Michael DeSafey | Executive Recruiter and HR Professional
Finding The Right Resume Writing Service For Your Professional Brand
Investing money is often a proactive choice and can pay dividends in the future. Investing in your health by eating well can also pay off in the form of little medical debt and improved quality of life. Resumes also require investment from professionals in the construction, engineering, and environmental fields.
The resume is the universal first impression, and in the age of digital technology, there are no excuses for professionals to avoid polishing theirs. However, many professionals lack self-promotion skills which are the reason that resume writing services exist. These writers excel at highlighting a career seeker’s skill set, experience, and qualifications. The right service and writer will have the knowledge to develop your brand and market you to your specific job market.
Get Recommendations and Make Sure You Choose A Real Resume Writing Service
Connections are key, and knowing someone in your field who has a successful resume can be the first step to maximizing your hiring potential. Asking for a recommendation or two can lead you to some good writing candidates. Research is also necessary to ensure that you hire a certified writer who understands the engineering, environmental, and construction job markets and how market you to these potential employers. These professionals keep up with the current job markets with continuing education. The National Resume Writer’s Association, The Career Directors International Professional Association, and the Professional Association of Resume Writers and Career Coaches certify quality writers.
Buyer beware: some clerical services do resume writing, but these services tend to focus on word processing and formatting rather than the much-needed marketing edge necessary for your competitive field.
Avoid Fast Turnarounds, Paying By the Page, And Services Lacking Samples
When it comes to the use of words, less is often more. Avoiding services that charge per page will reduce the chance of receiving a resume full of unnecessary information or that takes too long to present your brand. Using unnecessary words, or padding, is the fastest way to make an employer lose interest in the applicant and their brand. Services that guarantee a fast turnaround are also suspect: often, this means that the writers are creating several resumes per day of low quality and paying little attention to each professional’s brand.
Inspecting a writer’s samples is a must, and the lack of samples should be regarded as a red flag. Crisp, clean samples with a good layout that attracts the eye, as well as samples that focus specifically on an applicant’s brand and unique skill set.
Engage With Resume Writers, Not Salespeople
Starting a conversation with a resume writer can begin with contacting a resume service and asking for a free consultation. Speaking with a writer versus a salesperson will reduce the chance that the service is low-quality. A quality writer will also be willing to provide samples of his or her work.
Online questionnaires and email evaluations, when used alone, should be avoided as well. Companies utilizing them often deliver poor results. The best practice is always to speak to a person who will ask insightful questions and gain an understanding of your professional brand.
Michael DeSafey is a leading executive recruiter for professionals in the construction, engineering and environmental industries. He is currently the President of Webuild Staffing www.webuildstaffing.com . To learn more about Michael or to follow his blog please visit www.michaeldesafey.com