When your car is broken, you know you need a mechanic. If you’ve got a persistent cough, you call a doctor. But you might not be able to recognize the symptoms of when your career is in trouble, or who to turn to when you need help.
It’s time to update your résumé when…
1. Your current résumé isn’t working. If you’re not getting enough calls — or you’re getting calls, but they’re for the wrong types of jobs — from your current résumé.
2. You got a request for a current résumé — and you don’t have one. If you’re contacted by a headhunter or prospective employer for a current résumé and you’ve never had one, or yours is not up to date.
3. You’re in the market for a career change. Especially if you’re not sure about how to position your transferable experience and skills.
4. You’re a new graduate. It’s hard to land an entry-level job — and it’s even harder to know what to emphasize on a résumé that’s short on experience.
5. You’re unsure of your market worth. If you’ve been at your current company for a long time, you might have lost touch with your value to an employer.
6. You’re in a rut. If you’re stuck in a position and need something dramatic to get unstuck, particularly if your salary is stagnant.
7. You’re moving. If you’re moving to a new area, a local résumé writer can not only help with your résumé, he or she can help with your job search. He or she is likely to know local companies that are hiring as well as local resources, employment services, and web sites.
8. You need a résumé that stands out. If you’re looking for a position in a competitive field, like pharmaceutical sales or sports promotion.
9. You’re too modest. If you find it hard to identify and quantify your accomplishments to address employer buying motivators, it can be helpful for a third party to identify your value and express what a great find you are.
10. You want to search online. With 400+ versions of Applicant Tracking Screening software worldwide your resume will be scanned and scored by ATS software. How does your resume score? If you need your résumé in a variety of electronic formats (including keywords) undefined ASCII, .txt., Microsoft Word, Adobe Acrobat PDF.
11. You don’t have time to write one yourself. Which format is appropriate? What do employers want? How do I format the résumé?
12. You’re self-employed and are looking for a “corporate” job. The “jack-of-all-trades” approach can be daunting for a prospective employer. Target your core skills.
13. You’re re-entering the job market after an absence. Don’t know how to account for that lost time? Unsure which of your skills will be attractive to employers?
14. You’re a senior executive — and you have to look on paper like you’re worth that six-figure salary. If you’re good at what you do — and your salary reflects it — your résumé must match that expectation.
15. You’re due for a performance appraisal at work and need some bargaining power to ask for a promotion or raise. Having a strong resume to present to your boss during annual performance reviews can provide proof for why a raise in your salary should be considered.
16. Your industry or employer has been negatively impacted by a public health emergency or extreme weather event. These are becoming more and more common in communities right around the world.
If one or more of these situations applies to you, a professional résumé writer might be the answer. When choosing a professional résumé writer, consider:
Geography. A local résumé writer’s resource network can be invaluable. Be sure to ask if he or she can offer referrals to local employment services or recruiters once the résumé is completed.
Expertise. While most résumé writers are generalists, some specialize in a particular area or two. Ask if they’ve written résumés for your specific career field before. A professional résumé writer should be able to direct you to samples of his or her work or provide enough information in a brief telephone consultation to demonstrate proficiency with what you need.
Style of service. Many résumé writers will work “virtually” with clients, completing data collection and client interviews by phone, Skype or email and delivering the finished documents digitally. Very few résumé writers meet with clients in person these days but you might find the odd one here and there. Pick a résumé writer whose style works for what you want.
Pricing. Hiring a resume writing service or professional resume writer can offer you just the boost you need to land a new job, especially in uncertain times. Some studies suggest that a professionally written resume can get your resume noticed more often and increase your starting salary. However, researching resume writing services online will quickly reveal a new resume can cost anywhere from $5 to several thousand dollars, depending on the services offered. Most people can expect to invest three to five day’s pay for a professionally written résumé. Not a bad investment when you look at it like that, right?
How much should a resume writing service cost? The answer is that it depends on where you are in your career and the position you’re targeting. The cost for professional resume services will change based on factors like their industry, years of experience, certifications, connections and what services they offer in addition to resume writing.
This article will highlight things to consider when investing in a resume writer so you can make the right decision for your needs. https://www.totalresumes.com.au/are-you-considering-investing-in-a-resume-writer-what-to-know-before-you-do
Also, you can find a professional résumé writer through industry associations that certify professional résumé writers:
- Career Directors International –www.careerdirectors.com
P.S. If you’re an executive seeking a new role or expect to be in the coming weeks or months, and want to give yourself an edge, I have a strong partnership with a nationally distinguished Executive Headhunter who delivers an Executive Career Coaching Program. Throughout this exclusive program, clients receive one-on-one coaching, telephone and email support, and advocacy to employers of advertised roles.
I’m understating the impact of the program by saying it will give you an edge. It would be more accurate to say a ‘huge advantage’ rather than an edge. One client who signed up for the program just before the end of February was offered a new executive role within 3 weeks. Would you like to achieve similar results? Let me know if you’d like an introduction to this trailblazing recruiter.
In the wrath of the coronavirus, there are already fewer job opportunities in the market and many thousands of jobs have been cut (with more on the horizon). Organisations are delaying whatever hiring plans they had in the pipeline and it’s only a matter of time before the number of people competing for a smaller number of opportunities skyrockets.
In fact, Westpac is predicting that unemployment in Australia will soar to its highest level in 17 years so it will be crucial that you leverage as many tools from your job search toolbox as you can.
For more information, contact Carolyn from Total Resumes today at carolyn@totalresumes.com.au
