Colleague Spotlight – Karen Bartell

1.    What led you to writing resumes? Do you have a background that made you an ideal fit for the industry?

I have always been a good writer…I was placed in English honors classes in High School and College on the basis of my writing skills. Interestingly, my career took a twist-I was in Law School years back getting educated to be…well…a Lawyer! I noticed that the courses I performed by far the best in were the ones that required essays; the same had been true for College. Even more interesting is that the study of law and writing Resumes is strikingly similar – you simply apply one set of facts to another to make a fit! While I was studying for the Bar Exam a friend of mine came to me and asked, Karen, “what’s a resume?” I don’t know if she was serious but she needed one to apply for a job and was clueless as to where to begin. Having written a few resumes for friends “on the side” I offered to write one for her. Her mother saw it and liked it so much she asked me to write one for her as well along with Cover Letter. Voila! My transition into writing resumes as a profession began…I had finally figured out what I wanted to be when I grew up!

2.    How long have you been in the industry? Would you recommend it to others? Why?

I have been in the industry now for 7 years and oh my goodness, yes, I would definitely recommend it to others! The reason is simple-everything about it is great! I get to work from home on my computer-something I always wanted to do. No bosses or office politics…I’m the boss! The money is good, the prestige is good, it’s recession-proof, I know I’m missing something but the list goes on and on…

3.    What is the single best tool you recommend for building client relations? Building your business? Improve efficiency?

For building client relations-exceed client expectations. Building business also by exceeding client expectations to get referrals…follow-up with clients to see how documents worked for them to increase self-confidence in one’s own skills and build testimonials. Improve efficiency by using a CRM tool.

4.    If you could share one learning experience/great lesson, what would it be?

Not sure, I have to think about it…!

5.    Looking back, what would you have done differently? Done the same?

I would have gotten into the profession sooner!

6.    What advice would you give someone just entering the resume-writing industry?

Good question, because I have a friend who has been wanting to get into the industry, but still hasn’t done it. I suppose my advice would be to decide what your “niche” area is-an industry you’d like to write for that you have particular interest or expertise in. Then get general resume writing certifications and specific certifications in that area, and find out as much as you can about the industry and where people go to find work (ex. niche job / career websites, networking forums).

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?

The industry is transforming as I write this! That is because the Resume industry is transforming with technology-i.e. at breakneck speed! Just a year ago it was unheard of to place “QR codes” on Resumes-now it is becoming common practice. Resume writers need to know that, esp. in today’s tight job market, what worked well 5 years ago would likely not work today. Resumes, Cover Letters, and all other career documents need to be modernized, i.e. made more concise to accommodate short attention spans of Hiring Managers inundated with hundreds to thousands of documents to look through. Lengthy verbiage has to be shortened to just the facts!