What format do you use for resumes?
How do I know if I need a professionally written resume?
How long will it take to get my new resume and/or cover letter?
How important is the cover letter?
What’s an “objective” about?
Do I need a different resume for every job I apply to?
Who will write my resume?
What kind of results do you have?
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What format do you use for resumes?
90% of our resumes are done in reverse chronological format, with the remaining 10% in a hybrid reverse-chronological/functional format.We begin each resume with a “branding statement” that effectively presents your key strengths and creates a sophisticated marketing document for use during your search. We avoid tables, columns, and any other formatting parameters that would hide information or confuse fields for the computers that now search for qualified candidates.
How do I know if I need a professionally written resume?
Of the resumes we see, and of the resumes our HR managers see, about 90% need a professional re-write. Another 8% need a tune-up, and only the remaining 2% are good as-is. Chances are, you do need your resume re-written. The first thing working against you is that for most jobs, a person won’t even look at your resume. It has to be chosen by a computer, based on the keyword search the hiring manager has set. Most resumes don’t pass that test. If you do get to a person’s desk, they’ll likely spend no more than 10 seconds with it before they decide if they want to interview you. Is pertinent information easy to find? Do your strengths ‘jump out’? Have you correctly targeted appropriate keywords? If you’re still not convinced, we’ll gladly take a look and let you know what our impression is. Just email us your resume for feedback.
How long will it take to get my new resume and/or cover letter?
Generally we spend between 3 and 5 business days with each assignment. If you need a rush order, please contact us. If we’re able, we’ll be happy to work with you to find an acceptable timetable.
How important is the cover letter?
Like peanut butter and jelly, Batman and Robin, cake and ice cream – a resume is not complete without an accompanying cover letter. Generally speaking, the recruiter or hiring manager will read the cover letter first, and that forms the basis for a first impression. Never send a resume without a cover letter.
About 10 years ago Objectives were emblazoned on the top of every resume, telling the hiring manager that you want to put your best foot forward and be a great employee, work flexible hours, and just be a nice guy. Thankfully, Objectives have gone the way of floppy disk drives and 8-tracks. They’ve been replaced by branding statements. A branding statement has a title – the job title or career you’re targeting. They’re followed by a burst of mini-sentences that generate a strong overall impression of what you’ll bring to your new employer. It’s a summary of sorts, but one specifically relevant to your new manager-to-be.
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Do I need a different resume for every job I apply to?
For most applicants the answer is no. A well-written resume will focus on your key strengths and accomplishments, and those will stay the same for every job you apply to. On the other hand, if you’re pursuing two very different job searches at once you might need two separate resumes. We had one client who had spent his most recent 7 years in IT Outsourcing management, but prior to that had been in organizational development. He was running 2 simultaneous searches and needed very different resumes for each – with a different set of keywords in each. If your situation is similar, contact us to see what we can do. Usually we can treat the 2nd resume as a ‘tune-up’ without charging for a full rewrite.
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Based on your industry, career level, and target market, we will choose the most appropriate writer from our team. That writer will contact you directly and walk you through the process. You’ll have ample opportunity to collaborate to make sure that your final version corresponds to your needs and requirements.
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What kind of results do you have?
Our resumes have landed jobs for clients at prestigious, international firms including Caterpillar, Booz Allen Hamilton, Sprint, Starwood Resorts, and a host of other hand-picked employers. While we cannot guarantee that you will be hired, we do guarantee that our resume will position you perfectly for interviews in your field, at the appropriate career level. We can get your foot in the door and our process will help you prepare for interviews.