By Michelle Dumas
It’s often difficult for job seekers to consider spending money when they are jobless, their career prospects seem poor, and their emergency funds are shrinking. Rivalry is stiff in the job market these days and it is likely that there are far more professionals applying for positions than there are vacancies. But from a different angle, remember that the more time you are unemployed the more it costs you. If you would usually bring home $50,000 a year you are losing almost $1000 every week that you are jobless. There are professionals available to help you secure a new job, but they necessitate a monetary investment. If spending money is likely to pay returns greater than the amount paid, rather than an expenditure, shouldn’t it be taken into account as an investment? When you compute exactly how much it is costing you to be unemployed, would an investment in expert assistance be a smart one? This is a question that increasing numbers of job hunters are asking themselves, especially when it comes to preparing their resume. Many people are surprised to learn that there is such a thing as professional resume writers. So if you are wondering about that, you aren’t alone. But, just as there are marketing professionals who specialize in promoting products, there are marketing experts who focus on promoting people within the job market.
The highest quality professional resume writers are serious about their profession, have merited certifications and participate in regular training to make sure that that they are on the leading edge of their profession. While, at first glance, hiring an expert to help you write your resume might seem an unnecessary expense, the truth is that it is usually far more accurate to think of it as an investment with a high potential for excellent returns. Having your resume professionally written could pay you back many times over, as it helps you to increase your competitiveness, get your resume attention, win those interviews, and secure a job faster, many times at a higher salary than you might have anticipated.
Here are some guidelines as you contemplate working with a professional:
* Look for references.
Don’t expect to find references from past customers complete with their individual details and phone numbers. Professional ethics and confidentiality agreements prevent resume writers from divulging any personal information about their customers and you should be cautious of those who do. However, the best writers will have letters of reference that have been altered to not disclose the identity of their clients. You can also try to find references on LinkedIn, in which case the cutomer’s providing the reference may have voluntarily given up their identity.
* Review some examples of their resumes.
Look for resume writing companies or private practitioners that create a one-of-a-kind resume for each and every client. By looking at past examples you can get a sense of their style and see just how much attention to detail goes in to the finished product. You can also search for published examples on the web and many of the most talented resume writers have examples of their work published in books about resume writing.
* Check out credentials.
There are several credible, well-established professional associations for resume writers. Membership shows that the writer takes their profession seriously and is dedicated to excellence. These organizations offer education and credentialing programs. The most stringent exams have preconditions, assess various areas of skill, use a blind grading system, and have CEU requirements.
* Take time to review and understand the contract.
Many professional resume writers use written project contracts that explain policies and procedures as well as outlining the bounds of the project. This will help you to grasp the depth and breadth of services provided and what you can do if you aren’t happy. You will also find out how change requests are processed, the turnaround time, and what the payment process is.
* Finally, don’t disregard that your professionally written resume is an investment and you should remember this when you consider the payment terms.
Be cautious of resume writers who have little or no experience. Look for membership in professional associations, connections, established web presence, proof of training, and solid examples.
While fees vary, with more experienced and accomplished resume writers able to ask for more for their expertise and quality, generally the range should be somewhere between $300 and $1200, frequently depending on the complexity of your project. Keep in mind, a bargain is not a bargain if the quality of the delivered document is not what you hoped for and your job search suffers as a result. Your career is at stake here and you shouldn’t cut corners! Done properly, your professionally written resume is an investment that can produce extraordinary results.
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Michelle Dumas runs of one of the longest-standing and most respected professional resume writing firms on the internet. Since 1996, Michelle has empowered thousands of professionals with resumes that get results and win jobs fast. Get insider resume writing tips that you won’t find anywhere else at her website. Go now to www.distinctiveweb.com
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