Should I hire a resume writing service?

[AlienGirl]

I just graduated and need to find a good job before my student loan grace period runs out. I have no idea how to write a resume. Has anyone here used a professional resume writing service? Was it worth it?

Tucker

[Maddy McCall]

1. I think you'd be better off if you bought a good book on it...

and did it yourself.

I know you can do it. You're really bright and imaginative. Both come in handy when writing a resume. :D

[merwin]

2. Read up on the net about it and write your own. Just remember a couple

of things.

1) Don't make it too long. Long gets boring. 2-3 pages should be more than enough.
2) DO NOT USE A GENERIC COVER LETTER. Always write one. Always make it specific to the job/company that you're applying for. Use their name in the cover letter.
3) Don't make it too flashy. Make it look clean and nice, but not overly flashy or graphical with crazy fonts.
4) Be honest. However, do not give yourself less credit than you are due. Don't make up anything, because it WILL bite you in the ass come interview time.
5) If you're at any point discussing strengths and weaknesses, always put the weakness in a positive light (ie: My biggest flaw is that i'm a perfectionist, and spend the amount of time needed to make things exactly the way they should be).

[Maddy McCall]

4. This is excellent advice.

Excellent.

[merwin]

5. Why thank you... It's the only thing that gets me a job, considering

my interpersonal skills are about 20 notches under my writing skills.

[AlienGirl]

10. Mine too

I'm afraid I'm going to start shaking in the interview (I have anxiety problems).

Tucker

[merwin]

14. I usually do, which ends up in sweating and incoherence :-)

Somehow I still manage to get some jobs though.

[AlienGirl]

21. Good to know--what field are you in?

[REP]

7. 2-3 Pages Is TOO LONG

1 page is best; 2 if you have to; 3 is a tip-off that you're padding your resume.

[Skittles]

11. YES

remember the purpose of a resume has evolved - it is now JUST TO GET THEIR INTEREST. You actually sell yourself DURING THE JOB INTERVIEW.

[philosophie_en_rose]

3. I'd try it yourself first.

Microsoft.com has some very good templates that you can use. Even if you go with a professional, it's best (& cheaper) to give them a resume to edit.

In my opinion, a paid resume service is not really worth it. I've never used one, so I can't say that they aren't going to help you. However, I'd recommend your college's career center or Worksource center for free advice.

What kind of work are you looking for? What kind of work experience do you have? The answers will affect the type of resume you need.

[AlienGirl]

8. Well, I've been interning in a probation office

My degree's in psychology (loosely).

Trouble is, I don't even know what kind of jobs I should be applying for. I can get my counseling license any time I want, but nobody has entry-level counselor positions open--or at least they don't advertise. I'm pretty good at the probation thing, but there are only openings if someone dies or retires and the other interns/volunteers have more experience, so I'm probably out of luck there.

Tucker

[philosophie_en_rose]

12. Some ideas.

If you like corrections, the best place for you would be the state website:

http://hr.dop.wa.gov/

You should use the format for resumes that they provide. You won't need a professional for that. If you're willing to relocate to a rural community, you may have better luck.

You could also try craigslist.org, the king county department of personnel website, and other places.

Depending on the type of counseling work that you do, you could also look into local nonprofits (women's shelter, homeless agency, etc) and call. Or mental health agencies. If you're willing to work cheaply, you'll get your foot in the door.

[AlienGirl]

16. How cheap is "cheap"?

I'd like to make at least $30K/year...

Tucker

[philosophie_en_rose]

23. Depends on the agency.

Snohomish County Corrections pay $3000-4000 per month. Not too bad. But it depends upon the position and the agency.

King & Snohomish County will pay the most. Eastern Washington the least. Nonprofit counseling should be about $30,000. However, it really depends on the agency.

Every city and county has a website with vacancies. You should be able to get a job description and salary range from there.

[Floogeldy]

6. You definitely need to hire a professional.

B-)

[AlienGirl]

9. Are you by any chance a professional?

What's your rate?

Tucker

[6000eliot]

13. People who read these things can tell

if you've had it done professionally. Also, don't use templates, except to see how one might be set up. Try to keep it at one page. Also, remember, you have power too. When you go into a job interview, you are interviewing them as well to find out if the job is right for you. I teach this stuff, for what it's worth.

[AlienGirl]

15. Will they care if it was professionally done?

[6000eliot]

18. In that they'll care that you didn't do it yourself, yes.

You should be showing them that you are creative and resourceful and can solve problems on your own. My advise, for what it's worth.

[Seneca]

17. My main tip on these

Get beyond past job descriptions by concentrating on concrete accomplishments you made on your jobs. Name things YOU did that made a difference in the workplace, or showed you went above and beyond your normal duties.

Think of the resume as your billboard, and not your tombstone. It's not merely a summary, it's a sales pitch for AlienGirlBrand. :-)

[komplex]

19. For a new Grad...

One page long max.

Second is to network, go to your alumni office, and search their databases for grads who are working in the field you want to work in. Send them an email, asking for advice.

[HamstersFromHell]

20. My best advice is this...

I'd had my resume out for months with nary any nibbles at all, then I read a web site on writing effective resumes, and redid mine from scratch. Bingo! I'm now getting calls for interviews.

The thing I read that really stuck with me was a bit from an HR person...."I may look at 50 to 500 resumes a day. If a resume doesn't have my attention in the first 20 seconds of reading, it doesn't get a second glance." (Very similar to folks won't bother with web pages that won't load in 15 seconds.)

Keep the format simple. Fancy is a waste of time and effort.

Stick with Arial or a good sans-serif font. Serif fonts are harder to read. Type should be no smaller than 10pt, no larger for the body than 12pt. Your name can be larger (and bold) up to maybe 16pt. Aim to have at least 1/2" of margin all around, better is 1"...just looks less cluttered.

Don't open with an "Objective", this is you telling them what you want from them. Instead use a "Summary" telling them what you can do for them. You'll come across much better. Use "buzzwords" in the summary...some places machine scan resumes in then have the text scanned for matching words. Omitting buzzwords may get your resume overlooked in some places.

Be consistent with date formats and such. A small thing, but it can get noticed.

Start with an outline...what you did at each of the jobs you list. Then go back and flesh it out, and don't start lines with "Responsible for..." Emphasize things you did *positive* for the employer...start lines with "Saved the company xxxx money by..." or "Increased productivity by.." A HR person quick scanning will notice the "good" buzzwords starting paragraphs. Just don't lie to pad it up, you will get caught.

I rewrote mine using those guidelines and the "hits" I'm getting have more than tripled since the rewrite.

Hope this helps!

Hammies

[usregimechange]

22. Don't spend money that is what DU is for, PM me your e-mail

and I will send you mine for a template.

[DrGonzoLives]

24. Don't waste your time

Just snoop around on college websites for their Career offices, and look at the examples there. Resume writing services cost much money for something you can do on your own?