Question:
I hope someone in this group can help.
I'm a freelance graphic designer (specializing in web design and
construction). I'm considering using a professional resume writing
service and I'd like some feedback. I've been writing my own resume
for years. I recently rewrote it again based on tips, books, examples
and public critiques. The new resume still failed to produce any
response. I've been told by professionals that my resume is "weak",
among other things. I'm also in the process of updating my online
portfolio, and I feel that my "weak" resume will prevent potential
clients from even viewing my work.
What I'd like to know is:
1. Has anyone used (recently) a professional resume writing service?
2. Which resume writing service did you use?
3. Was it a good/bad experience?
4. Did you receive more work/projects as a direct result of the new
resume?
Any other comments are welcome.
I'm hoping that someone has had a good experience and can point me in
the direction of an affordable service. I'd rather not attempt to
write my own resume again. However, if these services produce no
results, I'll have to.
I should also mention that for years, I simple "got by" with a weak
resume by simply relying on networking. I still network, but would
like a better resume to increase my chances of landing work/projects.
Answer:
Thank you firstly for asking for feedback. While I will give
you a little advice, some may be a little generic as I have not
seen your resume. But here is hat I think would boost the
effectiveness of your resume.
If you wish to use a professional resume writing service I
suggest looking around, or speaking to fellow designers to see
if they would recommend a specific company or individual.
Then follow up on that.
While I would not personally utilise their services for the
appearance of my resume, it may help with the wording and
description of the textual copy
What I suggest is that you write up a variety of 'versions' of your
resume. One for each area of design expertise that you have
experience or an educational foundation in, that way you can
present a highly focused document to potential employers.
I have always written my own resume, while it has been a little on
the generic side, to get part time jobs while I was at university,
it certainly has attracted some attention for its clarity and brevity.
"Do not say in 20 words what you could say in 7."
Congratulations on your networking skills, and using them to 'get
by' if a wonderful ability. Perhaps you could focus more of getting
referrals from happy past clients of yours to people who they feel
would be in need of your services and follow up on them diligently.
