1. What led you to writing resumes? Do you have a background that made you an ideal fit for the industry?
I remember it like it was yesterday. Several members of my local church expressing a sincere need for employment or increase in wages, concerned about making ends meet, discouraged by what seemed to be a lack of opportunities in the job market. Some were stay-at-home moms looking to get back into the workforce, military personnel transitioning back into civilian life and others were degreed/licensed professionals who complained that they were not being compensated for the education and experience they had to offer. Hearing these concerns lit the fire that still burns today. At that time, I served as a Supervisor with a Fortune 1000 Company and the one document I was accustomed to seeing were résumés; some good and some not so good. Leveraging my inherent ability to write, coupled with my love for people and knowledge gained, I was convinced I could write and design a resume that would cause a hiring manager to pick up the phone and extend an invitation to interview with their Company.
2. How long have you been in the industry? Would you recommend it to others? Why?
I’ve been in the industry since 1997 and would definitely recommend it to those who love to write, have a passion to help others and are committed to learning and honing their skills.
3. What is the single best tool you recommend for building client relations? Building your business? Improve efficiency?
The single best tool I would recommend for building client relations is optimal customer service. As for business, focus on the client not the dollar; always give more than you receive. To improve efficiency, automate as many tasks as you possibly can. There are many tools that can help, including: Hoot Suite, Evernote, Constant Contact, EmailMeForm, etc.
4. If you could share one learning experience/great lesson, what would it be?
Remain personable. Seek to build more than just a working relationship, build friendships.
5. Looking back, what would you have done differently? Done the same?
Looking back, I don’t think there’s much I would change. Every experience has helped mature me as a writer and as a person.
6. What advice would you give someone just entering the resume-writing industry?
When in doubt, remember what inspired you to enter into the resume-writing industry, how many people you have encouraged, job-seekers you have equipped and careers you have helped to advance.
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? I believe technology will continue to evolve and thus challenge content writers to evolve with it. As writers of the technology era, it will be necessary to understand how to market a resume on the internet using search engine optimized content. Soon recruiters will no longer have to pay to search resumes online; instead, they will just enter a string of searchable terms and every job-seeker with a resume in that industry will be at their finger tips.
