Don’t panic! Let’s say you’re considering a career change and need to create a resume. Or you’ve sent your resume to more organizations than you care to mention and haven’t gotten any response. Or you’ve been out of the job market for a long time and haven’t a clue how to start writing this thing.
Before you pull out all your hair, you may want to consider using a resume expert to help you with this formal document that provides an overview of your workplace qualifications.
What exactly do resume experts do?
In a nutshell, they edit and polish your resume. More specifically, they can help with these details:
- Spelling and grammar — Yes, typos do abound and are increasingly becoming the norm in the world of texts, tweets and social media posts. But they don’t belong in your resume. In fact, one or two mistakes in a resume are enough to get a candidate eliminated from consideration for the job. A resume expert can help you if grammar and spelling are not your strong suit.
- Design and organization — A hiring manager will form an impression of your resume in part based on how it looks. Your resume also needs to be organized in a way that makes your qualifications for the job crystal clear. Resume experts can help you make sure your resume format is right for you.
- Self-promotion — Maybe you know what you’ve accomplished, but you can’t quite explain it on paper. You’re not alone; many people find it difficult to talk about themselves. A resume expert can help you highlight your strengths so they stand out in the eyes of your potential employer.
- Gaps and hops — Perhaps you’ve taken time off work for family reasons or illness, or you’ve changed jobs frequently. A resume expert can help you phrase and arrange career gaps so you can put your best foot forward.
Choose your resume expert wisely
If you decide your resume would benefit from an expert’s hand, do some research before you hire one. Go through the resume samples on various resume experts’ websites, and make sure they are free from typos and outdated elements. Look for someone who has plenty of years of experience and will work with you directly. Ask for references and talk with them about their experience.
You might have to bribe them with lunch, but also look to trustworthy friends and colleagues to look at your draft and offer suggestions.
Keep in mind that you can get free, expert advice from Robert Half recruiters. They have the advantage of working with employers on a daily basis, so they know what companies are looking for in resumes. They can help you write an attention-grabbing resume and learn what information employers look for, how to present your skills and experience in the best possible light, and what mistakes are most common.
Resumania®
Robert Half — a leader in talent solutions, recruiting and consulting services
