Robin's Resumes (r)

Adding value to your Career Documentation | Career Coaching

Call or Text Today: 404-875-2688

resume writer

Robin Schlinger: Resume Writer and Career Coach

A few weeks ago I had the honor of being interviewed for an audio presentation on the Women for Hire website, to give expert advice about resumes.

One of the interviewer’s first questions was a request to explain what I do.

I’m a professional certified resume writer and career coach. I moved into this field after years of experience in industry as an engineer and project manager. That background gives me practical experience out in the job market, both as a job applicant and as someone who participated in the hiring process. It also makes me very familiar with the requirements of technical as well as management and staff positions.

Now I am dedicated to helping job applicants identify and achieve their career goals. The better you know your goals, the stronger candidate you will be both in your resume and during your interview. I assist job seekers in many fields, including for profit, non-profit and government.

If you need help discovering and writing about your goals, talents, skills and accomplishments, contact me today.

Write a Resume That Helps You Land Your First Job

Many people writing a resume for their first job make these mistakes:

1. They try too hard to be clever and stand out by using fancy fonts, colors, clip art or even video resumes.

2. They think that volunteer work, summer jobs and school honors or adult-ed courses do not count.

3. They are not clear about their career goals; they apply for everything and expect their resume to get them “any job.”

4. They do not research what employers want.

Your resume helps you land your first job by presenting you at your best to recruiters and hiring managers who are looking for someone with your achievements, skills and education. Here is what your should be doing in your resume to land your first job:

1. Forget about clever paper, fonts and presentations. Companies are not impressed by an origami resume. Focus on skills and achievements and you will quickly grab their attention.

2. Recognize and embrace the value of your experiences and education. One of my clients worked the same summer job every year and showed enough skill in that short time to win two promotions. Another client who wanted to become a training manager wrote her thesis on “Mentoring in the Workplace.” A future sales person helped sell tickets to a nonprofit’s fundraising event. These are all important achievements.

3. Write your resume for the job you want, not “any job.” Do you prefer to work in a forest or an office? Do you like to travel and meet people, to work in a team or to work at home alone? Did you take courses in biology or art? Apply for the jobs that you are prepared for and that excite you.

4. Find out what employers want. Read the ads. Talk to people who already work in the job or industry that appeals to you. Read books about your chosen field. When you know what employers want, you can write a resume and cover letter that shows how you meet their needs.

Applying for your first job is difficult enough. I have years of experience helping people in exactly your situation with resumes that land the job. Give me a call today.

Interview Tips: How Your Resume Helps You Interview Well

Recently, several recruiters and business managers replied to an online request for a few interview tips. The tips that they offered most often were to be honest and to show a genuine interest in the company. The best resume, the kind that I pride myself on writing, prepares you for the interview by providing a strongly worded, truthful summary of your skills and achievements. It shows that you understand what a company wants in its next employee.

When I work with you, I make sure that together we capture all of your most important skills and achievements. A well-written resume lets you head out to the interview with a sense of pride in what you have accomplished. During the interview, you will not have to scramble for explanations because your resume truly reflects you.

The best resume is crafted for the job you want, not the job(s) you left behind. Therefore, every word targets the types of industries, companies and positions that you are most interested in. That focus provides the groundwork for the interest you will show during the interview.

Bring a copy of your resume with you to any interview. It is helpful when filling out forms and may be needed by the interviewer. But most important, while you wait for your appointment, you can remind yourself of how much value you will bring to the company.

Leverage Your Military Experience on Your Resume

As a resume writer who has worked extensively with retiring and separating Veterans, I find they have strong leadership and technical skills which are directly transferable to civilian positions. But if you are a Veteran writing a resume for the private sector, you should be aware that:

  • The civilian world operates on the profit motive, which puts you at a disadvantage when it comes to boasting about increasing company revenues or decreasing overhead. However, your experience with project management and goal setting will appeal to any civilian company or recruiter. You have the skills to bring a project in on time and under budget. You have handled pressures that the civilian world cannot come close to.
  • Leadership in the military—where soldiers must follow orders—is different than leadership in the private sector. But your motivating and mentoring skills are valuable everywhere. You know how to work in a team and you know the value of teams.
  • Military jargon isn’t familiar to civilians. Spell out the essential acronyms and try to “translate” the rest into more familiar words.
  • Your security clearance is in demand in many fields; make sure you mention it.

Over the years, I have had the pleasure of working with extraordinary folks from every branch of the military. With the right resume, one that makes clear the value they bring, Veterans are extremely strong competitors for civilian jobs.

Working with a Professional Resume Writer

This may be the first time you have considered handing your resume over to a professional resume writer. You may be wondering if you need professional help, if it will make a difference to your job hunt and if you will be comfortable with the finished resume. Here’s how I respond to those concerns.

How do I know if a professional resume writer can help me?

When you call me, I will ask you to send me your current resume and a description of the job position(s) you want to apply for. With those items in hand, I will evaluate your needs. Together, we will discuss the best options for you, and I will give you a price quote.

How will my new resume differ from my old resume?

Most people who write their own resumes leave out important information. They hesitate to toot their own horn or they don’t know how to emphasize the skills that recruiters are looking for. I will interview you by phone or email to draw out your accomplishments. Then I will write a resume that helps employers understand your value as an employee. I will also give your resume a professional, up-to-date format.

Will the resume sound like me?

Your resume is all about you. You will have a chance to review it and ask for changes. A resume should be like a new set of clothes: it makes you look and feel your best; but you are still recognizably you.

Do you have more questions? Please check out the “Our Process” page on this website (https://robinresumes.com/our-process/) or give me a call.

Skip to content