With millions of people out of work, almost overnight having a professional resume service is in vogue. You just lost your job and the last time you updated your resume was during the dot com boom. Do you now need a professional resume service?
I will take the liberty to answer this timely question in the following fashion. Your resume is just one of the sales tools in your arsenal. Some employment coaches have the opinion that the resume is the least relevant of your sales tools. Although every online job you aspire to will require a resume, I firmly believe that the traditional resume is becoming obsolete. However, it is not obsolete yet. Every unemployed professional needs to have one for the time being.
The primary objective of having a resume and your other sales tools is to generate enough interest on the part of your target audience to bring you in for an interview. Are you getting the responses you expected? If not, closely review all of your sales tools. These include: your resume, online profiles, personal branding statements, testimonials, cover letters, business cards, etc.
Hiring a professional resume service can be a sizable investment. When considering the solution, you have to have the appropriate problem identified. Although I have never hired a professional resume service, I am certain that they do not offer a 100% money back guarantee if it is ineffective. You have other choices that do not cost as much and can provide you with similar satisfaction:
- Ask for feedback from a professional within your niche. Show them a copy of your resume and other sales tools. Ask them their opinion of what they would change, if anything.
- Talk to recruiters in that field. Ask them what their opinion is and how to improve it to get their attention.
- Consider your other sales tools. Your intended message has to be consistent. Are they measuring up?
When considering a professional resume service, there are plenty of reputable firms available. However, you want to be cautious in making the investment unless you are certain that your resume is not only ineffective, but that you are not able to make the necessary changes yourself. If you are certain that you need professional help, choose the professional resume service that is close to you geographically, that has a solid reputation and is familiar with your target audience.
