Are resume/cover letter writing services recommended?
July 5, 2024 12:16 PM Subscribe
I want to get a new job. I look at the job pages, and see some really cool jobs I'd be interested in applying for. But I have a huge barrier to actually applying: I've wasted so much time tweaking resumes and cover letters in the past, that I have a hard time even reading the job postings closely before my eyes glaze over and I feel a little sick. Is it possible to hire someone to help me with this?
My dream would be that, once a week, I'd get an email with either ALL or the top 10 jobs posted locally that I might be interested in. I'd review the jobs, confirm which ones I'd want to apply for, and then the other person would go through the work of tweaking my resume and cover letter, then submit the application through whatever arcane process that company happens to use.
I've spoken to resume writers and job coaches in the past (including MeFi's own Iamkimiam) who have all been very helpful in helping me with all aspects of thinking about careers and writing a great resume and cover letter. But the gap I really need to overcome is the "actually applying" part.
So, is this a thing? If so, how expensive would it be? Any advice on how to hire someone good? Any risks? Many thanks!!
My dream would be that, once a week, I'd get an email with either ALL or the top 10 jobs posted locally that I might be interested in. I'd review the jobs, confirm which ones I'd want to apply for, and then the other person would go through the work of tweaking my resume and cover letter, then submit the application through whatever arcane process that company happens to use.
I've spoken to resume writers and job coaches in the past (including MeFi's own Iamkimiam) who have all been very helpful in helping me with all aspects of thinking about careers and writing a great resume and cover letter. But the gap I really need to overcome is the "actually applying" part.
So, is this a thing? If so, how expensive would it be? Any advice on how to hire someone good? Any risks? Many thanks!!
I think the answer to this would depend a lot on what kind of job and what level you are applying for.
For jobs with 100+ applicants, your materials are almost certainly going to be looked at first by a recruitment platform that will pick out words and phrases to see if they match the posting -- if it does it may go on to be seen by human eyes.
If you are applying for higher-level or specialized jobs, you are more likely to get bang for your buck from tweaking it a bit more. At some point, you might benefit more from working with a headhunter or something similar.
For my n=1, I'm currently on a hiring committee for an entry-level academic librarian job and there are quite a few career changers in the mix, and I'm giving the benefit of the doubt whenever I see something a little iffy in the application materials. The job market it terrible and I know almost all of our applicants are sending out apps everywhere. It doesn't need to be perfect. It's exhausting.
Good luck!
posted by pantarei70 at 2:53 PM on July 5 [1 favorite]
For jobs with 100+ applicants, your materials are almost certainly going to be looked at first by a recruitment platform that will pick out words and phrases to see if they match the posting -- if it does it may go on to be seen by human eyes.
If you are applying for higher-level or specialized jobs, you are more likely to get bang for your buck from tweaking it a bit more. At some point, you might benefit more from working with a headhunter or something similar.
For my n=1, I'm currently on a hiring committee for an entry-level academic librarian job and there are quite a few career changers in the mix, and I'm giving the benefit of the doubt whenever I see something a little iffy in the application materials. The job market it terrible and I know almost all of our applicants are sending out apps everywhere. It doesn't need to be perfect. It's exhausting.
Good luck!
posted by pantarei70 at 2:53 PM on July 5 [1 favorite]
Not to disagree with the prior poster, but there's a huge overstatement about resumes getting parsed by systems before going to live people.
What you're asking for though does sound like you want to work with a recruiter. They are generally working for the company, in that the company is the one who pays them, but a good recruiter will have enough different companies that they might be helpful.
posted by Carillon at 12:13 AM on July 7
What you're asking for though does sound like you want to work with a recruiter. They are generally working for the company, in that the company is the one who pays them, but a good recruiter will have enough different companies that they might be helpful.
posted by Carillon at 12:13 AM on July 7
Thanks - that's good to know about the resumes. My last search had over 100 applicants and we certainly looked at them all with our own eyeballs...but I assumed it was just because we are Behind The Times.
posted by pantarei70 at 9:04 AM on July 8
posted by pantarei70 at 9:04 AM on July 8
« Older Alternatives to cruise for multi-generational... | Dec 21 to Jan 5 trip from Vancouver Newer »
You are not logged in, either login or create an account to post comments
posted by rebent at 12:23 PM on July 5