How to Ask Someone to Review Your Resume
Get a Free Resume Review4 min read. Updated on July 24, 2019
Elevate your resume with some expert input
Your resume is such a personal document, it can feel uncomfortable asking for help. You're putting yourself out there, sharing the story of you and your career, and you may not want to admit that you're not quite sure what you're doing. Here's the thing though: it's OK to ask for help.
In this article, we’re looking at how to ask someone to review your resume – and why it’s a good idea to do so.
Why you should ask someone to review your resume
The rules of resume writing can seem amorphous and confusing; you know there are certain expectations, but you can't quite figure out how to meet them. Meanwhile, the stakes are high in the job search and you don't want to gamble with your future.
Has anyone ever sat you down for a lesson in resume writing? Do you know about applicant tracking systems, the difference between “doers” and “achievers,” and action verbs on a resume? If you're like most people, the answer to each of these is a hard “no” – and it may be costing you career opportunities.
Writing resumes requires a thorough understanding of what goes on behind the closed doors of hiring managers' offices. Even more importantly, you have to create a future-facing historical document that talks about your career history in a way that emphasizes what you have to bring to the table.
Who can you ask for help with my resume?
It can be awkward asking someone to review your resume. Your colleagues and managers will understand your role and what you need to convey, but they’re busy people and you may not be ready to tell them about your job search.
Friends and family are usually willing to help, but do they have the industry insight and understanding of your role that’s necessary to make your document stand out?
It’s best to go straight to the experts. In the same way you're an expert in your field, professional resume writers are experts in theirs, and that's why they can take your resume to the next level.
How you can save time by asking for resume help
Searching for a job is a huge time commitment. You suddenly have to undertake hours of research, write cover letters, tailor resumes, prepare for interviews, and more. If you're conducting your job search while still employed, it's even more difficult to find the time. You're only human, after all, and there are only so many hours in a day.
Fortunately, there’s a solution. From grocery delivery to sending out your laundry, there are now services that help you maximize your time by taking on some of your more painful chores – and resume writing is one of them.
You'll be able to spend more time on other aspects of your job search: networking, browsing job boards for opportunities, and sending out stronger applications.
How to ask someone to review your resume
Don’t worry about how to ask someone to look at your resume – after all, it will result in a stronger, more polished document – it’s worth a moment of awkwardness. At TopResume, you don’t even need to ask! With just a few clicks of your mouse, you can upload your document and receive the insight and advice you need to elevate your resume to greater heights.
When you ask the right people, asking for help can be the difference between a longer job search and your next career milestone.
Send us your resume and benefit from the help of experts
As the world's largest resume-writing service, TopResume's goal is to arm you with a resume that brings you closer to your dream jobs. When you work with a professional resume writer, you'll feel empowered knowing that your resume is poised to impress.
Professional resumes win interviews
It’s OK to ask for resume help. After all, two pairs of eyes are better than one and, by getting an expert on your side, you could end up landing more interviews than ever before.
TopResume is ready to help you. Submit your resume for a free resume review and take some of the pressure from your job search.
This article was originally written by Lauren Settembrino and has been updated by Jen David.
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Jen David is the Director of CV Shed. She has been writing CVs since 2010 and is a certified CV Writer. She has worked with clients in numerous industries and at all stages of their careers, from students through to senior executives of global businesses. She loves producing polished, focused CVs, enabling her clients to take the next step in their careers. Jen has written numerous articles for publication on industry-leading job boards.
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