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Anyone use a professional resume writer?
My dh was laid off before memorial day b/c the company decided to close the location. Unfortunately the same thing happened with the company before that as well. So his work expereince is 13 years with one company(laid off when the industry took a downturn) 15 months unemployed, new job for 1 and half years then 5 months unemployed(compnay lost their main client and closed), 6 months with the job then shut the doors. He has been unemployed for 5 months and is getting nowhere with applying for jobs. He had an interveiw last week and found out yesterday he didn't get the job. He was the perfect candidate so this is really hard on him.
We are trying to think of ways to help and the only thing I can think of is getting his resume redone. He didn't lose his jobs through any fault of his own. 2 places closed and the other downsized. he was the 3rd VP to be let go and then the following week the President was laid off.
If you have used a professional did it help?
Re: Anyone use a professional resume writer?
I've used one, but he's also my FIL. He's written up a portfolio as well as a two page resume. The resume is very limited in the details while the portfolio is eight pages. I usually send out just my resume, unless the position is for management or requires you to show the last ten years of experience.
I've recieved several interviews and compliments based soley on the resume and some for positions I was under qualified for.
My only complaint with the professional resume is people think I wrote the resume and I have to tell them that it was done by a professional and then they give me a funny look and I get the feeling they were hoping I had the same writing skills.
Up until a month ago, if you asked me this question, I would say it's not worth it and have someone you know who is good at resume writing/reading to look over it for you. I now think that if you do your research and find a good resume editing place, it's worth it.
This is because 8 months ago I paid $98 dollars to a counselor at the career center at a unviersity whose job was "resume writing" to read and help me with my resume. After an hour of meeting with her to go over my resume, she said it looked great and the only suggestion she had was to not list all my publications. That was her only suggestion. Don't fill the resume with your publications. I felt sorta ripped off honestly.
Then I posted here and Dr. L was generous and critiqued my resume and trust me she was able to point at stuff that myself, the counselor lady, even my friends (some PhD scientists in my field) hadn't noticed. I think my resume was totally changed in structure and many things were edited after her suggestions. Sending out that resume got me a few interviews back in May/June and I was happy that I had made the changes (and thankful to Dr. L).
Because I hadn't had a single call or interview in 3 months I researched and read about professional resume editing I guess from desperation. This one company (PM me and i'll send you the info, I have it at my home computer) received many many great reviews from higher up professionals at a different forum I follow (MDs, Lawyers..). So the reviews were not testimonial on their own website. It was actually my DH who found out about it first and suggested that we use it. You pay for it and send your resume, and they work with you on as many draft as needed until it's complete and you're both satisfied with the final product. The first draft I received, there were so many comments, notes and questions they wanted me to answer that I was overwhelmed and felt like my resume was really not THAT bad. After the second draft (when we got to the body of the resume) I started seeing a huge difference.
To make this novel short, a job came up that I really wanted to apply to last Thursday and I couldn't wait for the resume to be final (could take weeks- we're on draft 6 and it's been 2.5 weeks). So I sent the 3rd draft of the resume I was working on and applied to the position. This is at the same company I have applied to 4 times for different positions since October 2010. I got a call the same day for a phone interview and then they invited me for an in person interview. So I am very very happy with the changes they have made on my resume and it has worked for me so far (the goal was to get interviews) and I haven't even told them that my work in progress resume got me an interview already! I'm waiting to hear from the interview I had with them. I really hope I get it!
This company sounds like it would be perfect for a friend who is looking to change career paths. Could you send me the website or contact info for this company? I will PM you my email.
Also, approximately how much did you pay for the review/revisions? THANKS!!
Most feedback I've seen (here and IRL) indicated that pro resume writers are $$$$ and not very good. So much so that a friend said she blew $250 for a resume she had to completely rewrite. And you'd be surprised how many people write one and never have anyone look at them to give pointers on how they should look. I had DH, a friend in a similar field, and a co-worker look at mine at one point or another.
That being said, DH and I have a knack for doing them, and I've seriously considered opening my own business, especially with so many people still thinking an objective and a list of references is something that should be on a resume.
I'd start with friends/family/internet strangers
who are willing to take a look at it (as well as a cover letter), and if that doesn't help do some research on reasonably priced resume writers who will offer more than just a bland resume without even talking to him about his needs. And once he gets one done, no matter how it's done, he should update it (or at least revisit it) every 4 months or so.
GL
Our little Irish rose came to us on March 5, 2010
Don't drink the water.
Disclaimer: I am not an MD. Please don't PM me with pregnancy-related questions. Ask your doctor.
You should totally do this!
I paid $140. It's a flat fee of $140 and the sending back and forth of revisions stops when he thinks it looks great and I agree with that. we've been working through stages, the first draft or two was about formatting and getting all his questions answered (specific to my experience), then he gets to the body at later stages...