Posted on Jun 5, 2016
Would you prefer to write your own resume or hire a professional resume writer? Explain why?
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As a retired NCO, (1998). I found its best to have a professional write your resume. They can translate your military schools and work history into clear english any human resource person can understand. Also. You are entitled to college crdits based on military schools attended, positions held, hope this helps.
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Don't waste your money on a "Professional": There are plenty of great examples of resumes online. The hardest part is translating military to civilian lingo and the "Professionals" have NO IDEA how to do that. Find someone in your field and learn how your jobs and acronyms translate to "Merican".
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SPC Rebecca M.
Agree in part, but please do remember there are professional resume writers (and who often have HR and related experience as well) who are also prior military and can definitely do the translation from military to civilian language. My husband (also a veteran) jokingly told me writing transitioning military resumes was perfect since I was a linguist when I was in the service and used to translating things anyway. :) In all seriousness though, knowledge of the military and the experiences/military terminology should be a vital consideration when you select a professional to write this type of resume, if you choose to do so. If you can't tell from the website or word of mouth or advertising, ASK. Toss a couple of terms out and see how they handle it. Keep in mind different branches use different language sometimes, so if you're a sailor and are talking about aft cargo hold, a soldier might not be immediately familiar with it but they'll know to ask and they'll know once you describe your duties how to translate that into civilian, regardless of branch. I've done all of my husband's military to civilian, all his civilian, and I've lost count of how many of his military buddies and my own that I've done resumes for. The majority of them secured employment fairly quickly, though it may have been a stop gap while looking for the big break. (And it depends on how well they sell themselves int eh interview, too, obviously.) I definitely appreciate your comment, though, Greg, as it highlights a very important and often overlooked part of the process - speaking the right language for the job. Thanks for the comment!
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I prefer to write my own resume since I know the information better than anyone else and can ensure the facts and impacts are accurate. It also makes it easier for me to edit and re-write a resume to match the requirements and/or relevant experience I have for each individual position I may be applying for. I understand some people use a professional resume service because they are not confident in their writing ability or do not fully understand the various types of resumes (functional, chronological, etc). Unfortunately, I have seen where the professional resume service did not produce a quality product for them. The key is too research the appropriate resume type to use and then develop a quality product with accurate information. The good thing about it is most people know others who have used resumes successfully to find jobs, so don't re-invent the wheel - plagiarize them with your information.
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I have used an expensive resume service and have written the majority of mine on my own. The resume that got me the most interviews looks nothing like the one I paid good money for. The problem that I found with the one I paid someone else to do is that I expected it to be "THE" resume that would get me every job. I didn't want to change it since I spent so much money on it. Eventually, after many many "thanks but NO" I started tailoring every resume for the job I was looking for and the rest is history. There is no such thing as one resume for every job even if it is with the same company and same field. For me it was a waste of money but I did learn a lot about resume writing.
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This is a great post.
For some individuals leaving the military, please be careful how you word your military expertise. If you are trying to get a job in healthcare, write how you have assisted others. For example: During the period of ____, I helped individuals on and off 2.5 tons and Helicopters. Or, my CO depended on me to get the 2.5 ton to the field with the MRE's and water bull. Don't put on paper how you are able to place the Claymore mine in the correct direction and set up an ambush. Even if you are very proud of the fact.
The top of my current resume under Goals reads helping others. At the bottom of my resume reads Honorably Discharged United States Marine. It's at the bottom. Because, I stand on my military experience. Almost, everything about me comes from that point in my life.
Break a leg,
Mark A. Morris BS, RDMS, RVT
For some individuals leaving the military, please be careful how you word your military expertise. If you are trying to get a job in healthcare, write how you have assisted others. For example: During the period of ____, I helped individuals on and off 2.5 tons and Helicopters. Or, my CO depended on me to get the 2.5 ton to the field with the MRE's and water bull. Don't put on paper how you are able to place the Claymore mine in the correct direction and set up an ambush. Even if you are very proud of the fact.
The top of my current resume under Goals reads helping others. At the bottom of my resume reads Honorably Discharged United States Marine. It's at the bottom. Because, I stand on my military experience. Almost, everything about me comes from that point in my life.
Break a leg,
Mark A. Morris BS, RDMS, RVT
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I struggled many times with writing my resume over the course of my working career spanning some fifty years. I wish I could have had help but the need arose when I could least afford help. That's why I think it would be great if professional resume writers provided their services in exchange for a reasonable percentage of a person's first year's wages on the new job. Let them assume some risk for some reward. And, such a system would have a self-correcting element. Those who couldn't do the job well wouldn't make enough to stay at it, would they?
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Professionals are better judges of what is effective in the job market; they are in it every day while the job seeker is only in it sporadically.
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Capt Seid Waddell
CW3 Dylan E. Raymond, PHR, true, this is why you have to work with the professional to highlight those skills.
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I'd say both. How else would you become proficient at the process. I've kind of created a resume for government work to be posted to USA Jobs and I've started a resume for the civilian sector too. I also have copies of many retired Offciers and NCO's resumes so that I can compare and contrast them based off of the post military jobs that they have obtained using those resumes. I don't think it could hurt to obtain the help of a professional resume producing service either, especially if you land a great job using them.
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I hired a pro my last time I was in need. Though it didn't end with the resume for him. Included in the services were classes on how to sell yourself on social media sites like LinkedIn and even use Twitter. Tells you how a profile should be built, what to put on and leave off. He explains how to use the site such as networking, getting involved in professional discussion. After that are monthly sessions on interviewing; how to word things, how to answer the "tricky" questions, etc. These sessions last until you no longer need them, like when you get a job.
The resume portion was from a 100 question sheet you have to fill out. These questions include jobs, skills, daily job activities in detail. He then takes all this and pares it down great resume. Sure, it cost me $1500 bucks, but considering where I was before (unemployed and not getting interviews), I took a chance.
The resume portion was from a 100 question sheet you have to fill out. These questions include jobs, skills, daily job activities in detail. He then takes all this and pares it down great resume. Sure, it cost me $1500 bucks, but considering where I was before (unemployed and not getting interviews), I took a chance.
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