Steven Provenzano is President of ECS: Executive Career Services & DTP, Inc., a former corporate recruiter and author of ten career books, including Top Secret Executive Resumes and Top Secret Resumes & Cover Letters.
He offers a free resume analysis and has written or edited more than 5000 resumes.
Steven has appeared on CNBC several times, CNN, WGN, ABC/NBC in Chicago, on numerous radio programs and in major newspapers such as the WSJ, Crain’s and The Chicago Tribune.
He is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and Certified Employment Interview Professional (CEIP).
His work is endorsed by Chicago Tribune Career Columnist Lindsey Novak, and top executives at firms such as Motorola.
1. What led you to write resumes? Do you have a background that made you an ideal fit for the industry?
Steven: I’ve always seen resume writing as a way of quickly helping others get new positions, and/or improve their careers.
I have a year in corporate recruiting, which I see as a prerequisite for this business, a BA in Journalism, and am a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW).
2. Now that you’ve been in the industry for a while, would you recommend it to others? Why?
Steven: As much as I like truly helping others, I would not recommend this type of work to most people.
This job is a lifetime commitment – to be there for your customers, years down the road.
It takes many years to become a resume expert; it seems simple, but it is not.
People are putting their careers in your hands, and this is not for those who don’t understand employment, recruiters, HR, business, etc.
This is not about being a ‘good writer’ – everyone thinks they’re a good writer!
It’s a job only for executives who truly understand hiring, the workforce, what positions entail, and how to truly market and sell a person’s talent on paper on 30 seconds, not write subjectively, etc.
3. What is the single best tool you recommend for building client relations? Building your business? Improve efficiency?
Steven:
Network – through Google, Facebook and Linkedin, but more importantly in person, with everyone.
4. If you could share one learning experience/great lesson, what would it be?
Steven:
Don’t assume you know how to do this.
You will need to write a least 100 of these, and get feedback from all of your customers…AND research many books on the subject, before attempting – again, this must be a serious commitment to constantly improve and help others.
5. What advice would you give someone just entering the resume-writing industry?
Steven:
Don’t: Unless you really want to study and immerse yourself in this type of writing and marketing, 24×7.
6. 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?
Steven:
- Study.
- Keep up with trends.
- Learn from all the other resume writers out there – don’t overcharge.
