Total Résumés Founder | Project Director | Certified Executive Résumé Master | Job Search & Interviews Coach | Ex-Recruiter
Nominee in the 2017 Toast of the Resume Industry (TORI) Awards
☛ Warning: All résumé writers are not equal ☚
Would you entrust the safety of your loved ones with an unqualified mechanic? No WAY! Similarly don’t put your career, potential earnings and future in the hands of an uncertified writer.
Creating powerful, distinctive, interview-winning resumes and career marketing documents for executives, aspiring leaders and professionals…
Internationally recognised for superior knowledge and experience in resume and LinkedIn profile writing…
Australian owned and operated practice, assisting clients worldwide…
A Customer Service Manager received a call for an interview for her ultimate job just 15 mins after emailing her NEW resume—WOW!
A Graphic Designer landed his absolute dream job as a Photographer / Graphic Designer with Australia’s leading online fashion retailer—LIFE CHANGING OUTCOME!
1 of Australia’s leading executive resume writing strategists.
1 of only 5 Certified Executive Résumé Masters in Australia.
(1 of 20 CERMs worldwide)
The only resume professional Australia wide to hold all 5 certifications.
98% success rate landing interviews for executives, managers and professionals.
The fact you’re here means that you’ve probably realised (the hard way) that landing your dream job in today’s competitive market isn’t that easy.
You may be confused, exhausted, anxious, and uncertain about HOW to leverage your career . . .
As a former recruiter turned executive resume writer, I take your career seriously. My clients land top jobs – quickly – with a combination of powerful personal branding, job search strategies and interview coaching.
I’ll rewind for a moment.
12 years ago, after a successful period in business management, I began a journey in recruitment and training. I discovered very early on that I was good at it too! I was able to match employers with candidates with precision, and still get a buzz today when I see candidates working in the same jobs I placed them in many years ago.
This is where my passion for writing resumes began. As a recruitment specialist, I was viewing 200+ resumes on a daily basis. 95% of those applications were inferior, failed to sell the client’s expertise, chock-full of errors, dull or too long, and ended up straight on the “no” pile. Further, the person I was interviewing did not match the piece of paper in front of me.
You must understand that the recruitment process is ruthless! It’s not personal — it’s just business. Hiring managers/recruiters are time poor and in many cases are matching your CV with a job description. With just 6 seconds to capture the reader’s attention (a wide variety of readers too), the first page of your resume is prime real estate and MUST be captivating to make you stand out from the other 249 other applicants who may well have similar experience to you. A brand-driven, accomplishments-focused resume is the best way to achieve your goal!
I knew very early on in my recruitment days, that I wanted to help people shorten their job search journeys, raise their salaries, and improve their interview success rates… “one client at a time.”
To begin with, I became a Workplace Trainer and Assessor specialising in group and individual training. I facilitated training in resume development, interview coaching, selection criteria writing, job search techniques, along with employability skills, retail, customer service, business administration and information technology certifications.
Resumes however were still my passion. But how could I have confidence in knowing that what I was producing was industry standard? Resume writing is unregulated in Australia and the market is saturated with self-proclaimed experts. With a 98% success rate in getting clients to interview, I knew I was getting something right… but that wasn’t enough for me. You’ll get to know very quickly that I’m very driven to achieve client success.
I set out to learn as much as I could. I read everything I could get my hands on, quizzed recruitment industry peers, and was distinguished as one of a handful to have achieved the 5 Star pass in the renowned PS… You’re a Résumé Expert course!
Before the ink dried on my first resume writing certification acquired through the Career Directors International (CDI), I was already preparing portfolios and coursework for 4 additional credentials. I’m now the only multi-certified Executive Resume Master in Australia to hold multiple certifications in resume writing, job search and interview coaching.
But I kept pushing forward, and worked tirelessly as a sub-contract writer for leading resume writing firms around the world. Like a sponge, I soaked up all that I possibly could from industry trailblazers. I then went on to learn the craft of career story telling from world-renowned, elite resume strategist and chief career story teller, Kimberly Robb Baker. Furthermore, I was honoured (and humbled) to be nominated for an award in the Career Directors International annual Toast of the Resume Industry (TORI) awards for 2017.
Fast forward to today. I’ve built a thriving business supporting executives, aspiring leaders and professionals in their careers, and I can honestly say that I’m living my purpose every day. Today, my team and I support our clients—both private and corporate clients — on how to land more job offers and scale their businesses.
I am so inspired every time someone new finds us and says “yes” to investing in themselves for this potentially life changing work. Whether I’m helping someone get clarity on job search strategy or writing career marketing documents, I am in my bliss.
Hi Carolyn,
I hope this mail finds you well. Just a short update from me. I join [name withheld] in a weeks’ time 😊. In the past six weeks, I have been pinged through LinkedIn at least once a week by recruiters in the industry. It is an awesome feeling to finally be in a position to turn down jobs!
A number of people in [name withheld] have approached me for my secret sauce for getting a job. Of course you have come up in my many conversations. [name withheld] just mentioned that she is about to commence working with you on her resume and LinkedIn.
I hope many more will contract your services.
Hi Carolyn,
After you created my resume, I have landed my dream job today as “HACCP Coordinator”.
It all happened because you put so much effort into my resume. I seriously want to thank you.
Carolyn has an empathy and deep understanding of the new age job market, its competitive nature and the need to define individuals by achievement and the value they offer. Her unique ability to weave the story of a candidate’s achievements and clear communication skills set her apart from most resume writers. But the most prevalent attribute that Carolyn brings is her commitment to her clients, working to meet difficult deadlines, following up with improvements, and ensuring that she remains the trusted advisor to her clients.
I am very happy to recommend Carolyn to anyone requiring assistance with a resume, cover letter or employment application. Not only is Carolyn extremely adept in this area with wonderful communication and presentation skills she demonstrated great insight regarding the current requirements of recruiters and potential employers. She is a very lovely person who takes a very genuine interest in her clients and is an example to us all of how customer service should be. Working with Carolyn made the task of showcasing my skills and experience very easy thanks to her professionalism, commitment and dedication to the task. The finished result was perfectly tailored for my purposes and I would not hesitate to engage Carolyn again or to recommend her services to others.
Having been in the same job for the last 8+ years the thought of producing my resume was extremely daunting for me – until I found Carolyn. Carolyn was simply outstanding. Dealing with Carolyn was seamless, prompt and to put it simply – just so easy! When I received my completed resume, I was totally overwhelmed with how Carolyn had captured not only my strengths and competencies, but amazingly she captured the essence of me, who I am as a person – what I represent as my ‘own brand’. I couldn’t recommend Carolyn highly enough to anyone needing their resume created from scratch, or to have their resume revamped, you will not be disappointed.
I must express the professionalism and attention to detail when working with Carolyn. I could see in the end result, the time and effort that was put into the content for my resume.
I would certainly recommend dealing with Carolyn. The end result was certainly worth it for me.
WOW! When I read the resume you created for me it brought a tear to my eye. Seeing myself on paper was quite overwhelming. Thank you so much. I am very happy.
I engaged Total Resumes to write a professional resume on my behalf and to say I was impressed is an understatement. My employment history was dull and I didn’t believe that I had achieved anything outside of my job description. When I read my resume for the first time I was amazed. I would have hired myself on the spot!! I highly recommend Carolyn to anyone looking for further their career. Her resumes are 5 star and get results.
I just wanted to say thank you once again for the wonderful resume and letter you created for me. I applied for a management position with ***** **** and I’m over the moon to let you know that not only was I selected for interview, but I got the job. YAY go me!! The store owner said that my resume was the best she has ever seen and that she knew she wanted to meet me as soon as she read my application. That’s saying something for someone that has only ever had 2 jobs. I can’t thank you enough. I will be recommending you to everyone I speak to.
I highly recommend Total Resumes to anyone in need of a quality resume. I had been a chef with the one company for 12 years and was looking for a career change. Working with Carolyn made the process simple. She produced an outstanding resume for me that highlighted things that I hadn’t even thought of. When faced with the challenge of applying for jobs that were using my current skills but very much outside my expertise I had no idea where to start. When I attempted to write my own resume I got as far as my name and address but had no idea what to write next. I am pleased to say that I now have confidence in my skills and experience and my new resume has enhanced my career.
I engaged with Carolyn to create my resume. I was moving interstate and had not had the need for a resume for the past twenty eight years. Carolyn compiled all of my information to create a resume that was perfectly suited to my needs. I was able to gain employment soon after my relocation and was fortunate enough to secure the position I was after.
I would recommend Carolyn for anyone who needs their resume to be updated or completed.
Hello Carolyn,
Thank-you so much for your stellar effort. I am absolutely thrilled with the documents. I am blown away by the service I have received. I cannot believe the overwhelming support and professionalism you have demonstrated. The after-hours service and also the work you have completed over the week-end.
Carolyn, I honestly thought customer service and individuals that care about their work as much as I do were a thing of the past. Thank-you so much for proving me wrong.
You have not only restored my confidence in customer service and pride in ones work, you have more importantly restored the confidence in myself with your beautifully constructed documents. I cannot thank-you enough……
I’m glad you asked, because I can assume that you are actively researching resume writers and rank quality service highly.
I take an ineffective resume and turn it into a power-packed personal campaign–defining your brand and showcasing you as the obvious choice. My exclusive dedication to each one of my projects—taking the time necessary to do it right—and my bone-deep commitment to making your unique value shine. This is backed by a recruitment background, exceptional writing skills, extensive knowledge of resume strategy, and a talent for creating customised, modern, industry-appropriate resume designs.
In addition to working exclusively with clients, I lead and mentor a small, elite team of TORI-award-winning and CMRW/CERW certified career experts. When selecting a service, professional-level clients have the choice of working with me, or a member of my world-class, multi-certified team.
As the Founder of Total Resumes, I guarantee professional quality work, effective and customised career marketing documents, and personal customer service. Documents produced by Total Resumes are achievement-based and results-driven, positioning our clients as highly qualified interview candidates for positions they want to target while instilling the confidence and mindset of knowing they ARE one step ahead of their competition.
As an executive resume expert who has carved a strong reputation in the resume industry, I’ve helped thousands of rising stars and executives worldwide ascend to the next step on the career ladder.
Connect With Me on LinkedIn
Not only do I create outstanding, story-based resumes recognised by my peers, executive recruiters, clients, and hiring managers for a remarkably analytical and powerful style, I also understand the job market and the intensity of a job search – having worked in employment services and recruitment for many years. In addition, I’ve elicited information from even the most restrained of clients… resulting in resumes that provide clients just like you with a competitive edge by capturing your particular vision, work style, brand, energy, and accomplishments.
Extensive recruitment expertise provides me with a unique understanding of precisely what employers and recruiters look for in candidates, resumes and job applications. Having assisted many Govt. and private organisations with their recruitment needs, I am familiar with the complexities involved with pre-screening and short listing applicants.
I brand your background in a unique way by focusing on the strategic value behind your work… persuasively and succinctly marketing you as THE solution to the needs of employers.
My thoroughness, attention to detail, and ability to fact-find are legendary! Clients quickly find out that I’m never satisfied with the status quo, and that I believe in teaching you to leverage every weapon you have in today’s aggressive job market.
In fact, I arm job hunters with a wealth of knowledge, ensuring that you have all the tools and resources necessary for a successful job search. A carefully crafted resume is just the start.
I offer you outstanding credentials and a global reputation, with these advantages.
Each year, the Career Directors International (CDI) hosts the resume writing industry’s most prestigious Toast of the Resume Industry™ (TORI) resume writing competition.
This is an international competition in which contestants submit their best work in a category. Winners are selected by a blind panel of global industry experts. Nominees are selected, followed by first, second, and third place winners in each category.
CDI members are eligible and encouraged to strive for writing and creative awards, which benefit the general membership, members’ clients, CDI, and the industry as a whole.
CDI introduced the TORI™ Awards to the industry in 2000 to celebrate a new standard in excellence through rigorous criteria requirements. While award standards have always been demanding, never before has the resume writing industry embraced the concept of a standardised criteria for resume judging.
I encourage you to invest in your career – the one area of your life that makes all other wants and needs possible–so you can take control, get what you want, and avoid wasting time. You will be presented with an eye catching, cutting edge and modern resume to assist with your career endeavours. Your professional resume and letter is your stepping stone to gaining an interview to get the job you seek.
The return on investment for our services can be profound. If you can shorten your job search by just 1 week, our packages have paid for themselves! Explore the Total Resumes website to learn more about my services, client testimonials, unique industry credentials and view samples of my work. Additionally, I am available via direct email for any queries.
I look forward to hearing from you!
Executive Resume Writing Services – Anchored in Hobart, Tasmania Servicing Australia: Sydney | Melbourne | Brisbane | Canberra | Adelaide | Perth | Darwin | Hobart
Not in Australia? We have assisted clients worldwide including: United Kingdom | United States of America | United Arab Emirates | India | East Africa | Saudi Arabia | Hong Kong | New Zealand | Egypt | China
© 2018 Total Résumés | Certified Executive Resume Master.
