Billie Sucher, MS, CTMS, CTSB, JCTC, CCM – Career Transition Consultant, Author, Speaker.
Her services include Career Coaching, Outplacement Consulting, Professional/Executive Resume Writing, Interview Success Training, Personal Branding, Job Search; Seminars/Workshops, Public Speaking.
1. What led you to write resumes? Do you have a background that made you an ideal fit for the industry?
Billie: I started writing resumes in graduate school while getting a Master’s degree in Counseling.
I love business, psychology, counseling, and writing comes naturally and easily.
Given the combination of this skillset, coupled with a drive to own my own business, it all fell together to create a business providing outplacement and career management services, part of which was building resumes for workers at all levels, including professionals and executives.
2. Now that you’ve been in the industry for a while, would you recommend it to others? Why?
Billie: If you like being in business for yourself 24/7, possess self-discipline, focus and can work quickly and under the pressure of generating revenue to sustain your livelihood, it’s a great business.
I have a deep passion for excellence in all things and that has served me well in business. I’d also mention that this business is not for the faint of heart or for someone who desires a ‘steady weekly paycheck.’
You have to be flexible, versatile, agile, adaptable and ‘on’ to make it all work to sustain your business, especially in today’s intensely competitive market.
3. What is the single best tool you recommend for building client relations? Building your business? Improve efficiency?
Billie: Deliver stellar work on a consistent basis while providing uber-service to your client, each and every time – regardless of your client’s ‘standing.” I am as invested in the client who makes minimum wage as the one who earns millions.
All clients receive the same very special treatment, regardless of their ‘status.’
Satisfied clients talk and satisfied clients help you build your business, one satisfied client at a time.
Read, stay abreast of marketplace changes/trends to keep your business brand efficient, competitive, valuable and visible.
• Consistently invest in the success of others, as well as yourself.
• Get clear about you, who you are, your brand, your offerings, deliver excellence and the world will find you.
• Build a “partnering’ relationship with your client and you will end up with a new friend for life.
• Consistently give more than is expected, required or necessary.
• Invite feedback from your clients to sustain a competitive edge.
• Make friends with, not foes of, your competition.
• Remember that ‘bad work’ is easy to find; saying ‘no thank you’ protects you/your business.
• Deliver only the best product/service for your client – they deserve it.
4. If you could share one learning experience/great lesson, what would it be?
Billie: My business philosophy is and always has been: Listen – then deliver.
Always do more than is expected or required in delivering services to clients and it will come back to you time and time and time again.
5. Looking back, what would you have done differently? Done the same?
Billie: Most things I would do the same such as always be willing to learn, grow, and change with the business.
Always be respectful of all persons.
Be nice, always.
Be kind, always – and you will almost always derive a payoff!
In my 32 years in private practice, I can think of only a handful of people that I have not found pleasure in serving.
The only thing I might have done differently (from a personal standpoint more so than business) is to have gone on to law school after getting my Master’s — particularly as it relates to outplacement consulting. I think the legal knowledge could be an extra benefit/value in service to clients.
6. What advice would you give someone just entering the resume-writing industry?
Billie: When in doubt, don’t.
If you are starting a resume-writing business for all the right reasons, you will have a good chance of succeeding, if that’s what’s in your head and heart.
If you are writing resumes only because you think it is a quick buck and that anyone can do it, I would invite you to re-think entering the business and explore other career options.
You will also need to know more than your clients – when you take money from a client, he or she deserves services that are worthy of their investment, however great or small.
7. How do you see our industry transforming over the next 12 months? 5 years? What do think resume writers need to know in order to survive?
Billie: In the coming months, years it will be important for businesses to continually change, adapt and grow with the times.
Change is constant – be willing to embrace the changes – be it technology, market trends, economic downturns, upswings or whatever else may be occurring.
Build a solid foundation for yourself and your business – become a good steward of each and every aspect of it.
Always stay true to yourself and don’t compromise yourself or your value system – ever — for the sake of a buck, recognition, prestige, etc.
Be comfortable in your own skin.
Don’t be what you’re not.
Serve others well and with excellence on a consistent basis.
Start each new day with commitment, passion, and enthusiasm – your clients notice – and talk offline and online.
Smile often.
Be super-fair.
Let clients know how much they mean to you and that you are grateful for their business.
Never tire of saying thank you or how may I help you.
