Many people question the differences among resume services,
and it's no wonder: the Internet is bursting with
companies that claim to make you "look good" with a minimum
of investment.
Considering that you'll spend more waking hours on your
career than any other activity (with your salary riding on
this decision!), it makes sense to thoroughly check out
these services.
Ensure that your efforts result in a powerful resume that
opens doors by looking for a writer that offers:
1) - Verifiable Credentials. Certification is a MAJOR
distinction between dedicated professionals and "hobby"
writers. Becoming a Certified Professional Resume Writer
(CPRW), Certified Expert Resume Writer (CERW), or
Nationally Certified Resume Writer (NCRW) requires a
candidate to pass a rigorous exam judged by industry
experts—with a high failure rate.
Some companies claim certifications that haven't earned
them, so be wary. Verify CPRW, CERW, or NCRW status by
visiting the Professional Association of Resume Writers at
www.parw.com, Career Directors International at
www.careerdirectors.com, or the National Resume Writer's
Association at www.nrwa.com to search for the writer's name
and credentials.
2) - Samples. Look carefully at resume samples to discern
the extent of the writer's business knowledge. A clear
strategy should be evident on each resume, plus a keen
understanding of the industry and career goal.
If the writer won't show you sample work, consider moving
on to another.
3) - Actual Recruiting/Job Hunting Experience. True resume
experts couple their professional training with REAL-WORLD
experience as a hiring manager or recruiter.
You can also look for corporate experience on BOTH sides of
the hiring table; former job hunters offer a valuable
perspective that cannot be learned in other ways.
4) - Dedication to Ongoing Development. Here's a tip:
writers who achieve the strongest results tend to belong to
at least one professional career industry association.
With participation in these organizations, most members
avail themselves of continuing development opportunities to
learn the latest strategies that will deliver results for
YOUR resume.
5) - Published Work. If you pick up a resume book on
Amazon.com or at your local library, chances are it
contains the work of a select few writers compared to each
other WORLDWIDE by the publisher.
In other words, resume writers who have had work chosen for
publication are among the cream of the crop.
6) - Guarantee. Look closely at the type of guarantee or
other verification of quality offered by a resume writer.
Do they stand behind their work?
If so, this means that you, the customer, will receive an
expertly crafted document that is fully tuned to meet a
hiring manager's expectations.
7) - Professional-Level Pricing. This may seem like an odd
criterion, but think about it: writers who charge less than
$200 are literally telling you that they either unwilling
or unable to devote sufficient time to your project. Many
will simply reformat your information without an in-depth
consultation.
Make no mistake about it: a masterpiece resume that truly
markets your strengths requires critical analysis of your
goals, PLUS content.
A skilled writer will take presentation, keywords, and
information placement into consideration, plus possess
knowledge of your field. It's a time-consuming process!
Keep in mind that many excellent resume writers exist,
along with a few who may fall short of your expectations.
Your best bet is to carefully assess each company's
credentials and offerings--since your future earning power
and career happiness will depend on it.
----------------------------------------------------
A unique resume authority and former recruiter, Laura
Smith-Proulx, CCMC, CPRW, CIC has achieved a 98% interview
success rate for fast-track professionals. With published
work in career bestsellers, Laura is a certified writer
that maintains active membership in career industry
associations. Get Laura's FREE 7-Part E-Course on "The 7
Biggest Resume Mistakes That Can Keep You From a $100K+
Job" at http://www.anexpertresume.com .
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