Job searching tips

How Hiring Managers Think

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I went to a café for lunch today.  I don’t usually eavesdrop on other’s conversation, but in this café, it’s so cozy it’s impossible to ignore other’s conversations.   Well I happen to overhear a very interesting and loud conversation between 3 people who work at an environmental software company.   They are trying to decide whether to hire a candidate they already interview and how to fill another entry-level sales position.  I thought I share this to demonstrate one example of how the hiring managers think and what that may mean for job seekers ...  read more

Resume Writing Service – Pros and Cons

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If you typed in “resume writing service” on Google today, you would get over 1.8million results.  Wow, what a big market!  Should you use a resume writing service for your resume?  Is this right for you?  Here are some pros and cons to consider.

Pros:

  • Correct English: It’s always good to get another person to read your resume and make sure it is understandable and has no grammatic or spelling mistakes.  A resume writer can do that.  Of course, a friend can do that too.
  • Fresh Perspective: A good resume writer can give you a new perspective.  Instead of incrementally enhancing your resume a bit at a time, a good writer can give you quite a different version from your current one.
  • Un-attached marketer on your behave: We sometimes can be overly modest on our accomplishments or experience in our resume.  A good writer can really understand the job opportunity you want to apply, and put better emphasis / wording around your experience on your resume that best suits that opportunity
  • Dedicated, discreet help: Job search is a personal thing and sometimes it’s hard to ask friends for feedback or ask them to spend a lot of time to help.  Hiring a writer makes sure you can get someone to help and it is kept confidential

Cons:

  • Difficult to find a good writer:   How will you separate the “lemons” from the truly exceptional resume writing services? Every resume writing service on the web looks similar.   I haven’t found too many true, unbiased rating websites of who is good, who is not, and what to watch out for.    Testimonials are no longer good enough as they could be made up or they could be from people that are in complete different situations than you.   I have seen many state that they are CPRW – certified professional resume writer.  The certification cost $175 to take and provides at least some credibility.  It is unclear how much that will help you in your particular situation. To read more about CPRW click here
  • Potential disconnect between your resume and interview: If your resume is completely rewritten, you need to make sure you understand exactly what it says and it still describes you.  The worse thing you can do is get an interview with a great resume and not get the job because you sound nothing like your resume in the interview.
  • Can be expensive: Typical resume writing service are between $100 to $300.  That could be per job opportunity or type since you should have tailored resume for each job opportunity to maximize your chances.  Can you afford it if you are out of work?  What if it doesn’t help?
  • Outsource a key job search skill: Once you start outsourcing resume writing to a third party, you may need to do it every time you job search.  You are no longer developing resume writing skills yourself.  Is this okay with you?  As the old saying goes – Do you want to learn how to fish one time or buy the fish each time?

I am not writing this to advocate using a resume writing service or discourage it.  Whatever you decide is okay as long as you understand the benefit and the risks associated with it.  For those who just need basic resume guidance, you can get it for free on my site – click here for free resume template; click here for 10 key tips to an effective resume. ...  read more

5 Business Networking Tips Anyone can Follow

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Learning how to network well is essential to job search and career success.  It doesn’t matter what level of business networking skills you have.  These 5 business networking tips can either help you get started or serve as a good reminder.   Use these 5 business networking tips at any event and see results. ...  read more

Laid Off? Now What – 5 Things to Do

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You have just been laid off.  Now what?  This can be a confusing and stressful time, and sometimes well-meaning friends don’t know what to say or how to help.   Don’t worry!  Your fellow readers Tamara, Ajantha, Judy and I have some great tips for you.  The best way to move forward after being laid off is to stay active.  I categorized the tips into five sections: Immediate, Practical To-Dos, Determine Your Path, Motivate Yourself, Start Job Search, and Enjoy Yourself. ...  read more

How real should you be in interviews?

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I love it when my blog readers suggest topics for discussion. One reader suggested this article for discussion – It’s a job interview, not a beautiful pageant.

From reader 1: The article primarily discusses how a  job interview should be treated – as an avenue to express one’s true self or as a formality to get through to obtain the coveted offer letter. More than the article, I enjoyed reading the comments by other readers. There are arguments for both sides of the case. ...  read more

Employment discrimination or job market reality?

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Yesterday, CNN Money published this article online - Out-of-work job applicants told unemployed need not apply. The gist of the article is increasingly recruiters and companies are dismissing blankly any applicant who is currently unemployed. Is this employment discrimination? what should you do if you are currently out of work?