By Vivian VanLier, CPRW, JCTC, CEIP
As a professional resume writer for over ten years, probably the most frequent question I am asked is “how much does a resume cost?” The truth is that your resume shouldn’t “cost” anything. A professionally prepared resume is an investment in your career satisfaction and future earnings. By working with a professional who understands the job market, hiring practices and how to ask questions that assist you in identifying accomplishments and achievements, you will be able to convey an image of value to a prospective employer. This will position you for better jobs, in less time, and with higher earnings. Thus, you will most probably recapture your investment almost immediately.
So how do you select the right person to create your resume? In reality, almost anyone can hang out a shingle and say they are a professional resume writer. For this reason, professional organizations have been established such as the Professional Association of Resume Writers (PARW), the National Resume Writers Association (NRWA) and Career Masters Institute (CMI) to educate writers and create standards for the public’s protection. These organizations have a code of ethics, credentialing programs (CPRW, NCRW, CCM) and provide education through annual conventions and ongoing communications, enabling their members to stay up on the latest trends in hiring and career development.
Be sure, when selecting someone to work with, to ask about his or her credentials and commitment to ongoing professional education. The fact that someone has been writing resumes for 10 or 20 years does not ensure that they are using a cutting-edge style or strategy. Ask to see samples of their work; ask about their contributions to the profession. And if it makes you feel more comfortable, shop around and compare – not price, the value you will be getting for your investment.