Do You Need A Professional Resume?

1. Do You Need A Professional Resume? If you have to ask, the answer is probably “YES”. A job search can be the ultimate emotional roller coaster. You find an advertisement that fits your qualifications perfectly. You respond immediately, attaching your resume to a lovingly crafted cover letter, and deliver it by hand. You tell yourself to keep your expectations under control, but you’re still checking your phone every few minutes, sure that they have to see how right you are until days go by, hope fades, and you accept that you weren’t even noticed. You’re left wondering if there’s something wrong with you, or if anyone ever read the application that represented your hopes and dreams. If you’ve been in that position, there’s a good chance that you’re right: nobody ever really read your application. In today’s market, good jobs with reputable employers draw hundreds of applicants in days, sometimes in hours. To get that precious interview everything has to be exactly right. If you’re not getting there, it doesn’t mean there’s something wrong with you, but it’s very likely that there’s something wrong with your resume. Your resume is the public face of your job search, and a less than perfect effort can knock you out of contention before you’re even in the picture. Many large employers now use automated Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to screen and select those most likely to meet company criteria. If your resume isn’t optimized for ATS, human eyes may never see it. If your application gets past the ATS and reaches a recruiter, studies indicate that it has exactly six seconds to make an impression. That’s how long an average HR professional takes to decide whether you’re worth a second look. If you’re applying for jobs that suit your credentials and experience but not getting called for interviews, your resume needs attention. The Professional Advantage Why not just do it yourself? You’d save money, and after all, who knows you and your abilities better than you do? That’s an easy question to ask, but it can lead you to a bad decision. There are good reasons for any applicant to hire a professional resume writer. One important reality is that most of us are not professional writers. Are you absolutely confident in your mastery of grammar, spelling, word choice and sentence structure? Try this test: write up a sample resume page and run it through Word’s spelling and grammar checker. If you see more than a few phrases underlined, you need a pro.

2. Even if you’re a skilled writer witha marketing background, you’ll be surprised at how good a professional resume writer can make you look. “An experienced pair of outside eyes gives a perspective that few people have when looking at themselves,” commented one professional working at Resumeble.com, a leading resume preparation firm. “Most of us are taught from an early age to avoid promoting ourselves and highlighting our own abilities, but that’s exactly what a resume needs to do. It’s always easier to sell someone else than it is to sell yourself.” Resume writers often mention the “humble brag”, a phrase that sums up the narrow line between confidence and arrogance. The best resumes highlight skills, motivation, and experience without ever crossing the line into hype. It’s a hard balance to keep, and skilled specialists have mastered the craft. As in any other field, there are trends in the recruitment business. “We often see applicants in their 40s, many of them ready to step up to the senior management level, with resumes that would have been top quality in 2005,” continued our source at Resumeble.com. “The trends in content organization and design are subtle but keeping up to date is a key part of hooking the recruiter’s attention.” Many resume writing firms have research departments that keep writers abreast of emerging trends in content and design and in the ever-changing algorithms involved in ATS screening. Who Needs Help Most? A professionally written resume will give almost any applicant an edge, but for some job seekers, it is particularly important. •Students and new graduates may think that their limited experience makes a professional writer unnecessary. Nothing could be further from the truth: it takes real skill to create a compelling package with only a few elements •Workers with unconventional histories can always use professional help. Do you have gaps in your work history? Have you done freelance work or unusual jobs? A resume specialist can develop a presentation that makes the most of your unique background. •One-job workers or employees who have spent many years at a single workplace, are usually out of touch with recruitment trends and job-search methods and are often less confident than those who have been on the market regularly. •Workers If you’ve been at one level of work for a while and want to take a step forward, whether to management, senior management, executive, or any other move toward greater responsibilities, you need to show employers that you’re ready. A pro knows

3. how. •Creative workers often face unique challenges in integrating their resume with a work portfolio. Look for a resume specialist to make your work sparkle and highlight the practical skills that supplement your creative chops. •Specialistsoften think they have the job search game mastered, but they’re often wrong. If you’re a professional, an academic, or in a field that relies heavily on publications or similar achievements, a resume specialist can help you highlight what you bring to these highly competitive fields. If you’re not on that list, don’t worry. You’ll still benefit from the extra punch that a professionally crafted resume provides. Don’t Forget the Extras Your resume is your primary job search tool, but it’s not the only thing that matters. A concise, well- written cover letter gives you a huge advantage, and thank-you and follow-up letters keep you in view and in conformity with job search etiquette. Remember to keep an eye on your publicly accessible social media activity and keep your LinkedIn profile up to date and consistent with your resume. If a recruiter is interested, a social media check will be their first move after looking at your application. The best resume providers offer packages that include cover letters, LinkedIn profile reviews, and other key additions that support your resume and raise your chances of getting the job you want. ✓ResumeWriters.com, which has been in business for nearly 20 years and served over 250,000 customers, offers packages that include correspondence, LinkedIn profile review, unlimited revisions, and other important added service. ✓Resumeble.com, a newer player that is rapidly establishing a high profile in the niche, markets similar full-service packages at even lower price points. You will pay more for these services, but isn’t your career worth the investment? What to Look For There are dozens of resume preparation services and thousands of freelance resume writers competing for your attention. These steps will help you make the right choice. •Check the samples. Any credible service will have samples of their work on their site. Look at the samples, read them, assess their immediate impact, and see if you’re impressed. •Look at the website. It should be clean, elegant, persuasive, and functional on multiple platforms. If the Company can’t represent themselves effectively, how are they going to represent you effectively?

4. •Look for testimonials, and for accounts of bad experiences. Nothing speaks like a satisfied (or unsatisfied) customer. •Remember that some customers are never satisfied, and any company that does actual work will have a complaint or two, but positive testimonials should outnumber the negatives by a wide margin. •Look for guarantees. Resumeble.comguarantee that you’ll get interviews within specified periods and both will perform revisions if your resume isn’t delivering. •Contact the Company and see if you’re happy with the personal attention that you get. Your resume is an extension of you, and your choice of a service provider is highly personal. Do your research and choose the firm that makes you feel that you and your job search matter, and leaves you confident that you will get the product you deserve. The Bottom Line Your resume is the single most important element in your job search. If it isn’t right, you won’t get the job you want, even if you’re the perfect fit for the position. Get a resume done right, by a professional, and kick your job search into high gear!