In today's competitive job market, a single classified ad in the newspaper can attract literally thousands of resumes. Employers have to weed most of them out pretty quickly -- four out of five will be dumped immediately. The average resume gets a 15-second glance. This means you have just 15 seconds to sell yourself. You will be lucky if the top one-third of your resume gets read.

Your resume is a first impression - it's all a potential employer knows about you. To get an interview, your resume must stand out from the competition. Most people don't have the time or expertise to create a professional resume that presents them in the best possible light. In addition, resume rules are constantly changing. More and more employers are requesting scannable and/or emailable resumes. These electronic resumes must adhere to a specific format and contain lots of keywords. If not, you may be perfectly qualified for a job but never have a chance because your resume was scrambled or lost in cyberspace.

An eye-catching resume must have an attractive design, no spelling or grammatical errors, and no typos. Accomplishments must be obvious and demonstrate quantifiable results. A-Plus Resumes is experienced in writing resumes that highlight your skills and strengths. And I keep up with changing rules and the latest technology. BACK TO TOP

How long should my resume be?

There used to be a pretty hard-and-fast rule about sticking to one page unless you're the CEO of a large corporation or have a PhD. Today it's perfectly acceptable to have two pages, depending on your work history, experience, credentials, and the job you're applying for. Most people can still get by with a page or page and a half. The important thing is to make sure your most impressive information is on the first half of the first page. Senior-level executives may need a CV, or curriculum vitae, that may run as long as 20 pages. BACK TO TOP

I've heard there are different formats for resumes. How do I know which is best for me?

When I receive your questionnaire, I will decide which format is most appropriate for your background and skills. Generally, a chronological format outlines your work history in reverse chronological order and emphasizes what you've done and where. It demonstrates continual work experience in the field you're applying for. Most employers prefer the chronological resume because it is clear where and when you got your skills. A functional format focuses more on specific areas of expertise but still contains a work history. It is often used to hide gaps in work history or for a person who is changing careers or who had the same responsibilities at several different jobs.

I prefer a combination of the two that outlines a chronological work history and still emphasizes specific skills and accomplishments within each job. BACK TO TOP

What is an electronic resume?

An electronic resume may take one of several forms. It can be a hard copy that is scanned into a resume management system or automated database used by employers, employment agencies, search firms, and employment Web sites. Or, an electronic resume may be posted on an online resume bank. BACK TO TOP

What's a scannable resume and why do I need one?

Approximately 50% of resumes today are scanned into electronic applicant-tracking systems, eliminating a lot of the time and energy required for a human being to look at every resume personally. Scannable resumes start out as paper, are sent by mail or fax, and are scanned and converted into ASCII format by special software so they can be searched for specific keywords that an employer has selected as criteria for a specific job. Keywords must be included in a resume that is going to be scanned. This means your resume must be converted to a specific format and reworded to ensure you get as many "hits" as possible.

If you don't know for certain if your resume will be scanned by a potential employer, it's a good idea to call and ask for guidelines. If this isn't possible, send a scannable resume along with your formatted one. You win either way. Some people prefer to really play it safe and send an ASCII (text-only) resume instead of worrying about whether or not the resume will be messed up by the scanner. BACK TO TOP

Can I email my resume to an employer?

Certainly. More and more employers are asking for resumes to be emailed to them. The resume, which arrives immediately, is a text-only file with little formatting but lots of keywords. It gets there fast and can be read by any computer, regardless of the operating system or software. An emailable resume can also be submitted online by pasting it into a resume template.

If an employer specifies a format (such as Word or WordPerfect), it is simple to attach your resume file and email it. Otherwise it is necessary to paste an ASCII (text-only) version of the resume directly into your email message. (This eliminates another step for the employer as well as the risk of a virus.) In order to do this, the resume must be saved as an ASCII file that is stripped of most formatting. Keywords must also be included. An ASCII (plain-text) resume can then be emailed to an employer to be read or scanned into a resume database or posted online on employer, recruiter, or employment Web sites that are readable by any computer. If you send a resume by email, it's a good idea to enclose a note saying you will follow up with a copy of your formatted resume.

I save every resume as an ASCII file first, and then apply formatting. BACK TO TOP

What is a keyword resume? Why do I need one?

Keywords are the buzzwords of a particular industry - mostly nouns and noun phrases. They include a specific industry, job titles, specific job skills, areas of functional expertise, names of universities/academic programs, software/programming languages, computer/other equipment, professional organizations, interpersonal traits and attitudes, etc. Resumes that are going to be scanned, emailed, or posted online must include keywords to ensure a maximum number of "hits." BACK TO TOP

What about a cover letter? Do I really need one?

A well-written, creative cover letter can really make you stand out from the competition. Yet only 20% of resumes include a cover letter. This is a big mistake! A cover letter is your chance to grab a potential employer's attention and make him want to read your resume to find out more - to see why you and your background are a perfect match for his needs and why you should be interviewed over others. Whether you're responding to an ad, following up on someone's referral, or just applying blindly, a cover letter is a must in today's competitive job market. BACK TO TOP

I had an interview recently. Now, the employer has called for references. How do I do them?

The first thing you should do is contact the people you have chosen and ask their permission to use them as references. It's a good idea to tell them what job you're applying for and the skills you will need to perform the job successfully. Ask them what they will say about you. If you have chosen former employers, ask them if they would rehire you.

The number of references you require depends on your level of experience. For example, a recent graduate needs three. They can be personal (not family members), teachers, employers, or a gymnastics coach, for example. Most professionals can get by with four or five references. They should all be former employers, clients, and colleagues. Top-level executives need six or eight - former employers, peers, clients, vendors, etc. List the individuals' names, their relationship to you, what they can attest to, their job titles, company names, and phone numbers. Leave the formatting to me.

Don't send references with your resume. Save them for the interview. BACK TO TOP

What about salary history/requirements? I've heard it's best not to include this information.

If at all possible, avoid giving salary requirements. If you absolutely have to, it's best just to give a range or say that salary is negotiable, depending on benefits, etc. I usually say something like, "Regarding salary, my earnings as [position] ranged from $______ to $_______. Or, "I'm looking for a position in the $_______ to $_______ range." BACK TO TOP

I already have a resume, but it needs some work. Can you help me?

I can give your existing resume a fresh, professional look by rewriting, reformatting, and correcting spelling, grammar, punctuation, and other obvious weak spots. You can send me a copy by mail, fax, or email in Word, WordPerfect, or ASCII (plain-text) format. I'll send you a draft for your approval by your choice of method. Then, we'll work together until you're satisfied.

Remember: I'll select the most appropriate and attractive format and layout for your individual needs - one that will most effectively highlight specific, relevant accomplishments and quantifiable results along with your skills and strengths. And you don't have to worry about perfect spelling or grammar. I'll take care of everything. BACK TO TOP

I've never had a resume before. I don't know where to start. What do I do?

I write your professional, customized resume from scratch using information you provide on your personal questionnaire and by telephone consultation.

Just fill in the online order form and send it to me. I'll contact you within 24 hours to finalize your order. Then, once we've agreed on a plan and price, I'll send you a resume and cover letter questionnaire by email (as a Word or WordPerfect file) or regular mail if you like.

After you've filled in the questionnaire, return it (along with a copy of your existing resume if you have one and classified ads and/or job descriptions to help me write a targeted resume and cover letter). Then I'll contact you to set up a time to fine-tune your customized resume over the phone. You will have plenty of time to ask questions or add anything you may have forgotten. At this point, you should start to gather your references. Click here for instructions.

You'll receive your resume, cover letter, and references for your approval by the method you selected on the order form. You may take as much time as you need to make changes. We'll work together until you're satisfied.

Remember: Every resume is custom-written. The questionnaire is simply a starting point to help streamline the process. I'll select the most appropriate and attractive layout and format for your individual needs - one that will most effectively highlight specific, relevant accomplishments and quantitative results along with your skills and strengths. And there's no need for you to worry about perfect spelling or grammar. I'll take care of everything. BACK TO TOP

What if I decide to make changes to my resume later on?

When you first get your resume, you may make changes for three days at no extra charge. After that, if you want me to retarget your resume, make changes, or just keep it up-to-date from time to time, I will charge you an hourly fee. Because I keep every resume on file permanently at no extra charge, revisions and updates are simple, fast, and inexpensive for you. Minor revisions and updates (such as changing your address, phone number, and job objective) are free for one year. BACK TO TOP

Can I get my resume on disk? If so, how do I know what kind of paper to use and how to mail it?

I will send your resume to you on disk as a file in Word or WordPerfect or as an ASCII file, if you prefer. I will also include, at no charge, some important tips regarding paper, envelopes, postage, and faxing. BACK TO TOP

There are hundreds of resume services on the Internet. What's different about A-Plus Resumes?

I'm constantly appalled at the errors I see on resume sites. Your resume is perhaps the most important document you will ever need. Look at it as a one-time investment in a lifelong career.

I have 20 years' experience as a freelance editor/writer. My excellent oral and written communication skills are critical to creating effective resumes. Resumes written by A-Plus Resumes get noticed and make the reader want to know more. The resume questionnaire is thorough yet simple and takes the grief out of resume writing. And the cover letter questionnaire provides me with the information I need to write a targeted letter that will make an employer want to read your resume in order to learn more about you. Having written thousands of resumes, I am skilled at gleaning important information from a client and turning it into an outstanding resume. BACK TO TOP