If you type “resume writers” into your search browser, you’ll notice that the first big sites to come up are fondly referred to by reputable writers as “resume mills.”

These are companies with a lot of writers who generally have pretty slick websites and offer cheap resumes. I have often seen resumes offered on these sites for $199 and even “executive level” resumes offered for $299. If you are tempted to go with one of these mills to save a few bucks, here are a few things to think about before you take the plunge:

1. Generally in life, you get what you pay for. I not only like that my resume prices are a great value, but that they include a lot of extras and bonuses, because I want my clients doing back flips about my services, and I want to help them in a holistically with their entire job search. I also offer a full money-back guarantee if someone isn’t fully satisfied with the quality of my work (which to date, I am happy to say, I have never had to use). But I can’t and don’t give my services away for next to nothing. And I generally don’t invest in services that do, because there is always a catch. I might not know where or what it is, but I know it’s there – either in lack of quality, lack of experience, lack of service or dependability, etc…
2. Before you do anything CALL and talk to a live person. Some companies are involved in fraudulent business practices. Talk to a live person – ask some questions and trust your gut.
3. LOOK at their resume samples. Once you do that, go to Career Directors International and search for certified and/or award winning resume writers. Now look at their samples. I have so very rarely seen these samples compare, because when you are a reputable, award-winning and certified resume writer, your charges are in line with the market. A good – a really good resume – is a critical piece of your job search pie. It’s not the place to skimp. It’s your career. Get the best writer you can afford. You are worth it.
4. Be realistic. Here is what I have seen as averages for good/great/excellent resume writers: $299 to $450 for a new grad resume; $550 to $800 for an entry-level to mid-level management resume; and $800 to $3000 for a VP to C-level “executive” resume package. If you are making determinations in this range, generally you are in a good spot.

If the rates for a resume service or writer you’re researching seems drastically lower than the figures in #4, my suggestion is to check with the major Career Services Associations, look up some members websites, and conduct your own comparative analysis. In my opinion, Career Directors International is the best place to start, because their certifications are not cheap, the testing is very difficult, and they set their quality bar very high. To keep certifications current and in good standing with CDI, writers must provide a certain number of annual continuing education credits and hours of volunteer work. THAT is the writer you want to hire, because that writer is serious about their craft and getting you the biggest return on your investment possible.

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Are you wondering if your resume best positions you to land the job of your dreams in a parallel market, new industry or higher level position? One area you want to be sure to check is your keywords.

Resume keywords are simply the words used to describe your hard and soft skills. Many companies today use keyword scanning software to organize and qualify applicant matches with available positions. Even if a company doesn’t use keyword scanning software, it’s still extremely important to mirror the keywords listed for that position as much as possible.

You can quickly and easily make certain that your resume attracts the right attention using the following simple steps.

Step One: Identify Your Favorite Jobs

First, through you favorite job aggregator or niche job board, identify at least two positions that would qualify as your dream job.

Next, print them out and highlight all of the keywords and phrases that best describe both what you love to do most, and any other strengths and attributes that match your skills. Even if the position is in another industry, highlight those strengths that match functionally.

Now, make sure these keywords are woven throughout your resume, especially the upper portion of your first page.

Step Two: Use Your 2-3 Best Keywords

You don’t necessarily have to redesign your resume for every job you want to submit your resume to. In fact, if you are finding this to be necessary, you might want to check your focus.

Many professionally designed resumes will have approximately three keywords in a bigger, bold font, right up at the top of their resume. I call these headline keywords. This is a powerful way to immediately target your resume to each specific job you submit your resume for.

Let’s say you are submitting for a job that stresses operations, global expansions and team building. If these are all matching skills for you, then you want to mirror these in your headline keywords. With this method you can simply shift a few main keywords and get maximum attention from your target audience!

Step Three: Consider a Keyword-Only Section

In my resumes I always like to include a keyword-only section. I call it “core competencies” or “skills and abilities.” A good list should include three rows of 4 to 5 bullet points per row. In the first row, include your strongest competencies; in the second, soft skills like leadership and management abilities; and your third row can include technical aptitudes, language skills and/or secondary skills, such as leading training programs or creating marketing collateral.

Using these valuable tips gives you a simple and easy way to make sure your resume is targeted for the positions you really want!

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Guest post by Joe Franklin

Writing a resume that will stand out like a firecracker on the Fourth of July is certainly no easy task. With nearly any job today, there are always more qualified applicants than there are positions to fill. The ongoing challenging economic times are making the job market more competitive, as is the advent of computer scanning technology that can screen resumes just by looking for pre-set keywords.

No matter how great a candidate’s resume may be, since the first set of “eyes” that will likely view it will be electronic, knowing how to write a great business resume will make all the difference between getting left out in the cold and getting a shot at interviewing for the position you want. Luckily, with the use of resume scanning technology has also come a more formulaic approach to resume writing that takes away some of the guess work from the pre-computer resume screening days. Learning how to write a perfect resume for business can make a world of difference.

Perfect Resumes are Specific and Keyword-Driven

The first thing you need to remember when writing your resume is that today’s resume reviews are highly specific. In particular, they are all about keywords. Keywords encompass skill sets, strengths, job experience, prior titles and education, including specific information about degrees, certifications and grade point average (GPA). As an example, if you attended an online university based in Scranton, PA for your undergraduate and graduate degrees, writing “online Scranton University degrees” on your resume is not sufficient. You need to write the specific name of the university you attended, the year you graduated and your GPA, as well as the city and state. Do this for both your graduate and undergraduate degree.

In the same way, if your degree comes from a program that is an AACSB accredited online MBA program, if you use the acronym AACSB be sure to add in parentheses (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International). Don’t make the recruiter hunt for this information; they don’t have time and because of this, they will probably just put your resume in the “no” pile and move on. In terms of using specific keywords, often you can find critical position-specific keywords by reading the job description itself. Once you have found them, you can insert these keywords throughout your resume wherever they fit in naturally and then a computer will pick them up. As a result, your resume will be placed in the “short stack” to be reviewed by a real person.

Content Order

The next important step in writing the perfect resume is content order. Each recruiter is going to need certain pieces of information in order to even rule you as a candidate. They will need to know your education level and GPA. They will need to know about prior work experience, including the position(s) you have held and your job titles, in addition to what you did at each job. They will also need to know about any relevant certifications, volunteer positions or other credentials that are pertinent.

They will then look for something called an “objective statement,” which tells them why you are applying for their particular position and why you are a good fit. Having all of these elements present and in their proper order will give you a leg up over other candidates, because you will make the recruiter’s job of screening resumes easier. Also, a word about sharing past job roles – for business candidates in particular, using the “STAR” system can really aid in making your resume shine. STAR stands for “situations, tasks, actions, results.” Be as concise as possible, but explain about each aspect when describing relevant work or volunteer experience.

Brevity and Professionalism is Key

Finally, remember that in today’s job market, for every position that is announced, a recruiter might get 100 or 1,000 resumes for that position. While computer scanners can simplify the process, the recruiter will still not want to waste time scrolling through pages of your resume to find the information they need to prescreen you for the position. While a resume up to two pages long can work if you are applying for an executive-level job, for any position lower than that, keeping your resume to one page is best.

Statistics state that the average amount of time a recruiter spends reviewing each individual resume can be 30 seconds or less. Be brief, be succinct by following the STAR system, be sure to proofread your resume and have a second set of eyes do so as well. Finally, strive to make your overall presentation and contact information professional, which includes checking your voicemail message and choosing a professional-sounding email address. If you follow each of these steps to the letter, you improve your chances of writing a resume that can pave your way to landing any business job you want.

About the Author: Joe Franklin is a business school student who has written and re-written his own personal resume several times. It wasn’t until he brought his resume to his student career services office that he discovered the key elements he was missing.

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I just updated my best selling eBook on Amazon: The Career Artisan Series, The 21^st Century Resume. This is my step-by-step guidebook on how to write your own resume and perhaps the best part is that it comes with a link to download custom resume templates. I have just added and updated all the resume sample templates to serve the new grad resume – on up to the executive level resumes.

*Oh, and I am a multi-award winning and internationally certified advanced resume writer and career coach who has served on multiple judging panels and committees for our Gold Standard Association: Career Directors International.  J

The best part? I have offered this book for nearly 18 months now for just $3.99 on Amazon! Grab your copy and your online templates here.

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Most professionals would love to land their dream job but when it comes to writing a resume that would qualify them to make the jump; they end up stuck with what to say and how to say it.

Not knowing how to create an interest-generating opening statement is a common problem and can quickly lead to job seeker discouragement before the job search even begins!

Here are 3 tips to creating a powerful opening statement that will quickly get you positive attention:

Tip #1 Do Create a Qualifications Summary

A qualifications summary should go at the very top of your resume. It does not explain what your professional objective or goal is, but it does give a clear and powerful overview of who you are and what you can do. Why don’t you want to use a professional objective? Because your resume needs to be focused on what you can do for a company versus what YOU are looking for.

Tip #2 Create an Authentic Opening Statement

To maximize your focus and clarity try a simple writing trick:

Begin to write about what you are doing when you are at your very best, followed by your other key strengths and attributes. Do not edit as you freely write up to a page of information. After a quick break, return to what you wrote and begin to highlight the key words and phrases you feel are the most powerful. Your document should be reduced to about half at this point. After another break, return to your document a second time and repeat this exercise. Now you have a powerful, authentic, and compelling draft statement describing where you really shine!

Tip #3 Use Universal Language

Another common mistake professionals will make is to load their opening statement with industry jargon. Yes if you are a CIO, corporate counsel, or a VP of Finance, you have very specific language that you use. However, your resume has to be written for multiple people in multiple departments. In many cases your resume is being viewed (and thus must be equally compelling) to directors of human resources, division presidents and various managers.

Scan your opening statement for red flags, including acronyms that are not spelled out, information on specific companies, too much detailed technical jargon and sentences that are only decipherable to people intimately associated with what you do.

These key tips will help you to easily create an authentic statement about who you are when you are at your career best, and command the attention of the companies that are looking for someone… just like you!

Want step-by-step instructions for completing your resume with custom online resume templates suitable for all career levels that you can download and keep for just $3.99? Grab the amazon bestseller: The 21^st Century Resume by Mary Elizabeth Bradford

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I just added several new custom resume templates to my bestselling Amazon ebook: The 21st Century Resume. Out of the 5 ebooks I have written in this series – this is my best seller and has been in the Amazon top 20 category for over a year. Thank you to everyone who has purchased this ebook and I do hope it has helped you reach your career goals.

Grab your copy (and the link to the updated resume templates) here.

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*Warning: this article contains some “tough talk” and will probably offend some readers.

Sometimes I will have a client call me and share that while networking, they showed their new professionally designed resume to:

1. Their friend or business mentor whose opinion they trust
2. A powerful networking connection
3. A human resources person
4. A recruiter

And my client posed the question, “what do you think of my resume?”

Well, a large amount of the time, if you have had your resume professionally written by an experienced and certified writer, the response will be positive.

But sometimes they will interpret your question as an opportunity to attack your resume using all their powers of critical analysis – in the name of “helping you” (gee, thanks).

If you have ever been in this situation, you know the result – your confidence is shaken; you begin to doubt yourself; the focus becomes that there is something “wrong” with your resume. You call your writer demanding to know why they used that particular color or font because Suzie who just got a job in the HR department at Target last week knows well that this font color will keep you from realizing your dreams – or at least ever landing a job at Target.

Okay, I am being a little sarcastic, but isn’t that the weight that we end up putting on all these opinions we open ourselves up to? Some people are very caustic; they will tell you with authority they absolutely know what they are talking about (I have seen this to be true especially with College Career Counselors and recruiters. No offense – just stating fact).

So who, or what are you to believe?

• In a job search, common sense tells us we must preserve our energy, our positive attitude and our confidence. Rather than asking everyone who will give you 5 minutes what they think of your resume, the wisest thing to do is ASK A CERTIFIED, EXPERIENCED RESUME WRITER. This does not mean asking THE LADDERS or JOB FOX, who will give you a free “resume critique,” and no matter how wonderful your resume is and how much you invested to have it properly done, they will most likely tell you it stinks and you need to pay them $700 to rewrite it. No, I mean going to Career Directors International and looking up the award winning writers, the Certified Writers, the Writers who have their work in reputable Resume and Career books and/or the writers who may specialize in your field. And although this does not completely shield you from conflicting advice, it does dramatically impro ve your chances of getting a professional and discerning critique of what your resume truly needs (or might already have) in order for you to achieve your career goals.

• Please, refrain from asking everyone what they think of your resume. This opens you up to criticism from people who are may only be partially (at best), qualified to critique how your resume lines you up for your next career move. Don’t go asking your best friend who is accounting about your resume which is  focused on your B.A. in human resources. She will have no insight into what employers are looking for! Instead, get a clear focus of direction on what you want including industry, position title and your driving motivators like ideal companies and positions, your compensation range, where you want to live, and how much you will travel, to name a few things. Couple that with a little research on growing and stable industries.

• Don’t say you are “wide open” to explore a wide range of opportunities, because in today’s job market, you have to demonstrate your value very specifically (this is part of the whole “branding” thing you hear everyone talking about). You need to demonstrate that you know what you want. This builds your network’s confidence IN YOU. You don’t have the luxury of “being wide open,” so please start taking control of your situation and embrace a self-directed and entrepreneurial approach to your job search. This is what is working in today’s job market.

• Once you have your game plan down regarding your focus of direction and where you want to steer your career, ask your friends how they can help you with that. Don’t ask them to help you find a job and don’t ask them who is hiring and don’t ask them what they think of your resume! This is a waste of your time! Learn how to network so that you stay in control of the conversation. I think the reason people hate job searching the most is because they feel they have to take such a passive, submissive role in it. THIS IS SIMPLY NOT TRUE! You don’t have to feel hat-in-hand, begging for a job. I teach my clients in my Job Search Success System how to network in a confident and dignified way and they love it. It preserves their sanity, confidence and gets them great results! There is absolutely no reason why you have to roll over in complete submission just because you are in a job search.

• Do not discount the power of critical feedback! You may LOVE your resume and so do 50 other people, but I have seen it time and time again that a single negative critique will leave you doubting everything you ever thought was true! You cannot afford to “go there” in your job search! It’s not the most exacting comparison, but will 50 people look at a piece of famous art from an abstract expressionist and have the same exact option about it? I think you know the answer.

• If you have not had your resume professionally written and you want someone to critique it, your best and safest bet is to go to Career Directors International and look for help and support there. Generally speaking, resume writers are a heart-centered group (especially women) and they find genuinely helping others get what they want in their careers deeply satisfying. You have a great shot at talking to a person who really cares and can really help you at CDI. Writers who take the time to obtain difficult certifications and pay money to keep them current every year generally take their career as seriously as you probably do. And in an unregulated industry such as Career Services, you need that insurance to help protect your interests and investment.

• If you HAVE had your resume professionally done, then I will share with you what I share with all my clients, which is this – you need 3 main things in your job search to be successful:
  • A clear focus of direction.
  • A great resume and value proposition (cover) letter that supports your focus
  • The right job search strategies.

As a general rule, after you have paid a certified writer to analyze your career situation and craft you a resume to get you where you want to go, your entire focus should be on the right job search strategies. I am primarily focused on showing my clients how to go direct to companies by tapping the hidden job market because it works so well, but every job search is different and some job search strategies will work better than others. You may take a multi-pronged approach to your job search strategies, which could include recruiter, venture capital and/or private equity firm distributions, direct mail, targeted networking, working through associations, and learning how to use social networking like LinkedIn to land interviews, to name a few.

In closing, I have not seen it beneficial for you as a job seeker to hold up your resume and state “WHAT DO YOU THINK?” Not because I as a writer am trying to avoid criticism, nor am I trying to protect other professional resume writers. And I am not stating that there might indeed be things in your resume that need improving. But if you want the right advice, your safest bet is to go to the experts. Doing otherwise may derail you and detract from your ultimate goal.

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Guest post by Christopher Wallace

Your social media sites can speak more to your employability than a resume.

While social media makes it easy to keep up with family and friends, it has also turned our lives into open books. For the 900 million plus Facebook users around the world, a simple name search will turn up an entire timeline of life experiences – and not all of them are ones we might want to share with future employers.

Before applying for your next job, whether it’s an internal move or a jump to a new company, consider the resume you already have floating around on the internet. More and more, today’s companies are checking social media sites before contacting potential employees for their first interview. And if they come across content that they find disagreeable or feel would reflect poorly on their business, you might have lost a job before the first interview.

Facebook: Free and Clear

Along with the new timeline set up, Facebook has also improved its privacy settings. With more versatility on who sees what, your Facebook page has the potential to be a great tool in your job hunting efforts. But first, you’re going to have to slap on some gloves and grab a scrub brush. If you’ve been using Facebook since high school (it has been around since 2004), then there are probably a lot of posts, pictures and tags that are going to need your attention.

Start by cleaning up your privacy settings. Along with the option of making your posts visible to the public or just friends, you can also create custom privacy settings, with posts visible only to a customized list of friends and/or hidden from individuals or a customized list of others.

Additionally, under “Profile and Tagging” you can edit who posts on your wall and opt to permit tagged pictures or posts before they’re made public.

One of the most significant changes in Facebook’s privacy settings is the ability to limit the people who see your old posts. This can be done en masse by limiting old posts so only friends see it, but if you’re potential boss or employees of the company where you are applying are listed under friends, then it might be a good idea to go through and do a little hands-on cleaning. On each post you have the option to make it visible to the public, friends or only to one of your customized lists. If you’re concerned at all about any past posts, spend some time flipping through your page and specifying on potentially objectionable posts. This applies to post and picture tags as well.

Lastly, double check your personal profile. Update your settings so that only certain people can see specific sections. For example, you would want your potential employer to see your work history (and don’t forget to update it while you’re there), but you might not want him or her to see what bands you like or your personal philosophy. To change who sees these, just click the little world button next to the text form and select who can see that section.

Tidy up Twitter

If you’re a Tweeter, now would be a good time to go through your account and delete any old comments or pictures that might put your resume in a bad light. Think about it. A politically incorrect comment about the Japan tsunami last year lost comedian Gilbert Gottfried his job as the Aflac duck (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/gilbert-gottfried-fired-as-aflac-167382). A photo of Congressman Anthony Weiner (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthony_Weiner_sexting_scandal) resulted in his letter of resignation being read on the floor of the House of Representatives less than a month later. While you may not be celebrity status, uncouth comments could leave a bad taste with your potential employers. To be on the safe side, visit your Twitter profile page and clean out old questionable comments by hovering your mouse over the message you’d like to delete. The option to delete will appear in the upper right hand corner of the post. While deleted updates might linger for a little in a Twitter search, the Twitter help center (http://support.twitter.com/articles/18906-how-to-delete-a-tweet#) notes that they will eventually clear out.

Un-pin your Pinterests

Pinterest is not something most people think about as a profile, but what you pin can say a lot about your personality. If you’ve pinned or re-pinned some pictures that might leave employers with less of a smile and more of a firing frown, it might be wise to un-pin them from your boards.

Before applying to that next job, consider all of the social media sites that you connect with and make sure you’re not potentially leaving the wrong impression with prospective employers. Be judicious in what you post and make sure those comments only intended for close friends aren’t reaching the wrong ears … or eyes.

Christopher Wallace is Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Amsterdam Printing, one of the nation’s largest providers of promotional products for businesses large and small. Amsterdam specializes in custom pens and other promotional items such as calendars, laptop bags and T-shirts. Christopher regularly contributes to Amsterdam Printing’s blog.

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Unemployment is a difficult phase to endure, and the longer you remain unemployed, the more this status hurts your chances of getting hired. Employers look at the time gaps between jobs when reviewing resumes, but you can make use of your free time to enhance your credentials and negate the time spent unemployed. The following tips can help improve your resume and provide you with impressive answers when the interviewer asks what you did during gaps in employment.

Volunteer work is an excellent source of networking and skill-building. Filling your time with meaningful work can also raise your self-esteem and motivate you to continue the arduous job hunt. The people you meet can offer you jobs, connect you with employers or provide professional references. It is best to choose organizations that relate to your field so that you can hone your skills and learn new ones to enhance your career profile. For example, an IT professional can work on websites for free, and a medical technician can volunteer at hospitals. Cleaning up the litter in your community may make you feel better, but it will not enhance your resume for an accounting position. Do not spend too much time searching for volunteer work if nothing is available. According to news reports, charities have reached their maximum capacities for volunteers since unemployment rates have increased. Looking for a new job takes priority over free labor.

Extending your education and training can make your resume stand out against the competition. You may not qualify for grants or loans, but community colleges offer inexpensive courses that teach you new skills with up-to-date technology and methods. Online groups and services can also connect you with free or inexpensive training events. LinkedIn is a valuable tool once you create a full profile and utilize its searches for events that meet your interests and career needs within your location.

If you are a member of any trade organizations or online groups, you may have access to free or low-cost webinars that offer valuable information. You can also use Google to find free webinars relating to your field. The speakers offer insight into new technologies and methods of communicating with others professionally, and these tools can enhance your current expertise or teach you new skills. Webinars range from software tutorials to interviewing techniques, so there are plenty available to increase your chances of gaining employment.

Sometimes, you feel like you are in need of professional assistance and consider services for job-seekers. Agencies offer everything from resume writing to complete career coaching, but you must consider the cost of such services before hiring anyone. Success varies between individuals, but the advice you gain may provide you with the edge you need to create an effective resume. Most job-seekers have the best luck when they choose an agency that specializes in their industries.

The majority of your unemployment time should be spent searching for a new job, but you can network with professionals who will provide you with good leads, great references and new skills while continuing the hunt. While filling out online applications and sending out hundreds of resumes, watch out for local career fairs and other job-related events. These opportunities can enhance your skill set and provide you with invaluable advice that gives your resume the edge you need to enter the employment status.

Rachel Doyle
Marketing Director for CMN.com
Find More Information on Career Paths

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I am a big fan of Timothy Ferriss and have read both his books. His first book, The 4 Hour Workweek, helped me to cut my work week down by 20%.

Imagine how tickled I was when i saw on Amazon that my new book had outranked his. Atleast for a day….:)

Just want to say thank you again to everyone for your support and for spreading the word.

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