need a professional resume writer

[daaznfob]

After sending out 50 + covers/resumes and getting no responses, I decided to get a pro writer . Anyone have any suggestions?
Accounting
Applied degree
No experience
Planning on getting certification

[Hockeyguy15]

Google.ca

[CaptainCrunch]

Using a professional resume writer is tough, its not a gurantee of suddenly getting flooded with offers.

If you want to send me your resume to take a look at it and give you feedback, I'm more then willing to do that, based around the fact that I've worked in placement and HR and have a good idea of what you need to do to catch my eye.

Remember that in every position that you apply too, you're probably competing against 20 to 50 resume's unless your really specialized in terms of skills and knowledge and experience.

[daaznfob]

Thanks. Tried that but gives a lot of results. Maybe someone has had experience with one

[daaznfob]

Wow, thanks that would be great!

I've tried to showcase my skills/ coursework that i have learned in school to make up for my lack of experience

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

Using a professional resume writer is tough, its not a gurantee of suddenly getting flooded with offers.

If you want to send me your resume to take a look at it and give you feedback, I'm more then willing to do that, based around the fact that I've worked in placement and HR and have a good idea of what you need to do to catch my eye.

Remember that in every position that you apply too, you're probably competing against 20 to 50 resume's unless your really specialized in terms of skills and knowledge and experience.

[Bleeding Red]

I am looking around also (in the GTA, Ontario area). I have been reading The Unwritten Rules of the Highly Effective Job Search by Orville Pierson. An excellent reference for planning your search. One of his main points is that sending out resumes only works 25% of the time. Most people get jobs through a contact. If you can afford to slow down your search I highly recommend reading the book. It has focused me.

[Drury18]

Originally Posted by daaznfob

Thanks. Tried that but gives a lot of results. Maybe someone has had experience with one

Absolute waste of time and money. Find someone in an HR position (or formerly in one) or someone who is in a management position in the field you want to get into and have them look over it and get some advice. These "professionals" do not do any better job then most people could do with a little legwork and research. You are produced a resume that looks like everyone else's and gives you absolutely no competitive edge if you are going for a highly sought after job. It's a cookie cutter resume at best and usually missing "Key Words" or other things that give you that competitive edge over other applicants.

[CaptainCrunch]

There are lots of networking groups out there for people that aren't working, or are looking at expanding their contacts grouping.

And thats a great book to read Bleeding red

[CaptainCrunch]

People sometimes forget that resume's are the ultimate sales document. Too many people think that its merely good enough to list what you've done.

Some tips

1) Professional resume's accentuate your achievements. Not only should you select your achivements to show off, but a brief discussion about why you made it a success.

For example

Increased branch sales by 50% in one year through the use of a innovative targeted prospecting campaign that I implemented.

2) Make sure that there are no gaps in your resume

3) if you have really short term jobs, it might be best to not list them as it makes you look unstable

4) If your job is technology based then its important that you list your eductation and certification at the end of the resume instead of the start to force the perspective employer to look through your achievements.

5) If you have very little experience, then you need to push your educational experience. especially if your competing for an entry level position. finishing third in your class, being on the deans list are all important.

If you have done projects in school then you need to be a little descriptive about why your project succeeded.

One line descriptors or skill listings don't sell you above any other candidate with the same skills. you need to show how you've used them in real life applications.

And for the love of god, pick one font with the only variation being the size of boldness of your text.

The other point that I would make is to FAB yourself.

Feature Advantage Benefit.

If you have an accounting desigination why is that advantages and why is it a benefit that you have it (real world or project based usage)

Just some thoughts

[Drury18]

^ 1000x over yes!

Also, if you have an Objective, don't state "Full time job for x/hr". Leave out the salary expectations as this can sometimes show you are either desperate or asking too low and screw yourself in the wage or have you passed over for wanting too much money.

In it place put something like "Seeking an entry level position with opportunities for growth both personally and professionally". Make it more about what you are looking for in the career rather then the renumeration.

[CaptainCrunch]

As an additional tip, I never discuss salary unless they're prepared to make an offer.

Its the quickest way to filter yourself out of a job if you disclose too early.

In fact one of the greatest answers to the salary question is a question.

Interviewer - "How much do you want to get paid"

Me - "What's your best possible offer?"

[HalifaxDrunk]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

4) If your job is technology based then its important that you list your eductation and certification at the end of the resume instead of the start to force the perspective employer to look through your achievements.

Sorry, but this made me laugh.

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by HalifaxDrunk

Sorry, but this made me laugh.

Honestly, I've filtered through 200 resume's and conducted 20 interviews today, things are getting mushy.

[THE SCUD]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

Honestly, I've filtered through 200 resume's and conducted 20 interviews today, things are getting mushy.

This seems impossible, given:

1. How much you've posted on CP today
2. At a minimum 30 mins each, thats 10 hours straight of interviewing without a break, back to back. To do so means you started with a 6am interview.
3. if 2 is correct, then how do we explain #1
4. Apparently I need a hobby, doing math like this FTL!

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by THE SCUD

This seems impossible, given:

1. How much you've posted on CP today
2. At a minimum 30 mins each, thats 10 hours straight of interviewing without a break, back to back. To do so means you started with a 6am interview.
3. if 2 is correct, then how do we explain #1
4. Apparently I need a hobby, doing math like this FTL!

Interviews are phone interviews they take about 10 minutes as we're focused on a specific skill set.

Again because we're looking for specific certifications and skill sets on the resumes, I can usually get through a large number very quickly

The average CP post takes less then a minute.

[alltherage]

I would add to this... don't over qualify yourself out of a job. I've skipped over resumes after reading them and thinking the candidate either was legitimately over qualified, or they thought they were. It also can end up reading like you want the job after the job you are actually applying for. That posiotion might be in your long term sights, but you have to pay your dues.

Write the resume to sound a little bit like you talk. If you dont know what a word means avoid it. Use industry language where appropriate.

These are just my own opinions from having to hire people.

[CrazyCaper]

I would highly recommend a professional resume writer. I was having the same issues as yourself. Countless resumes and cover letters being sent out. No responses whatsoever. I was suggested, by a friend, to contact Wordscapes. They are a Calgary-based company with years of experience in resume writing. Since using this company about 3yrs ago, I had received several offers and settled on a position that I never thought was attainable.

At the end of the day it's a personal choice but, from my experience, I have had nothing but a positive experience in using a resume writer.

[Torture]

Originally Posted by daaznfob

Wow, thanks that would be great!

I've tried to showcase my skills/ coursework that i have learned in school to make up for my lack of experience

Good call an putting coursework on there. You don't have experience so that at least shows you've done something.

I know it sucks but just keep trying. I graduated last summer...didn't find a job in my field until three months ago. I found 90% of entry level jobs in my field said they require 2-3 years experience or certification (which takes 5 years of experience ). Make sure that you're somewhat customizing your cover letters for each job - my boss told me that's what initially made me stand out to him. And go over them two or three times to make sure you don't have any typos, nothing gets your resume thrown out faster than a typo.

Some days it feels like you're throwing the resumes and cover letters in to a giant void but you gotta keep going.

What websites are you using to find job postings? The best I found was www.indeed.ca. Make sure you have an up to date LinkedIn profile and your Facebook locked down as well.

The job market is starting to heat up in Calgary so you've at least got that in your favour.

[CaptainCrunch]

Its the same rule as cold calling in sales.

If you send out 10 resumes you'll get one response

You need to responses to get one good match for an interview

You almost need to interviews to find a really good fit which results in an offer.

Usually that ratio drops as you gain experience.

When I left my last job recently I send out 20 resumes, got 15 responses picked 5 positions to interview for and got 3 offeres to choose from.

But I have 20 + years in my field.

[Young-Sneezy]

i didnt see it mentioned, but I put cover letters on all of my resumes...i kind of figured it was a good way to show potential employers that im not an incompetent boob or someone who ONLY has a great gpa... a 1 page cover letter that is concise, gives more detail to your achievements, or highlights specific things for different jobs is probably a good idea.

for example, when i was applying for jobs in the oil and gas industry, i specifically mentioned that i took a bunch of geology courses that pertained to the petroleum industry as electives..something you might not highlight on your resume under Business degree majoring in management, or in your case, accounting.

also, make sure to attach some nudez. if you arent at model physique, photoshop.