Resume services?

[widebody911]

Anyone have any experience with resume writing services? I'm in the job market, and I know my resume could use some help. I got a quote from one outfit today for $260 for what amounts to a complete re-write/re-org of my resume. They want to sell me add-on serivces, of course; I think the resume bit is just the tip of their fee iceberg.

[VaSteve]

There's lots of free help out there if you look for it. I don't know what kind of work you're looking for but I think that you can do it on your own. They key is to tailor your resume to what the reader wants. For instance, if you're responding to an ad that wants XYZ skill and you have it make sure you mention it in your resume.

Just like anything else, if you have done it yourself, you will know that piece of paper better than anyone come interview time.

Post it here, we'll fix it up for you.

[stomachmonkey]

Agreed,

You should have one generic resume that you use as a last resort.

If possible you should get a job description from the employeer or dissect the ad.

Let's say you have experience stacking boxes your generic resume would likely say, "I stacked boxes"

If the job description or ad says, "Must have the ability to stack boxes up to 3 layers high with all of the corners perfectly aligned..." you would tailor your resume to say "stacked boxes up to 5 layers high while maintaining perfect corner alignment".

Scott

[VaSteve]

Forgot to mention.... The people who read the resumes (when responding to an ad) likely have no idea what the job actually entails...they need your resume to clear the wickets of the ad to proceed to the next level.

If you have an "in" you can obviously tailor it differently based on what you know.

['89cab]

I agree -- write it yourself. I'm a college dean and have chaired dozens of hiring committees, and seen thousands of resumes. If you research on the net you'll find models to use. Don't lie, and absolutely have someone with impeccable English skills proof it.

If you send it to me by personal message, I'll take a look at it. If your skills are very industry specific, have someone from that field look at it.

[cowtown]

Also keep in mind that in the tech sector (you're IT, right?), no one (or very few people, anyway) reads them at all. Machines read them and spit out the top five candidates to be interviewed.

When I interviewed for Intel, the hiring manager sat in his seat across from me holding Rose Smith's resume. I don't know who Rose Smith is, but I doubt the hiring manager was reading any resumes, given that he called me and not her when it was time for callbacks. Not kidding.

So keep in mind the whole "keyword" concept.

[cstreit]

Focus on results.

Too often people write stuff like:

"Stacked boxes for XYZ corp" and "I'm a good multi-tasker" So what? Everyone says that.

"I stacked boxes 20% higher and 10% straighter" and "Handled 3 different types of box dimensions simultaneously" is better.

[BlueSkyJaunte]

Even more to the point: emphasize bottom-line results. "Deployed software application A on time and under budget" isn't as good as "Deployed software application A on time and under budget, enabling cost avoidance of $10m" or some such. Of course sometimes a $ figure can't be applied...

Oh, and keywords, keywords, keywords....a resume won't even make it past our HR dept and into our hands if it doesn't have the right keywords that our department is looking for.

[cegerer]

It's the cover letter, not the resume. At least based on those I hire.

[BGCarrera32]

Yup, a section on what you have done, developed, co-developed etc..

i.e. :
"Wrote patented blah blah software for HP division blah blah"
"Designed server blah blah directly resulting in savings of xxxx"

2 pages total MAX for the whole resume, keep it relevant. Resumes also have better success if they are tailored to the specific job you are applying for, so if you have a service help you get going get an electronic copy of the Word document that you can edit later (seems obvious I know).

When you do interview, act like you want the job and research the stink out of the company you are applying with before the interview. It amazed me a few months back how many people I interviewed that went all the way through the meeting with me and had NO idea what we manufactured or who our customers were (and we were hiring for a design job)...

[Overpaid Slacker]

I agree with all of the foregoing; and I'd add that, when the time comes, know the ***** out of your resume... it sounds stupid, I know, but be prepared to discuss each item on your res in detail and context (you never know what's going to catch a potential employer's eye). Think about each item and a couple of details/stories about that item that you have ready at hand to expound upon the importance of the item and why it's on your res.

I suggest avoiding granular detail and discursive text. Think more bullet-point; not in format per se, but in information delivery. If it suits your industry, have a resume that talks about skills/certifications/qualifications and also have a "deal sheet" that sets forth the pincipal deals/projects you've worked on, w/ a line or two about each item.

Also, be prepared for a "what's not on your resume that you would have liked to include" question.

I don't have '89 Cab's experience, but I interviewed a coupla hundred lawyers while working for big firms in NYC and I'd say the three keys are: succinct, uncluttered and stylish.

I developed a format when I was looking that I've received a lot of positive feedback for, and helped folks put their info into "my" format. PM if you'd like me to send it to you.

Good luck.

JP

[EdT82SC]

Originally posted by VaSteve
Post it here, we'll fix it up for you. [/B]

And maybe someone here would even hire you if we didn't know how much time you spend on this board

[Langers]

Originally posted by BGCarrera32
2 pages total MAX for the whole resume, keep it relevant.

I tried doing my dad's resume like that, and it simply didn't work. There is no way you can fit 40 years' experience into two pages, especially since all of it is contract work with different duties, achievements etc. Even if you just tailor it to that particular job, I came out with 9 pages. Anything less and it looks as though you have less experience than someone straight out of university.

[RickM]

I've looked at too many resumes...and I will say that anything over two pages simply wont be read. In fact it will turn the potential employer off. I'll even go as far to say that anything over one page could be too much.

A resume is a tool to get you in the door and not a replacement for an interview. I would suggest using a core, all inclusive model and build each resume specifically tailored to the job your after. Include ONLY pertinent info at the detail level...everything else high level. Ever notice how an executive can have a beautiful two page example and a freelance programmer will have a five or six page resume.

In any case that wasn't your question $260 sounds reasonable if they build what you want...perhaps the "master" version you can feed off of.