By Caroline Levchuck


When you spend as much time as we do researching resumes, you begin to see just how important a good one really is.

Consider:


The majority of recruiters spend less than three minutes reviewing a resume, according to a survey conducted by a major human resources association.


Simple typos or grammatical errors can automatically disqualify a resume from consideration.


Many companies receive hundreds of thousands of resumes a year, making it even more difficult for yours to stand out.

These are just some of the reasons job seekers turn to professional resume writing services.

Here are some thoughts on how to get the best result when working with a resume writing service.


The Pros of Using a Pro

If you have a tight budget or fancy yourself a wordsmith, you may be hesitant to use a professional resume writer. But consider the benefits.

Professional resume writers write resumes. Every day.

You do it far less often. Or rarely. Or never.

Think about this when considering hiring a professional:


A good resume writer knows what recruiters want -- and don't want -- to see in a resume.


A professional resume writer, particularly one who specializes in your industry or experience level, will know (and include) keywords that will help recruiters find your resume when searching online.


Most services guarantee an easy-to-read, error-free resume.

Some job seekers find that the peace of mind they get from a professionally prepared resume is worth the cost, which can range from $50 to $1,000.

Nobody's Perfect

Again, professional resume writers write resumes. Every day.

But, sometimes, that can be a "disadvantage."

When choosing a service, be wary of these common pitfalls:


Make sure the resume writer delivers not just form but substance. Some professionally written resumes contain canned or clichéd language that show you've used a service and not a very good one at that.


Make sure the resume writer conducts a thorough, detailed interview with you. Send any back-up material you think they need, even if they don't request it.


If possible, work with a resume writer who specializes in your industry or experience level.


Ask in advance what your final resume will look like. Avoid services that offer cookie-cutter formats.

Buyer Beware

Before you hire a professional resume writer, take a look at THEIR resume.

Select a reputable company with a proven track record, such as ResumeEdge (http://hotjobs.resumeedge.com). Or look for someone who is a member of a professional resume writers association, such as the Professional Association of Resume Writers and Career Coaches.

Finally, agree on a price and delivery date and get them in writing.

Confirm that you'll receive your resume in electronic format so you can print your own copies at will. And, of course, read it over yourself to be certain it's perfect before sending it out.

If chosen carefully, a professional resume writer can give you the resume you need to get the job you want.

By Christopher Jones


Unlike Microsoft Word and other word processors, plain text does not allow bold, italics or different fonts. While it may seem boring, this simplicity allows recruiters to view resumes the same way regardless of the software they use.

Tools You'll Need

If you don't already have a text editor (and most people with computers do), you can get one for free online.

As far as text editors go, I like two in particular:


Notepad: If you're running Microsoft Windows software on your computer, chances are you have Notepad, which is Microsoft's default text editor.


NoteTab Light: If you don't have Notepad or can't find it on your computer, you can download NoteTab Light for free here: http://download.com.com/3000-2352-8235248.html?tag=lst-0-4

If you are using a text editor, your document should automatically be saved as text. Double check this by making sure your document has a ".txt" file extension.

Also, text editors do not typically have spell check. So, copy and paste your text resume into Microsoft Word or another word processing program with spell check. Spell check the document. Be sure to make any necessary changes to the text document and save it again.

Creating a Plain-Text E-Mail

If a job description asks you to include a plain-text resume in the body of an e-mail, make sure your e-mail software is set to send plain text. Otherwise, your e-mail browser will add formatting to your resume and the recruiter may assume you didn't follow instructions.

The method for sending a plain-text e-mail depends on the e-mail program you're using. I've included directions for some major e-mail programs below. If your e-mail program isn't listed, look in the "help" section of your e-mail or consider calling your Internet Service Provider.


Yahoo! Mail: Create a new e-mail. At the bottom of the e- mail, click the "plain text" button. Then, simply copy and paste your resume into the e-mail. You may have to make some minor formatting changes.


Hotmail: Create a new e-mail, in the pull-down field labeled "Tools" make sure the "Rich Text Editor" is off. You'll be able to tell if you've successfully turned the Rich Text Editor off as all the formatting options will disappear from your composition screen. You may have to make some minor formatting changes.


Microsoft Outlook: Create a new e-mail, click on the "Format" button and choose the "Plain Text" option. Then, simply copy and paste your resume into the new e-mail. You may have to make some minor changes, but most of your formatting should remain intact.

Helpful Formatting Tips


Use all caps to make headers stand out from body text. Since plain text does not allow for bold and italics, it can be difficult to distinguish between resume sections. I use all capital letters for "OBJECTIVE," "WORK EXPERIENCE" and "EDUCATION" to give them prominence.


You can use bullets in a plain-text document, but it's not as easy as clicking a button. If you want to use a bullet point in your plain-text resume, copy and paste this bullet (
) without the parentheses into your resume. Otherwise, you can use an asterisk (*) or dashes (--).


Avoid using the "Tab" key, because plain text when saved may not retain the tab command. Instead, use the space bar.


Always e-mail a copy of your plain-text resume to yourself before sending it to a recruiter. This gives you a chance to see the resume as the recruiter will see it.

By Caroline Levchuck


Pre-employment testing has become increasingly common among employers trying to minimize hiring mistakes. In addition to interviewing candidates, employers are now requiring them to take tests as part of the hiring process.

Pre-employment tests can help determine whether a candidate has the necessary skills or the desirable personality traits for a job. And, as with all tests -- from high school math exams to driving tests -- knowing what to expect is half the battle.

Be Prepared

These days it seems job candidates are more likely than ever to be given a pre-employment test -- and less likely than ever to be prepared.

While there's little you can do to prepare for (or fool) a personality test, you can improve your score on other types of pre-employment tests, especially skills and logic tests.


Get Real

Your best weapon when taking a personality assessment test: Honesty.

You may experience some temptation to fudge your responses to make yourself appear more attractive to an employer. Don't. These sophisticated tests are designed to get at the truth, even if the test taker is evasive.

Lying is pretty pointless anyway as you could wind up with a job that's not right for you.

Take Your Time

Unless you're specifically told that the test is timed or you know that you have a certain window in which to complete the test, take some time. Don't rush. Be diligent. Rushing increases your chances of making a careless error.

Also, if the test is administered by a person, don't be afraid to ask for clarification of any question you don't understand.

Finally, if you have extra time after completing the test, doublecheck your work.

Stay Positive

To keep anxiety at bay on the day of the test, arrive early, be well rested and maintain a positive attitude. And remember: These tests are standard issue. If you have to take one, chances are every other candidate does as well.

By Caroline Levchuck


The elusive salary range ... Every job seeker needs one, but most don't know where to find it.

Salary ranges are a critical and often confusing part of job seeking.

Salary ranges change constantly. They vary from company to company, from bullish markets to bearish days, and from person to person based on experience. They also vary dramatically among different industries and geographic regions.

But, help is out there. By following a few simple rules, you can determine a range that works for you.


Government reports can also be very useful. The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics Web site offers naional data on compensation and wages here:
http://www.bls.gov/ncs/ocs/home.htm

Last, business and industry-specific trade magazines can offer insights too.

Once you've armed yourself with all this salary research, you're ready to start shaping your salary range.

Reach Out and Talk to Someone

Work your network to determine your salary range. Call or email people in your industry or -- better yet -- at the company at which you're interviewing.

Industry contacts can confirm and fine-tune the ranges you've devised. They can also share personal experiences negotiating salary.

Try to find contacts in your geographic region, since salary can vary widely from place to place.

Current or former employees of the company at which you're interviewing can help determine salary ranges at that particular organization. Good questions to ask include:


What significance do salary ranges have at this company?
Is the first offer usually at the low end of the range?
Who gets a high offer and why?
Is there one skill or trait that all top earners share, such as an MBA?

All of these questions can help you handle the salary negotiation process.

Do the Math

Every position and every company has a salary range. You need one too.

Now is the time to think of yourself. Consider your financial needs and your budget. Come up with salaries that cover what you absolutely need, what you would be most comfortable making and what your ideal wage would be.

Remember, too, that salary is just one part of your compensation package and your career. You may want to adjust your range based on the specifics of a position.

Perhaps a job will give you experience you've been lacking. Maybe it offers a great deal of job security. Or perhaps the employer grants regular raises that will help you quickly climb the salary ladder.

Hire Help (If You Can)

Don't be overwhelmed by the legwork required to determine your salary range. You can do it.

But, if you can afford to, you can also hire an expert. Executives in particular sometimes do.

Coaches, compensation consultants and employment attorneys can research ranges for you. And professional pay advisers can often dig even deeper for specifics on a particular company because their networks tend to be bigger than the average person's.

Experts will compare and contrast the data they've uncovered and help you analyze your own financial situation.

These paid professionals will also usually coach you in the negotiation process -- which can help you land the highest salary in the range.