It’s Time for the Holidays – and Writing Your Resume?

It is already Holiday time and you are sitting there wondering where the year went, right? Perhaps you are looking at what you have accomplished over the last 12 months and where to set your sites on for next year. Part of your big plan could be to get a new job.
If that is the case, how is your resume looking? Is it ready to live up to the expectations of garnering you interviews? If not, or if you are not sure, then you need to take action. There is nothing worse than starting off your job search all gung-ho with a lack-luster resume that prevents you from reaching your goal. It is also quite frustrating.
Start slowly
Realize that you do not have to do everything all in one setting. You have shopping to do, cards to send out, and you might not have time to sit for a few hours in a row. That is okay. It might even be better for your resume.
First, take an objective view of your resume. Does it grab your attention? Does it showcase your expertise so that a stranger would appreciate and understand your capabilities? Remember: your resume is a sales document for the position you believe is a perfect fit. Go ahead and boast in the utmost professional manner.
Take some notes
In your spare time, brainstorm your achievements. Have a little notepad with you wherever you go so when something pops into your head, you can write it down.
The next step is to actually quantify those achievements. Think in terms of dollars, percentages, things of that nature. These numbers have the ability to really set you apart from your competition.
There is an easier way
It is totally understandable if you do not want to spend your vacation and holiday worrying about your resume. There are tons of other fun things for you to spend your time. So what are your options?
Buy a resume builder
If you want to create you resume quickly, yet somewhat efficiently, then a resume builder might work for you. Now, this is not for everyone and you have to be sure you get a reputable one.
There is a catch, however: you still have to do all the brainstorming. The resume builder might be able to format your resume and give you ideas on wording for specific situations, but you’re the one who has to enter the achievements. This is a difficult, yet vital, aspect to any successful resume.
Hire a professional writer
This is the easiest and most likely the best way to write a powerful resume. It is also the most expensive. Is it worth the money? Satisfied customers will tell you that it absolutely is. Do you still have to do some work? Of course. The writer knows what questions to ask in order to get the best information out of you.
The plus-side to hiring a resume service is that once you give them the data, you are done. You get to sit back and let them do the really hard work.
So, as you are having some quality family-time these next several weeks, be sure to make time for your resume. Whether you do it yourself or hire someone, have your resume ready to work for you this upcoming year. Then you can reflect upon what a good decision that was this time next year.
Heather Eagar is a former professional resume writer and owner of http://www.ResumeLines.com who is now dedicated to providing job seekers with resources and products that promote job search success from beginning to end.