Profile of an Average Resume Writer

I always create a profile of the “average” resume writer, based on the statistics from the Resume Writers’ Digest annual Industry Survey.

This year, instead of including the profile in the issue with the survey findings, I’m creating a multi-part profile of the “average” resume writer and posting it as a series on my blog.

She (resume writers as a whole are overwhelmingly female) is in her early-to-mid-50s and is a full-time business owner. She has been writing resumes for 11-12 years and currently works from a home office. She is certified as a resume writer and belongs to the Professional Association of Resume Writers and Career Coaches (PARW/CC). In the past, she also belonged to the Career Management Alliance (the “Alliance”), but her membership lapsed a few months ago and she hasn’t gotten around to renewing.

She spends 22 hours a week writing 4-5 new resumes and fulfilling other services for her clients, including updates, some career coaching – most of it for free – and a few resume distribution projects. She spends another 10 hours a week on administrative tasks (billing, recordkeeping, tax compliance), and marketing.

Her average resume packages is a resume and cover letter, for which she receives $275 to $325. That likely includes 30-60 minutes of “free” advice for the client on using the resume or providing instruction in the job search process — usually doled out in phone calls and emails after the resume draft has been delivered.

Her gross monthly revenue is between $4,000 and $5,000 — netting her around $38,000 after taxes annually.

Next Time: Average Resume Writer Profile: Existing Client Base

NRWA Elects New Board

The National Resume Writer's Association has elected its 2008 Board of Directors.

President: Robyn Feldberg
First Vice President: Bonnie Kurka
Second Vice President: Kevin Morris
Treasurer: Donna Turner
Secretary: Tessa Weeks
Certification Chair: Abby Locke
Ethics Chair: Shauna Bryce

Region 1 Representative: Kimberly Schneiderman
Region 2 Representative: Eleanor Farmer
Region 3 Representative: Claudine Vainrub
Region 4 Representative: Josh Fields
Region 5 Representative: Lori Norris
Region 6 Representative: Melissa Bermea

Mentors

The importance of a mentor in starting and growing your business cannot be underestimated.

Tonight, I said good-bye to one of mine. My Uncle Arch (Don Begley) died tonight at the age of 75. He was a friend, a client, and a mentor. When my now-husband and I decided to start our business in 1996 (when I was just 22), Uncle Arch was a great source of encouragement and ideas. He also invited me to join his Friday-morning tips group, introducing me to a network of business contacts. Although I eventually had to give the group up (Friday mornings at 7 a.m. were too much for this night owl), will never forget him taking me under his wing.

My thoughts are with his wife of fifty years (my Aunt Rosalie) and his five children (David, Steve, Chris, Barb, and Becky) and their families.

What is a Structured Interview?

Do you offer interview coaching? Are you aware of a new technique in interviewing, the structured interview?

Using a structured interview presentation, candidates clearly communicate their understanding of the job, demonstrate both their match with position requirements and their fit with the corporate culture. Hiring managers get consistent in-depth information about candidates that improves the interview process and helps hiring managers make a “best fit” hiring decision. With structured interviews, candidates perform better. The hiring manager’s selection decisions are greatly enhanced resulting in improved retention with lower turnover costs and a more competitive workforce.

Kennedy Information is hosting a 60-minute training program on Thursday, Feb. 21, "Increase 'Best Fit' Hiring Decisions with Structured Interview Techniques" presented by Eric Kramer, CIO of Innovative Career Services.

The workshop will cover:

1. The three most important interview questions that must be answered to make a “best fit” hiring decision.
2. The eight critical elements of a well structured interview presentation.
3. An interview presentation process that candidates and hiring managers can learn quickly and use easily.
4. Candidates’ and hiring managers’ real life experiences using an interview presentation tool, and more.

Eric Kramer’s experience includes working as a Career Consultant and Career Center Manager with one of the country’s largest outplacement firms. As a Senior Consultant, Eric worked with hundreds of job searchers individually and in groups teaching them job search skills and coaching them through their interviews. Eric has authored two books, What to Think What to Do- 100+ Hints for Successful Interviewing and What to Think What to Do- 100+ Hints for Successful Networking. Eric also serves on the Editorial Advisory Board for Recruiting Trends, a Kennedy Information publication.

The cost is $149, and you can pre-register and receive a recording of the teleseminar, even if you're unable to attend.