Choosing a Professional Resume Writer

When I was sixteen, my dad ”helped me” prepare my first resume.  Looking back at that first experience, I remember thinking how lucky I was to have a father that was so professional and had so much knowledge.  Years later, I look back at that same resume and crack up. 

My objective, as a sixteen year old, was “To find a job that would further enhance my work experience and provide adequate opportunities to develop a career with upward mobility and professional challenges.” 

Now, I don’t know about anyone else, but even as a gifted student, at sixteen, there was NO WAY, I was worried about upward mobility and certainly not challenges.

But of course, my father was not a professional resume writer.  He was a business professional used to working with adults and was “trying to help me out”.  This is not what you should be looking for when you are choosing the person that will be helping you get the career of your dreams.  Instead, seek out:

1. Someone who LISTENS!  I cannot tell you how many resume writers are out there and have their own preconceived ideas about what a resume should be and are not interested in your input at all. Make sure your professional resume writer conducts phone or in-person consultations to discuss YOUR career goals.
2. FREE consultations!  Never, ever, ever pay for a consultation… no matter what credentials the person has floating around.  Your first, initial contact should be absolutely free.  If a company ask for your credit card information prior to a consultation, be wary!  However, if you trust the company and you want to purchase a resume product immediately, then by all means, make the payment and enjoy!
3. Qualifications!  The resume writer you choose should have good, solid references that you can actually contact to find out about their services.  They should also be able to provide you with satisfactory samples.
4. Experience!  This does not mean in terms of years because quality resumes have changed over time.  You want to find someone who has actual experience helping clients find a job recently.  Don’t rely on years of experience to determine how well they can help you find the job you’re looking for NOW.
5. Guarantees!  Your resume should come with 1 of 2 guarantees – either you get your money back or your resume continues to be rewritten until it results in your satisfaction and getting you a job interview.