If you’re making a career change, a resume writing service can be an invaluable asset. Here’s a rundown of the top reasons to invest in one.
59% – that’s the percentage of Americans who are considering a career transition.
Whether it’s for better work-life balance, a higher salary, a new challenge, or just a change of pace, you’re certainly not alone in wanting to take the next step. In fact, the average person will switch jobs 12.4 times during their career.
With that said, career transitions can be quite daunting. Where do you even start? How do you position yourself to make the most of your potential and land the job you want?
The answer is simple: by investing in a resume service – or as we like to say it: investing in your future. Here’s why that’s the best route.
The motivations driving career transitions
Before getting into why you should use a resume service when making a career change, let’s first go over why such a high percentage of people are looking to make a career transition in the first place:
A salary increase
Without a doubt, money is one of the biggest motivators when it comes to career transitions. As it happens, salary increases are the primary reason why 39% of job seekers are looking to switch jobs. The challenge, though, is that you need to make sure your resume shows that you can bring real value to the table – and not just be a number on their payroll.
More work flexibility
A Flexjobs survey found that 41% of American employees to switch jobs do it for the sake of having a more flexible schedule. Maybe you want to have time for yourself, go backpacking around the world, or focus on your side hustles.
The challenge with this one is that you need to make sure your resume shows why you’re the right fit for a job that offers more flexibility. After all, employers need to know that you take initiative and responsibility seriously.
Following a passion
You’re in a job today because you accepted it at the time, but now you want to pursue a career in an area that truly interests you. Life is too short not to do something that we’re passionate about – and 74% of Americans actually left their jobs for that exact reason.
But it’s easier said than done. Employers need to know that passion and drive doesn’t come with the lack of experience or relevant skills. So, how do you demonstrate that you have the potential to be a valuable asset?
Photo by Dylan Ferreira on Unsplash
Resume Power-Up: How a resume writing service can make a difference in your career change
As you see, the reasons behind a career switch are all valid and understandable. However, employers don’t always see it that way. They need to feel confident that they’re making the right choice when hiring someone. That’s where a resume service comes in.
Simply put, a resume service is a company that specializes in crafting resumes tailored to any kind of job search. With professional resume writers on board, resume writing services have a deep understanding of the challenges associated with career transitions, so they know exactly how to create a stunning resume that will grab the attention of employers.
If you’re wondering how it differs from just DIY-ing your own resume, it’s quite simple: A professional resume service will be able to provide you with an objective and unbiased overview of your skills, experiences, and accomplishments. This not only saves you time but it also prevents the inclusion of irrelevant information which could potentially harm your chances of scoring an interview.
Now, let’s get into more details about how a resume service can make your career transition smoother and easier.
Expertise and experience
Whether you want to change to a similar field or go in another direction entirely, resume services have the industry knowledge and experience to empower you to make the switch. Think of it: on a daily basis, they work with people just like you and understand the nuances of different career paths. Nothing is more valuable than the advice of someone who has been there and done that.
Instead of maneuvering through the labyrinth of job search and career transition by yourself, you can entrust your resume to someone who knows exactly how to make it stand out.
Tailored and targeted approach
When you’re writing your own resume, you may find yourself including all your experiences and skills without much consideration for the job you’re applying for. On the other hand, a resume service will take a completely different approach to resume writing.
These professionals are well-versed in customizing resumes according to the target audience and role you’re aiming for. After analyzing your current position and desired career change, resume writing services will highlight your transferable skills that could be beneficial in another industry.
Simultaneously, they’ll shed light on any relevant experiences or accomplishments that could be helpful in your job transition.
So, while you may think that you don’t have the experience or skills for a certain role, it’s possible that with the right resume structure and wording, you’ll demonstrate that you’re, in fact, an ideal candidate. A professional resume writer knows how to make this happen.
Overcoming employment gaps
Resume gaps – we’ve all been there. If you’ve taken time off for any reason, you probably dread the thought of it showing up on your resume. Fortunately, resume services are experts at making sure employment gaps make sense and flow with the rest of your story.
They’ll know how to work around those gaps by emphasizing other aspects of your application, such as highlighting additional activities you’ve taken part in while unemployed or any volunteer work or education you’ve undertaken.
No matter the length of your gap, resume services can craft a powerful and professional story that will help recruiters understand why these employment gaps existed and how they shouldn’t be a negative factor in your application.
Optimizing for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)
Today, recruiters no longer rely on manual screening. Instead, they’re using Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to filter out resumes and pinpoint top contenders for the job.
This is why resume services are key players in optimizing your application. They know how to ensure that your resume passes through the ATS algorithm with flying colors. Often, this includes using exact keywords in job postings to show that you’re qualified for the role, as well as formatting your resume so it’s machine-readable.
Would you rather spend time trying to understand how ATS algorithms work or let a resume service take the wheel?
Building confidence
Lastly, and most importantly, the career transition often comes with a new best friend called self-doubt. You always feel like you’re at a disadvantage compared to the competition, that you’re not qualified or experienced enough to land the job, or that you should be aiming for a lower role.
Resume writing services for career changers will help you combat these thoughts and improve your confidence. The best resume writing services include a one-on-one consultation with your writer. They will be able to address any doubts you have, answer any questions, and gather all the information needed to make sure you have an equally competitive profile to other job seekers. Once you have your new documents, you’ll know that your career story is on point, and you’re not “missing” anything that could be holding you back from securing the job.
You’ll be able to feel secure knowing that experienced professionals have gone over your resume and optimized it for success – leaving you feeling confident in every job application.
In other words, with a powerful resume, you’ll be ready to take on the world of recruitment with total confidence!
Still considering the DIY approach?
When all is said and done, it’s still up to you whether you want to take a DIY approach or hire a professional service. If you choose to go it alone, there are a few considerations to keep in mind:
- Use keywords from the job description as much as possible – this will make sure your application stands out and shows recruiters that you’re qualified for the role.
- Keep it succinct and to the point – only include your most relevant/important information.
- Avoid generic phrases like “results-driven” or “team player” – instead, opt for specific, quantifiable examples that prove those qualities.
- Tailor your resume for every job application – this will help you stand out from the crowd!
- Don’t forget to proofread – double check for inaccuracies or any typos that could impact your chances of success.
- Seek a resume critique – you can get free feedback from a professional resume service, or ask someone with experience in the field to give your resume a once-over. That way, you have a second pair of eyes to catch any mistakes or issues that you might have missed.
Your future is worth investing in!
At the end of the day, your resume is an investment in your future – something that could potentially open up a world of new opportunities. That’s why it pays to get professional help when crafting your career story – so you can make sure you’re always putting your best foot forward and leaving a lasting impression.
Once you’re ready to take the next step, start exploring your options when it comes to reputable resume services. With the right help and guidance, you’ll be able to confidently pursue your dream career and make the transition with ease.
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