How to Increase Your Job Search Success by Using Professional Resume Samples
So, you’ve realized that your resume isn’t up to par, and you’re intent on finding some help. What you might not know is that using professional resume samples can greatly increase your chance of success.
As a source of new ideas, online resume examples can be quite helpful in your own resume writing. In addition, reviewing samples is must when considering whether to hire a resume writing service.
Here are 3 ways that you can use resume samples to increase your odds of winning an interview:
1 – Get an insider’s edge in your industry.
While copying is prohibited (and can cost you the job if you’re found out!), finding examples of resumes in your field should be your first step. This will give you the inside scoop on keywords and strategy ideas.
For example, if you’re tailoring your resume for a sales job, you’ll find that a search on “Sales Resume Sample” should produce documents showing skills such as closing, negotiations, prospecting, cold calling, revenue growth, relationship management, and other related keywords.
If these apply to your background, by all means add them to your own resume.
Conversely, a search on “CTO Sample Resume” will show the many terms for technical leadership careers, including infrastructure planning, offshore development, and project management.
Be sure to adjust your own resume to reflect any relevant data that you might have missed during the writing process.
2 – Get pointers on format, design, and content.
Recruiters can’t say it enough – your resume must be clearly laid out, giving the reader a good chance to quickly skim your details and assess your professional goals.
This is where professional resume samples often have an edge. Many writers make a candidate’s credentials stand out (and quickly!) by creating innovative designs with graphics, borders, and bolded text specifically intended to draw the eye to critical areas of the document.
A crucial point: resume design should vary based on the industry, career level, and personal brand of each job hunter. A resume for a marketing specialist, for example, may have added flair and design elements that are important for professionals in a creative field.
These types of graphics, however, would be totally out of place for the resume of a bank Vice President. In fact, many recruiters in financial services fields are drawn to more subdued fonts and layouts.
3 – Gain a clear idea of the difference among resume writing services.
When searching for a resume service, you’ll find that formats, design practices, and writing styles will vary considerably—and this is why many professional resume writers post examples online.
While some people select resume services based on price alone, reviewing sample work can give you a good idea of the quality and time invested in each project—and whether the service will work for your needs.
After locating resume writing samples on company websites, look carefully at the type of document produced. Would you hire the person represented? Does the resume speak the language of your profession?
Do you see evidence that the writing service is experienced in your field—and at your level? For example, the strategy used for most CIO candidates will differ substantially from that of an engineer. Therefore, it’s critical to find resume samples that back up the writer’s claim of specialized expertise.
Even more importantly, is the job hunter’s personal brand evident from quickly skimming the resume? If you have difficulty discerning the candidate’s job goal, this can be a red flag to move on to another resume writing service.