​In a job search, seconds count. You have less than a minute, and maybe only a couple of seconds, to catch the attention of a recruiter or hiring manager. And you may not even get the chance to catch their attention if your resume is submitted through an applicant tracking system (ATS) software and doesn’t meet the criteria the hiring professional is looking for.
 
But working with a professional resume writer can improve your odds of having your resume actually considered for the position and getting the interview.
 
The job search is more competitive than ever before. Each job posting can draw hundreds of applicants. If your resume isn’t formatted correctly or doesn’t contain the right information, it may never even be seen by a human.
 
An ineffective resume can cause you to miss out on job opportunities, delaying your job search by weeks or months. That can result in lost income, lost momentum in your job search, and a loss of confidence. On the other hand, a strong resume can unlock job interviews, reducing the amount of time your job search takes. A resume is more than words on a page; it can position you for your next opportunity.

• A Strategy, Not Just a Document. Professional resume writers don’t just list your work experience. They analyze your career goals and design a document that positions you as the best candidate for your target role. Instead of a generic document, you get a targeted resume that highlights the right accomplishments and showcases your most relevant experience. Your writer will work with you to create a clear strategy for your career documents.

​

• Knowledge of Hiring Trends. The job search is continually changing. What worked last year, or five years ago, may no longer be effective. Professional resume writers stay current with market expectations, industry-specific preferences, and ATS best practices. They know what works and how to present you to hiring managers and recruiters.

​

• Storytelling Skills. Employers want to know not just what you did, but how well you did it. A professional resume writer pushes beyond the job responsibilities and turns your experience into a compelling career story. The average resume is a “static list of duties rather than a dynamic story of achievements.” A professionally written resume tells the story of who you are and what you can offer your next employer. This is particularly important for career changes, career transitions, and positions offering significant career advancement opportunities.

​

• An Objective Perspective. Most job seekers find it difficult to describe themselves effectively in their career documents. It’s easy to downplay your accomplishments or overlook skills because they feel “normal” to you. A professional resume writer can offer an outside perspective to uncover strengths you may not recognize as significant and present them in the best possible light.

Having a professionally written resume gives you a boost of confidence when applying for jobs. But even before you have your document in hand, the process of working with your resume writer helps prepare you for the interview. Professional resume writers are skilled in asking questions and collecting information about what sets you apart from other candidates.
 
Quantifying your accomplishments not only strengthens your resume but also helps prepare you to answer questions in the job interview.
 
Working with a professional resume writer can also save you time. Learning the latest techniques to adapt your resume for an online job search can be time-consuming when you really want to get started using your resume, not figure out how to write it. By relying on the expertise of a professional resume writer, you can focus your energy on networking, applying for positions, interviewing, and researching salary expectations.
 
The biggest benefit to working with a professional resume writer is getting better results. That might mean getting a quicker response to job applications, landing more interviews, or even negotiating a stronger salary offer. Many job seekers who work with professional resume writers find the investment pays for itself with a shorter job search.

Should you use ChatGPT to write your resume?  While it can be tempting to copy your work history into ChatGPT and ask it to “Write a resume,” the resulting document is often more style than substance. AI tools lack context. They don’t know your unique career goals or the nuances of your career story. They tend to produce generic, cookie-cutter resumes that read more like job descriptions than a persuasive marketing document. Hiring managers and recruiters can spot AI-generated resumes and cover letters immediately, and a resume that sounds like it was written by AI may hurt rather than help your chances of landing an interview.
 
While artificial intelligence can be useful for brainstorming ideas or customizing a cover letter, it’s not a substitute for the insight, strategy, and knowledge that comes from working with a professional resume writer.
 
Another big issue with AI-generated resumes is accuracy. Artificial intelligence often struggles with specific details. It may misinterpret your accomplishments, inflate responsibilities, or even overlook specific achievements. Even worse, AI sometimes “hallucinates,” inventing content that sounds impressive but isn’t true. If you don’t pay attention closely, you could find yourself being asked about a specific experience in a job interview that the AI “created.”
 
Finally, AI tools aren’t fully aligned with how applicant tracking system software works. While some claim to optimize for keywords, they can easily over-stuff content or use phrasing that doesn’t match up with how recruiters and hiring managers actually search. That means your resume may look good, but it may fail to pass through ATS software.
 
A professional resume writer offers strategic insights, objectivity, and industry knowledge that AI simply can’t match. Artificial intelligence can be used to support the job search, but it should never replace the expertise of a professional resume writer who understands both the job market and your individual career story and goals.

• “It’s just about formatting.” A resume isn’t just a pretty design and layout. It’s about positioning, strategy, and storytelling. What not to include can be just as important as what is included. Formatting can help readability, but the real value in working with a professional resume writer is that the content speaks directly to what employers are looking for in a candidate.

​​

• “I can do it myself.” Of course, you can write your own resume, but the learning curve can be steep. Just as you might be able to do your own taxes or perform your own car repairs, the value is in not making mistakes and having it done right the first time.

​

• “It’s too expensive.” Working with a professional resume writer is an investment in yourself. And it’s often not as expensive as you think to get personalized support (the average resume is between $750-$1500). An effective resume secures job interviews, and a shorter job search (especially if you’re unemployed) saves not just time, but money. A strong resume can guide the interview, potentially leading to a higher salary offer. Even a modest salary increase can offset the cost of a resume many times over.

Clients who work with professional resume writers frequently report positive outcomes, such as an increase in job interviews, more “productive” interviews (with the resume guiding the discussion), and higher compensation offers. Others report successful transitions to new industries or careers, or promotions they thought were out of reach.

For many job seekers, working with a professional resume writer, the greatest benefit is the confidence that comes from working with someone who knows the ins and outs of the job search and can prepare a resume that gets results.

​The process usually starts with a consultation, either by phone or over Zoom, to discuss your work background, your career goals, and the types of roles you’re targeting. From there, the writer works with you to collect information about your specific experience, skills, value, and accomplishments.
 
Additional services, such as LinkedIn profile development, interview coaching, and salary research/negotiation, are also available.

Your resume can open the door to interviews, conversations, and opportunities. Working with a professional resume writer ensures that your resume not only meets industry standards but also positions you as the best candidate for your ideal job.
 
Invest in yourself by working with a professional resume writer. Partnering with a professional who understands both the art and science of resume writing can mean the difference between being overlooked and landing an interview. Your resume is your first impression, so make it count.
 
Want to get started? Contact Mandy Fard, Certified  Professional Resume Writer: mandy@market-connections.net. 

Source: https://www.market-connections.net/blog/why-hire-professional-resume-writer