There are good writers among us - Sterling Career Concepts

There are good writers among us There are good writers among us A recent blog post by Kris Dunn for The HR Capitalist rubbed me the wrong way, and Id like to take the opportunity to defend my industry. I fear the post will leave many readers with a bad impression of the field and put doubt in the minds of some considering hiring a professional resume writer. In this job market, that is doing a disservice to those who would benefit from a careers professional. While there may be less-than-stellar writers marketing their wares online and calling themselves professional resume writers, there are many exceptionally talented writers among us who have helped numerous job seekers with resume development and job search correspondence. To supplement Ms. Dunns post, Id like to share some of my own tips for selecting a professional resume writer. * Certified with one or more leading career association I would go one step further and verify credentials with the organization as there unfortunately have been cases of writers implying they are certified when they are not. The value of certification is twofold: (1) the independent and impartial assessment of a writers abilities by a peer group, and (2) commitment to the industry. * Client testimonials provided as postings on the writers website, recommendations on LinkedIn, or fans on Facebook. * Published work and preferably with multiple authors as that shows that more than one editor selected their work for inclusion. The authors of resume guides tend to be seasoned resume writers in the industry so selection for a book can be considered approval from respected peers. * Structure and professional process in place Agreements, forms, an organized process are signs that the writer takes his/her job seriously and is running the business professionally. This can also be reassuring when working online with a writer as something concrete in an otherwise virtual situation. * Prior recruiting or HR experience Having worked as an executive recruiter or in human resources does not automatically make someone an effective writer, but it does provide a valuable combination of perspectives. Something to consider. The bottom line: do your due diligence as you would when hiring any new professional or service provider, and youll most likely develop a relationship with a talented professional resume writer who can provide immense value to your job search. Good luck!