you are going. Print them out and put them in a folder and leave that folder in your car. If need be you can excuse yourself just long enough to fetch a paper resume.
• At an interview: If you are being interviewed for a job then chances are that the interviewer has already looked over your resume, but what if they want a copy from you? It is better to have one ready and the interviewer not ask for it then it is to not have one ready and have the interviewer want it. Taking your paper resume with you ensures that you are covered.
Having paper resumes with you is no guarantee that you will find a job, but look at it this way; it can’t hurt. When you are trying to secure the job of your dreams it is always best to be prepared, even if you are a little over-prepared.
Compare resume services at JobGoRound.com.
5 Overused Resume Phrases
In your quest to find the ultimate job you have been told to keep your resume up to date and as interesting as possible, but have you ever been told that there are certain resume phrases to avoid all together? The reason is simple. If you are applying for a job that many others are applying for as well and you use phrases in your resume that are in everyone else’s resume as well, then the chances of you standing out from the crowd and thus becoming the frontrunner for the position you are after are going to be slim to none.
With the job market the way it is now and many people vying for the same job, it is more important than ever to make sure that not only is your resume up to date, but original and absent of overused resume phrases. Here are five overused resume phrase to avoid and how to re-word them:
1. Track record of success: Re-word as, ‘Consistently surpassed sales goals each and every year by more than 7 percent.’ Here you are saying the same thing only you are citing a specific example of why you are so successful.
2. Go-to person: Re-word as, ‘Selected by division manager on a consistent basis to head up special assignments.’ Again you are giving specific examples of why you are always the go-to guy instead of just stating that you are.
3. Team Player: Re-word as, ‘Strong commitment to a team environment with the ability to follow leadership directives if necessary.’ This shows that you can contribute, but that you can also follow directions if need be. Don’t use the word team player, unless you are talking about the Yankees.
4. Spoke with customers on a daily basis: Re-word as, ‘Interacted with clientele on a regular basis to create repeat business and referrals.’ You can add a specific number to that if you like but again you are getting a bit more specific. Saying it the first way is like, duh, of course you spoke to customers at your last job, that was your job.
5. Partnered with others: Re-word as, ‘Ability to work with a multitude of other from various departments in order to collaborate and implement new sales strategies and techniques.’ This shows that you not only play nice with others, but that you can be productive while doing so.
Always remember that your resume is your one and only tool to sell yourself enough to open the door to your dream job. Once you get the interview it is a different story, but you will never get that interview if you don’t know what resume phrases to avoid using. Put yourself in the interviewer shoes. Would you want to hire someone who stands out from the rest of the resumes and thus looks more like an individual who could possibly lead, or would you want to hire someone who says and acts like everyone else and reminds you of a single sheep in a massive herd? Don’t be a sheep, because sheep are followers and often times get lead to their own slaughter.
Read reviews of the top professional resume services.
With the job market the way it is now and many people vying for the same job, it is more important than ever to make sure that not only is your resume up to date, but original and absent of overused resume phrases. Here are five overused resume phrase to avoid and how to re-word them:
1. Track record of success: Re-word as, ‘Consistently surpassed sales goals each and every year by more than 7 percent.’ Here you are saying the same thing only you are citing a specific example of why you are so successful.
2. Go-to person: Re-word as, ‘Selected by division manager on a consistent basis to head up special assignments.’ Again you are giving specific examples of why you are always the go-to guy instead of just stating that you are.
3. Team Player: Re-word as, ‘Strong commitment to a team environment with the ability to follow leadership directives if necessary.’ This shows that you can contribute, but that you can also follow directions if need be. Don’t use the word team player, unless you are talking about the Yankees.
4. Spoke with customers on a daily basis: Re-word as, ‘Interacted with clientele on a regular basis to create repeat business and referrals.’ You can add a specific number to that if you like but again you are getting a bit more specific. Saying it the first way is like, duh, of course you spoke to customers at your last job, that was your job.
5. Partnered with others: Re-word as, ‘Ability to work with a multitude of other from various departments in order to collaborate and implement new sales strategies and techniques.’ This shows that you not only play nice with others, but that you can be productive while doing so.
Always remember that your resume is your one and only tool to sell yourself enough to open the door to your dream job. Once you get the interview it is a different story, but you will never get that interview if you don’t know what resume phrases to avoid using. Put yourself in the interviewer shoes. Would you want to hire someone who stands out from the rest of the resumes and thus looks more like an individual who could possibly lead, or would you want to hire someone who says and acts like everyone else and reminds you of a single sheep in a massive herd? Don’t be a sheep, because sheep are followers and often times get lead to their own slaughter.
Read reviews of the top professional resume services.
Monday, September 7, 2009
How to Build a Great Reference List
Knowing how to build a great reference list can literally make or break you when trying to find the job of your dreams. With a carefully crafted reference list you will not only look good to the prospective employer, but you will be letting others sell you too.
A good reference list should have the person’s full name, business they are associated with, address, phone numbers, and e-mail. More than that though you need to know how to build your reference list so that it helps you to stand out from the rest of the crowd. Here are some ways to make sure that your reference list is a great one:
• Get permission: Whoever it is you are planning on using as a reference make sure and call them first and ask them if it is alright for you to use their name. Make sure they will be comfortable with speaking on your behalf. The last thing you want to do is to surprise someone with the fact that you used them as a reference as this could lead to a less than glowing recommendation.
• Choose in a relevant manner: Be sure that the references you are putting down have some sort of relevancy to the job in which you are applying for. For example, if you are trying to get a management position, you will want to put down someone you have managed in the past as well as your previous boss. This way a prospective employer can see that you not only followed orders well, but were also able to dole out authority too.
• Tell the truth: Don’t try to use your friend’s name and fabricate a false company or title just to make yourself look bigger than you are. This can only lead to disaster. The bottom line is, you are either qualified for a position or you are not qualified for a position.
• Small world, huh: You never know who knows who these days so be sure that your references are going to tell the truth about you and their experience with you. You don’t want a reference to say that you worked well with Bob Smith when you really didn’t and then have the prospective employer say, ‘Oh, I know Bob, small world.’ If that happens, Bob will probably get a phone call and you will probably be looking elsewhere for employment.
• Make it ultra easy: Make getting a hold of your references super easy for the prospective employer. Along with all the contact info, maybe include a time of day that it is best to call that specific reference. Nothing is more agitating to a prospective employer than having to chase down your references.
• Don’t use family: Of course your mom and uncle think you would be perfect for the job you are applying for, but unless you actually worked for them in the past don’t use them as a reference. Stick to business related references as this looks much more professional.
In today’s tough job environment you need all the help you can get. When you build a great reference list you not only increase your chances of setting yourself apart for the rest of the applicants, but you increase your chances of landing the job of your dreams by having others sell you too.
Read more career advice articles at JobGoRound.com.
A good reference list should have the person’s full name, business they are associated with, address, phone numbers, and e-mail. More than that though you need to know how to build your reference list so that it helps you to stand out from the rest of the crowd. Here are some ways to make sure that your reference list is a great one:
• Get permission: Whoever it is you are planning on using as a reference make sure and call them first and ask them if it is alright for you to use their name. Make sure they will be comfortable with speaking on your behalf. The last thing you want to do is to surprise someone with the fact that you used them as a reference as this could lead to a less than glowing recommendation.
• Choose in a relevant manner: Be sure that the references you are putting down have some sort of relevancy to the job in which you are applying for. For example, if you are trying to get a management position, you will want to put down someone you have managed in the past as well as your previous boss. This way a prospective employer can see that you not only followed orders well, but were also able to dole out authority too.
• Tell the truth: Don’t try to use your friend’s name and fabricate a false company or title just to make yourself look bigger than you are. This can only lead to disaster. The bottom line is, you are either qualified for a position or you are not qualified for a position.
• Small world, huh: You never know who knows who these days so be sure that your references are going to tell the truth about you and their experience with you. You don’t want a reference to say that you worked well with Bob Smith when you really didn’t and then have the prospective employer say, ‘Oh, I know Bob, small world.’ If that happens, Bob will probably get a phone call and you will probably be looking elsewhere for employment.
• Make it ultra easy: Make getting a hold of your references super easy for the prospective employer. Along with all the contact info, maybe include a time of day that it is best to call that specific reference. Nothing is more agitating to a prospective employer than having to chase down your references.
• Don’t use family: Of course your mom and uncle think you would be perfect for the job you are applying for, but unless you actually worked for them in the past don’t use them as a reference. Stick to business related references as this looks much more professional.
In today’s tough job environment you need all the help you can get. When you build a great reference list you not only increase your chances of setting yourself apart for the rest of the applicants, but you increase your chances of landing the job of your dreams by having others sell you too.
Read more career advice articles at JobGoRound.com.
Do I Need a Career Coach?
In such a shaky economic time when the job market is faltering and competition is at its highest, you may be asking yourself, ‘Do I need a career coach?’ A career coach is a person who has been there and done that and then some. They often come from a human resources background and have been around the corporate block a time or two. They can offer you a great insight into what the job market is looking for and more importantly can give you a great insight into yourself.
Career coaches can help you in more than just finding a new job. Many career coaches are experts in helping you to assess what needs to be done in order to further your career right where you are. This of course is going to cost you money and you may be waffling on whether or not hiring one is really worth it. So when do you know if you need one or not?
Look over the following examples and see if any apply to you. If you are finding yourself saying yes to any number of these examples then you may need to consider a career coach:
• Disharmony in the workplace: Do you hate your boss or does your boss hate you? This type of disharmony is counterproductive for all involved.
• Feeling of instability: Do fear getting that dreaded pink slip on a daily basis? Living in constant uncertainty can lead to a whole host of other problems.
• Underpaid: Are you being paid significantly less than those that are in your area of expertise? Don’t settle for less than you are worth.
• Overlooked: Have you just been overlooked for a promotion only to see it go to someone you feel is less deserving than you? What do you need to do to stand out at work?
• Lay off: Have you recently been laid off and have no clue where to go from here? This can be especially tough if you are up in age and are lacking self confidence.
• Business start-up: Do you want to start your own business but have no idea how to go about that? Before you quit your nine to five to start your business you have to consider many factors.
• Emotional distress: Does your stomach constantly hurt when you think about going into work? Are you taking out your work frustrations on your family? No amount of money is worth your health or losing your family over.
• Progress stalled: Has your progress in looking for a new job or excelling at your existing one stalled? You have to know where to look and what to do in order to be successful.
If any of these scenarios described you then you may be in need of a career coach. Do you need one? No. Plenty of people have successful careers without them, but many others find that there is nothing better to help get their lives back on track. Many people are reluctant to go with a career coach because of the cost, but you have to think about a career coach as an investment in yourself and your future. The cost can be well worth it if the career coach can help you to once again believe in yourself and can help you to succeed in a cut throat job market or excel right where you are.
List of the top online job search sites.
Career coaches can help you in more than just finding a new job. Many career coaches are experts in helping you to assess what needs to be done in order to further your career right where you are. This of course is going to cost you money and you may be waffling on whether or not hiring one is really worth it. So when do you know if you need one or not?
Look over the following examples and see if any apply to you. If you are finding yourself saying yes to any number of these examples then you may need to consider a career coach:
• Disharmony in the workplace: Do you hate your boss or does your boss hate you? This type of disharmony is counterproductive for all involved.
• Feeling of instability: Do fear getting that dreaded pink slip on a daily basis? Living in constant uncertainty can lead to a whole host of other problems.
• Underpaid: Are you being paid significantly less than those that are in your area of expertise? Don’t settle for less than you are worth.
• Overlooked: Have you just been overlooked for a promotion only to see it go to someone you feel is less deserving than you? What do you need to do to stand out at work?
• Lay off: Have you recently been laid off and have no clue where to go from here? This can be especially tough if you are up in age and are lacking self confidence.
• Business start-up: Do you want to start your own business but have no idea how to go about that? Before you quit your nine to five to start your business you have to consider many factors.
• Emotional distress: Does your stomach constantly hurt when you think about going into work? Are you taking out your work frustrations on your family? No amount of money is worth your health or losing your family over.
• Progress stalled: Has your progress in looking for a new job or excelling at your existing one stalled? You have to know where to look and what to do in order to be successful.
If any of these scenarios described you then you may be in need of a career coach. Do you need one? No. Plenty of people have successful careers without them, but many others find that there is nothing better to help get their lives back on track. Many people are reluctant to go with a career coach because of the cost, but you have to think about a career coach as an investment in yourself and your future. The cost can be well worth it if the career coach can help you to once again believe in yourself and can help you to succeed in a cut throat job market or excel right where you are.
List of the top online job search sites.
Resume Service Ratings
If you’re thinking of using a resume service, you may feel a little uneasy about it. You send off a big chunk of money and are nervous about what you’ll get in return. If you feel your resume is in good condition, your fear is for a couple hundred dollars you get a “your resume looks great – not much we can do to improve upon it”. But, based off customer reviews of resume writing services, you may be surprised with the result.
Customers are overwhelmingly satisfied with their experiences with resume services. If you read testimonials on the website of the company, it’s not surprising to find glowing reviews. But, there are objective websites out there that compare resume services and allow customers to leave independent feedback.
If you are considering using a resume service, I highly recommend taking advantage of independent review sites. You can find them easily by googling “resume service ratings” or “resume service reviews”. There are a handful of sites that provide user feedback for you to review.
These review sites are also a valuable tool because they have already done the research to find companies offering quality resume services. This can be a real time saver for you – visit a few sites and you’ll have direct links to the top resume services. Additional information may also be presented such as costs, turn around time, and specialties, if any.
Whichever service you choose, be sure to find out if they employ certified professional resume writers (CPRW). Most review sites only list companies that use CPRWs. To be a certified professional resume writer, individuals must pass an exam to demonstrate their expertise in resume writing, proofreading, career trends, and employment issues. Certifications are issued by Professional Association of Resume Writers & Career Coaches. You can visit their website to find certified resume writers as well.
There are a few other ways to do some research on a company as well. Try googling the company name to see what comes up. Occasionally, you can find a blog describing a person’s experience with that particular company. You can also check with the Better Business Bureau. Some companies are accredited or members of the BBB. Businesses that apply to the BBB commit to abide by a set of ethical standards and have undergone a detailed review process. Even if a company is not registered with the BBB, customers may still file complaints. It’s always a good idea to do a quick check to make sure the company you’ve selected hasn’t received numerous complaints to the Better Business Bureau.
Spending a little time researching a resume writing service can help put your mind at ease and result in a high quality new resume for yourself. Most people forget to leave positive reviews of companies – we tend only to want to express our opinion when we are upset. If you are satisfied with the product you received leave a review so that future customers will feel more confident in their search for a resume service.
Customers are overwhelmingly satisfied with their experiences with resume services. If you read testimonials on the website of the company, it’s not surprising to find glowing reviews. But, there are objective websites out there that compare resume services and allow customers to leave independent feedback.
If you are considering using a resume service, I highly recommend taking advantage of independent review sites. You can find them easily by googling “resume service ratings” or “resume service reviews”. There are a handful of sites that provide user feedback for you to review.
These review sites are also a valuable tool because they have already done the research to find companies offering quality resume services. This can be a real time saver for you – visit a few sites and you’ll have direct links to the top resume services. Additional information may also be presented such as costs, turn around time, and specialties, if any.
Whichever service you choose, be sure to find out if they employ certified professional resume writers (CPRW). Most review sites only list companies that use CPRWs. To be a certified professional resume writer, individuals must pass an exam to demonstrate their expertise in resume writing, proofreading, career trends, and employment issues. Certifications are issued by Professional Association of Resume Writers & Career Coaches. You can visit their website to find certified resume writers as well.
There are a few other ways to do some research on a company as well. Try googling the company name to see what comes up. Occasionally, you can find a blog describing a person’s experience with that particular company. You can also check with the Better Business Bureau. Some companies are accredited or members of the BBB. Businesses that apply to the BBB commit to abide by a set of ethical standards and have undergone a detailed review process. Even if a company is not registered with the BBB, customers may still file complaints. It’s always a good idea to do a quick check to make sure the company you’ve selected hasn’t received numerous complaints to the Better Business Bureau.
Spending a little time researching a resume writing service can help put your mind at ease and result in a high quality new resume for yourself. Most people forget to leave positive reviews of companies – we tend only to want to express our opinion when we are upset. If you are satisfied with the product you received leave a review so that future customers will feel more confident in their search for a resume service.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Reasons to Use a Resume Service
With current economic conditions, it may seem wasteful to spend the money on a resume service, but in this competitive market this is exactly the time you should spring for the service. Many companies are receiving hundreds of resumes for each open position. A majority of recruiters spend less than three minutes reviewing a resume. Does your resume have what it takes to get noticed?
Your resume is not just a list of your experiences; it is a document advertising you and your accomplishments. Companies spend thousands of dollars on advertising campaigns. They do market research, conduct focus groups, and pitch several different ideas – all to get your attention. Your resume is your only way to get the attention of a hiring manager.
There are the obvious changes that can be made to your resume. If you have a simple typo or grammatical error, your resume could be tossed aside no matter how relevant your experience. But, this is something you can edit on your own. A good resume writing service offers more than just proofreading.
Resume writers do just that – they write resumes, every day. It can be easy for most individuals to find a resume format they like and stick with that format for years. A resume writer sees all different kinds of formats and styles and can transform your resume in ways that highlight your key points. Think of yourself on the receiving end of resumes – wouldn’t you be tired of seeing the same old bulleted list of job descriptions? A professional resume writer knows how to make your resume visually stand out.
Resume writers know what recruiters want, and just as important what they don’t want to see on resumes. Professionals know what keywords and buzzwords need to be present for your resume to stand out. Many recruiters search resumes online and will only find your resume if certain keywords are present. Since resume writers are always working with resumes they know the latest trends and techniques that recruiters are using. They attend conferences and participate in webinars, so their skills set is always improving.
Many people become attached to certain details on their resume. There may be some parts that should not be included, but they are so important to the individual that they have a tough time deleting them. Having a resume writer work on your resume will help it to be more objective. After talking with you about your experiences, there may be other skills that they will highlight on your resume. As individuals we tend to down play several of our best abilities.
How much money have you spent on education and training? What good is all that work if you don’t have a resume that presents all that experience in the best light? Resume writing services range anywhere from $50 up to $1000. While this may seem like a lot of money, think of it as an investment in your future income. The first step in landing that new job is getting a call for an interview and the only way that will happen is with a good resume that gets noticed.
Compare the best professional resume services at JobGoRound.com.
Your resume is not just a list of your experiences; it is a document advertising you and your accomplishments. Companies spend thousands of dollars on advertising campaigns. They do market research, conduct focus groups, and pitch several different ideas – all to get your attention. Your resume is your only way to get the attention of a hiring manager.
There are the obvious changes that can be made to your resume. If you have a simple typo or grammatical error, your resume could be tossed aside no matter how relevant your experience. But, this is something you can edit on your own. A good resume writing service offers more than just proofreading.
Resume writers do just that – they write resumes, every day. It can be easy for most individuals to find a resume format they like and stick with that format for years. A resume writer sees all different kinds of formats and styles and can transform your resume in ways that highlight your key points. Think of yourself on the receiving end of resumes – wouldn’t you be tired of seeing the same old bulleted list of job descriptions? A professional resume writer knows how to make your resume visually stand out.
Resume writers know what recruiters want, and just as important what they don’t want to see on resumes. Professionals know what keywords and buzzwords need to be present for your resume to stand out. Many recruiters search resumes online and will only find your resume if certain keywords are present. Since resume writers are always working with resumes they know the latest trends and techniques that recruiters are using. They attend conferences and participate in webinars, so their skills set is always improving.
Many people become attached to certain details on their resume. There may be some parts that should not be included, but they are so important to the individual that they have a tough time deleting them. Having a resume writer work on your resume will help it to be more objective. After talking with you about your experiences, there may be other skills that they will highlight on your resume. As individuals we tend to down play several of our best abilities.
How much money have you spent on education and training? What good is all that work if you don’t have a resume that presents all that experience in the best light? Resume writing services range anywhere from $50 up to $1000. While this may seem like a lot of money, think of it as an investment in your future income. The first step in landing that new job is getting a call for an interview and the only way that will happen is with a good resume that gets noticed.
Compare the best professional resume services at JobGoRound.com.
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