In the evolving landscape of the job market in 2024, the competition has reached unprecedented levels, rendering it tough and cutthroat. The days are gone when you could simply wing your resume, and that would land you a pretty good position.
Nowadays, employers seek candidates who not only possess the required skills and qualifications but also demonstrate exceptional adaptability, creativity, and innovation.
In this fiercely competitive environment, job seekers have to meticulously craft their resumes and employ strategic approaches to stand out from the crowd and secure their desired roles.
If your job hunt isn’t going as expected and your enthusiasm is waning, you’ve likely contemplated revising your resume.
You may have come across numerous advertisements for “free” resume builders promising to refine your resume, enhancing its effectiveness and increasing its chances of grabbing recruiters’ attention.
You spend hours adding all of your information to the supposedly free ready-made templates only to get sucker-punched by a PAYWALL.
In marketing, this tactic is often referred to as a “bait-and-switch.” It involves enticing someone with the promise of something free, like a free trial or download.
Then, after you’ve spent time filling out all your information or using the product, you’re hit with a surprise:
You have to pay for a recurring subscription to continue using it.
What makes it even worse is that some resume builders display a low teaser rate prominently on their checkout page, but bury the actual pricing details in small, hard-to-read text.
If this isn’t enough to steer clear of resume builders, here’s a couple more reasons why you should opt for an expert, industry-specific resume writer instead of a resume builder app:
1. With a resume builder, you’ll get a generic, ineffective resume template that’s probably NOT optimized for ATS.
When it comes to building their resume, many job seekers aren’t aware of what an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is or how it works. As a result, they might follow the wrong piece of advice and make a resume that an ATS would reject.
Even people aware of how an ATS works may unwittingly make mistakes. When asked, they might explain that they used a certain format to hide a gap or red flag and “I can explain it out in an interview!” The problem with this approach is that you need to pass through the ATS filters first.
According to a recent study done by Jobscan, almost 98% of Fortune 500 companies use ATS, and small businesses are following suit. It’s easy to understand why!
If software can sift through hundreds of resumes and give you a short list of candidates who meet a list of requirements, your job as a hiring manager gets easier! But most ATS aren’t smart enough to make final decisions because ultimately, it’s software. There’s no replacing human judgment in a hiring process. That said, it is effective in doing its job of weeding out poor-quality candidates by using a programmed filter.
The big problem with most resume builders is that they offer lots of different resume designs that don’t work well with hiring software. Many of these templates use things like text boxes, images, and columns that confuse Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). While they might make things easier for the people who make the software, they don’t really help job-seekers get interviews.
On the other hand, a resume-writing expert is well-versed in a variety of Applicant-Tracking Systems and common ATS-related errors.
One of the most common ATS-related errors that job seekers fall victim to is style-related. It is important to remember that hiring managers have certain style expectations from resumes and LinkedIn profiles.
Recruiters want to see information presented in reverse chronological order, dates for each experience, job titles, and company names shared, and a clear division of information. These base rules make it easier for them to digest information rapidly. However, for various reasons, job seekers may not opt for the usual structure. This can be to stand out from the crowd or to disguise a gap. While there’s nothing wrong with either goal, the issue arises when candidates go too far off the prairie.
Another style-related error is choosing two-column formats. While these formats look good in person, there is a high probability that the ATS system will run into errors when it scans the document. The problem is that the software is programmed to read things from left to right. It can’t tell where a column/sentence starts and ends because isn’t programmed to do that! So, there’s a high chance of the system messing up sentences when it scans the document.
Finally, using functional-style resumes can create problems because ATS is programmed to read “traditional” resumes that have neatly labeled experience sections that go from newest experiences to oldest, dates and all. When an ATS comes across a functional resume, it might pick up the wrong information and automatically fill it in. For example, if “Project Management Skills” is a given heading, the ATS might pick that up as a job title or company name and leave other important fields blank!
2. Resumes generated by resume builders lack personalization and targeting tailored to your specific industry.
When it comes to job hunting, everyone’s situation is different. There’s no one-size-fits-all resume, and there’s no one-size-fits-all way to apply for jobs.
Your strengths and weaknesses are distinctive. Unlike AI resume builders, professionals can offer nuanced advice tailored to your needs. When you engage with resume-writing services and industry-specific experts, your objectives and goals are prioritized.
By understanding your unique situation and what type of roles you’re aiming for, a professional resume writer will design a customized resume, cover letter, and LinkedIn profile to effectively advance your career aspirations.
And, in order to do so, a professional resume writer will ensure your resume is tailored to the industry and role you’re aiming for.
For a good resume to make a mark on its audience, it should address the primary employer requirements. These requirements are shared by the hiring managers in detail in the job descriptions. When you hire one of our professional resume writers, they’ll make sure:
- Your resume has keywords that speak to the industry/employer’s needs. These consist of hard/soft skills, technical tools and methodologies, and industry-specific processes that determine the core role requirements.
- Your resume follows the reverse chronological format. This is because most industries are evolving at a rapid stage, where tools and skills become outdated very quickly.
- Your resume addresses red flags clearly. Employment gaps should be explained or covered, transferable skills should be included for industry transitions and any lack of a formal college degree, demotions, over qualifications, or foreign experience should be addressed.
- Your resume uses industry and job-level-specific action verbs.
3. A resume builder will offer you only 20% of what you need.
Let’s say you actually end up liking the resume that a resume builder made for you. Merely having a resume puts you at about 20% of the way toward securing a new job. However, what about the importance of cover letters and your LinkedIn profile?
The primary focus of resume builders is on resumes. While certain platforms might offer cover letter templates and tools — creative input and decision-making still fall squarely on your shoulders to combine all components effectively.
On the other hand, a professional resume and career coaching service will be able to integrate your accomplishments into your resume, cover letter, and LinkedIn…
…giving you a well-rounded application every time you apply for a job!
A cover letter is a great way to:
- three-dimensionalize your candidacy.
- highlight your personality and show how your soft skills can help you succeed in the role you’re applying for.
- showcase your passion for the job or the industry.
I’d strongly recommend including a cover letter in every job application because it highlights that you went the extra mile compared to the candidates you’re applying against.
Additionally, LinkedIn can be your greatest asset…or your worst enemy especially when your profile isn’t doing you justice.
Ninety-four percent of recruiters use social media to find high-quality candidates, and 54% of employers REJECT candidates based on content found on their social networking profiles.
Conclusion
The job market of 2024 demands more than a cookie-cutter resume; it requires a strategic and personalized approach to stand out. While even the best resume builders offer convenience, they often fall short in providing tailored solutions that address the evolving needs of employers and the complexities of ATS.
Instead, turning to industry-specific professionals for resume writing services ensures that your application materials are finely tuned to your unique strengths and aspirations. This maximizes your chances of success in securing your desired role.
However, if you’re STILL considering using a resume builder, why not leverage the resources available here?
Add your email in the box below, use my free resume templates provided, AND tap into the expertise of my exclusive ChatGPT scripts to guide you through the resume-building process.
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With these tools at your disposal, you can craft a standout, personalized resume that truly reflects your capabilities and ambitions!
