Frequently Asked Questions
Resume Services
Can I see some examples of resumes you've worked on?
Yes, but please keep in mind that these resume examples are best for previewing my design style only. A job-winning resume's content will be 100% unique to that job seeker's background, skills, and job target.
The resumes I design have clean, flat designs with minimal to no graphics. I take into consideration what is appropriate for each client's industry as well as career level and personal branding preferences. I also utilize resume formats and layouts that align with how resumes are reviewed by recruiters and hiring managers based on Eye Tracking studies.
My writing style aligns with best practices and quality standards established by the Professional Association of Resume Writers and Career Coaches—emphasizing goal-oriented and results-focused work history examples, storytelling with strong action words, and natural integration of keywords throughout.
How does a Resume Optimization Session work?
After purchasing, you’ll have the option to schedule a live video call or take no further action and receive an email with a link to access your pre-recorded Resume Optimization Session in 3 business days.
You’ll find the Resume Optimization Session video where I analyze the job posting you provided, start reworking your resume, and share best practices for targeting both your resume and cover letter. You will be assigned homework to finish the revisions and given tools to help you finish accessible within your private Resume Optimization Center.
Live Resume Optimization Sessions are Google Meet calls. No download is necessary, and you do not need a Google account to join the call!
You will be prompted to allow Meet to use your camera and microphone. Once you give permission, you may turn off your camera since I'll only be sharing my screen with you. Allowing Meet to use your microphone will make it easier to participate collaboratively and ask questions during the session.
If you are logged in to a Google account, you'll have the option to join using a phone for audio (call me or dial-in options available) instead of using your device's microphone.
After a live session, you’ll get access to your private Resume Optimization Center.
Your Resume Optimization Center will contain your session recording, additional instructions, the Branding Statement Cheat Sheet, the Skills Auditor (with a Work History Examples Guide), a resume upload widget to get your resume review, and a list of available add-ons you can purchase at any time.
What does your process for Done-for-you Resume Services look like?
All new clients start with an Are We A Good Fit Quiz & Introduce Yourself Form with a resume upload option on my website. The Introduce Yourself Form will also give me a better idea of where you are at in your career and job search right now.
A $149 non-refundable deposit will be collected, and I'll prepare a Targeting Analysis outlining areas for improvement to better target your resume and the additional information I'll need before I can start your resume project. I'll collect this additional information from you with a Work History Examples Worksheet (or Best Qualified Questionnaire for Federal/State Government Resume Services).
If the information I request isn’t provided within the requested deadline, your resume project may be placed on a waiting list.
Unless I need to fill in any information gaps, I'll collect the remaining balance and get started on your first draft. First drafts are ready for review by email in 5 business days.
I've never needed a resume until now. What if I'm starting from scratch?
If you have advanced through multiple promotions, recruitment, or networking and haven't needed a resume until now and don't know where to begin—I got you! I'll have you complete an Employment History Outline immediately after the Introduce Yourself form to get the basics from you.
How long will it take to get my first draft?
Your new resume's first draft will be ready for review by 9:00 PM Pacific Time 5 business days after your designated project start date. Any delay in collecting the information needed to craft an effective resume or processing payment may result in your project being placed on a waiting list.
How do I pay for my project?
I accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express, JCB, Discover, Diners Club, Elo, Shop Pay, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Facebook Pay, Amazon Pay, and PayPal. Payment plans are available with Shop Pay and PayPal Credit.
Full payment will be collected or payment plans will be initiated online after collecting the information needed to start your resume project.
If payment hasn’t been processed or a payment plan isn’t initiated by the requested deadline, your resume project may be placed on a waiting list.
Will my new resume work for every job I apply for?
When you apply for jobs online, you send your resume and application to that employer's Applicant Tracking System. This software helps recruiters narrow down applicants to the top qualified candidates based on the keywords in your resume.
For this reason, you must target your resume for each job before you apply.
Whether you work with me through a Resume Optimization Session, Done-for-you Resume Services, or the Resume Rescue Workshop, you’ll get tools to help you target your resume for new opportunities as they arise and access to additional feedback on your resumes throughout your job search.
Done-for-you Resume Service clients also get access to various revision services through the Client Portal including:
Express Rebranding Revisions: Limited revision service includes analysis of one job posting, minor revisions to Branding Statement and Skills section only, and a brief outline of areas to improve targeting of Experience section
New Job Target or Resume Refresh Revisions: Includes analysis of up to 3 job postings, Work History Examples Worksheet (or Best Qualified Questionnaire for government job targets), and extensive revisions to the entire resume
Do you have expertise in my industry?
I don't specialize in any particular field or industry. Rather I specialize in creating resumes that present you as the best fit for the job you want, get through Applicant Tracking Systems, and stand out in all the right ways to decision-makers in the hiring process.
If you're planning to look and apply for jobs online, I believe it's more important to find a resume writer who understands the hiring trends and technologies that prevent qualified job seekers from moving forward in the process than a resume writer who has worked in or holds expertise in a particular field or industry.
I've written management, senior leadership, and executive-level resumes for most major industries specifically:
Accounting Resumes
Administrative Resumes
Advertising and Marketing Resumes
Architectural Services Resumes
Arts, Entertainment, and Media Resumes
Banking Resumes
Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Resumes
Community, Social Services, and Nonprofit Resumes
Trades and Construction Resumes
Consulting Resumes
Call Center and Customer Service Resumes
Education and Training Resumes
Engineering Resumes
Economics and Finance Resumes
Financial Services Resumes
Government and Policy Resumes
Healthcare (Nursing and Technician) Resumes
Tourism and Hospitality Resumes
Human Resources Resumes
Information Technology Resumes
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Resumes
Insurance Resumes
Internet and E-Commerce Resumes
Law Enforcement and Security Resumes
Manufacturing and Production Resumes
Personal Care and Service Resumes
Public Relations and Media Relations Resumes
Real Estate Resumes
Restaurant and Food Service Resumes
Retail Resumes
Sales Resumes
Sports and Recreation Resumes
Supply Chain Resumes
Telecommunications Resumes
Transportation and Warehousing Resumes
However, I do recommend reaching out to another resume writer with expertise in the following industries and areas: (My top recommended experts for each are linked)
International Resumes/CVs (India, Middle East, Africa, Europe, UK, and Australia)
If you plan to build and leverage a network in a particular field or industry to try and "bypass" online applications, I'd be happy to reach out to my network and see if anyone I'm connected to in the career services industry would be a better fit for you.
What is your refund policy?
Refunds are not available for Resume Optimization Sessions, 12-point Resume Critiques, and the Resume Rescue Workshop since these are non-tangible goods that are digitally or vocally delivered.
Done-for-you Resume Services include revisions like any writing project, but your first draft may serve as a final document. Consequently, there are no refunds once your first drafts have been sent by email.
Do you make any guarantees?
I do not guarantee interviews, job offers, or any career outcomes. There are simply too many factors involved in the job search. Results will vary based on:
How proactive you are in the job search process
Whether or not you're applying for positions you are qualified for, and
If you use your resume, LinkedIn profile, cover letter, etc. as advised
I provide 2 rounds of revisions for accuracy and clarity as well as a personalized video to show you how to make minor revisions and adjust your new resume for each application with Done-for-you Resume Services. If you neglect to request revisions or stop communicating with me about your resume project, I’ll complete the project by sending your final documents.
If you return weeks or months later wanting revisions that alter the focus of the resume, purchasing an Express Rebranding Revision or New Job Target or Resume Refresh Revision through the Client Portal will be necessary.
Government Resume Services
This is my first federal job search. What information will I need to provide that is typically not included on a corporate resume?
First, make sure you are eligible and qualified for the job before you apply. For example, some jobs are only available to current or previous federal employees.
Read the This job is open to section of the job announcement carefully.
Your federal resume must include specific compliance details that are typically not found on a corporate resume including:
Each employer's address,
Your supervisor's name and contact information as well as whether or not they may be contacted,
The number of hours you worked per week, and
The series and grade if you were a federal employee
You will also need to provide specific, detailed examples that prove you can perform the tasks at the level required for the job. You must address every required qualification listed in the job announcement including details that support your answers to the Application Questionnaire.
Can’t I just use the USAJobs Resume Builder?
If you're creating a federal resume for the first time, using the USAJobs Resume Builder can help you make sure you include all of the required compliance details and organize all of the details needed for a federal resume correctly. However, HR Specialists have stated that the Resume Builder resumes are difficult to read on their end and prefer uploaded federal resumes.
Remember, HR Specialists will be reading your resume directly. A USAJobs-formatted resume should be a strong marketing document, not just a list of work history.
Having a federal resume designed by a Certified Professional Resume Writer and written for your specific job announcement can also save you a lot of time. While your federal resume's being written, you can focus on assembling the other elements needed for your application package.
What does GS stand for, and why does it affect the price of resume services?
The Federal Government categorizes jobs by series (groupings of similar occupations) and by pay grade. The General Schedule (GS) payscale is the most common.
The GS pay grade listed on your job announcement directly relates to the education level and experience required to qualify for that job. Since my pricing is based on your background and career goals, the GS pay grade determines the price of your resume.
Will my new resume work for every job I apply for?
No, government job requirements will be specific to the role and agency with no wiggle room for generalized resumes. Even though your federal resume is submitted online, it won't be seen by an Applicant Tracking System. It will be read by an HR Specialist at the agency who must determine if you are qualified based on very strict requirements. He or she will determine if you will be referred to a hiring authority to be considered for an interview.
Only the highest qualified applicants will be referred to a hiring authority!
To prove you are more than minimally qualified, your federal resume must demonstrate in detail your level of experience with the required Specialized Experience, KSAs (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities), and Competencies outlined in the job announcement.
You are unlikely to be ranked as best qualified and "Referred" to a hiring authority without a highly targeted federal resume that adequately showcases your KSAs and understanding of the agency's mission.
Whether you work with me through a Resume Optimization Session, Done-for-you Government Resume Services, or the Fix Your Federal Resume Course, you’ll get tools to help you target your resume for new opportunities as they arise and access to additional feedback on your resumes throughout your job search.
Done-for-you Government Resume clients also get access to various revision services through the Client Portal including:
Resume Optimization Session: Personalized video analyzing your job announcement and identifying strategies for targeting your government resume, delivered in 3 business days
New Job Target or Resume Refresh Revisions: Includes analysis of a job announcement, Best Qualified Questionnaire, and extensive revisions to the entire resume
LinkedIn Services
How does LinkedIn Plus work?
As an add-on service, you’ll receive a link to a short LinkedIn Questionnaire with your final documents after completing Done-for-you Resume Services. I’ll get started on your LinkedIn profile recommendations once I receive your answers.
Five business days* after receiving your LinkedIn Questionnaire, I'll provide a document with profile recommendations that you can either copy and paste directly into your profile if you have an existing LinkedIn profile or that I'll use to create your profile on your behalf if you don't have an existing profile once the recommended content is approved.
*If you're unable to complete the LinkedIn Questionnaire within two weeks of receiving your final documents, your profile recommendations will be ready for review in 10 business days subject to my availability.
As a standalone service, LinkedIn Plus follows a similar process and pricing structure as Done-for-you Resume Services—starting with an Are We A Good Fit Quiz & Introduce Yourself Form with a resume upload option on my website. The Introduce Yourself Form will also give me a better idea of where you are at in your career and job search.
A $149 non-refundable deposit will be collected, and I'll prepare a Targeting Analysis outlining areas for improvement to better target your LinkedIn profile using your resume as the foundation for our work together and the additional information I'll need before I can start your resume project. I'll collect this additional information from you with a Work History Examples Worksheet.
If the information I request isn’t provided within the requested deadline, your LinkedIn project may be placed on a waiting list.
Unless I need to fill in any information gaps, I'll collect the remaining balance and get started on your profile content recommendations. First drafts are ready for review by email in 5 business days.
Why can't you just log in and make changes to my profile?
Due to LinkedIn's Terms of Use and liability concerns, I won't log in on your behalf or access your existing profile.
This would risk the suspension of both of our accounts.
What does LinkedIn Plus include?
I'll provide a document with profile recommendations that you can either copy and paste directly into your profile if you have an existing LinkedIn profile or that I'll use to create your profile on your behalf if you don't have a profile yet once the content is approved.
I create a keyword-optimized Headline and Summary/About, Experience, Certifications, and Education sections for your profile. I'll boost your profile with any relevant additional sections like Courses, Projects, Honors & Awards, etc. I also conduct in-depth keyword research to recommend strategic removals and up to 50 additions to your Skills section. Ultimately, I focus on targeting your profile to position you as the best fit for the job you want.
My approach to optimizing LinkedIn profiles will improve your visibility in search results and LinkedIn's Intelligent Hiring Experience, attract the right profile views, tell your unique story, and showcase your personal brand.
Do I need a LinkedIn profile?
Hiring processes and trends are constantly evolving. Industry experts and even 48% of recruiters and hiring managers anticipate that artificial intelligence and automation will replace many aspects of the hiring process in the foreseeable future. In other words, resumes may be completely replaced with online profiles in the next 5-10 years.
LinkedIn is already using artificial intelligence and automation with their Intelligent Hiring Experience. Profiles are instantly recommended to employers even before a job has been posted publically. Depending on how keyword-optimized and targeted your profile is, this platform can either help automate your job search or lower your chances of getting the job you want.
The longer you wait to embrace these changes, the further behind other job seekers you will be. This may not affect you now, but it will if you anticipate starting a job search in the future.
For these reasons, I recommend creating a LinkedIn profile and familiarizing yourself with LinkedIn’s features to all clients.
I think my profile is fine, but what else should I be doing on LinkedIn?
LinkedIn is an amazing tool. My clients have landed interviews in a matter of days and job offers in 60 days, 30 days, and as few as 2 weeks after working with me—but these clients aren’t relying on online job applications alone. They replaced the hours spent scrolling through job boards like Indeed and applying for jobs online with a multi-strategy job search plan.
Combining networking, personal branding, employer targeting, recruiter outreach, applying, and following up gets your foot in the door at the companies you’d love to work for. You can utilize any and all of these job search strategies from the comfort of your own home using LinkedIn for less than 20 minutes a day.
I created the LinkedIn WORKS! course as a step-by-step job search plan and 3-part framework that can put your career growth on autopilot with small, simple networking actions that become habits without you even realize it. By the end of this course, you’ll learn how to build and cultivate a support system of must-know people in your targeted field or industry ready to refer you to “great fit” opportunities at a moment’s notice.
Additional Services
I worked with you before. What if I need to update my resume?
When it's time to add new work history to your resume, you can purchase a Resume Update for $99 from the Client Portal. Simply click the "Resume Updates" button and provide the information requested for a Resume Update. Once your payment has been processed, your updated resume will be ready for review in 5 business days.
I worked with you before. What if I am changing careers?
I would be happy to help you pivot in your career!
I offer Resume Optimization Sessions. You can purchase and receive a personalized video in 3 business days where I show you how to analyze a job posting and rework both your resume and a cover letter to position you as the best fit for the job.
I also offer Revision Services for New Job Targets and Resume Refreshes, restarting my process to rework the focus of your resume for other job targets. Revisions are ready for review in 7 business days after analyzing up to three job postings and approving additional information collected from a Work History Examples Worksheet (or Best Qualified Questionnaire for government job targets).
Just click the "Resume Updates" button from the Client Portal to get started.
I worked with you before. What if I want to purchase additional services like additional cover letters or LinkedIn Plus?
Have you visited the Client Portal yet?
From the Client Portal, you can:
Buy additional services at a discounted rate
Quickly request updates to your resume
Get first-glance details about new products and services, and
Find free tools and resources for job seekers
What would you like to do?
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Get Clarity
Working with a trusted Career Exploration and Transition Coach first is recommended if you don’t know what you want to do next or have a clear direction for your job search.
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Work With Steph
Let’s work together to create a resume that gets through ATS and in front of hiring decision-makers by presenting you as the best fit for the job that you want.
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Explore Services
A strong LinkedIn profile can attract profile views, connections, messages, and introductions that move you forward in your career faster than your resume alone.