Get the most out of your professional resume-writing service with these helpful tips.

So you know your resume needs some professional help, but you don't know where to start. If you're willing to invest in your career with a professionally written resume, you want to make sure you get most out of the experience, right?

Below are four tips to help you make the most of your professional resume-writing service and ensure you end up with a great resume that makes it past the applicant tracking systems (ATS) and catches an employer's eye.

Define your job goals

The best resumes are those that are written with a specific job goal in mind. This job target becomes the foundation for your resume, as it helps your professional resume writer identify which of your qualifications are most relevant to your job search and should receive the most attention on your document. Check out some of my favorite exercises to help you explore other career paths and clarify your job goals for the resume-writing process. Once your job goals are clear, be sure to provide your writer with a few sample job descriptions that represent the type of role you'd like to pursue.

Gather as much information as you can

Your resume will only be as good as the information your writer has to work with. In addition to providing a copy of your current resume, pull together as many details as possible about your work history, education, volunteer experience, and professional development activities. This will help your professional resume writer craft a powerful document that effectively tells your story and markets your qualifications. Click on the following link for a list of what information you should collect for the resume-writing process.

Be open to feedback

You may be very proud of the role you held 20 years ago, but there's a good reason why your professional resume writer wants to take it off your new resume. Remember, you hired an expert for a reason. While it's natural to question some of the choices your writer makes, trust that your writer is using all of their knowledge of the current job market and recruitment practices to create a polished-looking, professional resume that will help you avoid the resume black hole and pass the six-second resume test with flying colors.

Get an idea of what expert feedback is like and submit your resume for a free critique.

Have a plan

Set up a job-search plan you intend to follow once you have the final version of your resume. This may include weekly goals for the number of job applications you'll submit, networking activities in which you'll participate, and recruiters with whom you'll connect.

Studies have shown you're 10 times more likely to land a job when your job application is accompanied by a referral, so be sure to invest in your network while you search for work.

Also, make sure you're applying to positions that you're truly interested in and qualified for. Click on the following link for a list of questions you should ask yourself before applying for a job.

Remember, finding the perfect job won't happen overnight; however, with some patience, persistence, and a well-thought-out plan, your job-search efforts are sure to pay off!

Click on the following link for more resume advice.

Need help writing your resume? TopResume can help.

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