Nick Corcodilos Takes On the Ladders ... Again

I've seen a lot more commercials recently for The Ladders, and so I was intrigued when I was catching up on some old(er) e-mails this week and came across this column by Nick Corcodilos ("Ask the Headhunter") about The Ladders.

Resume writers will be especially interested in this comment:

At first TheLadders coaxed its market by contracting with independent professional resume writers to actually do the writing. But once this resume business was launched, TheLadders dumped its stable of professionals and started recruiting "writers" the same way it recruited customers -- indiscriminately. (I know: They tried to recruit me.) Soon I started getting stories from disgruntled resume clients complaining that TheLadders wouldn't let clients talk to the "resume writers" about their $900+ resumes. Then I heard from the resume writers TheLadders dumped. They claimed the operation shifted from professional staff to greenhorns.

Indeed, there was quite a bit of discussion a while back about resume writers who were contracted with The Ladders who suddenly lost their contracts (or had them scaled back).

Resume writers were also concerned about the boilerplate resume critiques being provided by The Ladders -- I wrote about this last June.

Corcodilos reports that the actions of The Ladders suggest they are gearing up to sell the company; whether that pans out is yet to be seen. But given the number of individuals that are contracted to write for The Ladders, it's something to keep an eye on.

A Great Time to Get Publicity for Your Resume Writing Services

Layoffs are in the news everyday -- and as a careers professional, you're in a perfect spot to comment on this issue and get publicity for your resume writing services!

Just today, following the announcement of a major employer letting 350 employees go, I wrote a news release which I e-mailed to the reporter who wrote the story announcing the layoffs.

I also posted the tips on my blog:
http://omahajobhelp.blogspot.com/2009/01/what-to-do-if-you-think-youre-going-to.html

You can do the same.

Now is the time to be visible. There are tens of thousands of prospective clients out there -- they just need to know you exist!

New Issue of Resume Writers' Digest Available (Fall 2008)

The new issue of Resume Writers' Digest is now available. The cover story, by Wendy Terwelp, is about how to use social networking websites to grow your business -- and help your clients.

Wendy is also offering a special offer to readers if they purchase her "Rock Your Network® Online" social networking course. If you are one of the first 10 people who respond by Friday, Jan. 30, 2009, you will receive a free 15-minute laser coaching session with Wendy to crank up your online network.

The issue also features an article on how to "Turn a Good Customer Into a Loyal Customer in Just Six Steps," Robert Middleton's Action Plan Marketing article on "Nine Key Marketing Lessons," a Resume Writer's University article on using DISC profiles ("Resume Writing is DISC Easy," and an article on how to get publicity using New Year's Resolutions as a hook in your news release.

You can receive the newsletter for free if you are a subscriber (use the form at the top right-hand column of this blog). Or you can purchase this issue for just $3.

Now Seeking Responses for 2008 Industry Survey

I have sent out the request for responses for Resume Writers' Digest's 2008 Industry Survey to more than 1500 resume writers -- and have received more than 100 responses so far.

If you did NOT receive an invitation, e-mail me at RWDigest@aol.com and I'll send you the link. If you did get my e-mail, please do not procrastinate! The survey will only take a few minutes to complete, and the results are invaluable for careers industry practitioners in comparing their production, pricing, and challenges with their colleagues.

You can find some of the results of the 2007 Industry Survey here and here.