Well you’re also alive, do you have life insurance?
Sure, but that’s different.
Is it?
You need to have some assurance that your resume will be ready when you want to do a job search. That’s like having insurance.
Obviously, if you’re considering changing jobs, don’t do it before you have a new job. And make sure your resume is prepared in contemporary form or you may not be able to compete with other job seekers. You can be sure some will have contemporary resumes and cover letters! More about that later.
Now if you lose your job (it’s likely you thought that would never happen), your resume must be ready, because the longer you’re un-employed the more difficult it will be to find the right next job! Is your resume in contemporary form?
What does that mean?
Don’t even think your resume just needs to be “dusted off”. If it has not been updated by a professional, do you think it will compete with others who’s resumes have been? Most likely you need a professional search consultant and/or resume writer? Why? Because some of your competition have had their resume re-written such that it differentiates them from you, to their advantage!
What do you mean ‘contemporary resume standards’?
Well for one thing, Chronological and Functional resume forms are no longer competitive with contemporary Combination forms. Do you understand what the combination form is and what it does for you? Your best competition found out from professionals who prepare contemporary resumes every day.
What’s more, most companies utilize ATS software to perform many functions human beings used to do. It saves them money. This software is coupled with parsing software that may disqualify you from consideration if your resume doesn’t contain certain words and phrases, or has certain features the parsing software can’t ‘read’. If that happens, a human is not likely to ever see your resume. You’ll be in an electronic wastebasket. Do you understand how to avoid this? Again, your best competition has found out from a professional.
Those are just two reasons and there are more. Are you really a good writer? Do you understand good resume writing guidelines? Do you know how to deal with previous gaps in employment? Do you understand how to properly ‘tune’ your resume so it is responsive to a specific job?
It’s probably obvious to you that once you’re not employed, the longer it takes you to become re-employed, the harder it becomes.
My advice? Seek professional help for your resume. But the best advice is to seek out someone who has been a hiring manager and understands the process from a hiring managers’ perspective. Make certain you know the background of the specific person who will be helping you. You don’t need someone who doesn’t have the right background and experience. By the way, fancy websites and claims and huge fees doesn't necessarily equate to competence! So do your due diligence carefully.
And if possible, find someone who can also help you with your search strategy and tactics. You’ll then be way ahead of the competition.
Check my profile! I’d like to help.
Visit http://www.hoochresumes.com for free information and fee-based services. Also check out LinkedIn to learn more about me. http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=53593436&trk=tab_pro