I wanted feedback about having someone do my resume~ I wondered what the proper etiquette is or what is customary~ Pay before or after? I read (on yelp)that someone had used an online service that took the $ and run so Im kinda hesitant. I cannot afford to go through the complaint process w/ paypal~ I need a decent resume asap. I couldn't find any info on the particular resume writer I'm thinking of using other than what she has on her own website.

If you cant write your own resume why would anyone hire you?  Just sayin.

So by your [lame] comment,did you mean anyone who uses a professional resume writer is not worthy of being hired?  If I'm not impressed by the resume I made using a template, I don't expect a potential employer will either.  I'm not looking for a job~ I'm starting a new career  & want my resume to stand out.  Does that answer your question?  If not too bad!

resume writing services is a huge scam.  go to the local library in the career section, heck even find some samples on the interweb.

I'm not trying to put you down or anything Lorel...just saying that if you have to use a professional resume writing service what does that say about your analytical skills to coherently put together your skills, education and experience.  Like Christoph said, check out the library, Internet and do it yourself.  I can tell you that I review lots of resumes and its the content of the information that impresses me, not the style that its presented in.

Good luck with your job search.

i hire people...that is what I do.  Education and experience means more to me than how this info is displayed on a resume.  Sure a resume can look pretty and well organized, but neither I nor my colleagues hire based on this.  A person with just a bachelor's and 5+ years exp. and a pretty resume will not be more attractive than a MBA with same exp. with a clusterfuck resume.

Well I was a teacher for 10 years and now I'm going into a completely different field with no experience, only courses  taken & volunteer work in the field.  As a career changer, I thought it would be best to have someone experienced at hiring format my resume. After a glance at Craigslist, the going rate is $50.  I liked one I looked at "the resume chick" but could not find any reviews anywhere.  I did however just find one site where a comment was posted saying she is a scam but it also said there are complaints made to the BBB about the resume chick but I searched & found none.

My reasoning was that I've always interviewed well but in this economy & job market with my lack of experience, I need to make an extra effort to get my resume noticed in order to get that interview.

As an HR guy, I would absolutely reiterate what Christoph Y said - resumes are a nice tool, but in the end it comes down to education and experience. Save the money (or apply it toward getting more education in the field you are going into) and do a search on the interwebs for resume tips. A quick google search will net you tons of resources - probably the same resources that the resume writers are using.

Henry "Ting's Fat Friend" S. says:

If you cant write your own resume why would anyone hire you?  Just sayin.
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I disagree, I think there are plenty of qualified people who aren't so great at consolidating years of experience into a 1 page document.  The fact that people make a living writing books and websites on the subject indicates that it can be a grey area that a lot of people have had trouble with.  Besides, unless one of the job requisites is "being proficient in writing effective resumes", I don't think the OP's knowledge of how to put together a resume should have any bearing on her ability to do the job.

to the OP - I've never used a resume writing service but I would try to withhold your money until after your updated resume is complete.  perhaps you can work out some kind of deposit as well.

And Thanks for the feedback everyone~
But I'm still undecided and think for my situation it could help more than hurt.  I need to do more than just "coherently put together [my] skills, education and experience" and Henry believe me, I have gone to the library, checked out a book & been doing research online.

In response to Henry S. - One page resumes are appropriate if you just got out of college or have zero experience. Don't feel the need to compact it down to 1 page if you've got experience and education. I've seen so many resumes with no margins and tiny print because someone was told once that all resumes should be one page. It looks unprofessional.

HR guy~ I am in school
Has anyone out there used a professional resume writer?

I think you should write your own resume, and then get someone to look at it for fine tuning.  That's what I did, and it helped a lot.  

In terms of payment, make sure you can pay by paypal so you can contest it if it goes awry.

One page resume only!  Don't even need References anymore.  Just say "available by request".  You can do your own online.  No need to pay someone.  Get a book at Border's, etc., and do you own.  Follow simple guidelines.  Serioulsy, damn near cut and paste.

Also, objective statements are totally passe.

Thanks Pam!  Yes that's what I've done~ Ive listed my relevant skills, courses completed & In progress, and volunteer work and wanted a pro to make it better~ the best it can be!

In this day and age you can't write your own resume? Kinda lame, you think?

Don't pay anyone for your resume, just follow an example layout

I don't know if the one page rule really applies, but definitely 2 page max.  

An objective is passe, but a narrative is helpful.

I agree- objective statements are passe now.  What you can start your resume off with is a section titled  "Career Summary".  Quick highlight of your accomplishments and strengths.

OK for the people who hire My question is What categories should I include on my resume?  I have never been formally employed in my new field... but have done volunteer work and a couple of side jobs so experience is minimal. Should i start another thread? LOL
Objective?
Education?

Clearly, this is something everyone has an opinion on. I'm a recruiter and the saying goes- "you can't turn a cowpie into an ice cream cone." No matter how much you dress up your experience in a nice resume, if you don't have what they're looking for, it almost doesn't matter. BUT...in my opinion, $50 is a small price to pay if it makes you more confident in submitting your resume. I would, however, recommend working with a career coach who specializes in the field you're targeting to help you strategize. I know of a bunch of "green industry" ones.

pongoresume.com/landv8.c…

Here is what I like:

1. career summary
2. experience
3. education  (if you just graduated from college then this should go before experience)
4. skills- computer programs, languages,you can put volunteer work here....i don't like it in experience
5. professional organizations, publications... this section optional

Lorel, into what field are you trying to get?

Marie "knit master" K. says:

By the way, have you used LinkedIn?  That's probably the best way to find new jobs nowadays.
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+1,000

Also, cover letters - I have mixed feelings on these. Most of the time I skip em and go right to the resume, but other recruiters are all about them.

Just food for thought, but what works in one profession may or may not work in another field. A one-size fit all resume book (or resume writer, unless they have worked in your chosen profession) probably isn't your best solution. IMO, what you should do is google "_______Insert New Profession_____ Resume" and see what comes up. Find a couple you like, and sample them in a Vanilla Ice kind of way,

Pam "Dolphins are Just Gay Sharks" B. says: I don't know if the one page rule really applies, but definitely 2 page max.  

Oh I know!  One page only!  Two pages gets tossed.  Marie is right though---Cover Letter is the real selling point.

Amy L~ I'd like to know more.  Sent you a PM

So Lorel, as you can see there is no BEST way to do your resume.  Hence, there is no need to stress about it or hire someone.  As long as you have your experience, education, accomplishments listed in way that is not totally retarded, you are fine.  
Regarding you breaking into a new career field, your cover letter should explain why your PAST experience and skills will make you successful in this new field.  Good Luck and don't overthink this.

I don't think Linked in would help me as I am an  aspiring   gardener . I want to work for an existing Landscape Design & Construction Company doing maintenance (specialty aesthetic pruning) & learn the ropes for a few years before branching out on my own.

Thank you Christoph~ You called it!  Need to stop overthinking this...

Get your general contractors license and go into business yourself.  Don't work for someone else or else you will get screwed in that business...remember that field is impacted by many illegal immigrants who will work happily for minimum wage.

While you are studying to get your license, purchase a good landscaping software and try a niche.  Really, this is a highly competitive field.  Case in point...my mom's landscaper.  He is Mexican and has been in US for 12 years, but he is a highly gifted artists who NOW specializes in Japanese landscaping designs.  He has a great software on his laptop and can visualize within minutes what he can do with a given space.  Heck, he even went to Japan for the first time last year and to do some research on his own while traveling.

Here is what I like:

1. career summary
2. experience
3. education  (if you just graduated from college then this should go before experience)
4. skills- computer programs, languages,you can put volunteer work here....i don't like it in experience
5. professional organizations, publications... this section optional
___

+1

Keep it simple and concise.  It will get your application/resume into the "interview" pile.

there is some great advice here and very interesting discussion. i'm all for hiring a professional if it makes sense for your field. and every recruiter hires differently, we're human and hiring for a wide variety of jobs.

here's what i liked about working with a professional: if they are good at what they do, the process can really help you solidify your job search goals and devise some strategies. they also help you feel really good about what you HAVE accomplished in the past and how to translate that in an interview describing how smart a new employer would be to hire you. it can be like a work/job search therapy session and have you walking away not just with a piece of paper but some great new tools to use in your job search and a positive feeling about it.

as someone who occasionally hires, i would say that 95% of the people responding to ads on CL have crappy crappy resumes.