Would you prefer to write your own resume or hire a professional resume writer? Explain why?

Given that communication skills are particularly important in the job market, I can't see it as a good idea to spend good money to outsource your resume writing. All you're getting is someone that has some proprietary software with a library of catch phrases. It's pretty unlikely that the resume writer is an actual corporate recruiter that understands the intricacies of a job hunt. You're better off acquiring the skill yourself and getting people you trust to critique it. Not only is it good writing practice, but it will make you intimately familiar with it and help you develop your personal elevator pitch.

Resumes are probably the least important part. It's the document that the gatekeeper will use to sort it out
- engineering degree, check
- 5 years work experience in a leadership role, check
- PE registration... Oops, not this one... To the dead pile.

The only thing that matters is whether or not it's formatted correctly with correct spelling and punctuation, whether or not it shows that you meet the specific requirements of the position applied for, and that it is brief. Too many words or too many pages gets it dumped on the dead pile by the HR clerk that has to review 300 resumes today.

If the hiring manager gets your resume, you are qualified. Much greater importance is your cover letter and your elevator pitch. It's probably a good idea to practice interview questions with a friend who has a book of behavioral interviewing questions. It's critical to learn about the company you are interviewing with and to demonstrate that knowledge in the interview.

If you have an advanced degree, a STEM degree, or highly specialized skills/experience, it may be worth working with a recruiter. Important note!!! - legitimate recruiters don't charge you for the service. They get paid by the companies that retain them. If someone wants you to pay them to help you find a job, run away!

This is trick question. You need a resume, but actually the cover letter is as, if not more important. Proper punctuation and spelling are very important! Professional resume services can be very expensive. If you follow the standard school of thought you will need a separate resume tailored to each job role you are trying to apply for. That can add up very fast. There is no guarantee that they will get you a job.

There are numerous free resources, templates, and samples that you use to modify to base your resume from. There also are a variety of formats used, depending on the recruiter. So you can either rummage through their site to see their format or make sure yours is as tailored as you can to the job you want.

If you have a good resume, it can be generic, as long as it is tailored to the industry/field you are applying to. But your cover letter needs to be personalized (even if you have to research for a name), if not at least address to the right department. It needs to be professional and in the 3, no more that 4, paragraph format, and only one page. It needs to address why your skills, experience, and how you will best benefit the organization.

But the truth is that a resume is only part of it. Actually a small part. The days of walking into an HR office and handing over your resume is over. Very few places take walk-ins, phone calls are not welcomed, even snail-mailing your paper (hardcopy) resume/application is going the way of the dinosaur. Instead you must go online, complete a profile, fill-out an online application, attach your resume, cover letter, & supporting documents, complete the assessments, and questionnaires. They use third party venders who have programs that prescreen your information based on predetermine algorithms, screening for keywords and specific phrases.

Furthermore, you need to make sure you have your social media sites together. LinkedIn is a great site but stay professional, don't fall into the game treating it like Facebook. If your Facebook is silly and full of things people may find inappropriate, don't share it.

The last piece of advice, if you are currently still in and considering getting out.... don't the job market is really bad in the real world.

Hi, CW3 Raymond.

I've used a paid resume writing service before. It was an overpriced service in my experience. I've written my resumes, and those for friends, for years, and it was no better or no worse than anything I produced. That isn't to say that it's not a bad service; professional, eye-appealing, and effective resumes are hard to write. It was just overpriced.

I write it out, and will have my peers look at (those that I trust). I didn't even know such service existed

unless you are an expert resume writer hire the pro

I write My own resume every time and it has always worked. One place i applied Mine was picked out first over 850 other applicants, even with thousands in larger operations I usually did get contacted. My resume was geared to the type of jobs I applied to and almost always got a response and an interview. I'm also not someone that was even nervous about an interview, I had confidence in my own abilities which My Military Service certainly helped develop. MY transition though from Military to civilian Police was pretty easy anyway and worked well.

If you have read everything that MOAA, MILITARY.COM, state employment offices, VA employment assistance officers, and other excellent sites have published on writing a good resume, networking, using social media, writing a good cover letter, writing good thank you notes, tailoring your resume for every job you apply for, researching the company or government organization and preparing for each interview, dressing for each interview, and other associated advice ------ then you should be able to write your own resume. 99% of us could not afford to pay a resume service to tailor every resume we submit. However, there is nothing wrong with having an expert help you tailor a resume. The exception would be smart for those who are English as second language job seekers or folks who have very limited education and just do not have the skill to write a strong resume. In every case, you need to have other objective people review your resume critically and give you their comments and suggestions on how to improve your resume. Finding and landing a good job is the hardest job anyone will have to do. The job market in Charleston, SC is booming and the area is beautiful and a fun place to live. Go to SCWORKS.org and rad everyht9ing there. Good luck!!!!!

Help from a professional is beneficial. However, I would have a hand in ensuring the resume reads the way I want, and not what someone else wants.

I had one written "professionally" and it was so full of crap. His idea of what the military does compared to the same in the civilian job market was not even close. I then went to a class given by the base education office and ended up writing my own.

Agree with Peter Klein when he said "The professional writer knows, or should know, how to craft a great resume for you. BUT, you know you better than anyone else, at least you should." There are many church based jobseeker support groups (including the one I facilitate), across the country that can help transitioning military to new jobs in civilian or NGO roles. I have two volunteer resume coaches who doe this for free for our members, one of which has worked with the folks transitioning out of MacDill (enlisted through general grade officers). The challenge is how to reframe your active duty achievements into civilian equivalents. Employers today are hiring people on actual achievements, not on what you have been responsibly for. A seasoned resume coach can help you do this, and significantly shorten your transition time to your next job.