If you identified with any of these statements, rest assured that I have dealt successfully with all of these issues teaching resume workshops and working with clients online.  Please review my resume for an overview of my qualifications.

WHAT I OFFER YOU AS A PROFESSIONAL RESUME WRITER
First, just like Regina, I truly care about the work I do. I realize that resumes impact how my clients feel about themselves and their skills.  Resumes also have a dramatic impact on our standard of living based on the salaries we generate or loss of income we experience due to a weak resume that generates few or no interviews, or an extended job search--often without a paycheck.

Second, the resume strategies that I use integrate proven advertising techniques (how to direct and control the eye path, how to create content that sells) into the creation of resumes that really do stand out!  Clients report that their resumes get selected out of 400 to 2000+ resumes--and that they not only land the interview--they get hired!  Now that's a real feat!  

Third, by asking specific questions I've learned over the years through my training and under the direction of Regina, I can quickly obtain key data from clients that elevates their resumes, self-image and self-confidence by leaps and bounds.  For example, below is an example of how the system works with someone who oversees Global Telecommunications accounts.  Her old resume had this statement buried in a block of other uninteresting statements:  

Provide pre and post sales support for global accounts. 

When asked:  "What is the level of revenue generated from such accounts?  How many projects do you manage annually?"  She said, "I manage the XXX account with a current annual revenue plan of $84 million.  As the Global Service Installation Lead, last year I managed 525 projects; 200 new installations and 325 maintenance projects."  Compare the statement above to her new one below, along with the bolded subhead I used to start that section:

By knowing what questions to ask and then writing powerful content using my client's answers I am able to achieve a dramatic transformation between before and after resumes.  Then understanding how to direct and control the employer's/recruiter's eye path, I very carefully set up job titles and skill headings so that they stand out and quickly grab attention.  Once the entire resume is re-written I then go through it and pick out the most powerful statements in the resume that convey skills in 3-5 major areas (those employers will be most interested in based on each person's specific career goals) and use that to write the objective and summary of qualifications section.

Fourth, creating skill headings and subheadings that highlight the true skills clients have.  For example, I taught a resume workshop and I asked the group to underline skills in an Administrative Assistant ad, place all related skills together, and then create skill headings for each set of skills.  It was evident how much better I was at this than the average HR person.  Their skill headings were generic and weak.  For example, one of the skills requested in the ad was Create and Maintain PC Databases.  They came up with Computer Skills as a skill heading. My skill heading was PC/Database Administration.  Which skill heading conveys a stronger image and ability to work at a higher level as an Administrative Assistant? Which heading makes this person sound like he/she is worth a higher salary?

Working with this same group we analyzed an ad for a CEO/General Manager.  It listed these skills: 
   Human resources management, labor laws and union contract negotiation.  
   Oversee facility and employee expansion programs.  
   Supervising up to 200 staff in multi-site locations.  

The class came up with headings like HR Management.  My skill heading was: Multi-Division HR Management & Corporate Expansion Management.  Which heading will be most effective in grabbing this particular employer's attention? Landing more interviews?  Landing a higher salary?  

Lastly, when you've ordered my resume service you'll receive the Proven Resumes series free of charge ... clients find through the process of my writing their resume with them ... that they learn a tremendous amount about how to create a resume that elevates their image, ability to land more interviews and negotiate higher salaries.  This knowledge combined with the 350+pages in this book, results in clients  telling me that they have gained far more than the $150 or $250 spent for a new resume.  Clients report they now understand how to control not only their current job search but future job searches ... how to successfully apply for a greater range of jobs ... make a career move ... and market themselves more effectively on the job to achieve accelerated career growth and promotions. 

Once clients understand the strategies used to improve their resume ... they are able to combine and strengthen this knowledge by reading the Cover Letter portion of the free Proven Resumes series ... and create cover letters that increase interview rates 200% to 300% or more.  Clients report a similar response when needing to convert their resumes to electronic format.   By using the electronic resume section of the book ... many have reported generating a 200% to 500% increase in online hits to their resumes ... they feel like they finally know what they are doing online in their electronic job search.  Helping clients achieve this sense of personal power is always my goal and is what gives me renewed career satisfaction and success. 

This Works for All Industries and All Salary Levels
When I work with clients, I apply the same process whether it's for a retail clerk, secretary, manager, laborer, executive, or high-tech professional--although it is very individualized based on the questions I ask due to each person's unique set of skills, goals, and career.   First I need to understand what each person's career and salary goals are, then I review and analyze the job ads they send me to identify key skill requirements ... then based on all of this information I ask each client specific questions to pull answers from them that I use to rewrite the entire resume. 

Asking questions is probably the most important thing I do for clients ... since most of us feel stonewalled when it comes to writing our own resumes.  I bring a skilled, fresh perspective to the resume and combine it with strategies proven to grab attention, sell the person at their highest level, and insert key achievements that are unique to each client so that they shine ... the vast majority of resumes do none of this! 

The Process I Go Through to Write Resumes is Very Individualized
And Much Different That What Most Services Provide!
Many online resume services have you fill out a form and then write your resume based on that information.  The form is a list of generic questions that are not based on your particular career, salary goals, work history, education or special achievements.  Personally, I don't see how anyone could create the strongest resume possible without first reviewing this information and then beginning to ask specific questions.  That's why I like to receive your resume, 2-3 paragraphs describing your career and salary goals and 2-3 job ads that are representative of the types of jobs you want ... so that I can review this information ... and based on all of it ... begin asking you questions. 

Some large resume writing services charge $95.  That sounds like a great buy ... but if you've considered such a service--keep in mind that a good resume takes me a minimum of 2.5 hours and I have almost 10 years experience which has enabled me to work quickly.  Services charging $95 either have to be putting in only 30 minutes on each resume or they've hired writers that they pay $10 an hour ... many such writers have never written resumes or worked with job seekers---their primary qualification being a degree in journalism (I know because many have contacted me to see if I will hire them).  I do encourage you to check out other services, find out how many resumes each writer has written and ask for testimonials like those at the top of this site ... also ask for endorsements of that person's work from other career professionals ... if you click here you'll find lots of Regina's testimonials about the success of these strategies used by College Deans, Employment Security and Workforce Programs as well as what the Executive Director of the Professional Association of Resume Writers had to say after reading Proven Resumes: Strategies That Have Increased Salaries.

Format Tested in Hundreds of Workshops -- Generates More Interviews & Higher Salaries
The format we use has been tested extensively in workshops with Human Resource Managers, Employers and Job Seekers.  I've had workshop participants compare typical block summary sections to the summary and qualifications section I use ... the summary section I use always wins.  Same with the subheads I create and use with strong content descriptions versus typical block job descriptions or even bulleted job descriptions found in the average resume.  Weak or unrelated job titles always lose the vote when compared to the skill headings I create.  By testing each section of a resume and using feedback from HR Professionals, Employers and Job Seekers I've been able to create a resume format that is highly effective ... and has generated the testimonials scrolling at the top of this screen.  You'll find that there are very few resume writers that have trained by a Master Resume Writer that has written over a dozen resume books let alone tested the strategies they use.    

Put the Right Content in Your Resume!
Putting the right content and descriptions in your resume is critical to controlling and elevating your image, landing more interviews and higher salary offers. Here's a before example from a Web Content Manager overseeing a major web site:  

BEFORE STATEMENT:    

"Proven record as Web Content Manager who drives product positioning, product promotions and branding messages through a 950-page e-commerce site."

QUESTIONS:

1)  How much revenue does this website generate annually?  
2) How much have you helped increase website revenue and over what period of time did you accomplish this? 
3) How many visitors come to the site you manage each year?

NEW HEADING, SUBHEAD & STATEMENTS

WEB CONTENT MANAGER

Driving 100% Increase in Sales for Site Generating $200 Million Annually  
--Manage content, marketing, and positioning of retail products for a 950-page e-commerce site with annual revenues of $200 million.  
--Drive product positioning, product promotions and branding messages through this world class web site attracting over 144 million visitors annually.  
--Role as Web Content Manager has contributed to significant revenue growth which has exceeded a 100% increase in sales over the last 14 months.

As you can see, these statements say much more about the depth of her responsibility and link her image in a powerful way to the size of the company she works for, i.e. $200 million revenue and 144 million annual visitors!  Details like these are overlooked by 95%+ of all job seekers and inserting them in a resume makes a tremendous difference in building a strong image that lands more interviews and generates higher salary offers. 

How I Write Resumes By E-Mail
How Quickly I Can Complete Your Resume
Before I began writing resumes via the internet and e-mail, I received extensive training by Regina Pontow, Master Resume Writer who has spent 20+ years writing resumes with clients in person asking dozens of questions and then rewriting the entire resume with them. Working with Regina under time-pressure I learned how to create powerful resumes in an average of 2.5 hours. From those years of experience, I have learned the ability to quickly analyze the top skills needed for particular industries and market each individual's strongest traits and achievements to match the jobs and salary desired. I now apply the same skills working with resume clients by email.   You send your resume, I ask a lot of questions and use your answers to rewrite your resume.

I can complete the majority of resumes in 2.5 hours, which is completed in 3 to 8 business days via email correspondence, ($150 for $20,000 to $59,000 salary range) if the resume contains only 4-5 jobs.  Those that contain 6 to 8 or 10 jobs can take a bit longer to complete.  If you are concerned about how long it will take me and if the cost will be more than the $150 session, send me a short note to melissapontow@comcast.net with your resume and I'll give you an estimate of the time required and I may refer you back directly to Regina for her executive level ($250) resume writing session.  There are times when someone can have 6 or more positions in the resume but it doesn't take longer to complete - such as older experience that is good to list in order to show experience but doesn't need to be described in detail.  Again, send your resume with a short note and I'll be glad to provide you with feedback on cost and time estimates. 

Generally, I like to have 5 to 8 business days to complete your resume (see next paragraph if you need your resume more quickly). That includes sending your information to me and the first day my reviewing it and sending you initial questions.  I usually put you back on my schedule the day after you return answers.  Then I revise the first job in your resume and send it to you for review.  You return it and I put you back on my schedule the next day.  I then revise the rest of the body of your resume and send it to you for review.  You return your comments or changes and I put you back on my schedule for the next day.  Then I write the objective and summary section and send it to you as a final draft.  In this way we actively work together and you are able to let me know what you like or if there is some additional area of expertise you would like included or emphasized.  

If You Need Your Resume More Quickly
If you need your resume sooner than 5 to 8 business days, send me a note with your resume and let me check my schedule to see if I can fit you in.  I don't take rush jobs that I charge additional fees for because I won't bump existing clients who have already paid.  I don't feel it's fair or professional for me to put off a prior client's work for a day or two so that I can complete a job that I will be paid more for.  However, if you need the work done more quickly and I have time to do so without bumping anyone else, then I will let you know if I can meet your timeline.

The First Session / What I Need From You
1) $150 Entry to Mid-Management Resume Consultation  ($20,000 to $59,000 salary range)	Click To Purchase $150 service

If you are interested in the $250 Resume Consultation ($60,000 to $100,000+ salary range) 
please email me at melissapontow@comcast.net and I will forward your request to Regina Pontow, Master Resume Writer, author and owner of the site 
- or email Regina Pontow directly at r.pontow@provenresumes.com

2) e-mail me your resume as a Word attachment in .doc or .rtf format to melissapontow@comcast.net

3) e-mail me 2-3 paragraphs describing the types of positions you want along with a short description of your career and salary goals to melissapontow@comcast.net 

4) e-mail 2-3 ads for the types of positions you want (if in higher income brackets where positions aren't typically advertised please provide a recruiter's job description or an overview of what you feel employers will be looking for when hiring for the jobs you want).  Please copy and paste the information from the ads into the body of your email or into a Word document and email the ads to melissapontow@comcast.net

5) read the credit card authorization form and type in your name, address, city, state, zip and your email address certifying that you authorize the charge to your credit card, then save the file and attach it to an email to me at melissapontow@comcast.net.  If someone else is letting you use their card and it will be charged under their name, please have them read the credit card authorization and fill out the requested information and then send the file to me from their email address so that their email address is verified and associated with the approval.  

You Receive Your Resume By E-Mail and You Keep The Master File
Your completed resume will be sent to you as an email attachment that you can save to your hard disk or on a floppy disk which allows you to produce as many copies as you like.

Cover Letters and Electronic Resumes
Cover letters generally take me an additional 30 to 45 minutes to write (additional fee of $50).  As already mentioned, most clients find that after working with me on their resume and reading the cover letter portion of my Proven Resumes series that they are able to write powerful cover letters.

Some clients wish to have their resume converted into an electronic, plain text, ASCII format. Generally it takes me 45 minutes to 60 minutes (additional fee of $35 to $75) to convert the resume into an electronic format and to compile a comprehensive keyword summary list for the top and body of the resume. However, many clients find that by applying the strategies in the electronic resume section of my book, that they are able to successfully convert their own resumes to ASCII format!

If you still need more information on my qualifications, please visit my resume.

I look forward to working with you and helping you improve your resume!  Melissa Pontow,