"Professional resume help... how do I know if I need it?" -- Merle J.

© David Alan Carter
All Rights Reserved

Maybe you've been thinking, how hard can it be to write a resume? Or maybe you've got a resume, but it seems to be invisible in the job market. So, how do you know if you need professional resume help? A former recruiter answers the question...
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How Do I Know If I Need Professional Resume Help?

Merle, one good sign that you need professional resume help is an existing resume that's going nowhere in the job market; a resume that isn't making the phone ring with interview invitations. Another good signal, for those just beginning a resume project, is the blank computer screen in front of you -- a sign you're finding it difficult to express your work history or job qualifications in a promotional yet unbiased manner.

If you're trying to write your own resume, I can relate. I've got a bit of an independent streak, and like to do things for myself, too. But this might not be the best economy in which to experiment and test your resume skills. The fact is, it's a rare person who can sit down at the computer and crank out a resume that will be competitive in today's job market. There are simply too many resumes competing for the eyeballs of hiring managers.

To be seen, read and appreciated, your resume needs to share relevant information about you and your experience - and no more (and that information must match the employers' needs perfectly). The resume needs to put your best foot forward through subtlety of language. It needs to use design and layout to marketing advantage. These are skills that a good professional resume writer exercises daily.

Can the non-professional do as well? Yes, with sufficient time and study. But if you're in between jobs, you may not have that luxury. But for those who don't have the time to research resume protocols and hone those writing skills, know that there is some really good professional resume help out there. And just a mouse click away.
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Sidebar:  One cautionary note: there are a lot of resume services on the Web, with more and more popping up daily. Not all can deliver a polished product that will do you justice. Make sure the resume writer you choose is skilled not only in crafting a must-read resume, but knowledgeable in the intricacies of your profession. Look for a writer who offers to consult with you over the phone, whose pricing is upfront, and who guarantees a job interview. They're out there.

( Read my mini-reviews of the Web's most popular Resume Writing Services.)
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