Are Resume Distribution Services a Rip-off?

When you are looking for a job the last thing you want to be doing is going to all the different job posting boards that you can find and entering in your personal information again and again followed by posting your resume and because of that many people are now choosing to go with a resume distribution service. The purpose of a resume service is to distribute your resume to as many potential employers as possible saving you time, but are resume services worth their salt or are they just a big rip-off?

Resume distribution services can be a blessing or a rip-off and the answer really depends on the resume distribution service you are going with. There are so many to choose from that the task of finding a good resume service versus one that wants to just take your money can be daunting at times. Here are some ways to help you decide if the company is a rip-off or legit:

• Where they post: Many resume distribution services will claim to post your resume to thousands of employers that are ready to hire now. The problem is that many of these employers are getting so bombarded with resumes from bunk services like these that they never even open the resume and you never even get seen. Also, these types of companies typically blast out your resume to thousands of jobs that are not even relevant to your work history. Look for companies that offer you a choice of where to have your resume sent or at least what business sectors to have it sent out to.
• Are they accredited: Look for signs of accreditation such as the Better Business Bureau, or BBB, and if you want to be sure that they are on the up and up you can check with the BBB to see if any complaints have ever been filed.
• Beware the price trap: The old saying is that you get what you pay for. Many resume distribution services will charge you just a little bit of money and do very little to no work. If something is not effective does it really matter how cheap it is? While it is not necessary to go with the most expensive service you should stay away from the rock bottom priced ones as well. Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, that is probably because it is.
• Multiple levels of service: They are only supposed to be distributing your resume so why the different price levels? Stay far away from the services that offer you a great deal at one price, but an even better deal at a higher price. These companies are simply out to rip you off.
• How often they post: This can only be found out by asking, but you need to know how often they post. Is it a one shot deal or do they constantly keep getting your resume in the hands of potential employers?

While posting your resume to multiple job boards does take time and is easier accomplished by hiring a resume distribution service, if you have a bad one you are doing yourself no good. Don’t let these rip-off companies waste your time, instead look for one that is reputable and will get you the results you are after.