Stage One

In the first session we engage in a dialogue and think laterally as well as in a linear fashion. We explore where you have been, where you want to go, and in particular the generalized or transferrable skills you possess. In this regard I act as the "coach," noticing/hearing what you may not. I find that most people underestimate their strengths, focus their expectations of themselves too narrowly, and downplay a lot of experience that is directly applicable to the workplace.

Stage Two

After the initial session, I create a draft résumé based on what I have seen and heard. This is often done in conjunction with a résumé that you may have created yourself. The résumés I produce do not slavishly follow the typical template provided by most wordprocessing programs. Nor do they adhere blindly to the presumed "rules" for résumés that make most such documents look formula-like or mass-produced. Instead they embody a concept that reflects the entire person and — unlike template résumés — they reveal a real human being to the prospective employer.

The résumé should engender an interactivity between the client and the prospective employer even before they meet. It should stand out from all the other template-produced résumés that the employer receives, and it should motivate the employer to want to meet and dialogue with the person. Stylistic, formatting, and design features I incorporate in the résumé are subtle and reflect a basic principle of effective writing, what I call the CUE factor (Coherence, Unity, and Emphasis). Design, formatting, and content features are subtle and often subliminal, suggesting a skilled, competent, and professional person.

Stage Three:

(a) the final résumé;

(b) the covering letter;

(c) the thank you letter;

(d) discussion of short-term and long-term goals;

(e) the follow-up

In the third stage, we carefully work through the draft résumé together, fine-tuning it, changing/modifying/embellishing it where necessary, and once again talking through the concept. At this stage I find that most clients begin to "own" a slightly new definition of themselves in an expanded frame of reference. When we finish, I produce a final copy on quality paper stock, print numerous copies for you, and give you a copy of the file on disk. The latter is important because a résumé should not be static; it should be refreshed frequently. Often as a result of our sessions the client can do this herself/himself.

At this point we also design an effective covering letter. The covering letter is as important as the résumé. We design a generic one or if the client already knows to whom he or she wishes to submit the résumé, we carefully design a covering letter that will speak clearly on behalf of the client to the prospective employer.

Also, throughout this résumé-creating process, we engage in more dialogue, looking at various career possibilities that you may not have thought of or may not have considered worth pursuing. Occasionally I am able to make connections with other people or resources I have encountered throughout my various careers. We may also briefly examine and enhance your interviewing and presentations skills, although this tends to be an additional process the client opts for.

The follow-up thank-you letter and the crucial follow-up telephone call (following an interview) are also essential components included in this process. I discuss with you the specific content of the follow-up letter and how and why you should make the follow-up telephone call.

This résumé-creating process is essentially one of mentoring in which you also benefit from my writing and editing expertise. It has been my experience that clients engage in a follow-up dialogue with me and often serve as resource people for other clients.

For the Client Résumé Planner I use, CLICK HERE.

The fee for this three-stage process is $400.