Resume Writing Help - How Do I Know What Will Work Best For Me?

It's hard to miss the news these days. Job layoffs, companies downsizing. Could you be next? Or even worse, have you just lost your job? You probably know you should begin creating a resume, but you also realize that you need some effective resume writing help.

So, you type in "resume writing help" or "effective resume writing" into your favorite search engine, and instead of feeling calm and in control, your head is spinning. That's because - using the search term "resume writing help" alone - more than 27-million results showed up, and once you've visited even a few sites, you're more confused than ever.

Ok. Calm down for a moment. Before you go out and buy the first 5 resume writing help books you see, or sign up for an expensive resume development seminar, take stock of what you REALLY need, and what also might be available right in your back yard.

Although I am not a fan the types of resumes that I see come out of local employment agencies, I do believe that the agencies themselves are a good place to start, especially if you will be targeting a job in your region (in other words, you're not planning on leaving the area).

Here is why: By browsing the listings that are submitted to the agency, you will get a feel for the skills that employers in your area are actually looking for. I'm not saying that you will necessarily FIND a job that you want to target there at the employment agency, but you'll get a "finger on the pulse" of what's going on in your area.

You'll also gain knowledge of certain keywords and language that employers are using. When you see certain nuances in different employers' language, make a note of what stands out - it will come in handy when it's time to write your resume.

While you are at the employment agency, it doesn't hurt to speak with a counselor - and if you are offered resume writing help, by all means, go for it.

It's not a bad starting document. And, it doesn't cost you a cent. It does cost you time - but again, it's nice to at least have a starting point, and making connections at the agency certainly can't hurt!

Now, because I believe you will still need resume writing help, it's time for you to ask yourself a few questions, and carefully ponder your answers. Before we get to these questions, however, it is critical that you understand this:

The purpose of your resume is to grab the attention of the reviewers, and intrigue them so much that they must bring you in for an interview.

In other words, your resume is an advertisement. Ok? It's an advertisement for YOU. That is it. So think "advertising." End of discussion!

So. Let's move on.

#1: Do you have money to spend on creating a resume or hiring effective resume writing help? If so, how much can you afford? It is not unusual for personal resume development services to cost more than $100 - or even $200 (depending on how much work your resume needs). Some resume writers charge by the hour.

Again, determine whether this is the route you feel you need to go before taking out your credit card! Pros and cons! Someone who can be objective about you is an asset.

However, what if the resume writer is using old-fashioned techniques (think: "Chronological and Boring")? If this is the case, your resume may not catch anyone's eye to begin with.

Before you commit, look at samples of the writer's work, and see if it fits your style and personality. Does the resume developer know that you are looking for a great advertisement about you?

#2: Do you feel like you have the ability to write your own resume? Obviously, there are dozens of books in any given bookstore for you to choose from that can offer effective resume writing help.

If you are a confident writer - and you can be totally objective about yourself - then this might be the way to go. The drawback here is that you are likely to produce a resume that does not have the "flare" that your "advertisement" needs to catch anyone's attention.

Please don't get me wrong. Books are excellent tools! Most of the books out there have excellent tips and advice that will be very helpful in your resume development efforts.

However, it has been my experience that most resume writing help books don't look at creating a resume in quite the same way as an advertising copywriter might.

Also, if you are going it on your own (even if you THINK you are being totally objective about yourself) you'll need to be very careful that angry or upset emotions about a job loss or threat of a job loss are NOT reflected in your resume.

#3: Do you feel that you would like to try resume writing help software? Somewhere between hiring a "live" coach and doing it all yourself? If so, again, it is critical that you think about what you are trying to accomplish here before you pull out the credit card.

If you DO decide to go this route, ask yourself if the software is billed as using marketing and copywriting techniques. If not, you might wind up with another ho-hum, old-fashioned, standard looking resume that didn't need to cost you anything to begin with.

Look for an energetic approach that can bring your resume to life. Make sure it feels right to you - just like finding the right fit in a job!

Finally, no matter how you choose to proceed with creating a resume, every step you take with resume development should be done calmly, and without any negative emotion - even if you just lost your job! This is critical! Do not take a chance that any bad feelings or negative emotions show in your resume. The only emotions you want to have showing in your resume is that you are confident, happy and excited about this whole thing. Ok?

Now that you have pondered these ideas, and done a little research in a calm and methodical manner, finding effective resume writing help that's right for you will (hopefully!) have just gotten a lot easier!