Work from Home as a Virtually Perfect Résumé Writer

Résumé writing is an ideal “virtual” service that can be conducted as a work from home business.

A “virtual” business or service is one conducted via the Internet, email, fax, snail mail, phone – however you prefer other than face-to-face. When using the right techniques, résumé writing fits perfectly within this description.

Résumé writing is perfect for those wanting to operate a home-based, virtual business and can seem like an easy option. You can use a computer, you know how to lay out a document and can spell, therefore you can write a résumé. True, you can. But if you want to start your own business writing high-quality, professional résumés – and if you want to do it without even meeting your clients - then there are a few points to take note of.

When Starting a Small Business, Always Get Professional Help and Advice

Firstly, you need to consider that this is, after all, a business and it is essential you gain a strong understanding of how to start a business.

Identify a home-based business resource or small business consultant or support group who can give you business planning assistance and guidance in researching, formulating and writing a business and marketing plan.

Don’t ever be afraid to ask for help or even ongoing support – after all, you want to be sure your new and exciting venture will be one of the 20% small business success stories and not one of the 80% that fold within the first few years.

How Do You Operate As a “Virtual” or “Online” Résumé Writer?

Once again there is a “firstly”. Firstly, you need to have developed computer skills, particularly in MS Word and in an email program, good spelling and grammatical skills and a solid understanding of sentence construction, a willingness to think outside the square and a passion to work with your clients to achieve the best possible result.

When working “virtually”, the questionnaire – the document you provide your client to answer and return to you – is the most critical point in the process. This document must ask the right kind of questions to prompt the client’s memory and to challenge him or her to think about themselves and their career, or personal, history differently.

The questionnaire must not only extract information on duties performed, it must also dig out actual achievements including facts and figures and the why and how behind each of these achievements. It is not good enough to state on a résumé merely the duties performed, or even that the client had boosted sales by 50%. How they boosted sales and if there were any challenging circumstances in achieving that result must also be included.

Questions such as these will prompt a client to think beyond the obvious:

1. Tell me about your communication skills and give examples of when they made a difference:

2. Tell me about successful presentations you have made:

3. List your achievements in this position considering – problems you have solved – contributions and impact you have made – awards and recognitions:

4. How did your performance compare to others in a similar position?:

Particular questions such as question 3 will bring out a wide array of information to be worked into both the résumés and cover letters.

But it is not just the cold hard facts that need to be captured on paper. Even more than the résumé, the cover letter is the first point of contact and MUST reflect the job seekers suitability for the role, and also reflect his or her personality, passion and work ethos.

But how can you write a document that captures the essence of the individual when you haven’t even met with that person. Once again – it is all in the questionnaire.

By asking questions such as these below you can find out so much about the person that can then be translated into a letter with a strong depth of character and ringing with enthusiasm:

1. What is it about this position that attracts you?:

2. Why do you wish to work for this company?:

3. What special skills or attributes do you bring to this role?:

4. Use single words or short sentences to describe YOU:

5. Describe your work ethic:

6. What do you really love about your work?:

From this information you can gain a wonderful perspective of the client. Then don’t be afraid to directly use what they have said themselves (often just tidying up the grammar). By, wherever possible, keeping the client’s own words you will be more perfectly capturing the essence of the person.

Always remember, when writing the cover letter it must reflect the person and the role. A trade or labouring position will not use the same tone, or words, or even font and layout that you would use for an accountant or a CEO. By using some of the individual’s words you can further enhance the authenticity and individuality of the application.

So, if a client ever asks you to make up a résumé for them – BTW, you must always insist on writing the cover letter also to achieve a more professional flow – then you can let them know with confidence that there is no need for them to make an appointment and waste time and money travelling to see you – they can do it all from the comfort of their own home, at their own pace.

Working in this way also has the advantage of prompting clients for information in a situation where they will most likely have the answers, and the time to break and go and find and look up the information you need. This makes the process much less stressful and more efficient.

And of course there are the added benefits to you:

■ You can work as it suits you.

■ You can give better service by maximising your time on the actual compilation of the documents.

■ As a home-based business mum you can work around your children and school and activity hours.

■ You don’t have to confine yourself to your immediate area but can work for clients around the world.

And with the resources available with professional organisations such as the Association of Online Résumé and Career Professionals (AORCP), Career Directors International (CDI) and others, when it comes to résumé writing, the world’s your oyster.

Article Source: http://www.therepozitory.com.au

Beverley Neil is the owner of d’Scriptive Words, a freelance writing business. She has dual international résumé accreditation, is a multiple award winning résumé writer and author of the online resume writer’s course suitable for both beginners wanting to learn professional resume writing and individuals wanting to write for themselves, friends and family. For more information visit onlineresumewriterscourse.com/

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