Telltale Signs It’s Time to Update Your Resume & Who To Call…

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 recognise 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…

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• You’re in the market for a career change. Especially if you’re not sure about how to position your transferable experience and skills.

• You’re a new graduate. It’s hard to land an entry-level job — and it’s even harder to know what to emphasise on a résumé that’s short on experience.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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 websites.

• You need a résumé that stands out. If you’re looking for a position in a competitive field, like sales or administration.

• 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.

• You want to search online. If you need your résumé in a variety of electronic formats (including keywords) undefined ASCII, .txt., Microsoft Word, Adobe Acrobat PDF.

• You don’t have time to write one yourself. Which format is appropriate? What do employers want? How do I format the résumé?

• You’re self-employed and are looking for a “real” job. The “jack-of-all-trades” approach can be daunting for a prospective employer. Target your core skills.

• 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?

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, fax, or e-mail and delivering the finished documents either digitally or in hard-copy format. Other résumé writers meet with clients in person. Pick a résumé writer whose style works for what you want.

• Pricing. Résumé services range from $75 (simple résumé formatting or résumé writing mills) to several thousand dollars, depending on the services offered. Most people can expect to invest one or two day’s pay for a professionally written résumé.

Did you know that resume writing is an unregulated industry here in Australia? That’s right! Anyone can put their hand up and say they are a resume writer so ask potential writers for their industry credentials and check the quality of their work. There are LOTS of resume writers out there but many use Google templates and cookie-cutter resumes!

You can find a certified professional résumé writer on the Career Directors International website –www.careerdirectorsinternational.com or through industry associations that certify professional résumé writers.