1. Hiring Your Future: How to Choose a Professional Résumé or LinkedIn Profile Writer
by
Pierre G. Daunic, Ph.D.
Most job seekers, regardless of their level of experience or education, recognize sooner or later the importance of
having a superior résumé (and, increasingly, a LinkedIn Profile), that sets forth their background and achievements
in the most marketable fashion. Understanding how heavy competition can be for higher paying or more satisfying
positions, they want to present themselves in the best possible light. They know that a poorly written résumé or LI
Profile puts them at a severe disadvantage when competing for better positions, whether inside or outside of their
chosen profession.
So the sooner they hire an expert, the faster they typically find their next position or career. But how can they be
sure that the person they hire will in fact give them a better shot at a better future? Here are some criteria you
should use in selecting such a professional:
A background in the employment field. Most professional résumé writers evolve to their positions from careers in
human resources, career coaching, corporate outplacement, writing and editing, recruiting, or college/school
placement. They will have more than a passing understanding of a wide range of careers and industries and the
employment process. They will have worked with those at all levels, from entry-level to senior management.
Excellent writers and editors. A superlative résumé is an exceptionally well-written document. In addition to being
creatively conceived and formatted, it will be devoid of the slightest error in grammar or syntax. But it will also
demonstrate a commanding understanding of what you do and have done in a way readily understood and
appreciated by prospective employers or recruiters.
Professional Certification. Although not a guarantee of competence, certification by one or more of the many
professional résumé writing associations is certainly a step in the right direction and better than membership alone.
Level of Education. Many career associations require an advanced degree or its equivalent as the prerequisite to
certification. Advanced degrees argue a certain amount of intellectual acumen and the ability to relate better to
those in very different career fields or at higher corporate levels.
Length and Breadth of Experience. Résumé writing is a field where knowledge and skill is indeed cumulative. The
more careers and the more career seekers one writes of and for, the better the résumé writer is typically. Such
length of experience means that the résumé writer will already have a good understanding of your career field, what
is important in it, its jargon and terminology.
Career Coaching Experience. There is no better training ground for the professional résumé writer than having
actually coached clients through the entire job-hunting process. Career coaches not only write and edit résumés,
cover letters, and other marketing materials for clients, they also assist clients in organizing and executing every
facet of their campaigns, including choosing careers or career alternatives.
Publications and Presentations. Accomplished professional résumé writers are almost always published authors
and speakers. They share their knowledge whenever they can, not only with clients, but also with their fellow
résumé writers and career coaches.
Testimonials. Ask to see them. Those who excel in writing résumés and other career marketing materials should
have many satisfied clients.
Price. As with any other product or service, it’s a good idea to shop around with the above suggestions in mind. But
“you get what you pay for”, and it’s more advisable to pay a bit more for quality service. You are, after all, investing
in yourself!