What to Look For in an Executive Resume Writer

An executive resume writer isn't easy to find. Sure, there are plenty of writers who claim the title. But how do you separate the good writers from the hacks? Start by looking for these 5 things in your executive resume writer.

You know you need an executive resume. And you're not the only one who knows it. Executive resume services are hot right now. Attribute that to the tough economic times, and the common knowledge that more executives than ever are looking for work - and likely feeling out of their element in the ranks of the unemployed. But be wary of those who call themselves executive resume writers. To be frank, it's quite easy to talk the talk. Not so easy to walk the walk.

Finding Your Executive Resume Writer - Here's Help

How do you make sure the executive resume writer you choose is up to the task? Begin by requiring the following five basics from your executive resume writer:

1 - Certification. First things first: is the writer certified? While professional certification alone doesn't turn a writer into a Shakespeare, it does demonstrate that the writer has achieved an acceptable level of knowledge in the art and science of resume writing. Look for either one of the following professional designations: CPRW (Certified Professional Resume Writer), or NCRW (Nationally Certified Resume Writer). Both hold roughly equal weight in the industry.

There is a third professional designation that's worth mentioning, though don't expect to run across it very often. CERW, which stands for Certified Expert Resume Writer. Issued by Career Directors International, a multi-discipline career association, the designation is reserved for resume writers demonstrating superior portfolios of work. Though rare, keep an eye out. A CERW has the talent to set your resume apart from the competition.

2 - A Consultative Interview. Don't settle for a resume writing service that claims to be able to gather all the information they need about you via an online form or email questionnaire. While that might be sufficient for an entry-level resume (even then I don't advise it), the executive resume requires a more in-depth probe. A consultative telephone interview, at least 30 minutes to an hour on the phone, allows the writer to plumb the depths of your work history and accomplishments, fully explore your goals, and lay the groundwork for a marketing document that will sell. Insist on one.

3 - A Peek At Some Samples. A quick way to learn the caliper of professional you're dealing with is to get a look at their work. That's easy with writers; it's all there, exposed on the printed page. Does the executive resume writer you're considering have examples of his/her work to show you? If not, that writer should not be getting your business.

4 - A Guarantee. While no writer can guarantee you'll get the job you want with the resume he/she prepares, there are a couple of assurances one can make. A writer can guarantee that you'll be satisfied with the end product, for example. A writer can stick his neck out a little further and guarantee that your new resume will generate interviews within a certain time frame, say one or two months. Given a choice, I like the latter guarantee for one reason: most folks will see a professionally-prepared resume and deem it an improvement over their previous version, consider themselves satisfied and sign off on the project. But an "improved" resume may not be enough in this job market. I would prefer to let the market decide whether or not that freshly-minted resume is effective or lacking ' by whether or not it generates interviews. If you have a choice, choose the resume service that guarantees interviews.

5 - A Firm Price. A reputable writer should be able to give you the price to prepare your resume. Certainly, executives can have varied and detailed work histories, and a writer is not out of bounds to ask to consult with an executive before developing a price that adequately compensates for his expected time on the project. But it's also reasonable to expect the price to be firmed up prior to the start of the project. Don't buy the, "retainer to begin work, with the final price to be determined somewhere down the road" nonsense.

Use these 5 basic requirements to weed out some of the "executive resume writers" of dubious talent and ethics. At the C-level, resume writing is serious business. Top job offers can hang on the skill of your writer in employing subtle branding techniques and promotional prose. Make sure you've got a talented executive resume writer working for you.

Former recruiter David Alan Carter takes a hardline, skeptical look at Executive Resume Writing Services for the website http://www.TopResumeServices.com, singling out one particular Expert Resume Writer for recommendation.