How long does it take to complete a service package?
Our services can be completed in as little as a week and up to 4 weeks. Our service delivery timeline depends primarily on your needs and availability. With every client, we set a clear timeline and expectations upfront with no hidden cost for each service package.
We offer rush service for a fee and is based on the availability of our writing staff. Please reach out to us directly to inquire.
Do we need to meet?
All of our Next Steps Career Coaching and Interview Preparation meetings are face-to-face and typically conducted online via video chat. This allows us to talk in real-time, address your questions fully, and share our screen to walk you through your resume and various job search tools. We always meet with you after we have worked on the resume. Doing so allows us to gain a good understanding of your background and hopefully the questions we ask you help you think through next steps as well.
Do you write federal resumes?
The Obama administration made a push to transform federal hiring to be more like the private sector. One of the big changes included the acceptance of industry style resumes, so long as they address each of the requirements of the posting, by federal hiring offices.
This is not government-wide though. There are still offices that require a "federal style" resume which is typically 4 to 8 pages long, written in narrative (paragraph) format, and provide comprehensive details of every employment position focusing on responbilities and duties and less on outcome and achievements. We do not write these types of resumes.
We focus only on industry-style resumes which are seldom longer than two pages, focuses on select accomplishments and core competencies, and incorporates the use of bullets for quick scanning. If you are in need of an old "federal style" resume, we can recommend a few firms to you. Here are a few links that will provide more background and context on the shift from federal style to industry style within the federal government:
https://www.fedsmith.com/2011/03/21/no-more-ksas-how-federal-job/
https://www.dhs.gov/homeland-security-careers/tips-writing-federal-resume
https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/faq/application/documents/resume/what-to-include/
Will I be able to edit my resume in the future as my career progresses?
Yes and we encourage you to do so. Your resume will always be delivered in the latest Microsoft Word format as well as Adobe PDF. Additionally, we store your resume in our database in case you need a copy in the future. Every document we work on is your property and as such, you are free to do with it as you please. We also offer resume updates for previous clients for a small fee.
Do you have group rates?
While we find it most effective to work one-on-one, we have conducted coaching sessions in a group setting in the past. Please contact us to discuss.