Professionally written resumes/CVs

[sherminator]

Hello all!

I was wondering whether anyone out there has ever used or can recommend a resume writing service. To cut a long story short, I graduated from University with a Bachelor of Management (HRM) degree earlier this year but am struggling to find work. As someone in my mid 30's, I have been working since I turned 15, have travelled around the world, worked in a number of different industries and believe I have more experience both professionally and in life than the majority of my fellow graduates. Yet, I cannot seem to get a foot in the door anywhere. I'm thinking perhaps getting a professionally written CV may help. I have enquired at one establishment who have quoted $370 for a CV and cover letter. This seems rather expensive!

Any thoughts or advice would be greatly appreciated!

[dedja]

Complete waste of money IMHO ... whilst a resume needs to be professionally written, applying for jobs with the masses is the most ineffective and least successful way to get a job.

Networking is your friend. Work on the people you know and then the people they know.

Contact them and sell yourself.

[heater31]

What section of town are you in Sherm?


I was in a similar position back in late 2008, applying for positions left right and centre and getting nowhere in 6 months. Got it typed up professionally and bang within 3 weeks I had an interview which led to my current job.

[Dutchy]

Im involved in recruiting Grads and Dedja is right, the CV is an over rated part of the process, sure it needs to be concise and look professional but you dont need to pay $$ to get that.

Run it past people you know who will give advice etc.

The larger employers will get a 3rd party to vet the CV's and they are solely looking for criteria on the CV the employer is after to shortlist, making it look good will make little difference IMO.

[heater31]

Im involved in recruiting Grads and Dedja is right, the CV is an over rated part of the process, sure it needs to be concise and look professional but you dont need to pay $$ to get that.

Run it past people you know who will give advice etc.

The larger employers will get a 3rd party to vet the CV's and they are solely looking for criteria on the CV the employer is after to shortlist, making it look good will make little difference IMO.

I will also add that it will be probably years before I get it typed professionally again. I have probably updated it 3 times myself since I originally had it done as the layout doesn't need to change just the information.

[gadj1976]

Sherminator

My advice is to go to a recruitment agency preferably one you've dealt with previously and ask them to review it. They see 100's of them a day/week. They know good resumes and they know bad resumes.

I disagree with the others, I live and die by my resume (I'm in IT contracting). If you're not getting your foot in the door, then it's definitely your resume that's causing the problem (Good pick up - some wouldn't think it was the resume that was the problem).

Let me know how you go. If you're not confident handing your resume over to a recruitment agency, look at your resume from and outsiders perspective.

Your resume should only be about 3 pages. Page one should be a cover page, page 2 and 3 should be your history.

I've reviewed a couple of mates resumes and have said to them (as per advice passed on from a recruitment agency) that when you list your activities in a job, you should put them in order of importance to the job you're applying for. Previously I had them in the order the occurred in the role. Makes sense I spose. Plus, use buzzwords as much as possible and use dot points rather than paragraphs.

There are also some good hints on google these days.

If you want, shoot your email address through to my inbox and I'll cut and paste a bit of my resume and send it to you.

Cheers

gadj

[Barto]

Convince a friend to pay for a professional resume. Ask how it turned out and if you can have a look.

Free template.

[Wedgie]

I agree with Gadj.
Whilst not needing one myself I know several hopeless incompetent people who got pretty good jobs solely on the basis of their professionally written resume.
They paid for themselves and moreso in no time.

[gadj1976]

Wedgie that might be a first!

Also getting one professionally done is tax deductable if you choose to go down that path

[Booney]

From someone who hires and fires a good CV helps you get short listed for positions no doubt, but IMO, however a good interview is much more important to me.

[Dog_ger]

$$$ well spent.

Bachelor of Management

You cannot do your own...

Confidence my friend.

There is surely professional cv templates to find on the net.

[sherminator]

Yes Dog_ger, as someone with a Bachelor of Management (Human Resource Management) Degree, I can see the irony of possibly getting a professionally written CV. I have looked at and used some of the templates found via google. Unfortunately at this stage I am yet to find any success, hence seeking further advice/info from all of you good people!

From someone who hires and fires a good CV helps you get short listed for positions no doubt, but IMO, however a good interview is much more important to me.

Unfortunately, Booney I am not even getting to the interview stage. I have probably applied for around 15-20 jobs this year and have only ever received 1 call back and corresponding interview ...... in which I was rejected on the basis that I do not possess a TAFE Certificate!!!!

Complete waste of money IMHO ... whilst a resume needs to be professionally written, applying for jobs with the masses is the most ineffective and least successful way to get a job.

Networking is your friend. Work on the people you know and then the people they know.

Contact them and sell yourself.

Great advice, thank you Dedja. I know this is something I need to improve on!

What section of town are you in Sherm?

Southern suburbs, Christies Beach/Pt Noarlunga area

[heater31]

Southern suburbs, Christies Beach/Pt Noarlunga area

The one I used just over 2 years ago is at Flagstaff Hill. If you want the details drop me a PM

[JK]

How big are the companies you're looking to send your CV to?

[gadj1976]

Sherminator, I'll send that info to your email address.

Question - do you have a linked in account? It might help as per what Dedja was saying.

www.linkedin.com.au (it's like a professional facebook)

Cheers

gadj