Can you create your own resume? Of course, professionals do it all the time. And if you have the time it takes to build a stellar resume on your own please go for it.

Unfortunately, most don’t have that time – nor do they want to invest it. Many conclude it’s not a skill you need often enough to justify the investment of time.

I Feel Called

Honestly, I LOVE writing resumes. Part of that is researching what other resume writers come up with to see what I can learn. In my quest to improve, I refine or add to my techniques regularly – I don’t believe in standing still or that I will ever know everything.

My clients are the beneficiaries of that expertise, experience, and passion. I typically spend between 45 minutes to several hours on a resume, depending on the complexity – number of pages, overall objective, and nuances of skills.

It’s a grind sometimes, but also a fascinating journey that drives me. I’ve come away from resumes with career envy – wishing I could dabble in what my clients do for a day.

Warning: I’m a Word Geek

Several years ago my wife asked me what I wanted for Christmas, I told her an Oxford dictionary and thesaurus. I particularly love using a thesaurus, playing with new and interesting word combinations. I also have a keen interest in style guides. While no system of writing is perfect, these tools offer up best practices and have become an integral part of my writing business.

But I am also a word economist. In college, I had an instructor who taught me the beauty and art of simplistic writing. This is key to resume and other types of writing because it speaks to the limited real estate you have to plant seeds of interest and engagement.

More Than Words

When people think about resumes, they understand it to be a writing exercise. But it’s actually more than that.

How you arrange those words on paper matters. Humans are visual creatures. We crave efficiency to accomplish tasks and long for it when the task is daunting or boring. Let’s face it, most don’t find sifting through resumes fun.

Design elements and features (color, graphics, columns, bullets, type treatments, spacing, etc.) breathe life into each word and statement. They introduce variation to your resume, which encourages and even compels an employer to give you more attention over one that lacks it.

Fun fact: Professional Resumes Get Better Results

I am probably not the only resume writer out there who loves creating them. I am somewhat rare in that I have good instincts for both writing and design. That one-two punch creates a more memorable deliverable and is likely why I get so many success stories and referrals.

But there’s more to it. The fact is, professionally-written resumes get better results. TopResume, a large corporate and more automated competitor of mine, produces a better-than-average resume in my opinion. Setting aside the fact that I offer a more personalized approach and that I have upgraded many former TopResume clients into an even better resume, they do get results.

According to their study, conducted by the reputable Zhaus research firm, job searches are faster and more productive when you go the extra mile or hire a professional to create your resume. Their clients report a 32% improvement in their search. Additionally, 68% were able to secure a job within three months and 42% indicate it was an elevated position. Click here to see the full report.

In Case You are Wondering

Research done by Randstad US, shows it takes job seekers approximately five months to get a job. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics backs this up with its own reporting of the average number of weeks people are unemployed, which usually hovers in the mid-to upper-20 week range.

So if you really want to improve your job search (and who doesn’t). It really does make sense to hire someone to create (or take the time on your own to create) something that goes above and beyond. Something special that is unique to you.

The Bottom Line

Again, resume writers like myself have written thousands of resumes and know what works and what doesn’t. We can set aside your doubts and second-guessing, producing a confidence-building document that gives you a leg up on the competition.

Further, resume writers like me who specialize in certain fields (ie dental profession), take that expertise to a new level. I have written them for all different industries, but launched and have remained mostly in the dental space.

But let me give my clients the final word: Click here to read a little of what they say about my services.