Should I write my own resume?

A resume is a document that serves as a statement of your skills, qualifications and accomplishments to prospective employers. A resume is not a matter to be taken lightly. Resumes that simply list a summary of experience, responsibilities with each employer, and education credentials, are no longer sufficient to compete in today's job market. Your resume is perhaps the most important part of a comprehensive job search strategy to get you in front of employers that are appropriate for your level of knowledge, skill and accomplishment.

The decision regarding whether or not to write your own resume depends on your ability to effectively assess your strengths, abilities and experience, as well as your ability to communicate these qualities in an interesting and succinct manner to a potential employer. Unfortunately, you will not even get that far without having to deal with HR clerks who don't know enough about the experience you possess to match it to company needs, as well as HR databases that will only flag your resume if it contains required keywords that are software-determined.

These factors mean more than producing a document that is without grammar or spelling errors that would otherwise disqualify you. It means grabbing an employer's attention within the 10 to 15 seconds they are initially willing to invest in scanning that resume by creating a desire in them to read further. Lastly, that further reading must sell the employer on calling you for an interview.

Even if you think you can do these things it may be advantageous to use a professional resume writer since professional resume writers write resumes for a living. Most people write their own resume only when they feel compelled to do so out of necessity (job loss or fear of the same, or job dissatisfaction). Finally, professional resume writers know what recruiters and employers are looking for. This is knowledge you can leverage.

We will create a resume for you that promotes an image of assertive leadership and accomplishment, separating you from the rest of the pack. Our resumes serve as a key part of your strategy to interview and get hired for the job you really want by showing employers that you have what they are looking for!

How does the resume writing process work?

At LOGIKEL SOLUTIONS we do not simply take an old resume or use a questionnaire and then send you some all-purpose resume template that will not get you interviews.

Our resume writing process is focused on making "YOU" a winning market brand. To do this we have to find out what "YOU" are about. We accomplish this by personal contact with you, typically by telephone, as well as asking you to complete a detailed questionnaire designed to help us focus on your unique skills and accomplishments. We will also ask you for any current resume that you may be using so that we can get a feel for your previous job search efforts. We then make any necessary follow-ups to make sure we have the information necessary to write you a resume that will get you interviews with employers who are looking for individuals with your experience, skills, and accomplishments. All information we receive from you will be held in strict confidence.

Once the information has been gathered we write a resume that is content and format appropriate for the career goals you have shared with us. You will have an opportunity to review and approve the resume draft prior to final delivery. If you order a cover letter we will deliver it together with your resume.

What resume format should I use?

Resume formats vary, depending on the job function and the background of the job seeker. A resume is more conservative for business and other traditional professionals (lawyers, accountants) than it is for creative professions (art, music, etc.). Persons in the academic world and other professionals with doctorate level degrees will often use a curriculum vitae format that includes information such as publications and presentations, as well as items that would usually be included in a normal resume.

There are also many situations where job seekers fall in-between. Job history and gaps in employment also influence resume format. The resume example on this website is for an individual who has been in one company his entire career with no employment gaps. An individual with a different job history in the same industry would likely have a much different resume format.

The important thing to remember is that you must put your best foot forward with each resume submittal. You must consider the issues discussed above as well as the overall look and feel of your resume. This means using quality linen or bond paper when mailing a resume and using a readable type style. If you are emailing a resume make sure to include it in the body of your email (as an ASCII resume) as well as a separate file attachment.

We will work closely with you to determine your specific resume needs. We will tailor our product to those specific needs in order to give you the edge in landing the job you seek. If your resume and our recommended follow up activities do not get you an interview with an employer seeking your knowledge, skill and level of accomplishment within 30 days of a submittal, we will review your resume analysis and perform any necessary rewrite of your resume - FREE!  Contact us to get started!

Should I include a cover letter?

Job seekers often send a resume out without a cover letter. This occurs frequently in today's web search environment where resumes are sent out with a mouse click. This is perhaps because of the ease of sending out resumes quickly to many employers, causing an attitude or belief that a cover letter is unnecessary. Some Job seekers tend to wonder just how important it is to include a cover letter.

A cover letter is necessary for one simple reason: over 99% of resumes that are sent without a cover letter are discarded without even being read!

A cover letter differs functionally from a resume. While a resume is a document that provides a broad-based view of your entire career, the cover letter is much more specific and targeted. A cover letter is specifically designed to team up with your resume to get you an interview by highlighting your skills, experiences, and achievements; identifying your value to the specific organization; capturing the prospective employer's interest in you; and motivating that employer to invite you for an interview. It is an opportunity to sell your qualifications and successes, demonstrate your expertise, and create excitement and enthusiasm that places you above the competition.

The days of treating a cover letter as a mere formal request to review a resume and grant an interview are gone! Cover letters are an integral part of your self-marketing and branding to employers. Don't send a resume without one!

We will compose a cover letter that is specifically designed to get you an interview by highlighting your skills, experiences, and achievements; identifying your value to the organization, capturing the prospective employer's interest in you and motivating that employer to invite you for that interview. We will help you take advantage of this opportunity to sell your qualifications and successes, demonstrate your expertise, and create excitement and enthusiasm that places you well ahead of the competition.

How should I follow up my resume submittals?

A job search, like any other marketing effort, requires repeated product exposure to the buyer. For this reason follow-up efforts are critical to successfully obtaining interviews and ultimately landing the job. No matter how well your resume is written, the belief that submitting it will get you an interview with no further effort is a mistake that must be avoided.

Prior to obtaining any interview your follow-up should be by written correspondence (email, or snail mail if necessary). It is very difficult to make a meaningful connection by phone with the individual who has your resume that will effectively market you at this point in the process.

A follow-up letter should be sent out when you haven't heard from an employer within two weeks after submitting a resume and cover letter and you fit the open position very closely or a response was promised by the specific employer. You should repeat this action again after the fourth week if the position is still open.

We will compose a follow up letter that creates an opportunity to re-establish your marketing brand, reiterate your interest in the job, place your greatest strengths in front of the employer, and to ask for that interview once again in a manner that avoids the appearance of repetition and maximizes your value to the employer.

When should I send a thank you letter?

The short and simple answer to this question is "IMMEDIATELY." In fact, a failure to do so amounts to a recusal of your candidacy for the open position. Sending a thank you letter shows that you have people skills and that you are willing to put forth the extra effort necessary for success.

Not only is it necessary to send a thank you letter after an interview (or information meeting), it makes perfect sense to do so without delay. This letter is not to be treated as a simple thank you note. It is an opportunity to further market yourself by reinforcing your self-brand to the employer. The letter should be issued no later than 24 hours after the interview and should be a restatement of your brand, including the key skills, credentials, and experience that makes you the one for the job.

It is permissible to send the thank you letter by email; however, a formally formatted letter should be included as an attachment or sent by snail mail. This will indicate a high degree of interest on your part and conveys a high regard on your part toward the recipient.

We will use this necessary correspondence as an opportunity to reinforce your strengths as a candidate for the job with a fresh approach that places you in the strongest position possible post-interview.