Technology and Its Impact on Voice

In the first part of this series on "Writing Well," I talked about "Finding Your Writing Voice as a Resume Writer." Then I talked about "Strengthening Your Voice." Next up is "Technology and Its Impact on Voice."

The newest challenge to finding personality in resumes is the role of technology. Requests for ASCII resumes -- and the problems retaining fonts and formatting in Word documents places a greater emphasis on content. The story must be compelling, regardless of the visual package.

This is also the area of emphasis which benefits the resume writer in the face of resume templates and resume software. Most resumes submitted for critique feel sterile -- devoid of voice and personality of the job seeker.

Job seekers have been cautioned to reveal enough to get an interview, but not too much.

Every resume writer understands this challenge -- and it's a delicate balancing act.

In the next article: Six Steps to Find Your Voice

Strengthening Your Voice as a Resume Writer

In the first part of this series on "Writing Well," I talked about "Finding Your Writing Voice as a Resume Writer." Next up is Strengthening Your Voice.

When writing resumes, remember that you're writing, "one writer to one reader." What do you want that reader to feel when he or she is finished reviewing the cover letter and resume?

Your writing must be compelling and distinctive to evoke a feeling in the reader. There are certain verbs that can evoke a voice and tell a story.

Is there any room for feeling in resumes? Of course. In traditional journalism, "the embrace of objectivity was to counter the inflamed political rhetoric of the news media and replace it with the informed reason of the scientist," says nationally-recognized writing consultant Chip Scanlan. "It was not meant to produce a totally sterile, objective piece."

In resume writing, sterility was introduced in response to complaints of discrimination in the hiring process. Many issues related to this were unfairly attached to the resume's role in the screening process.

Next up: Technology and Its Impact on Voice

Finding Your Writing Voice as a Resume Writer

"Creative work, critical thinking, and courage is the 'Magic Formula for Writing,'" according to nationally-recognized writing consultant Chip Scanlan of the Poynter Institute.

All writers have to have a philosophy to guide their writing -- a "way of looking at your work and way of doing your work," he says.

The perspective that a writer has on a subject is the writer's "voice." Voice is made up of perspective and tone. It's a personal and honest expression that reveals the writer's background and personality.

Where does the resume writer's voice fit in when writing a client's resume?

Without voice, a resume is incomplete.

"Voice illuminates fact," Scanlan says. "It attracts and holds readers. It is tuned to the purpose of its message and the ear of the reader."

A resume without voice is a fact sheet. Voice brings a storytelling quality, incorporating what you bring to the story without getting in the way.

"Voice is the music to your words that is distinctly your own. (It's) the rhythm the world hears when they read it," Scanlan adds.

This is the first in a four-part series. Next post: Strengthening Your Voice.

Summer Issue of Resume Writers' Digest

The Summer 2009 issue of Resume Writers' Digest is now out!

The 12-page issue offers a cover story on coming up with better questions to ask your clients to yield better resumes. (Based on the results of the "10 Questions" survey, it will be added to the "Write Great Resumes Faster" special report as well.)

Inside: Wendy Enelow reacts to the results of the 2008 Resume Writers' Digest Industry Survey and shares her comments and thoughts.

Also in this issue: Producing Error-Free Resumes for Clients (results of an Accountemps survey), and Jane Roqueplot wrote a nice piece on "Enhance Your Writing With Style Analysis."

Also, check out columnist Robert Middleton's Action Plan Marketing column in this issue on "Getting the Most Out of a Professional Conference." There are still two major conferences left this year (NRWA and CDI), so if you're planning on attending either (or both!), this is a must-read.

Reach Telecall: "Test-Drive Your Dream Job"

I'm always glad when I take an hour to participate in the Reach Branding Club's Interview Series. William Arruda and Susan Guarneri consistently line up some of the best and brightest minds in the world to share their thoughts about career topics. And, best of all, it's free! Be sure to get on their e-mail list.

Today's call was with Brian Kurth, author of "Test-Drive Your Dream Job -- A Step-by-Step Guide to Finding and Creating the Work You Love." He's also the founder of Vocation Vacations, which allows job seekers to pay to "job shadow" folks in the career field of their choice for a few days, and see whether they'd like it.



The interview was fabulous. Kurth outlined an eight-step process for facilitating a successful career transition -- built heavily on the use of mentors and participatory research to find the right next job. It reminded me of a program in high school that I participated in -- "job shadowing" -- where the high school students would be paired with a businessperson in their desired career field that they could follow around for a day or two.

Kurth has extended this idea to make it part of your "vacation" -- you follow someone in another city or state and they allow you to see what that career path is all about.

A couple of key points:
* Discover/rediscover your strengths
* Create a vision board (a collage of your interests -- buy magazines, newspapers, and print stuff out online -- quotes, pictures -- "Who you are and who you want to become.")
* Confront your fears ("Fear never goes away -- it's how you handle it.")
* Create an action plan (and constantly tweak it)
* Find your mentor(s) -- 1-5 folks -- they should be in the field you want to go into.
* Branding is about EMOTIONS and creating emotional connections
* Establish your thresholds (boundaries or your comfort zone areas you won't cross)

All in all, well worth the hour! I'll let you know when I find out when the next Reach Branding Club Interview Series is.

Aleisa Benedict on Cake Boss

You never know where a resume writer is going to show up! Colleague Aleisa Benedict showed up on Monday's episode of "Cake Boss" on TLC. The cake looked fabulous!

Advice to Those Seeking A Job In HR: Interesting Insight

Thanks to Jason Alba of JibberJobber for the link to this blog post from Punk Rock HR. It's HR professionals responding to a question of a blog reader who is wondering if she should get into a career in HR.

How Long Should Your Resume Be?

This is a topic that is frequently asked by job seekers. The one page resume myth SHOULD be all but extinct by now, but unfortunately still lives on...

Nick Corcodilos ("Ask the Headhunter") just addressed this question in recent newsletter. (If you haven't signed up to receive it, do it! For those of you who don't know Nick, he spoke at the NRWA conference in Scottsdale a few years ago. He's generally positive about professional resume writers, but down on "resume mills.")

Here's what Nick said:

"My advice: Edit your resume to make it relevant to the employer, and make it as long as it needs to be. Make sure it's long enough so it reaches where it's supposed to go."

Face-to-Face or Virtual?

In the September/October 1999 issue of Resume Writers' Digest, in my Letter From the Editor, I talked about how resume writers interact with their clients -- and how that interaction was likely to change over time. It's interesting to look back at what I wrote:

From talking to a lot of other resume writers, I know that many resume writers (including me!) are unwilling to give up on face-to-face interactions entirely. I personally prefer to work with clients in person, although I have done long-distance and Internet-based consultations in the past.

The key issue is meeting your client needs. There will be clients who are unwilling -- or unable -- to meet with you in person. There will be other clients who do not have the technology to work with you by computer. Each resume writer will be able to carve out a niche that will suit his or her needs.

Despite all the hype about the Internet, not everybody is online yet. We all have clients who have virtually no computer skills. They will need to "upgrade" themselves to meet the changing demands of the workforce ... just as the resume writing profession will need to change to meet the demographic trends of the new millennium.

Interesting. I changed to working virtually with clients in 2004, when I got married and moved my business into my home. Looking back, my sentiments were right on at the time -- but I've only had a handful or two of clients I haven't worked with virtually during that time. That's mostly because I have referred clients who preferred to work with someone in person to another writer in town who maintains a home-based office that accommodates working with clients in person. But it's also because I work primarily by questionnaire now, instead of interviews.

It's fascinating to see what has changed in the past 5 -- and 10 years. I wonder how resume writing will be different in 2014 ... and 2019. I hope I'm around to find out!

Do You Work With Clients in Finance, Accounting, and/or IT?

If you work with clients in finance, accounting, and/or information technology, request your free copy of the 2009 Salary Guide from Accountemps.

Accountemps, a division of Robert Half International, conducts annual salary surveys and publishes the results in an annual guide.

Teena's Looking for Writers to Interview

Teena Rose, author of "Start Your Resume Writing Business: The Ultimate Resource for Building a $100,000 Resume-Writing Business" is looking for resume writers to interview for her blog, Start, Operate, Profit! Resume Writing Business.

If you are interested in being profiled (look her for her new interview with Robyn Feldberg), contact Teena at teena(at)resumetoreferral.com (replace the (at) with an @ sign).

New Unemployment Claims Down, But Continuing Claims Rise

The U.S. Department of Labor released its most recent statistics on unemployment today, and the findings show that while unemployment has stabilized over the past 3-4 weeks (meaning there aren't as many newly unemployed), those who are currently out of work are taking longer to find new jobs.

The number of U.S. workers filing new claims for unemployment fell 12,000 last week -- initial claims for state unemployment benefits declined to a seasonally adjusted 631,000 in the week ended May 16 -- but the number of people still receiving benefits after drawing an initial week of aid increased by 75,000, to 6.6 million.

What does this mean for resume writers? In simple terms, a need to continue to encourage clients to persevere in their search. There are certainly jobs out there, but clients will have to work harder (using their network and following up) to identify and secure positions. 

Making a point to emphasize a holistic approach to the search -- not just developing and distributing the resume (the equivalent of giving the job searcher a fish, rather than teaching him or her to fish). 

New 10 Questions Survey

One of the things we ask of subscribers to the free Resume Writers Digest newsletter is that they participate in our periodic surveys. Previous surveys have focused on subcontracting, "Write Great Resumes Faster," conference attendance, and our annual "Industry Survey."

Our latest request for your participation -- a question for resume writers OR career coaches -- is: "What question(s) do you ask your clients?" I'm trying to identify 10 "key" questions.

Can you help? Take a minute to fill out the survey -- or e-mail me your questions/questionnaire at rwdigest@aol.com.

The results of the survey will be the basis for an article in the next issue of Resume Writers' Digest.

The responses I've gotten so far are FABULOUS! Keep them coming!

More Analysis of the Resume Writing Industry

Yesterday, I wrote about my analysis of how many resume writing firms I believe are out there.

I thought I'd share some further data about how I think commercial list compilers are under-reporting the actual number of resume writers out there.

Another commercial list I found identified 809 resume writing firms. Take a look at the numbers reported from your state and see how that compares to your experience:

AK = 1

AL = 8

AK = 5

AZ = 20

CA = 75

CO = 14

CT = 19

DE = 3

FL = 50

GA = 18

IA = 10

ID = 2

IL = 43

IN = 12

KS = 9

KY = 9

LA = 6

MA = 25

MD = 26

ME = 5

MI = 19

MN = 25

MO = 24

MS = 6

MT = 2

NC = 25

ND = 1

NE  = 4

NH = 6

NJ = 32

NM = 1

NV = 4

NY = 62

OH = 39

OK = 5

OR = 8

PA = 48

RI = 4

SC = 6

SD = 1

TN = 12

TX = 52

UT = 2

VA = 27

UT = 1

WA = 15

WI = 14

WV = 2

WY = 2

In my case, I live in Nebraska. Although I wasn't able to see WHICH four firms were listed, I was able to analyze them by city/county, and none of them were listed for Omaha, which is the largest city in the state.

Just looking in one of my local phone books (Dex Yellow Pages), I identified five firms (in addition to my own). One of these is a recruiting firm with a resume writer on staff; the others are sole proprietorships. Interestingly, one of my oldest firms in the city isn't currently listed, so that's at least one more writer that isn't being counted.

Analyzing The Professional Resume Writing Industry

I received an e-mail today from a professional resume writer who was wondering if I knew how many professional resume writers there are out there. Because we conduct an annual Industry Survey, I think I've got a pretty good handle on this. I'll share the results that I gave to her.

My research shows that there are approximately 4,000 to 6,000 resume writers in the U.S. But some of those are career counselors who write resumes only occasionally (or who "consult" on resume writing, but don't write them themselves). Some of those are secretarial and typing services that "do" resumes, but don't necessarily focus on the craft of writing as heavily.

Many people trying to get a handle on the industry just look at the number of resume writers who are listed under "Resume Writing" in the Yellow Pages (SIC Code 73380101 = "Resume Writing Service"), but this is under-reported, according to my analysis. 

Current SIC Code counts are between 800-1300 resume firms -- but my own database shows more bona-fide resume writers than this. (My database is compiled from these Yellow Pages listings plus the major professional associations, plus "self-reporting" resume writers -- that is, they don't belong to associations and don't list themselves in the Yellow Pages, but still write resumes. Some of these might be those secretarial and typing services that also offer resume writing -- or even career coaches/life coaches/therapists who write resumes but don't advertise that service publicly. Others are "newbies" who haven't yet launched their businesses and therefore don't advertise.)

Also, there is no measurement  of what a "bona-fide" resume writer actually is. Do they write 1 resume a week, or 10? Are only certified resume writers counted (not the way I count them!). Do they have to actually WRITE resumes, or can they provide feedback to clients to help them write their own documents (I count both).

One analysis of a commercial mailing list targeting Resume Writing Services found 1012 listings.

1-4 employees -- 777 businesses

5-9 employees -- 141 businesses

10+ employees -- 94 businesses

I didn't find their sales data to be believable, so I won't share that information.

Businesses that are a single entity -- 921 (91%)

Businesses that are a headquarters for multiple branches -- 64

Years in business:

Under 1 Year - 10

1 Year -- 23

2 Years -- 25

3-5 Years -- 231

6-10 Years -- 200

10+ Years -- 523

Because this list was likely compiled from Yellow Pages listings, keep in mind that not all bona-fide resume writers in an area advertise in the Yellow Pages -- and that more established businesses are more likely to advertise than new resume writers.

Do You Work with Salespeople?

If you write resumes for those in sales or sales management, you might want to direct them to the Selling Power 500 -- a listing of the organizations that employ more than 500 sales professionals. It's updated annually and published by Selling Power magazine.

More Tips to Help You Write Great Resumes Faster

Interested in writing better resumes faster? Me too!

Here are some more tips to help you "Write Great Resumes Faster" -- and be sure to buy the 60+page Special Report (just $14!) with even more tips, techniques, and especially the Quick Reference Guides (with hundreds of accomplishment-stimulating verbs, profile descriptors, section headers, and more).

TAKE A BREAK:

• Walk away from the project and start over again after a while.
• Take a 20-minute cat nap.
• Do something physically or mentally stimulating, and come back when you're refreshed.

FIND INSPIRATION:

• Search websites for sample postings. These will give you suggestions as to how to approach the project at hand.
• Look at past resumes you've written, or glance at books in your library -- especially in the field in question.
• Talk to your colleagues -- post on an E-List asking for ideas or help.
• Google sites for specific industries to use proper jargon and verbiage.
• "Inspiration comes from going over my notes and reminding myself what the client needs to say (what I need to say for them) to demonstrate their strengths."
• Review your own past work for inspiration in formatting or wording ideas.
• "I like classical music. I like the relaxing tones without the words to fill my head."

Interactive Resumes

While reading a post on ERE about whether resumes will become obsolete, I read in the comments section about an interesting "interactive" resume style. I have to admit -- looking at the sample, it's not THAT too far off from reality ... but totally useful. Be sure to look at the little "information" ("I") graphics on the right hand side.

His video resume is pretty interesting -- here's a guy who actually "talks" like his resume!

CDI Career Empowerment Summit Set for Oct. 16-17 in Orlando, FL

Dates: Friday, October 16 and Saturday, October 17, 2009.  (Pre-conference on Thursday, 10/15).   Location: Caribe Royale All-Suite Resort Hotel, Orlando, FL (just 2 miles from the gates of Disney).  $119/night for 2-room suites with microwave and refrigerator; in-room Internet $4.95 for 24 hours. Program Highlights   Intensive-Hands-on Workshops:   Career Client Conundrums: Taming the Biggest Challenges Your Clients Can Give You Laura DeCarlo and CDI Team Leaders TBA Change Your World in Two Hours: 5 Key Steps Pat Schuler, Kick Butt Sales Training™ Power Seminars (subject to minor changes):   Getting the Most Out of Web 2.0 Part I: Business Building   Getting the Most Out of Web 2.0 Part II: Career Tools Barbara Safani, Career Solvers / FTT Research Jason Alba, JibberJobber.com   Powerful Social Networking Profiles for Profit & Client Success  Louise Kursmark, Best Impression Career Svc. Inc. Katrina Kibben, VisualCV Where the Jobs Are: Exploring the Federal Landscape Barbara Adams, CareerPro Global Inc.   Putting the Squeeze On: Helping Clients Wring Every Dollar Out of their Compensation - from CDI's Fall '09 Expert Trends report Laura Drew, Carolina Career Coach and CDI Director of Education / Research Committee member  Engage Clients & Prospects: Move Your Website to Social Web 2.0 with Free Tools Laura DeCarlo, CDI  Dynamic Networking Events:   Registration Badge Bar    Friday Networking Lunch   Friday Pool-Side Evening Tropical Reception with live steel drum entertainment   Saturday Lunch Banquet & Awards Ceremony   Saturday Vendor Fair & Networking Event    Saturday Post-Conference Careers in the Café Additional Value-Adds   Early bird rate of only $440 for members and non-members!   Two, four, and five month payment plans available: $220x2; $110x4; and $88x5.   Vendor rate, only $599; payment plans available.   Registrants are entered in a drawing for free registration in CDI's Entrepreneurial Wisdom program (self-paced version). Program registration is an $1199 value.   Registration includes two full days of programs and events! Registrants receive all materials, workshops and seminars, two hot breakfasts, four breaks, two lunches (one banquet), and all networking events. Beautiful suites for less than the price of most rooms! Only $119 for 2-room suites with refrigerators and microwaves. Low, low rate on in-suite Internet! Terrific central Orlando location and transportation! Free Shuttles to four Disney Theme Parks.

Write Great Resumes Faster Special Report Released

At last! I've finally incorporated in the more than 100 tips and strategies submitted by professional resume writers in my "Write Great Resumes Faster" survey -- and have turned the "Write Great Resumes Faster" book into a Special Report!

It's more than 50 pages of ideas, tips, and information -- including more than 20 pages of accomplishment-stimulating action verbs, profile traits and descriptors, and keywords.

Like the print edition of the book (which made it to a second edition), it's equal parts INSPIRATION and REFERENCE. I recommend printing it out, three-hole punching it, and putting it in a binder.

When I need inspiration for a Qualifications Profile, I flip through and, inevitably, something comes to mind. The action verbs are particularly useful.

Order it online for immediate download -- just $14.

"Get To the Point" Teleseminar Scheduled for Friday

Join two of the industry's best resume writers for a teleseminar on Friday that shows writers how to "Get to the Point" -- writing resumes and cover letters that immediately communicate your client's brand, expertise, and value above the fold.

Louise Kursmark and Wendy Terwelp will present the seminar from 3-4 p.m. EST on Friday, March, 27. The cost is $35 for members of the Career Management Alliance or $45 for non-members.

The program will be recorded. If you are unable to attend live, a link will be sent to you.

To Register: https://www.careermanagementalliance.com/s/reg-teleseminar.php

With the advance of technology, many decision-makers are reviewing resumes on Blackberries and other PDAs. As resume writers, it's our goal to capture the attention of recruiters and employers immediately - above the fold.

During this webinar - loaded with samples and handouts - Louise Kursmark and Wendy Terwelp take you through:

1. Branding: How to use it to capture your client's personality, while immediately conveying value to employers.

2. Resumes & Cover Letters: Critical MUST-HAVES that grab employers' attention and get them to call your clients for interviews.

3. Key points and techniques to trim the fat and get to the point! Employers spend 30 seconds reviewing your client's materials - let's make them seconds that land interviews.

4. The Wrap Up: Tips, tricks, and strategies that make this process fun for you, while getting better results for your clients.

Louise Kursmark, one of the leading careers experts in the United States, is the author of 20 books on resume writing, interviewing, and job search. The first person worldwide to earn the Alliance's prestigious "Master Resume Writer" credential, Louise is president of Best Impression Career Services, Inc., and co-founder of the Resume Writing Academy, a first-of-its-kind comprehensive training program (http://www.resumewritingacademy.com). Louise's passion is
helping people "tell their story" in a way that is compelling, memorable, and relevant.

Wendy Terwelp, president of Opportunity Knocks, has helped thousands of clients be rock stars at work since 1989. A recognized expert on networking, both online and off, Wendy has been featured in The Washington Post, The Chicago Tribune, The Philadelphia Inquirer, Fast Company, The Business Journal, Monster.com, Careerbuilders.com, and more as well as numerous radio shows. She has published hundreds of articles on the web and in print. Check out her latest class: Rock Your Network Online here: http://www.knocks.com/Social_Networking_Course.html.

To Register: https://www.careermanagementalliance.com/s/reg-teleseminar.php

Resume Writers' Digest Website Revamped

We've revamped the Resume Writers' Digest website to make it easier to purchase our special reports, books, and back issues -- which fund the publication of the newsletter. You can also sign up for your free subscription to the newsletter on the website (or on this blog) and even download a sample issue to see what we're all about!

Warn Clients of the Danger of Social Media

All right, all right -- the upside of social media VASTLY outweighs the negatives.

But every once in a while, I come across a story of a job searcher who forgot that the Internet is PUBLIC.

Here's a story of a job searcher who got burned by a tweet on Twitter.

Remind your clients that while Facebook, LinkedIn, MySpace, Ning, Twitter, etc. are great ways to communicate with their networks, family, and friends -- that even things that they thought were private aren't 100% private ... so they need to "think twice; tweet once."

Using Your Client List

If your appointment book isn't full, the first place to turn to is your existing client mailing list.

Here are some tips for how to use your client list to generate repeat business as well as stimulate new clients.

• Find New Customers Like Your Best Customers. Look at your mailing list and analyze our customers. Are you doing a lot of business with 35- to 45-year-old women who are looking for MORE out of their careers? Think about how you can reach these women and you'll tap a whole new group of prospects.

• Do More Of What You Do Best. Look at your last 50 projects -- what kind of work were you doing for these clients? You might find that there's an opportunity to target a niche of prospects. For example, if you did a handful of follow-up letters for these clients, you might decide to contact ALL of those past clients and offer them a special on follow-up letters.

• Get Feedback. "Out of sight" is out of mind in business too. Contact customers to ask how their job search is going. You can write a letter or send a survey. These types of contacts help keep you top of mind and bring customers back (and generate referrals!)

• Offer an Annual Check-up. Your dentist does it ... so does your car repair shop. Contact your customers at least once a year to offer a resume "tune-up" so that they're prepared if the perfect opportunity comes around ... or the unthinkable happens, and they lose their job unexpectedly.

• Reactivate Inactive Customers. If someone hasn't done business with you in a while, send the person a special offer. It reminds them of your business and may help spark a renewed business relationship -- or a referral.

Career Bloopers

Rosa Vargas has put together an entertaining collection of "Worst Resume Mistakes" on her blog.

Feel free to use the "Comments" section on here to share yours!

Presidential Resumes

I've been wanting to do this kind of a project for quite some time -- a "mockup" of a resume for a famous person. (On my to-do list: Santa Claus).

Monster's Resume Expert, Kim Isaacs, has produced resumes for George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. Take a look!

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!