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Topic: Resume advice needed
| Author | Message |
| Ace5203 | Posted – 12/12/2007 12:26:45 PM | show profile Since I have had no luck in the finding a job department, my mother suggested that I get a professional resume writer to do my resume and cover letter for me. I found one that is not TOO expensive and she is will to pay for it for me. My problem now is I don't know what industry and career to focus on. I know I want to work in publishing but I also know that I have little to no experience and that it is awfully difficult to grab a job as an editorial assistant for a book publishing co. or a mag (both places I really want to work at). I was wondering if I should have them write it geared to a position as an admnistrative assistant as I have been looking at those positions to gain some office experience. Does anyone think that this would make my resume able to be more of a dual resume for both positions. It's too much money to cater to all of the postions I have been trying to apply for. For instance I have been looking at jobs as a Claims Adjuster Assistant Registrar Receptionist Leasing Consultant etc just to make a salary that will pay off my hefty school loans. I am torn between having a resume written geared to a job as a claims adjuster (a job my mother thinks I should try for as it will get me back in Ohio and makes pretty good money for a newbie) and one written geared towards my dream jobs. I can't really afford to be wishy washy on this because I have gone to long without a real world job and NEED to get one soon. So should I have it geared to a totally unrelated field? Is an admin. asst. close enough to an editorial asst. for me to use one resume for both? Thoughts? Thanks for your help. |
| foodlit | Posted – 12/12/2007 1:27:37 PM | show profile | email poster Save your money! If you absolutely must, have her do a resume, but not a cover letter. You should never send a cover letter as an attachment because it just won't be read. For each job you apply to, send a tailored very short cover letter in the body of the email, and only attach the resume. Cover letters are easy....just super short and sweet mentioning why you are applying for the job and how you are qualified. The goal is to point how how well suited you are for the job so that they will race to click open your resume. Have several versions of your resume, each one slanted toward a different kind of job, but each having the same info, just presented differently....just changing the order of the bullets makes a difference. If you shoot me an email, I'll send you my tip sheet on resumes and interviewing. Personally, I've found that resume writers are a waste of money...you can do far better writing it yourself, taking the time to dig deep and highlight your skills and experience...just searching online you can find great examples of winning resumes. Resume writers tend to be outdated in their approach and are generally never as effective for junior level people. Because I'm in a generous mood...and I think it's a huge waste of money...I'll make you a one time offer...send me what you have for a resume, and I'll offer suggestions for how you can present the info. I do this with candidates I work with for free, and many good recruiters do. Sometimes little changes make all the difference in the world in getting an interview...but I've never written the resume for someone. I make suggestions and let them write it because they know what they have and haven't done and can articulate their experience best. I've enabled my email here, so shoot me a note and we can talk off-line and I'll send you the tip sheet as well. Pam |
| Brena | Posted – 12/12/2007 10:58:23 PM | show profile I had a resume writer draft a cover letter for me a few years ago and I got no responses. I then decided to write my own and got so many responses I was able to pick and choose job offers. The problem was, the cover letter sounded so stiff that nobody talks like that! I loosened it up with "real" language. Interestingly, later on, I didn't *need* a job, but I wanted to experiment with cover letter responses. I wrote two very quirky cover letters, with writing over the top, and sent them via email to companies. I got responses from both of them with hours! |
| newyorker | Posted – 12/13/2007 10:11:16 AM | show profile You don't have to have one version of a resume for every job you apply. For admin jobs, cater your resume to admin responsibilities. For editorial jobs, do the same. Also, if you are a recent grad, contact your university's career services. Often they will give you free help with writing resume/cover letter. |
