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Is Your Resume Hurting, Rather Than Helping?

The majority of resumes, in their telling style, tend to be overviews of responsibilities and skills. Even when top line summaries are included they rarely do anything but point out that you have the same skills required of all candidates for the targeted position. Therefore, it is critical to sell your value to the company, not just your experience. If you work with me, I make it rapidly clear why the reader should consider you over the other similarly qualified candidates by creating branddriven resumes that differentiate you from your competition.

Essential: We don’t want to just TELL readers what you can do—we want to SHOW them what you have achieved throughout your career. I front load your achievements using your unique CAR stories (challenge, action, result) to demonstrate your contributions and accomplishments. This approach is much more effective than just listing your responsibilities, and positions you ABOVE other candidates.

Total Resumes is not a secretarial or typing service. If you’re after a reformat or update of your existing resume, this is not the service for you. We start from scratch, taking the time to meticulously create your distinctive and authentic documents that are specifically branded and unique for you. If you’d like an introduction to our hand-picked referral partners, contact Carolyn at carolyn@totalresumes.com.au

IMPORTANT NOTE: I’m focused solely on client success, and I only work with 2 clients at a time/per month. 2024 is filling fast; our books are now closed and by appointment only for March and beyond.

  • If you’d like to get started on reaching your career goals, please get in touch with me before placing an order to see if I can accommodate your project.
  • If you’re not ready to start yet but would like me to add you to our waiting list for 2024, please reach out. 

Need to talk? I may not be able to answer your call because I work with clients by appointment throughout the work day.
If you’d like to chat, check when I’m free and book your time here

Resume Service Explanations

ATS Optimised Resume – Most recruiters and many employers scan resumes into databases vs. having them reviewed initially by staff. When a candidate is needed, a key word search is performed to pull up qualified candidates. Therefore, a resume must be front-loaded with key process words to make the cut; don’t assume they will know because of your job titles. Further, layout, font, and spacing should be scanner friendly. We’ll optimise your resume for ATS, ensuring it contains the correct formatting and industry-specific keywords to increase its chances of passing through and being picked up by any resume scanning software.

Full Colour Presentation Resume – If you think that a visually distinctive resume will not make you stand out positively from the competition, think again. While you do not want to use fancy formats or frilly formats, drawing attention and standing out through clear and attractive formatting can make all the difference in the world with whether your resume is picked from the stack. Therefore, generic templates, packed pages with limited white space, unusual fonts, too much bolding or italics, or just blah presentations need to be avoided.  Our design resumes  are visually engaging, and prepared using a variety of expert styling techniques.

Networking Resume – A visually engaging 1-page overview of your value proposition, expertise, career highlights and key achievements, with your professional brand and target at the forefront. The Networking Resume is perfect for distributing to past and present colleagues, business associates, connections, and even friends and family, so they can quickly gain an understanding of what you do and the value you offer. The addition of this approach to your job search could potentially open doors you didn’t know existed; after all, networking has always been, and will always be, the number 1 job search strategy.

Can You Put a Figure on the Value of Your Future? No?

Be Driven by Quality and Results—Not Price Alone—When Investing in Your Future by Hiring Career Services Experts!

Packaged Service Deliverables

The return on investment for our services can be profound.

If you can shorten your job search by even 1 week, our packages have paid for themselves!

Work Exclusively with Carolyn

(Award-Winning, Multi-Certified Executive Resume Master & Career Storyteller)

PINNACLE PACKAGE

  • Branded, Story-based Resume (2 Versions – ATS-optimised and Full-colour Presentation)
  • Brand Map – An Australian-first offering. Like a Navman for your career journey!
  • Customisable Cover Letter
  • Stand-alone Value Proposition Letter
  • Search-optimised, Story-based LinkedIn Profile (Enhancer)
  • 12-step Job Search Strategy Program

     Self-directed Job Search Support Solution

  • 30-day Job Search Accelerator Program
  • 30-day LinkedIn Accelerator Program
  • 14-day Salary Negotiation Challenge
  • 21-day Accomplishments Challenge
  • 21-day New Year New Job Challenge
  • Job Search Secrets Exposed eBook
  • LinkedIn Connection Kit
  • Getting Started with LinkedIn in Your Job Search eBook
  • + Free inclusion into monthly client-exclusive community communication

Investment $3,346
(Value $3,725)

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ACCELERATOR PACKAGE

  • Branded, Story-based Resume (2 Versions – ATS-optimised and Full-colour Presentation)
  • Brand Map – An Australian-first offering. Like a Navman for your career journey!
  • Customisable Cover Letter
  • Stand-alone Value Proposition Letter
  • Search-optimised, Story-based LinkedIn Profile (Enhancer)
  • 30-day Self-directed Job Search Accelerator Program
  • Job Search Secrets Exposed eBook
  • LinkedIn Connection Kit
  • Getting Started with LinkedIn in Your Job Search eBook
  • + Free inclusion into monthly client-exclusive community communication

Investment $2,947
(Value $3,236)

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ADVANTAGE PACKAGE

  • Branded, Story-based Resume (2 Versions – ATS-optimised and Full-colour Presentation)
  • Brand Map – An Australian-first offering. Like a Navman for your career journey!
  • Customisable Cover Letter
  • Stand-alone Value Proposition Letter
  • Search-optimised, Story-based LinkedIn Profile (Update)
  • 30-day Self-directed Job Search Accelerator Program
  • Job Search Secrets Exposed eBook
  • + Free inclusion into monthly client-exclusive community communication

Investment $2,499
(Value $2,728)

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INFLUENCE PACKAGE

  • Branded, Story-based Resume (2 Versions – ATS-optimised and Full-colour Presentation)
  • Brand Map – An Australian-first offering. Like a Navman for your career journey!
  • Customisable Cover Letter
  • + Free inclusion into monthly client-exclusive community communication

Investment $1,889
(Value $2,050)

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REGENCY PACKAGE

  • Branded, Story-based Resume (ATS-optimised)
  • Brand Map – An Australian-first offering. Like a Navman for your career journey!
  • + Free inclusion into monthly client-exclusive community communication

Investment $1,597
(Value $1,694)

MORE INFO

*Note: This is a collaborative partnership and clients must be prepared to devote time to ‘homework’ in the form of a fact-finding and career exploration questionnaire.

On Scheduling: We often have a waiting list of 2 to 4 weeks so I can personally write each client’s communications.

If you are interested in À-LA-CARTE SERVICES instead of the offered value packages, email me at carolyn@totalresumes.com.au to discuss service options.

I’m looking forward to assisting you with your career advancement endeavours!

Individual Services / Additional Extras

Branded, Story-based Resume

$1,397

The creation of your executive resume is often top-of-mind with executives who go into search mode. In fact, a resume can be a powerful tool in defining and finding work you love while meeting your personal and financial needs…

2-page Letter Addressing Key Selection Criteria

$399

2-page letter addressing key selection criteria using STAR method. You provide us with your detailed examples, and we will craft your clear, concise responses…

Customisable Cover Letter

$159

Cover letters are often overlooked as an insignificant aspect of the job application process. This is simply not true – cover letters are vital as they establish all-important rapport with the prospective employer and effectively communicate your personal brand whilst highlighting some of your key achievements and strengths…

Stand-alone Value Proposition Letter

$159

Value Proposition Letters (VPL) are a brief and persuasive account of what you achieve—not what you do. Increasingly more critical for 6- and 7-figure executives, it is clear, concise, and worded in quantified metrics, i.e. dollars ($), timeframes (XX months) and percentages (%). Intended to be mailed to the CEO, Managing Director, Owner, or other top decision maker.

Search-optimised, Story-based LinkedIn Profile (Starter/Update)

$449

LinkedIn can help you effectively position yourself in the competitive job market, network with like-minded people in your industry, and apply for advertised jobs through an online database. You may even be headhunted by recruiters or potential employers…

Search-optimised, Story-based LinkedIn Profile (Enhancer)

$897

This is the way to be found and to search for employment. Bold, brief, branded LinkedIn profile to build chemistry and desire. This is today’s #1 job seeker’s tool to connect with others, tap into the hidden job market (where 85% of jobs are found) and be headhunted by recruiters and job search consultants…

12-step Job Search Strategy Program (Our Best Seller)

$399

Service includes a complete 12 Step Action Plan. With access to the latest tools and research, this program can establish an online identity and support you to uncover the hidden job market. (This service is only offered if you have ordered the Professional Resume service and LinkedIn Profile Creation/Optimisation service)…

Post-interview Thank You Letter

$159

A well-written thank you note/letter can make the difference between winning the job, or not. Your thank you letter will be prepared after your job interview and fully customised to the role and the interviewer(s). Its purpose is to communicate information that was not shared during the interview, respond to any concerns that may have been raised, reinforce points from the interview, distinguish you as different from other candidates, and of course build a relationship with the hiring authority and keep you top-of-mind…

Executive Biography

$399

A well-written corporate profile or bio can be used as a marketing tool to entice investors and clients, as an introduction, for networking purposes, public speaking, or as part of your job search. This service includes a full bio (1 page). Your dynamic and concise corporate bio will be interesting, engaging, and of course, personally branded, and unique…

Priority Service

$499

96-hour project turnaround (from receipt of client blueprints). Please enquire about availability before placing an order…

Resume update (1-2 Jobs) for existing Total Resumes clients

$399

Welcome back – Take advantage of our 2-year reduced fees for existing clients. If we last worked together more than 2 years ago, you are now ready to step into a more senior role or you want to change careers … it could be time for a rewrite. Email to discuss.

Selection Criteria Responses

$99 per Response

Half-page responses using STAR method. You provide us with your detailed examples, and we will craft your clear, concise responses…

Reference Page

$99

Our reference pages are designed to match your career marketing documents and strategically boast short statements from all sorts of credible references speaking to your value from their unique vantage points. The result is a reference page that reads like a list of 5-star book reviews!

REDUCE YOUR JOB SEARCH BY UP TO 80%

CONTACT CAROLYN

Client Testimonial

“I appreciate your services because I am time poor, without the time to polish my CV, it ensured that I was not overlooked when recruiters put a ‘filter’ on my resume and my critical skills and achievements were succinctly and specifically outlined for the position applied for.”

(Posted / Emailed 3 Resumes; Invited to 3 Interviews; Received 2 Job Offers)

Tanya, Assistant Director Regional Operations VIC & TAS, Commonwealth Government, Melbourne, VIC

Should you Invest in a Professional Resume?

WARNING: If you are a professional resume writer, then write your resume yourself. If you are not, DON’T! Here’s why: 

Despite what you might have heard about knowing yourself (the product) best, it rarely if ever means you are the most qualified to sell yourself on paper. Think about it—if products were marketed by their creators, then Coca-Cola would be marketed by chemists and the company would not be the multi-billion dollar brand it is today!

While you yourself might not yet represent a multi-billion dollar brand, your resume does have the power to position you to attain the goals you desire – when it’s done properly. However, hard working, conscientious professionals take their strengths, achievements, and talents for granted. Rarely do they know where to look, how deep to dig, how to tell the story without saying too much or too little, what to play up, or how to present it, because they are far too close to the subject, not familiar with the review strategies of the companies they are targeting, and not professional writers/marketers when it comes to selling themselves in a resume.

While I can provide you with expert, time-tested strategies and advice, attempting to apply it yourself could be akin to following written instructions from my mechanic on diagnosing and repairing my car’s engine. I’m not a mechanic and while I might get lucky, patch it together, and think I know what I’m doing since I received expert advice, all too soon I will be stranded on the side of the road having wasted time, now with the added expense of a tow truck, and still having to pay my mechanic to do the work and wait longer while it is done. In fact, I will have wasted more time and money than if I just fixed the problem the right way with the use of a professional the first time!

I don’t tell you this to be arrogant or assumptive–12+ years of executive-level resume writing, recruitment, job search / interview workshop facilitation, and winning awards as a professional resume writer have allowed me to see the mistakes that job seekers make over and over again. In all that time I can’t think of more than two cases where the do-it-yourself update to the resume created by the job seeker was any better than the original, which tells me you don’t want to waste opportunities doing it yourself  unless it’s your profession. If not, then your competition is sure to have the edge if even just one of them seeks the help of a certified professional.

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. Time is money and opportunity, and when your goal position is staring you in the face, you don’t want to lose out!! You’ve got just one chance to make a great first impression, and Total Resumes is your partner in doing just that.