1. What led you to writing resumes? Do you have a background that made you an ideal fit for the industry?
Nine years ago I was let go from another sales position in a down economy. I had always wanted to teach in some capacity and felt that I needed to update my job and computer skills. I took some adult classes through the WIA at South Piedmont Community College , first Keyboarding and Job Search, and then some other computer classes. After I completed a few, and I got to know the instructors, they learned that I have a Master’s degree and asked me if I wanted to teach a class. Do frogs swim?
One class turned into several and I learned that I really like, and have a gift for, helping others in their job searches. Few things are as important in someone’s life as what they decide to do vocationally.
2. How long have you been in the industry? Would you recommend it to others? Why?
I have been helping others in this for nine years now. July 1, 2013 I will start my business full-time. That is going to be a very strange feeling but I am excited about the opportunities that will come up. I am open to any advice about what a new writer will face.
I feel that resume writing is a very needed and helpful service for our clients. As a worker, I don’t care about all the options and the why’s, I just want an effective resume, to feel like I know what is going on (confidence), and a job. One of our best services is that they do not have to start from scratch. If coming to me can save them six months in the time it will take them to locate their next job, and this is very likely, then what we do is very valuable and a great return on their investment.
3. What is the single best tool you recommend for building client relations? Building your business? Improve efficiency?
Respect and a good reputation. You and your client are both professionals and should treat each other like that. Treat your business like a top-notch business, no matter what level you are on. You have to instill confidence that you can help them so they can take that confidence from you to the interview and new job.
4. If you could share one learning experience/great lesson, what would it be?
The first time I helped someone who has been bounced around low paying jobs and had become down on himself. When he looked at the finished product, he smiled and said, “I really do have some skills”. In that moment I realized I had just impacted someone’s life in a very tangible way. He walked into his interview with a totally different attitude. We get to do that.
5. Looking back, what would you have done differently? Done the same?
I have been slow to bring my website up to speed. A lot of that has to do with my present job. This will be my first order of business in July.
6. What advice would you give someone just entering the resume-writing industry?
Make contacts professionally. This can be a very isolating business. I have been very fortunate to meet people in person through the NRWA and the PARW. I now realize people really do make a living at this. I spoke to them.
Make contacts locally. Chamber of Commerce, Meetup.com, business women, Toastmasters, wherever…but get out and grow in clients, with businesses, and professionally.
Find mentors. The LinkedIn groups are great and I feel I have made several friends through them. I get a kick out of being able to find another word for developed from writers in Colorado, New York, Australia…all from my dining room table in South Carolina.
7. How do you see our industry transforming over the next 12 months? 5 years? What do you think resume writers need to know in order to survive?
I think the biggest surprise will still be from how it has stayed the same. We will still be dealing with people and bringing them from the level they are now and helping reach the next level. We will have to keep up with the different ways to communicate and pick the ones we want to specialize in. The world is too big, and to be most useful I feel you will need to find the niche that is your strength.
To survive I think it is important to continue learning and staying in touch with what is happening in the world. We are having whole industries undergo changes, how will that affect our clients? Manufacturing is becoming more skilled and we have to direct our clients in how to take the most advantage of their opportunities. There will be jobs that do not exist today. Will we be able to instruct our clients in how to get the information they will need?
