Janet Said:

Should a resume writing service on the web be accredited?

We Answered:

Here's the thing with professional resume writers. Whether somebody is "accreditated" or not doesn't mean that person is a good resume writer. I can tell you from personal experience that I've had people come to me for a resume after using somebody else. Someone who didn't do such a great job and now I have to fix it to make it better.

I don't have any "accrediations" because they're really not needed, nor overly important, when it comes to resume writing. What's most important is one's experience, understanding of the job market and the kind of work you're going for, being a good writer, giving the client what he or she truly needs, etc.

In my case, I have degrees in business and human resources and have worked in different fields and jobs. I've been downsized, outsourced, forced to retrain, returned to school, worked FT, PT, temp, and contracted jobs, etc. And I've taught subjects from virtually A to Z, including job hunting, business, computers, writing, math, project-management, etc. So even though I'm not accreditated, I have the skills and expertise necessary to help people with their resumes, cover letters, and interviewing. And that's what matters most of all!

Now here are some helpful tips to picking the right resume writer for your needs:

1) Make sure you see samples of their work! A legitimate one will have no problem showing you what he or she has done. I always show people what I've done and will explain my thinking so the client understands where I'm coming from. Believe me, this is very important!

2) Beware of anybody who promises you 24hr turnaround! As someone who's done resumes for many different jobs and professions, I can tell you that it takes time. Each person is different! Yes, sometimes, I can get it done within a day. But other times, it can take longer because of my needing more info from the client, additional info being provided by the client, etc. The ones who guarantee 1 day service tend to be the resume-mills, meaning you get boilerplate resumes. Mine are fully-customized and hand done, meaning no templates. And that's why my clients tend to get better results and walk away very happy. I promise good service and quality work.

3) Avoid anybody who asks for full payment upfront! A legitimate and reputable resume service won't ask for the full amount before you get something for the money. Yes, they will commonly ask for partial payment, so that's not a problem. After all, some clients stiff us. It's happened to me before. So asking for partial payment upfront is common practice and protection against being stiffed. But the remainder is due upon completion.

4) Locals vs non-locals. I've had clients who live locally in my own area and those who live outside. With locals, it's easier to get things done because you can meet in person. And trust me, that makes a big difference and can make the process run more smoothly! So I would recommend leaning towards somebody in your local area who you can actually sit down with and discuss your situation. If not, then understand you'll be working via phones, the net, email, etc. And you'll be working with a total stranger who may or may not understand your local market.

Martha Said:

Have you ever used a resume writing service?

We Answered:

Yes, I have used a resumé writing service. No, it wasn't worth it. I didn't like what they produced and wrote my own resumé.
For added information, cover letters can be critical. I know a person who is involved a lot in hiring. She tells me that a job can be lost or gotten based on a cover letter.

Joseph Said:

Has anybody had a positive experience using a resume writing service? If so, could you recommend a good one. ?

We Answered:

Hi, I just can't recommend one and in fact, I would caution you against them. Try to find a trusted friend to proofread your resume and help you make changes. I have found that resume services often charge a ton of money upfront and not make a lot of meaningful changes. Just my 2 cents, but I think you would get better feedback by enlisting a mentor or (savy-er :-) friend to help you with your resume rather than hiring someone.
Hope that helps!

Gertrude Said:

What is a fair amount to pay for a resume writing service?

We Answered:

Personally I wouldn't pay anything to have my CV written for me. A CV and even more importantly a covering letter should reflect you, your personality and your experience so how will a generic CV do that? If you do secure an interview they will expect you to talk through your CV, this is much easier if you actually wrote it.

You can easily improve your CV and covering letter if you are willing to put in the effort, becoming familiar with CV writing will set you up for future job hunting and also allows you to focus you CV for the skills a specific role is asking for.

First, critically review your CV, is it vague with lots of 'great teamplayer' 'proven success' statements? If so make sure you always follow them up with some firm evidence so are you a great teamplayer because you have been captain of a football team for 15 years or what? This is also the time to tailor the CV, really focus on the skills and experiences that the job ad is asking for, there is no point spending half a page detailing how good you are at managing people if there is no management responsibilities. It sounds obvious but make sure there are no spelling errors.

You covering letter must be tailored for the role, make sure you tell them why you are applying (what attracts you to the job) and most importantly why you feel you will be perfect for the job (and don't just say how good it will be for you, they are looking for you to add something to the company). Keep the tone positive and formal.

Once you have done all of this get a friend to read it and tell you what they think. Recruitment agents can also be very helpful for free CV help (don't forget they want you to get a job too!).

Michele Said:

What is the best resume writing service?

We Answered:

I used ResumeGuru.US
They were extremely professional and got me a fully rewritten resume and cover letter within 4 days. I had been unemployed for over 18 months, so I understand how frustrated you must feel. They basically hand-held me through the whole process. They asked me tons of detailed questions to truly dig into my work experience and ultimately gave me a brand spanking new document that really shone through and through. I used it to apply to 6 jobs. A week later, I got my first interview since being unemployed. It's true, having a great resume really helps you get through to hiring managers. The cost? 75$ all inclusive. They even gave me a free interview tips guide and a detailed evaluation that really opened my eyes to all my mistakes in my resume. I can't recommend this service enough. You can submit your resume for a FREE evaluation when you visit their site. Last time I followed them on twitter, I used the eval request code TWTTEVL. They also post free tips and job news on Facebook. Good luck!

Mabel Said:

Is there a professional resume writing service in the Nashville area?

We Answered:

My biggest advice is to NOT use those companies. They charge you a few hundred dollars, and honestly, they create the worst, hardest to read resumes, which will probably hinder your job search.

I appreciate you are busy, but you will get that much more value out of just writing the resume yourself. In all honesty, the content of the resume is more important than the format. Regardless of how much you earn, you can still use a standard word template (in fact I would actually strongly suggest you do), with as little ruffles and lace as possible! Clean lines and not clutter.

As content is most important, do you really think it makes any sense that you trust someone who has not done your job to write up your resume? Also, I see too many people who struggle to speak through their own resume. If you write it yourself, you will know it inside out, giving you an edge on other candidates.

If you need an example of "standard' format, just send me a message and I'll be able to send you a few links or write up an example.

I have seen people lose jobs, because of this. Employers thought it was a poor idea commercially and financially, and they established that the potential employee was lazy.

If you are who they want for the job, it will be for your past experiences, charisma, lateral thinking....not the font of your resume.

Good luck!
P