So here’s how the industry works and what you should look for when selecting a resume writing service.

1) Avoid the Scams. Unfortunately, there are a number of scams out there. No one has ever reviewed resume writing services so avoid those who have Top 10 Resume Writing lists. These are generally companies overseas who have ranked their own site as #1 in resume writing.  A newer form are those sites that guarantee a job or they will not only refund your monies, but give you $50-$75 money back as well. Sounds great, but if you check out the terms and conditions, you will not be able to comply.

2) Unless you think you are like everyone else, avoid the factories. One way to identify a factory is by their very low prices as no one can make any money in this business charging less than $150 unless they have a production line setup. Some factories will also be “partners” with some larger organization which is usually nothing more than a royalty they pay for every sale. Factories often use cookie cutter templates to produce a resume, so unless you are comfortable with that, find someone who will spend the time to understand how you are unique.

3) How does the web site look? If they cannot organize their web site and make it look attractive, then they can’t do that for your resume. However, this is not the only criteria to use. I know a company with mediocre writers that is successful solely because they have an attractive web site.

4) The resume writing firm should have some credentials; Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) designation is the most common.  Having outside verification that indicates they have at least passed some level of competency is helpful.  That being said, look for credentials beyond the CPRW designation. Do the people have impressive backgrounds? Many sites won’t tell you anything beyond their CPRW designation. Great writers have great accomplishments so look to see if they have been published in books and, most importantly, find out about their business background. Did they attend a good school – did they rise through the business ranks? Being in HR is good and being an executive is even better as they have been the decision makers behind the hiring process and have demonstrated the skills to excel.

5) Look at their samples. If you don’t like their samples, you surely won’t like their work. Look to see if they are focusing on skills and accomplishments as opposed to producing pretty resumes that just list job duties.

6) Check out their resume writing process and make sure you get to speak to someone. A good resume cannot be written just from a questionnaire, and a good resume writing firm will insist on speaking to you. This way they can ask you insightful questions that highlight the skills and achievements that impress an employer. If they don’t interview you, this means that their writers are not strong enough to have an intelligent conversation with you.

The best resume writing firms will use both a questionnaire and a phone interview. The questionnaire will jog your memory and make you think a bit about things that you haven’t thought about in a while. In fact, it not only helps you get a better resume, it helps you prepare for a job interview. High level executives would insist on a questionnaire and a phone interview and there is no reason that you shouldn’t be able to get the same VIP treatment.

7) Get a free resume evaluation. If they don’t offer one, then they are probably too weak to provide a good critique, or they rely on high volume and are one of the “factories” that use templates.  Then notice if they call you or send you an email evaluation. Email evaluations are usually standard templates with a few words changed and anyone can produce them. The Ladders is notorious for emailing a lengthy, well-written evaluation that is 99% canned with a couple of sentences added. A really good company is not afraid to talk to you to understand your needs and indicate how they could help.

Call the company. Do you speak to a sales person or a resume writer? If you are speaking to a sales person, then they probably are more of a factory that does big volume and uses “cookie-cutter” templates.  If you are speaking to a resume writer, ask them about their background and what they have done in their career (see #3).

9) Do they offer a guarantee? A good service will stand behind their work and offer to revise your resume for free if it is not working. You’ll want to choose a resume writing service that stands behind their product.

Also look for the BBB Online Reliability seal that shows they are a safe and reliable site and check out their track record.

10) Ask about the price. Yes, the price is important but not as important as getting a resume that works. The difference between a mediocre resume and a great one can be as little as $100 (the cost of a night out). This is one of the most important documents in your career, so it makes sense to spend what it takes to get a resume that you know will work.

There is a lot of pressure placed on mothers from society, friends, and family that can result in guilt for the mother trying to measure up. From the stress of trying to create perfect children to the guilt over what is and is not happening in the home, these pressures can be detrimental to all involved.

Join us for this workshop to learn how to keep a balanced perspective, how to filter outside pressure, how to reduce your own negative messages to yourself, and how to increase motherhood enjoyment. Come join other women who can relate to what you are going through. There is bound to be laughter, tears, and insight.

Free

WHEN: Tuesday, April 12th • 10:30 am – 12:00

WHERE: Loudoun Family & Relationship Counseling, 215 Loudoun St., SE, Leesburg, VA

For more information or to register, please call 571-207-0108

The Curse of Mommy Guilt

Click Here to read the complete article on Back In Force

Let’s face it: motherhood can be stressful! While the position brings some of the best perks imaginable–the fun, the growth, the love–it also brings more than its share of work, frustration, stress, and guilt.  There is a lot of pressure placed on mothers from society, friends, and family which results in increased stress for the mother trying to measure up.  From the stress of trying to create perfect children to the guilt over what is and is not happening in the home these pressures can be detrimental to all involved.

Dueling Identities and Sacrifice

•          Research shows most mothers experience a pull between sacrificing for their children and honoring their own identities

Most women understand that sacrifice is an integral part to the definition of motherhood and they use it to construct their own good mother identities.  They ask themselves how much am I sacrificing? If the answer is a lot then they and others conclude they are a good mother.  Guilt emerges when they attempt to maintain their career or other identity outside of motherhood.  Most careers and other identities demand focus and when the woman focuses on her other identity she feels she is not focusing on motherhood, and perhaps not sacrificing enough, which subconsciously leads to guilt over not being a good mother.  I often have clients make a list of their values to give them clarity over what is important to them.  Seldom do people have a list with being a good mother as the only value, therefore it make sense for their focus to be spread among all of the identified important areas.  Stress and guilt are reduced when you live a life that reflects your values.

Lack of Me Time

•          The lack of me time sets the stage for stress

Motherhood is a demanding job and as is the case with any demanding job many hours of work are required to get the job done.  The result is often no time for self and ultimately burn out.  I often ask my clients about how many hours they worked if they had previous jobs or how many hours their partner works; nobody answers 24 hours a day!  So why then do mothers somehow conclude that they need to devote all of their waking hours to mothering obligations?  There is a lot of value in giving yourself permission to engage in non-mothering activity; think of it as an effective way to avoid the formation of stress.

Resentment

•          Lack of discretionary free time can contribute to a feeling of anger and resentment

The story is common; the woman sits across from me recounting the details of watching her partner get ready for work and describing her resentment, jealousy, anger, and abandonment.  Sometimes she responds by yelling, sarcasm, or silence but in all cases the emotion is mentally attached negatively to her partner.  Although she may not even want to have a job outside of the home and may thoroughly enjoy her mother role, her mind can’t help but glamorize her partner’s ability to walk out of the house into the adult world.  For some, anger results in depression.  Whatever its label it is a negative emotion that ends in resentment and resentment in a relationship causes damage.  Clients often find relief by acknowledging their resentment and seeing it as a normal byproduct of the situation not their partner.

Self-care

•          The antidote to stress is self-care

How can we nurture when we fail to recognize the need to nurture ourselves.  When we do take the time we can feel guilty.  How is the cycle broken then?  It has helped some of my clients to think of self-care as the prescription, “30 minutes of self-care at least once a week”.  The doctor’s order approach helps many women jump over the guilt hurdle so to all you readers out there, “30 minutes of self-care at least once a week”!  Think of self-care as a way to increase your ability to be the best mother you can be and relieve stress which benefits your whole family.

There is a lot of pressure placed on mothers from society, friends, and family that can result in guilt for the mother trying to measure up. From the stress of trying to create perfect children to the guilt over what is and is not happening in the home, these pressures can be detrimental to all involved.

Join us for this workshop to learn how to keep a balanced perspective, how to filter outside pressure, how to reduce your own negative messages to yourself, and how to increase motherhood enjoyment. Come join other women who can relate to what you are going through. There is bound to be laughter, tears, and insight.

Free

WHEN: Wednesday, March 30th • 12:30 pm – 2:00

WHERE: Broadlands Community Center, 43008 Waxpool Rd, Ashburn, VA

For more information or to register, please call 571-207-0108