Paying for Resume

[Janet Hill]

Has anyone used a professional to do their resume. If so about how much was it and was it worth it? Did you get more interviews?

Thanks

 

[puffkin]

I have never done it. But I have been seriously job hunting for the last month and I have gotten several interviews even in this down economy. Each time I will be one of only 4-5 people interviewed out of 100's of resumes...

Anyway, I know my resume is good. I have been told that many times by prospective employers. However, the main reason I have been getting interviews is from my cover letters. So I think a good cover letter is just as important if not more than the resume.

I am hoping for an offer in the next week or two so I can stop going on interviews (some of these companies really like to drag their feet)! I guess it is a good position to be in!!!!

 

[disneymarie]

I have used software for our resume's and found it very friendly.
Back in 1996 it was Win Way Resume, then saved it to WORD.doc. Unfortunatly, some family did not save the file, and I my original Disk is broke.....wish I could find another one. It gave prompts for lanuage and pharases sounding very proffesional, also cover letters.

About 100 resume's to date, with updating, for the entire network of family and friends.

I had a service from the local TV station that reviews to critque and realized I should reduce my font, and extend the margins I was using. This got the information down to a readable resume.

If I put everything, it was 5 pages long.

http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&ke...=aps&hvadid=3069990929&ref=pd_sl_8llgyfyii2_b
Version 12 and 11 here. Version 11 is only about $14.00 with free shipping.

 

[3boymthr]

Yes, I have had my professionally done.

No, I did not pay for it, my employer did.

I was being laid off and was given an interviewing skills, networking and resume and cover letter skills training course - 5 days - 8 hours a day. We all brought in our resumes and they proofed them, taught us how to keep it updated and "professional". The value of this training - $5,000 - or at least that's what my company paid - per person - to have the training done.

I learned a lot from this and I will say that I get a lot of comments on how good my resume is. I also get a lot of comments on my cover letters. I agree with PP this is just as important.

 

[lisabarr]

I paid $100 for an Education resume. I was having a hard time with my resume as I had been out of the education fields for 10 years and didn't know how to integrate my sales (recent) experince with my teaching background.

Got two interviews and got a job after using the new resume.

Plus, I had noticed alot of people were using this "new" resume format and I didn't have a clue.

 

[KennedyMcKenna]

Oh man, I used to and still from time to time do, write resumes for people. And all I get is a chocolate cake or $10! All of the people I wrote them for said that it always got them more interviews, and jobs. I'm flabbergasted that people are being paid to do this, where do I sign up!!!?

 

[quentina]

Has anyone used a professional to do their resume. If so about how much was it and was it worth it? Did you get more interviews?

Thanks

Yes....it is amazing! My husband and I both had them done....he got the job he applied for and I applied and received an internal promotion.

We paid $125.00 for generic cover letter, 25 resumes, 25 pieces of paper to make personal cover letter, instructions for thank you letters etc.

Our resume's are menu shaped (name on front, then open) and everyone complimented them.

Best money we ever spent!

 

[Deb & Bill]

You are better off writing your own. Get a good guide (I used What Color is Your Parachute many years ago) and go with that. Unless the professional writing it for you knows you inside and out, it probably won't be that correct and you could get called on it during an interview.

 

[DisnyMama]

I don't know what state you are in but most have what is called a "Work Force" or "Work Source" office/program that is run by or connected with your states unemployment department.

In these offices/facility they are set up to assist with job hunting which includes computers for internet searches, copiers, fax machines, etc. The best part was they usually have qualified individuals that will critique and assist you in re-building your résumé. Mine was a mess and I had been sending it out for over a year and not a single call for an interview. I took it in last July and worked with someone who was fantastic and I have been on 7 interviews since. Unfortunately most of the interviewers seem to think they need to see 20-30 people to make a decision???? Anyway, the best part is that it was FREE. Also, I found out the community colleges have a department to help students find employment and they offer the same résumé help and you don't have to be a student since it's a community college and they are serving the community.

 

[NYCDiane]

You are better off writing your own. Get a good guide (I used What Color is Your Parachute many years ago) and go with that. Unless the professional writing it for you knows you inside and out, it probably won't be that correct and you could get called on it during an interview.

What Color is Your Parachute is a great book!

To the OP.... save your money and do your own resume. There are endless resources on the web where you can find various resume styles and how to word things on your resume. Also, the book mentioned here is a GREAT resource --- very informative.

If you feel you "have to" have a professional do it, you may consider going to one of the Dept of Labor job centers --- they have people there who will help you with resume prep, interviewing skills, etc.

Good luck.

 

[kaytieeldr]

And the workshops, and the resume help, and (in one location I visited) the one-on-one resume critique session, at the Job Centers - are free, and run by professionals.

 

[libinatorsmom]

In my opinion do you own.... dont spend the money... I recieved help from my college placement office years ago which gave me a great start plus I have also taken HR courses where we learned about a Good Resume. Have your friends and family look at it and give you a good and honest feedback. if you get a final copy and dont recieve any offers re vamp it... couple of tips I have been always told to follow - Keep it to one page - they dont have time and wont take the time to look at a 5 page resume. Move your margins, smaller but readable font, etc and you can do it. Keep everything to the point on the resume (you can fluff up the cover letter) - You Cover letter and Resume are your "in" for the interview - you need to WOW them there to land the job.

Good Luck

Janel