When it comes to your resume, DIY could mean DOA
DIY projects are all the rage – mason jar candles, picture frames, even wedding centerpieces. But we all know that the craft you set out to construct doesn't always turn out the way you planned. A mistake in your homemade holiday decorations won’t spoil the fun, but a mistake in your DIY resume can cost you a job. When the stakes are high, it's time to bring in expert resources you can trust, like a professional resume writer.
Why choose a professional over a DIY resume?
With enough care and attention, you can avoid many of the most common resume mistakes that plague today's job applications and drive recruiters crazy; however, most DIY resumes fall short. A professional resume writer can help you navigate the constantly changing tides of applying for a new job.
For years, professional resume writers have touted the benefits of a professionally written resume. Countless clients confidently use their new resumes to land interviews and secure jobs quickly after months of going at it on their own. However, this information has been mostly anecdotal – until now.
The proof is in the pudding (or study, as it were)
Recently, TopResume commissioned an independent, two-part study to understand just how a professionally written resume impacts the hiring process.
Do recruiters perceive candidates with a professional resume differently than those with an average, DIY resume?
Are job seekers with a professional resume more likely to receive better results?
The short answer is yes.
The data revealed that investing in a professionally written resume will not only help you find a job faster but will also make you a more valuable candidate in the eyes of employers.
In fact, the study found that recruiters valued candidates with professionally written resumes to be worth 7% more than when assessed using their DIY resumes. Candidates with professionally written resumes were more likely to secure interviews, land a new job sooner, and advance their careers faster.
Why DIY resumes are popular
A quick search online will turn up hundreds of sites with DIY resume writing guides, DIY resume writing resources, resume templates, and type: entry-hyperlink id: qINpotQ9TJeHW4yu12Vzx. These can often seem like a great option – after all, they’re quick and cheap. Some are even free!
However, you still have to input the information about your career, meaning the wording is still your responsibility (unless you want a generic template resume that doesn’t stand out from all the others). It’s also true that the format will not be tailored to your career, so you may find yourself squeezed for space or discover that some sections are given less prominence than they deserve.
But the question still remains: What is so special about professionally written resumes? And why do recruiters favor them over DIY resumes?
Showcasing achievements
A resume isn't just a laundry list of the tasks and responsibilities that make up your job roles. By writing your resume as such, you give an employer an idea of what you do, but you don't tell them anything about the unique value you can add to their company. Anyone can state that they have a certain skill; however, the candidates who show proof of their skills are the ones that will catch an employer's attention.
Your resume needs to demonstrate what you have achieved throughout your career history. Yes, writing this way can be difficult, but without quantifiable results and impactful action verbs, your resume becomes a non-starter. This is the type of language professional resume writers are trained in. Their expertise will help you type: entry-hyperlink id: 7uvySAFKCvbyrFQsmgMKR1 and demonstrate to an employer why they should hire you.
When recruiters in the study were asked to rate how well each resume they reviewed demonstrated the candidate's ability to deliver results, the professionally written resumes received higher scores than the DIY resumes – 57% vs. 35%. When your resume fails to illustrate your achievements and contributions, recruiters may assume you are type: entry-hyperlink id: 7KqlGfIjibxReZN32T1m6o
Best practice formatting
What should a resume look like anyway? People take different approaches, some opting for bright colors and fancy graphics while others keep it simple. It may seem like a question of taste, but it's not. A resume's format can make or break a job application.
If you're not sure of the right approach and you haven't been receiving callbacks, it's possible that your DIY resume design is preventing hiring managers from locating the information they need. Rather than inadvertently hiding your greatest selling points, your professional resume writer knows exactly how employers like a resume to look and will format it to meet their expectations.
A “polished” resume does a good job of balancing the visual elements within your document so readers can quickly scan it and understand your career narrative. Common resume mistakes include overly elaborate formats and fancy design elements. The last thing a resume should do is force employers to hunt for the information they care most about.
Recruiters want to see a visually appealing yet uncomplicated resume design that strikes the right balance between content and white space. If your resume is not easy to read, employers will simply move on to the next application.
Understanding ATS requirements
Between keywords and formatting, writing a resume that can be scanned accurately by an type: entry-hyperlink id: 5zgS99FK1cwbPCoSyfb2JG can be a challenge. If you’re not familiar with these systems, you may need to spend some time researching the basics so that you’re giving your DIY resume the best chance of success.
Rather than gamble with your DIY resume, you should turn to people who understand the requirements. Professional resume writers know exactly how to craft your resume so that it can be found in recruiter searches and lands on the hiring manager's desk.
Presenting a compelling career narrative
According to David Gaspin, recruiting expert and SVP of Human Resources for the wellness real estate and technology firm Delos, “A really strong resume tells the right story. It is relevant to the job and is able to create a narrative about why this person is qualified for the job.”
Your resume is a marketing document – one that should be crafted with two things in mind:
Your job goals
Your target audience (i.e., recruiters and hiring managers)
All the information that your resume presents, from your professional summary to the details of your work history, should be curated to highlight your suitability. A professional resume writer can create a powerful narrative that will make you stand out from the competition.
Avoid DIY resume errors by hiring a pro
A trained resume writer knows not only how to present your qualifications but also how to provide evidence of these abilities to maximize your perceived value to an employer.
If you want to land a job faster and maximize your future paychecks, hire an expert to write your resume for you.
This article was originally written by Lauren Settembrino and Amanda Augustine 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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