Trying to pinch pennies when it comes to your career? Think again.
How much does a bad resume cost you? Let’s crunch some numbers.
Over 60 million Americans are either under or unemployed today. Many of these unemployed buy resume books or scour the internet for resume samples so they can write a resume themselves. The problem is, there is no pre-set resume formula out there for writing a great resume. Each resume is a unique marketing tool that describes your professional motivations clearly and concisely. Job seekers often underestimate the power of a resume and how greatly one document can affect the progress of their career. A bad resume can cost more than time, it can cost potential earnings. Even if you get a job with a lack luster resume, you can be costing yourself long term earnings and promotions due to starting yourself below that what you should be doing and earning!
How much time do you spend on your resume?
Many people spend from 20 hours to even months writing a resume. Unfortunately, time spent working does not always equal a quality resume that will get a job. On average, a professional resume writer spends 48-72 hours to develop a job-winning resume. Their time involves conducting research on your industry, your personality and goals, your past work experience and achievements and interviewing you, gathering additional information, traveling, plus formatting your resume.
How much time have you spent building your resume?
If you are a new professional, you’ve probably spent 2-3 years in work experience plus 2-8 years in college education. If you’re a seasoned professional, you’ve spent 2-8 years in school and up to 35 years building your resume. Don’t let a terrible resume destroy all that you’ve worked so hard for.
Unfortunately, a resume does not always highlight the best achievements of a person’s career. Oftentimes, professionals can be timid in ‘bragging’ about themselves and their body of work. Other times, professionals don’t know how to make their work experience sound relevant and valuable to an employer. It takes an excellent resume writer/career coach to coax the best out of a client and remind them of how great they actually are - instilling much needed and essecntial confidence in the job search.
How much time does it take for a HR rep to look at a resume and then throw it out?
When I was in real estate, the general rule was that a customer could imagine themselves living in a home in less than 30 seconds. And sometimes, it took as fast as one look at the front yard to make the first and final decision. An HR rep spends less than 15-30 seconds to scan your resume before deciding whether or not to spend more time on you. Additionally, it takes about 1 second to throw away or delete a bad resume. Does your resume stand the 30 second test?
How much does it cost to have a resume done?
Full resume service can cost anywhere from $150 to $500 professional resume writing service. The average is about $200. I charge $99 for a resume review to $275 for a comprehensive resume service. Resume services for college grads and professionals with less than three years work experience cost $200.
How much more value do you get from a professional resume writer?
A professional resume writer not only can give you a stellar resume, but through your conversations, he or she will get you focused on your career - keeping you on track for what you’re looking for. This person can give you advice for job searching, interviewing, and networking. I know I’ve helped many a client explain their resume and and work history to future employers. The added confidence is free!
What is the percentage related to the income you could potentially earn?
My clients post graduate clients (as a single earner) on average begin earning $35k a year and experienced professionals with at least 5 years experience in their field earn on average (as a single earner) $65,000 per year.’ $250/$35000 = .007 That’s a TINY fraction of what you could be earning! Make the invest on yourself! The return is definitely in your favor!
When it comes to your resume, it does not pay to be penny wise and dollar foolish! Choose a seasoned writer who can not only write an amazing resume, but can get you motivated, confident, and focused on your job search.
For related articles about resume and job search, review these articles:
Make Yourself (and Your Resume) Relevant
Job Specialization – Take a Second Look Before Taking Your First Step in Job Search
The internet, being an extremely popular source, makes competition for getting that job highly competitive. Get started with your My Online Career Space and let that prospective employer know you are the primary candidate for them. With your own personalized career space you will rise above the rest of the job seekers on the internet.
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Gregory Despain 
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