A Professional Resume: Is It Worth the Price?

Beating the bushes of gainful employment to no avail, many job hopefuls turn, in wisdom and desperation, to professional resume writers.  The insightful questions, golden phrases, and writing samples offered by the writers speak of professionalism as well as genuine hope to those dispossessed of their jobs.  Yet, when presented with the fee for a powerful, individualized marketing tool, the ensuing battle cry is often, “But all I need you to do is write my resume!  Why does it cost so much?”

The answer may be found in the question, specifically, in that tiny, telling word, “all.”  The word is suggestive of the client’s illusion that, well seasoned in his or her craft, the writer will bang out the document in a matter of moments, with minimal effort.   Certainly, there are resume services that do just that; their lower rates reflect their level of skill and work ethic, including their commitment or lack thereof to their clients.

A resume is not simply a page or two of text; it is the “make or break” factor vital to securing interviews with employers facing a plethora of job candidates.  A well-crafted resume does not present an aspirant’s employment history and duties in a cut and dried manner, it weaves a story as to where the applicant has been, career-wise, and where he or she is headed.  It conveys specific accomplishments in a manner that allows employers to understand the impact of those achievements upon prior companies and enables them to envision future contributions to their own organizations.  A superior resume says that while a candidate is a team player, he or she also possesses the initiative to brainstorm, negotiate, and implement positive change.

The creation of a quality resume requires a consultation with the client, determination of the best resume format based upon the client’s individual circumstances, and, in addition to knowledge of the client’s industry and job function, an understanding of his or her overall core competencies.  The actual writing demands selection of the most relevant data and extensive editing or “polishing” before the client reviews what he or she will deem a draft.  All of this can only be accomplished by experienced, reputable writers who genuinely care if their clients secure interviews, and whose work reflects that concern.