Résumé Writing

Résumés That Get You the Job!

“As a professional technical writer, I knew I could write well, but my résumé wasn't getting any interest from hiring managers. Race Bannon turned my résumé around to highlight my accomplishments as well as my experience. With the first submission of my new résumé, I got an immediate call from a hiring manager.”
- A satisfied client, March 2006

Thank you for your interest in my résumé writing services. I appreciate your time and attention. I hope you will give me the chance to help you attain the job or career of your dreams.

Professional Résumé Writing Services
Business Hours and Communications
Credentials
Pricing and What You Get

Professional Résumé Writing Services

Many ask why hire a professional résumé writer? Well, even if you are the perfect candidate for a position, someone less qualified might get the job of your dreams because their résumé was written more skillfully. It happens all the time. Many people think that since they know their jobs well and have adequate (or even excellent) communication skills, they can prepare their own résumés.

But when writing about themselves, people tend to undersell their backgrounds, skills and abilities. In addition, 98% of résumés created by unskilled professionals lack several of the most important ingredients. As a result, many great opportunities are missed.

Most people who write their own résumés are unsure of how to best present their strengths, downplay their weaknesses, and appeal to employer needs. Common mistakes include the omission of important information or strategic sections, the inclusion of irrelevant (or ill-advised) details, a shortage of keywords, a failure to emphasize transferable skills, a lack of a specific career focus, and an uninviting page design. And, perhaps most critically, the majority of applicants write “task-oriented” résumés as opposed to “achievement-based” résumés.

Some job seekers regard the résumé as just a piece of paper. But in today's highly competitive job market, where the typical nationally advertised position will receive literally hundreds of responses, it takes an effective résumé to get interviews. Think of it this way - a $1 bill and a $1,000 bill are both "just paper" too. But like a résumé, their value is determined by what is printed on that piece of paper.

Your résumé is one of the most important documents you will ever create. This make-or-break marketing tool is what stands between whether an employer will call you for an interview or pass you by. So hiring a professional résumé writer can help you:

• Win more interviews.
• Maximize your strengths.
• Stand out from the crowd.
• Land your dream job sooner.
• Elevate your earnings potential.
• Solve tough job search challenges.
• Succeed in transitioning to a new career.

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Business Hours and Communications

I conduct all consultations and communications by phone or email. There is never a need to travel to my office, making the entire process easy and convenient for you. Sometimes all of the required communications can take place using just email through the use of questionnaires and forms. However, I often like to schedule a phone conversation, even if only brief, while preparing the résumé. I find that sometimes there's no replacement for a bit of conversation about your background and future career goals when preparing a resume.

Presently, I am a senior manager in a large corporation and conduct my résumé business during evenings and weekends. This has proven to be a desired schedule for most clients because it doesn't conflict with the typical daytime work schedule. Many clients also feel that my daytime position as a corporate manager adds to my skills because I am up-to-date on current hiring practices.

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Credentials

As an active member of the National Résumé Writers’ Association, I have been trained in the latest résumé writing techniques and uphold their standards of excellence to which members must comply. I'm also a professional freelance writer and a senior manager overseeing a staff of professional writers in a large corporation. I know the realities of today's job marketplace and have the skills and experience to produce quality résumés.

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Pricing and What You Get

My prices for a professionally written résumé delivered to you in Microsoft Word and text-only format (suitable for emailing within the body of an email or posting to an online job web site) are as follows:

Microsoft Word version of résumé created with completed questionnaire.
Target = less than $60,000/year.
$125

Microsoft Word version of résumé created with phone interview.
Target = less than $60,000/year.
$175

Microsoft Word version of résumé created with completed questionnaire.
Target = greater than $60,000/year.
$225

Microsoft Word version of résumé created with phone interview.
Target = greater than $60,000/year.
$275

Text-only version of résumé for emails and job board posting.
$25

The main differentiators in pricing are (1) do you complete the questionnaire yourself or do I complete it during a phone interview with you, and (2) the target salary for the prospective jobs you might seek. In all cases it is preferable for me to also see any previous résumé you've used in the past. Pricing assumes the résumé is delivered to you by email and that you'll handle all printing and copies. No two people or situations are alike. Therefore, if you have unique needs, final pricing of my services will be quoted upon a brief consultation with you, either by phone or email. Payment can be made by cash or check.

Because of my commitment to my daytime job, I don't accept rush assignments. And even if I had the ability to offer rush services, I don't think I would. I find extending the process a bit longer allows me to hone a résumé to a better result. I ask my clients to allow a full two weeks to receive their résumé.

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