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imported_inspire

Senior member
Jun 29, 2006
986
0
0
Cliffs are at the end, but you really should read the details...

I finish my graduate degree in Biostatistics in May and I'm trying to get a head start on my job search, because to me, there's nothing more pathetic than a fresh graduate who doesn't start looking for a job until he has his diploma.

I took a technical writing course as an undergrad and my resume scored pretty well (like a 98). I've since gone to a CV (less hype) and used it to land some part-time jobs while working on my Master's.

I've had my resume on monster for a little less than a week now and I've had about 20 views and only a single save. I know I've definitely got to do some work on it. Problem is that I've got literally tons of crap to do right now (don't make me show you the list...)

Is it worth paying $300 to let Monster write my resume? Is it worth paying anyone to write my resume? Who? I need someone who can write a resume for a fresh grad - I'm not some high-power professional with a truckload of experience (yet). Help?

Cliffs:
- About to finish my master's
- Have a CV, but it needs work
- I'm pretty effing busy.
- Need help deciding whether I should pay hundreds (Dr. Evil pinky-grin) of dollars for someone to write me a 'professional' resume / CV.

Any and all comments are appreciated right now as I feel like a total n00b.
 
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slsmnaz

Diamond Member
Mar 13, 2005
4,016
1
0
I paid a professional service to write mine and IMO think it was well worth it. I had an appointment with them that lasted about 2 hrs where they got all my info, work exp, education, awards, etc. I think I paid about $150 for 2 different versions of the resume for 2 different positions. I got offered both jobs and took one with a 20% pay increase. Makes me think it was money well spent. Plus I think job search costs are tax-deductable (don't quote me since I heard that too late to help).
 
pontifex

pontifex

Lifer
Dec 5, 2000
43,804
46
91
I'm not some high-power professional with a truckload of experience


and thats why you should probably write it yourself.
 
B

Blazin Trav

Banned
Dec 14, 2004
2,571
0
0
Originally posted by: slsmnaz
I paid a professional service to write mine and IMO think it was well worth it. I had an appointment with them that lasted about 2 hrs where they got all my info, work exp, education, awards, etc. I think I paid about $150 for 2 different versions of the resume for 2 different positions. I got offered both jobs and took one with a 20% pay increase. Makes me think it was money well spent. Plus I think job search costs are tax-deductable (don't quote me since I heard that too late to help).
Click to expand...

That's not bad. I would pay $150 not $300.

I think it might be worth it. Just have a friend who is a manager review your resume, honestly.
 
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Elbryn

Golden Member
Sep 30, 2000
1,213
0
0
Dont you have career services in the school? they do stuff like that for a job. why not go visit them and have them review it? not only that, you can get dry run interviews and such as well.
 
C

crystal

Platinum Member
Nov 5, 1999
2,424
0
76
I couldn't make my resume looks good if my lives depend on it. :( I might have to look into profession help if I ever need to do job hunting.
 
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spidey07

No Lifer
Aug 4, 2000
65,469
5
76
Originally posted by: crystal
I couldn't make my resume looks good if my lives depend on it. :( I might have to look into profession help if I ever need to do job hunting.
Click to expand...

It's pretty easy really. Just keep it simple and easily readable. No fancy-smancy stuff, just straight standard format.
 
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cyclistca

Platinum Member
Dec 5, 2000
2,885
11
81
I think that it's worth having a professional help you; however I would look for a local firm. I would also look for a firm that has a good understanding of the industry that you're applying for jobs in.
 
IronWing

IronWing

No Lifer
Jul 20, 2001
72,333
32,876
136
Question for OP: Can you write?

If you know your writing skills really suck then go ahead and pay someone. However, if this is true then a better use of the money might be a writing tutor. Most technical/scientific careers involve lots of writing and if you can't do it, you won't go far.

If you know your writing skills are good, then write your own resume. Don't worry about keeping it to a single page. At the MS level in a technical/scientific field, employers will want to know more about your classes/experiences/skills rather than less. Don't wax poetic but don't leave out good stuff either. You're not a marketing major, just tell them what you've done and what you know,
 
dbk

dbk

Lifer
Apr 23, 2004
17,685
10
81
I think there are variety of information on the net or in books that you could use rather than paying a 'professional' fee.
 
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imported_inspire

Senior member
Jun 29, 2006
986
0
0
Originally posted by: cyclistca
I think that it's worth having a professional help you; however I would look for a local firm. I would also look for a firm that has a good understanding of the industry that you're applying for jobs in.
Click to expand...


Unfortunately Louisiana isn't exactly ripe with jobs for biostatisticians, so there's not going to be anyone local who knows my field. It's a technical, specialized field and that's one of the reasons why I'm hesistant.

@ironwing - Oh, I can write - 5.5/6.0 on the GRE's analytical writing test - I just have bigger things - family, thesis, multiple pt jobs, etc.

I think I'm going to do it myself, though - I just have to make the time to do it right and do something better than revising the last resume I had. I appreciate the advice, everyone.
 
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spidey07

No Lifer
Aug 4, 2000
65,469
5
76
Originally posted by: ironwing
Question for OP: Can you write?

If you know your writing skills really suck then go ahead and pay someone. However, if this is true then a better use of the money might be a writing tutor. Most technical/scientific careers involve lots of writing and if you can't do it, you won't go far.

If you know your writing skills are good, then write your own resume. Don't worry about keeping it to a single page. At the MS level in a technical/scientific field, employers will want to know more about your classes/experiences/skills rather than less. Don't wax poetic but don't leave out good stuff either. You're not a marketing major, just tell them what you've done and what you know,
Click to expand...

I'll say again. Most people don't know how to write a resume/CV.

More than one page goes into the "windbag", more than two pages goes immediately into the trashcan.

 
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Special K

Diamond Member
Jun 18, 2000
7,098
0
76
Doesn't your university have a career center? The people who work there would probably be willing to help you if you make an appointment.
 
IronWing

IronWing

No Lifer
Jul 20, 2001
72,333
32,876
136
Originally posted by: spidey07
Originally posted by: ironwing
Question for OP: Can you write?

If you know your writing skills really suck then go ahead and pay someone. However, if this is true then a better use of the money might be a writing tutor. Most technical/scientific careers involve lots of writing and if you can't do it, you won't go far.

If you know your writing skills are good, then write your own resume. Don't worry about keeping it to a single page. At the MS level in a technical/scientific field, employers will want to know more about your classes/experiences/skills rather than less. Don't wax poetic but don't leave out good stuff either. You're not a marketing major, just tell them what you've done and what you know,
Click to expand...

I'll say again. Most people don't know how to write a resume/CV.

More than one page goes into the "windbag", more than two pages goes immediately into the trashcan.
Click to expand...

Depends on the field. If you're a marketing or business major where you're a commodity that might be true. For specialized technical fields where there might be a particular expertise desired throwing in the kitchen sink can help. My resume is three pages plus a five page professional history I can include if the job announcement implies they want to know everything I've ever done.
 
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spidey07

No Lifer
Aug 4, 2000
65,469
5
76
Originally posted by: ironwing
Depends on the field. If you're a marketing or business major where you're a commodity that might be true. For specialized technical fields where there might be a particular expertise desired throwing in the kitchen sink can help. My resume is three pages plus a five page professional history I can include if the job announcement implies they want to know everything I've ever done.
Click to expand...

Understood. Your resume will go directly, do not pass go, "can't even write a freakin' resume and we want to hire him!!!????", go directly to trashcan.

If you are in education then fine.....otherwise that resume will go directly into the trash with a "what a pretntious arse, wouldn't want to work with him" comment.
 
ultimatebob

ultimatebob

Lifer
Jul 1, 2001
25,134
2,450
126
Originally posted by: pontifex
I'm not some high-power professional with a truckload of experience

and thats why you should probably write it yourself.
Click to expand...

If you have someone write it for you, they'll certainly do their best to make you look like a high powered professional with tons of experience. They probably won't put too much BS in there, but they will embellish a bit.

It might get you an interview, anyway, but you believe what they wrote enough to be able to answer questions on it.
 
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