It seems these days a person can hire someone for just about anything – including helping him or her get hired. In addition to career counsellors, head hunters, and employment agencies, there are numerous resume writing services available to job seekers. These services employ professional resume writers, trained in human resources and career development, to translate a job seeker’s skills and experience into a polished, professional resume.
Is Hiring a Resume Writer Cheating?
Many job seekers are under the impression that hiring a resume writer is akin to having someone else take the SATs in their place: it’s cheating. But in reality, there’s nothing wrong with using a resume service as long as it’s used properly.
The purpose of a resume service is not to manufacture or sell a fraudulent resume; the purpose is to present the candidate’s actual experience, competencies, and education in the best possible light. In other words, using a resume writing service is more along the lines of hiring a tutor for the SATs: it offers an advantage, but it isn’t cheating.
The Benefits of Using a Resume Writing Service
Professional resume writing services can be useful for people who:
- have gaps in their work histories
- want to change industries
- are unsure what employers are looking for
Keep in mind, however, that they cannot create work experience or skill sets where they don’t exist. What they can do is identify transferable skills and present them in the best possible light. They can also include keywords or phrases that employers are looking for and ensure that the resume format is in line with current trends.
Perhaps most importantly, resume services usually guarantee that the resume will be error-free. Virtually every resume writing guide out there lists typos as one of the biggest mistakes people make on their resumes, so this guarantee alone may be worth the price for some.
The Disadvantages of Using a Resume Writing Service
Professional resume writers write dozens of resumes every day. While this means that they are well-practised in the art of resume writing, it may also mean that the resumes they write become formulaic and even clichéd. A resume should sound original, and more importantly, it should sound like the person it belongs to.
Using a service isn’t cheating, but if a resume sounds too pat, it is unlikely to earn an interview. And if it earns an interview but doesn’t adequately represent the person who submitted it, that person is unlikely to win the job.
What to Look for in a Resume Service
Job seekers who decide to use a resume service should take the time to find the one that best suits them. Some services offer a full range of options, including career counselling, cover letter writing, and even personality and aptitude testing, while others specialize solely in resume writing. Costs will depend on the number and type of services used, but in general, they may range from $50 to over $1000. In some cases, government subsidies or back-to-work programs may cover all or part of the cost.
The mark of a good service is in-depth personal attention. The service should conduct a lengthy interview with the job seeker in order to fully understand his or her career goals, skill sets, and previous experience. The service may also request supporting documents, such as copies of diplomas, degrees, or certificates. If a service simply asks for a previous resume from which to work, it’s probably better to keep looking.
Get Resume Help and Get Hired
Writing an effective resume is an acquired skill, and not everyone has the time, ability, or desire to learn or practise this skill. Just as those without plumbing expertise would hire a plumber, those with little or no resume writing expertise can hire a resume service. With the right resume and a positive attitude, it won’t be long until they, in turn, get hired.
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