Answer:  Depends.

People who regularly charge $50 to $125 and offer little more than a typing service are not bargains, especially if you have to pay for a cover letter and the resume in more that a single format. Most of the time you get someone working, part-time, out of their home that has little experience with various careers.

Dr. Jerry has been writing resumes for more than 25 years and his simple promise is “if you can offer a job that I have never faced before, I will write the resume for free, period.” Warning:  only once in the last 10 years has this happened.  The client was an MD, double Ph.D., and wanted to be a ‘ski instructor’ so she could meet and marry a rich american and get out of her present country.

Dr. Jerry understands that times are tough and a lot of people, with some really bad résumés are unemployed.  He decided that it was his responsibility to try to help people in that environment so he began offering a new résumé and cover letter for the unemployed at the price of $99.  In order to qualify for this “special” the client  cannot be currently employed nor in need of a résumé for a Senior Management or Executive Level opportunity.

What Dr. Jerry offer the unemployed is a shortened interview (saving him time) when he gathers the information necessary to write the résumé. He then sends you a draft and the two of you discuss any necessary changes, modifications, or additions; then he sends you the final documents in all 3 formats (MS-Word, PDF, and ASCII) plus a cover letter.  You should be able to easily make minor changes to the résumé and changes to the cover letter using the MS-Word version.  Note:  Dr. Jerry uses MS-Word 1997-2004 so that everyone can open, read, and make changes without problems.  He does not recommend ever using MS-Word 3007.

Answer: Depends.

First and foremost price does not determine value and just because something is priced dearly does not make it better nor does something at a low price mean inferior quality.

The key is to find someone that knows what he or she is doing and who operates without a big overhead nut that must be cracked every day.

When I first started in the business of résumé writing the ‘going’ price was $25 and today, I have seen prices from those that know what they are doing range from $99 to $2,500.

It is my considered opinion that NO résumé is worth more than about $300.

First a prospect should call the writer and if it is impossible to get the writer on the telephone, then it is likely that they are in the business only part time and that ain’t good.  For example, my office hours are between 7:30am to 5:30pm Monday through Thursday and between 7:30am and Noon on Friday.  Call outside those hours and you will likely get my voice mail.

That does not mean that I only work 4 1/2 days each week – quite the contrary, I work 7 days a week.  All that means is that I need some personal time to do those things we all need to do – go to the dry cleaner, supermarket, walk the dog, dine out, and have a life.

In summary:  If the writer has not been in business for more than 5 years you can assume that they know little more about the process than you.  If the writer charges less than $99 for a basic resume and cover letter they are little more than a typist.  If the writer charges more than $300 you are likely overpaying for what you get.

Jerry Bills, Ph.D., Doctor of Philosophy

Certified Professional Resume Writer and Certified Professional Career Coach

(719) 447-1147 (Direct line)

DISCIPLINE

Without discipline nothing is possible

Discipline is the bridge between employment and unemployment; between underemployment and meaningful employment.  Discipline means doing those things that others aren’t willing to do and hanging in there long after everyone else has let go. Discipline is the foundation upon which all success is attained.  An abundance of discipline leads to an abundance of job offers!  In reality, you have one of two life-changing choices to make; to employ discipline today to achieve your job objectives or neglect to employ discipline at the expense of your goals.

Discipline leads to reward.  Neglect leads to regret.  The great Vince Lombardi said, “Discipline and mental toughness are many things and rather difficult to explain. Its qualities are sacrifice and self-denial, and most importantly, it’s combined with a perfectly disciplined will that refuses to give in.”

The key is to choose discipline over easy.  You don’t get to the World Series or the Olympics by easy and you don’t become a successful sales professional, nurse, administrative assistant or CEO by easy.  There is no ‘easy button’ for landing a job in a tough economy.  You get there through discipline.

Tweet Jay @ jayblock101

Visit his website (http://www.jayblock.com)