by ResumeSpice Team | Oct 31, 2022 | Resume Writing
Selecting the right resume writing service involves more than finding a company that can string together a few sentences and facts. The chosen service needs to effectively summarize your attributes, experience, and knowledge in a format that flows, while making you stand out from other applicants. The checklist of must-have features below will streamline the process and help you eliminate unqualified companies
#1: Experience Counts
The job market of today is the most competitive in decades, which means you need a professional resume writing service that has concrete experience across a broad range of industries. Rather than relying on a single person who has limited first-hand recruiting experience, look for a company that has in-depth recruiting experience and has worked with hiring managers and human resource personnel who make decisions on job seekers’ resumes every day. They will be more likely to put together a resume that effective captures the hiring manager’s attention.
#2: Consultations, Not Forms
Most resume writing companies incorporate initial forms that ask clients to input key information about their career goals. A company that excels will couple the form with extensive consultations. Choose a company that offers a choice of several consultations formats such as Skype, in-person, and phone to fit your style, personality, and schedule. This approach results in a customized resume that reflects what you have to offer and how you are the best choice for the job.
#3: Timely Delivery
Everyone's heard horror stories about someone finding a listing with the perfect job, only to find out later that an applicant was chosen within a few days of the job posting, before they even had a chance to apply. When it comes to nailing the job you want, timeliness is critical. Look for a professional resume writing service that can turn around a first draft of your resume in as little as two days
#4: Quality Shines Through
Working with a team at a resume writing service not only ensures that your resume gets the customization you deserve, it also enjoys scrutiny from people with different perspectives who each have something to offer. This team effort guarantees that at least two different people work on and review your resume so that it passes the applicant tracking systems utilized by most employers.
#5: Guaranteed
Some sort of guarantee is pretty standard for resume writing services. What you'll often find after you dig a little deeper though, is lots of fine print and exclusions. These are designed to protect the resume writer — not you. A resume writing service that is confident in its ability and that has proven itself within the industry, needs no such fine print. Instead, look for a company that offers a simple guarantee that results in actionable steps for you, such as a free rework of your resume if you don't receive a request for an interview within 60 days.
A resume is your introduction to a potential employer and, as such, should be trusted to a proven, professional resume writing service. Finding the right resume writing service that can deliver a powerful document that generates results, might just be the best investment you make this year.
Call ResumeSpice to learn how we can help you stand out in a crowded marketplace with a resume that gets the attention it deserves. As one of the country’s leading professional resume writing services, we can help you produce a winning resume. Contact us today to learn more at 832.930.7378.
by ResumeSpice Team | Oct 31, 2022 | Resume Writing
Is one of your career resolutions to find a new job? Then, as one of the leading career coaching services, ResumeSpice knows your resume is a critical tool in the process. But if you haven’t looked at your resume in a while, then it can be difficult to know where to start. To help you create a great resume so you can land your dream job, here are 5 tips to help:
Tip #1: Brainstorm about your background.
When you’re first starting out, don’t filter yourself. Instead, write down everything you can think of regarding your career, including past jobs, accomplishments, awards, new skills, certifications earned, continuing education, and any other relevant facts. You can edit all this information and tailor it later.
Tip #2: Concentrate on the wins.
For each position you’ve held, don’t just define your tasks and responsibilities. Hiring managers want to know more than you just “Ordered office supplies.” Instead focus on the positive impact your work had on the company, as well as any important accomplishments. For example, state that you “managed the office budget and office supply contracts, re-negotiating with vendors and saving 15% on supplies in the process.” Hiring managers want to see a track record of success backed up by facts and figures.
Tip #3: Look for help from other sources.
Writing a great resume isn’t easy. Instead, look for inspiration from other sources around the web to jumpstart your thought process. For instance, a site like LinkedIn could be helpful when you look for other professionals with a background similar to yours to see how they market themselves. That’s not to say you should be copying and pasting from the web; but it’s a great place to go as a guide.
Tip #4: Take a look at past evaluations.
You can also look at your past performance evaluations as another source of inspiration when you’re writing your resume. If you have copies of yours, look for your areas of strengths and positive comments from your past bosses. It will also help ensure you don’t overlook any important areas in your background.
Tip #5: Tailor your resume every time you apply.
Don’t send the same resume to every job you’re applying to. Instead, tailor and tweak it for each unique position. For one position, knowing a certain computer program could be critically important. If that’s the case – and you’re literate in that program – then tout that detail at the bottom of your resume in a “Skills” section. Remember, you’re trying to not only give hiring managers an overview of your background, but also stand out in a sea of other candidates.
Your resume is your ticket into the interview process. By following the tips above, you can ensure you create a great one that gets results.
If you’d like more help creating your resume, or finding job leads, reach out to ResumeSpice. As a leading career services company, we can assist you with the entire job search process – from writing a strong resume to preparing for interviews to ongoing career coaching.
by ResumeSpice Team | Aug 27, 2022 | Interviewing
Preparation is one of the basic tenets of searching for a job. If you show up underprepared, you’ll rarely leave a good impression. For that reason, we always recommend researching the company and job for which you’re interviewing. But can you over-prepare to the point where you hurt your chances of being hired? Put simply: yes.
As one of the leading interview prep, career coaching, and professional resume writing services, ResumeSpice knows that over-preparation can result in sounding like a robot instead of an authentic human being. You might also back yourself into a corner. If the interview doesn’t go according to the script you’re writing, you might freeze and, strangely, come off as unprepared.
When prepping for an interview, look to these four tips for guidance:
Prepare for Your Interview, but Don’t Memorize
If you’ve spent countless hours Googling interview questions, writing out answers, and practicing your responses like your interview is opening night on Broadway, you’re going to sound rehearsed and inauthentic. Instead, look up common questions and simply jot down a few bullet points you’d like to get across about each one. Yes, practice, but don’t memorize your answers. You should be able to deliver a great answer without sounding scripted.
Speak to Your Strong Points
Spend time thinking about your experience and background – and what unique strengths you bring to the table – so that you can honestly answer questions. Really think through the job and why you’re a great fit for it. Have relevant accomplishments in mind that you’re ready to talk about and which showcase your skills and abilities.
Remember P-I-E
Studies show that the highest rated interviewees are those who seem positive, interested, and engaged (P-I-E) in the conversation. While you want to be able to answer any question that comes your way, keep in mind that the interviewer is looking for more than just your ability to problem-solve on the spot.
Be Yourself
Sure, you might look great on paper. But if you appear nervous, jittery, or give canned answers, you’re not going to get hired. Employers want to hire people who have positive attitudes and are enthusiastic about the job. So don’t deliver stiff answers, even if you think they’re the “right” ones. Instead, let your personality shine through and show the hiring manager why you’re interested in the job.
Remember, there’s a big difference between being well-prepared and sounding rehearsed. You need to think about why you’re a great fit for the job and be ready to get specific with examples. But you don’t need to script exactly what you’re going to say ahead of time.
Do you need more help preparing for interviews? Call the team at ResumeSpice! Our team of career consultants and career coaches can help you prep for any interview situation. Contact us today to get started.
by ResumeSpice Team | Aug 15, 2022 | Job Search Tips, Negotiation Tips
As a leading resume writing and career services agency, ResumeSpice gets it – you’ve spent months writing and revising your resume, going on interviews, and repeating that cycle continually. So it’s tempting to want to say yes right away once you receive a job offer.
But before you answer, you should take some time to really think about the opportunity and the full compensation package.
Here’s what you should do when considering a job offer.
Show Your Gratitude
Even if you plan to accept the offer “as is,” your first step should be to express appreciation and excitement for the job offer, which will set a positive tone for conversations going forward.
Get It In Writing
Ask for the job offer in writing, which should include the job title, start date, and salary at the very least. This makes the offer official.
Sleep On It
Ask when they want a decision by. Most companies understand that you may need a day or two to think about the offer, but don’t wait too long. If they don’t give you a hard deadline, tell them you’ll have an answer within a few business days. If you’re planning to negotiate the offer, set up a phone or in-person meeting to talk through the details.
Say Yes! In Writing
The last step is to say yes! If you countered their offer, make sure you receive a revised offer in writing as well, to ensure everyone’s on the same page.
Are you ready to negotiate yourself into a new job opportunity or do you need help developing a great resume to get you the interview? Call the experts at ResumeSpice. As one of the leading career services agencies, we can assist you with crafting a strong resume, preparing for interviews, and/or career coaching.
Ready to get started? Call us today!
by ResumeSpice Team | Aug 11, 2022 | LinkedIn Tips
In today’s business world, most people are active on or have heard of LinkedIn. Unfortunately, not everyone has heard that there are some faux pas on LinkedIn that could hurt their reputation.
Since one of our core services is writing great LinkedIn profiles for professionals, ResumeSpice put together this list of several mistakes to avoid on your LinkedIn profile.
Not Using a Professional Photo
You don’t need to spend hundreds on a professional headshot. But your family’s vacation photo isn’t appropriate either. Choose a photo of just you and be sure to wear professional attire.
Using Quirky Job Titles or Descriptions
You can let your personality shine through on LinkedIn (to an extent), but you’ll still need to keep it professional. After all, you want people to take you seriously. Don’t call yourself a “Recruiting Superhero” or a “Marketing Alchemist.”
Misrepresenting Your Experience
Putting information that simply isn’t true can seriously hurt your credibility in a job search. And even if you’re not looking for a new position outside your company, keep in mind that the information you include in your profile can be seen by your boss and co-workers. Keep your profile honest.
Not Personalizing Your Connection Requests
If you want to connect with someone, personalize a message and remind them of how you know each other. You’ll make a better impression and increase your odds of a successful connection.
Asking for Recommendations from People You Don’t Know Well
It’s not a good idea to ask your 2nd and 3rd degree connections to refer you for a job opening or write a recommendation. Asking for a recommendation is equivalent to saying that they have direct experience with you and can vouch for your abilities.
Do you need help sharpening your LinkedIn profile so you get noticed by hiring managers or recruiters?
ResumeSpice can help. As one of the leading professional services agencies, we can assist you with writing a great LinkedIn profile, resume, cover letter, or help you with interview prep. Call us today: 832.930.7378
by ResumeSpice Team | Jul 5, 2022 | Resume Writing
If your resume is in need of a major overhaul, sometimes the hardest part is figuring out where to begin.
As a leading provider of career services, including resume and cover letter writing, interview prep, LinkedIn consulting, and career coaching, ResumeSpice knows how to turn your resume into every recruiter’s dream. Here are some tips that will get your resume in the spotlight.
1) Keep it relevant to the job you want
If you’ve spent the last five years as a marketing professional, but are seeking a sales position, it might be wise to showcase the relevant sales skills you have developed in your most recent position(s).
2) Leave out the objective statement
Resume best practices are constantly evolving and there was a time when including objective statements was standard. Today, with hiring managers overloaded by resumes, objective statements are seen as at best, unnecessary, and at worst, a way for resume screeners to weed out candidates whose stated objective doesn’t precisely match the position.
If you want a potential employer to know more about you and why you’re a great fit for the job, include a cover letter with your application.
3) Use reverse chronological order
Even though resume standards and practices do change, one thing that has remained constant is the order in which you should list your experience. You’ll want to begin with your most recent or current position and work backwards, which means the education section of your resume should be listed after your professional history. The only exception to this rule is for recent grads, who are better served listing their education first.
4) Keywords might be the key to unlocking an interview request
Because your resume will likely be filtered by an applicant tracking system at some point, it should contain the right keywords based on the job description. If you read the description and you’re still not sure which keywords to use, there are tools like TagCrowd that can help you decide which keywords are the most relevant.
5) Keep it simple
Focus on keeping your information organized and easy to skim over. Most recruiters are scanning your resume for specific skill sets and information, so don’t overshadow the content of your resume with wordiness, graphics, or irrelevant information.
6) Numbers are your friend
Use pieces of quantifiable information that highlight your accomplishments and track record of success. If you increase new business by 25% in the first quarter, put it on your resume. If your targeted marketing campaign generated 150,000 new leads, make sure that information makes it on to your resume.
If you aren’t currently tracking that kind of information, there’s no time like the present to begin doing so.
7) Fill in those gaps
It’s a tough time to be a job seeker. There are many people who have been unemployed for six months or longer. But just because you haven’t been employed by a company doesn’t mean you haven’t been keeping busy. If you have volunteer work or coursework you’ve been doing, list that on your resume, just above your previous position.
8) Proofread like your future depends on it
Your resume is only a snapshot of who you are as a person, but unfortunately it’s the only thing a recruiter is looking at to determine your qualifications. Stay credible with a thorough proofing (or two, or three) of your resume.
9) Keep it fresh
Every few months, take a minute to tweak and update your resume. It’s good to keep it up-to-date even if you aren’t actively job searching—you never know when you’ll need to present it for that promotion or volunteer opportunity.
10) Ask for help
Don’t be shy about asking a family member, friend, or trusted colleague to help with your resume. And if you’re seeking professional advice, don’t hesitate to contact one of the career consultants at ResumeSpice. Our team might be the resource you need to unlock your resume’s potential, contact us today.
by ResumeSpice Team | May 24, 2022 | Job Application Tips
As a leading career and coaching service and provider of resume writing, cover letter help, interview prep, and LinkedIn help, ResumeSpice understands what employers are looking for in job applications.
Imagine…you found a job you’d be a perfect match for, you made sure your resume was polished and updated, and you applied for the job. But your phone isn’t ringing and you’re starting to wonder if your application was lost in the ether – or if you accidentally typed your phone number incorrectly.
If you can relate, you’re in the same situation as a lot of other professionals looking for work. While you can’t make recruiters call you, there are a few things you can do to market yourself to potential employers.
Clean Up Your Social Media Act
We’re not just talking about LinkedIn. We’re talking about every social media profile you have. Facebook. Twitter. Snapchat. Instagram.
When employers receive your application, the first thing they do is look at your resume. If you have all the right skills, the next step many will take is conduct an online search.
Before an interview is even granted, you’re being evaluated solely by what information is available about you online. It’s okay to go out with friends and it’s completely normal to experience hardships. Just don’t overshare on social media. A harmless photo at a friend’s house party, may not be viewed as such by a potential employer without context. If you have any doubts about whether or not something would be off-putting to potential employers, play it safe and don’t post.
Keywords are the Key
You can get a major sense of what’s important to a company and to the role being advertised simply by looking at the job description.
Pick out keywords that seem to be important to the role and pepper your resume with them where they make sense. For example, if the role calls for someone with creative writing experience, you definitely want to use the words “creative writing” in your resume. Just be careful not overuse the keywords to the point of not sounding natural.
Follow Directions
I know that you love quick-apply features offered by LinkedIn and Indeed.com. They’re excellent. But a big “however” is about to follow.
If the job description includes information within it about how to apply, you need to follow directions if you want a response. Even though that quick apply feature is staring you in the face, you’ll want to apply by the method the employer instructs. For example, if a prospective employer requests that to be considered, you must submit an application to a specific email address, along with your resume, cover letter, and work samples, clicking “quick apply” and not following directions will not position your candidacy favorably.
Bringing it together
Maybe you want to change careers. Maybe you’ve been out of work for a while. Whatever your situation is, make sure you’re maximizing your potential to be noticed – in the right ways – by sticking to these simple, yet important suggestions.
Want to Get Noticed By Hiring Managers?
If you would like personal career coaching services, contact us at ResumeSpice. As a leading career services company, we can assist you with the entire job search process – from writing a strong resume to preparing for interviews to ongoing career coaching.
by ResumeSpice Team | Oct 14, 2021 | Job Search Tips, Resume Writing
It’s not uncommon for job seekers to seek out tips and tricks to make their resume stand out. A question that applicants most often ask is, “Should I add color to my resume?”
Some websites will tell you “yes,” that color is advisable. Then detail how to apply the pizzaz to your resume.
We’re here to tell you that color is usually not the answer, even in 2021. The team at ResumeSpice shares some of the top reasons why (and which types of resumes CAN have color).
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by ResumeSpice Team | Aug 17, 2020 | Job Search Tips
There are a number of great resources that can help job seekers prepare for an interview—a quick Google search will yield advice on what to wear, what to do before the interview, what questions to ask during the interview, how and when to write a thank you note post-interview…the list goes on. While the hard skills are critical, our team at ResumeSpice believes it’s just as important to develop a healthy mindset going into the process. Below are some tips for calming the nerves and getting into the right frame a mind, so you can perform your best. (more…)
by ResumeSpice Team | Apr 21, 2020 | Job Search Tips
Most employers require a background check before completing the hiring process. On average, a pre-employment background check takes between two and four business days to complete. (more…)
