The average job opening attracts 250 resumes. With only seven seconds to impress an employer, how do you tip the balance in your favor and stand out from the 249 other applicants?
It’s not easy. Luckily, you can hire a professional resume writer to help you do just that.
Here Are 7 Signs It’s Time to Hire a Professional Resume Writer
All of these might not apply to you, but any one of them is a good enough reason to at least reach out to a professional.
1. You’re Not Getting Callbacks or Interviews
Repeatedly not getting callbacks after submitting job applications could be a telltale sign that it’s time to hire a professional resume writer. (But first, make sure it’s not because you haven’t followed up with the employer.)
With an average of 250 applications for any given job opening, employers have to get through them quickly. If your resume isn’t appealing or doesn’t say anything of substance about your marketability, then you could probably use a little extra help.
Plus, your resume could get lost in the notorious “black hole” of job applications if it isn’t formatted correctly or doesn’t include the right key terms. Some employers even use automated portals to reject applications that don’t meet their requirements.
Lucky for you, professional resume writers know all about that. Many of them have experience being on the other side of the interview table, so they know exactly what employers are looking for in terms of formatting and keywords.
2. Writing Isn’t Your Area of Expertise
We get it: Not everyone knows the difference between there, their, and they’re, when to use a colon versus a semicolon, or which words to capitalize in a title. Relax. There are people who do.
In 2013, adults in the U.S. ranked No. 16 out of 23 countries in literacy proficiency, according to Inside Higher Ed. Obviously, writing isn’t for everybody. But that doesn’t have to diminish your chances of finding a job.
One of the benefits of hiring a professional resume writer is that they will closely examine your resume for typos and grammatical errors. It’s always ideal to have a second set of eyes on your resume, especially when you’ve been staring at it for so long that mistakes don’t jump out at you anymore.
3. You’re Not Comfortable Bragging About Yourself
Maybe you don’t want to come off as cocky. But at the same time, you don’t want to sell yourself short. The good news is, you don’t have to be good at everything to have a killer resume; you just have to demonstrate why you’re good at what you do.
There’s a fine line between confidence and arrogance in a resume. No employer wants to hire a know-it-all, just like no employer wants to hire somebody who doesn’t know right from left.
A professional resume knows exactly which leadership qualities employers look for. They will help you achieve that perfect balance of the #HumbleBrag without over-embellishing.
4. Your Job History Isn’t Perfect
How do you explain a long-term employment hiatus? To you, it might’ve just been maternity leave, military service, or extenuating personal circumstances, but how do you make an employer understand that without coming off as indecisive or a job-hopper?
Professional resume writers know that, too. They’ve seen it all, and they know how to appeal to the employers’ human side. The resume writer will represent you honestly on paper in a way that doesn’t jeopardize your future opportunities.
5. You’re Making a Drastic Career Change
Let’s say you’ve only worked blue-collar jobs your entire life. You went back to school, earned a degree, and now you feel like you’re ready to re-enter the workforce. How do you convince employers to “take a chance” on someone who might not have experience in the field yet?
Don’t worry. Each skill has value, and professional resume writers know exactly which ones to sell to employers. They can apply the relevant ones to the job you’re seeking without making your resume sound “too good to be true.”
And the stakes are much higher if you’re seeking a federal job. Find a federal resume writer who can craft your resume to meet each specific job’s requirements.
6. You Don’t Know How to Format It
Not only do you have to know which file format an employer is looking for, but you also have to know which visual formats are most effective. You don’t want your resume to look bland; you want it to command attention without being too distracting.
Professional resume writers offer personalization that you can’t find in standard word processing templates. Sure, you can find layouts online, but what if you’re not tech-savvy and you can’t customize them to meet your needs? Let a professional handle it for you.
7. You Just Don’t Have the Time
Not everyone applying for a job is fresh out of college with no kids and no bills to pay. It can be hard to carve out the time and energy needed for a quality resume.
A professional resume writer might be your saving grace. Even if you don’t want to hire one, many of them offer free or low-cost critiques that can save you a lot of time when it comes to updating or revamping your resume.
Don’t Be Afraid to Reach Out
Applying for a new job can be equally exciting and overwhelming. You don’t have to do it alone. On the surface, resume-writing doesn’t look too complicated. But with so many factors to consider, you want to make sure that none are overlooked.
The benefits of hiring a professional resume writer far outweigh the potential losses. They know how to make your resume reach its full potential. Don’t miss out on another opportunity because of a lackluster application. And if you’re looking for more resources, SDG Young Leaders is ready to help.
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