7 Life Lessons We Learned Through Resume Writing

7 Life Lessons We Learned Through Resume Writing7 Life Lessons We Learned Through Resume Writing7 Life Lessons We Learned Through Resume WritingSometimes, its better to leave it to the pros. Why buy when you can DIY? Thats the question project manager, Will Cornell asked himself many times over when he first learned about TopResumes writing services. Not only did Will learn the answer the hard way, but he also almost lost his dream job in the process. Read on to spare yurself the struggleAs a technical project manager, Will prides himself on his natural curiosity and desire to problem-solve. He often gravitates towards a trial-by-error means of troubleshooting and hours of YouTube tutorials to consulting a trained professional.I enjoy getting my hands dirty, whether that means building something from scratch or digging deep into a process or project to get to the root of a problem.Despite his do-it-yourself ethos, there are few things Will would much rather leave in the hands of the experts performing surgery, filing taxes, and recently, resume writing.Lesson 1 DONT put off the inevitableAfter working for the same company for six years it was time for a change. I wanted something fresh and new, even if it meant moving out of my comfort zone. Six years can feel like a lifetime in the tech industry, and I knew the longer I waited, the harder it would be to leave. Lucky for Will, our writers were there to make his transition back into the job market as painless as possible. His writer, Traci, was able to transform his six-year tenure into a story of professional and personal development. It was important that Will show a thirst for growth in such a rapidly evolving industry.Lesson 2 DONT take it personallySo, what made this professional problem-solver let another pro solve his problem?Honestly, I was too close to it. It sounds strange, but the process of writing your own resume can be emotional. Its a lot like cleaning out a closet you know not everything can mak e the cut, but its hard not to be precious about the things youve accomplished.Will is right when it comes to resume writing, its not always as simple as asking yourself if a project or achievement sparks joy. Sometimes you need to call in a professional to cut through the clutter and leave only the most valuable information behind.Lesson 3 DO write for the job you wantBefore turning to TopResume, I was hitting a lot of walls. I was lucky if I heard back, but even when I did get a call I would get halfway through a screener before either the recruiter or I would realize it wasnt a good fit. Im a solid worker with years of experience, I just wasnt writing for the job I really wanted.And thats the thing, resumes arent just a chronological list of what youve done, but what you want to do.Lesson 4 DO trust an expertMake no mistake, telling your career story is no easy feat, especially when you cant always find the wordsEven though I knew what I had accomplished and what I wanted to acco mplish in the future, I struggled to put it down on paper. Traci practically read my mind, putting things into words that were stuckverzierung in my head.Lesson 5 DONT let fear of rejection hold you backWill was an instant fan of his new resume, but at this point in his job search it really didnt matter what he thought was it enough to land him an interview?Once I got my new resume back from TopResume I was hesitant to share it right away. I thought it was great, but what if recruiters didnt bite? What if I was doomed to stay in my current location forever?Spoiler alert Will did not, in fact, receive a life sentence at his job and did continue to apply with his shiny new resume.Lesson 6 DO know your worthAfter Will posted his updated resume to online job boards, he noticed a subtle, yet meaningful, change almost immediately.Just one day after I posted my new resume I saw a noticeable shift in the type of positions being sent my way. Not just in the industries and titles, but in the pay too. Until that moment I had surrendered to the idea of taking a salary cut, but was pleasantly surprised this wasnt the case. Its not uncommon for job seekers to undersell themselves in their resume and cover letters, especially when theyve been out of practice for a while. Teaming up with a pro like Traci can help set reasonable expectations based on your work experience and properly articulate your worth.Lesson 7 DONT give up on your dreamsAnd now for the plot twist The position Will accepted, in the end, was at his dream company, which had previously passed on him as a candidate.I took a chance and reapplied for a different position with a different resume. Im glad I did it. Their recruiter contacted me immediately and Im already a couple of weeks into my first month in the role.Wed say the rest is history, but we truly hope Will remembers this next time hes due for a resume updateAre you stuck in your own resume rut? Let us lend a hand. Contact us today to get a resume rew rite from one of our expert writers.Recommended ReadingWhat Employers Want (And How Your DIY Resume May Be Falling Short)How a Professionally Written Resume Can Boost Your Job-Search ConfidenceHow We Gave This Professional the Resume Insurance She Wanted