Frequently Asked Questions
Your resume acts as your representative to potential employers. It should be distinct, influential, and skillfully styled to provide a memorable first impression. Today's career documents need to be keyword and content rich to make it through both electronic and personal scanning methods. To ensure you are selected for an interview you want to make an instant and lasting impression with a strong career document package that effectively showcases your strengths and value.
Partner with Adrienne Tom, Chief Resume Strategist, for a personalized career document solution.
Adrienne, what specialized services do you offer?
The focus of my work, and my passion, revolves around the creation of various executive-level career documents, including resumes, biographies, cover letters, LinkedIn profile content, and board resumes. All of my service packages include a customized resume, written exclusively for you by me.
My services are highly custom and high touch, and I work closely with every client to identify their value and position them powerfully 'on paper'.
Some of my packages include LinkedIn profile development, cover letter creation, resume distribution, and/or thank-you letters.
In addition, I provide resources and guides to help you learn current job search strategies and keep your resume up-to-date, increasing the success of your new career documents.
What is your process?
Service Selection and Booking: To start, select a package and inquire about my strategy session availabilities, which are 60 minutes in length. Once you have selected an appointment time that works best for you, I will hold the appointment space for you (for up to 24 hours) and provide you with an electronic invoice. A 50% deposit is required to secure services.
Worksheet Exploration: Once the deposit is finalized, you will receive a Career and Branding Exploration Worksheet for completion. The worksheet is a requirement for service, and it must be returned at least 7 days before your strategy session time.
Although detailed, this worksheet will ensure you capture all basic career details and allow you to brainstorm relevant results and achievements. It's a good idea to schedule several hours to complete the worksheet. Late worksheets may delay services.
Strategy Session: The strategy session is designed to further expand upon the information in your worksheet, gather additional content, and zero in on your unique offerings. Each session lasts up to 60 minutes. Any remaining fees must be finalized before the strategy session commences.
Document Preparation: After the consultation, I will design your customized career documents and provide them via email for review within seven (7) days. You are allowed two (2) sets of revisions within 14 days of service commencement (time of consult).
All final copies are supplied after 14 days of service commencement via email, in Word, PDF, and ATS-friendly versions (if needed). Additional modifications or consultations will incur extra costs.
What is an Award of Excellence?
An Award of Excellence is a distinctly Canadian award that recognizes outstanding work by Canadian resume writers and career professionals in the industry. Only 10 to 12 awards are presented by Career Professionals of Canada each year. I am honoured to have received over 20 Awards of Excellence.
What if I am struggling to complete the Career and Branding Exploration Worksheet?
This comprehensive worksheet will require you to capture your relevant career history, skill sets, education, and volunteer work, with a heavy focus on notable achievements and measurements.
Although great detail is not required, do your very best to address every question. Capturing the basics upfront will save time during the strategy session, allowing you to focus on your value and personal strengths.
If you are struggling to answer any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me for guidance before the deadline.
What is the difference between a CV and a resume?
In North America, a resume is a succinct and targeted marketing tool to secure industry employment.
A CV (curriculum vitae) is a more comprehensive document primarily used to apply for academic, education, research, or scientific roles.
I do not write CVs, only resumes.
Can you guarantee that I will get a job by using your service?
No reputable resume writing or interview service can guarantee that you will secure a job offer -- there are too many variables in the job application process.
What I can guarantee is my personal investment, commitment to the outlined processes, and your satisfaction.
What sets you apart from other resume writers?
I work hard to stay on top of current resume and job search trends as a Canadian and US executive resume writer.
As a testament to my commitment to this practice and industry, I have received numerous national and international resume-writing recognitions. I was also named a LinkedIn Top Voice in Job Search & Careers, and my resumes have been published in 7 different books.
Leveraging over 15 years in the career services industry, a Bachelor of Arts degree in English, multiple certifications, major media mentions, and my contract work with LinkedIn, I stand apart as one of the select few in Canada with this level of expertise.
Many resume writers provide career documents and leave you trying to figure out the rest. Yet resumes and cover letters must be combined with effective job search strategies to increase success. As an employment strategist, I provide access to comprehensive job search resources to help you conduct a modern-day job search in less time and with less stress.
How can I complete payment?
A customized electronic invoice will be supplied with a link to finalize payment online. All major credit cards are accepted. A PayPal account is not required. Alternatively, you can complete payment via transfer.
A 50% deposit is required to hold your appointment and secure services. All remaining fees must be paid in full before the strategy session.
What is a TORI Award?
The Toast of the Resume Industry (TORI) Award is one of the industry’s top honours for resume writers. An international award from Career Directors International, it recognizes elite resume writers for excellence in resume writing. The TORI award standards are rigorous and highly competitive. It is with great pleasure that I have secured 6 TORI Awards to date for my exceptional professional and executive resume writing.
Is a cover letter required with every application?
It depends!
Some hiring personnel read cover letters, and some do not.
Often, job seekers underestimate the value of a carefully branded cover letter that complements and supports the resume. If well-written, the letter stands a better chance of getting noticed and read. Additionally, it can enhance your application and candidacy.
Also, if you do not submit a cover letter and a recruiter or employer was expecting one, you could find yourself at a disadvantage.
What is the value of a well-written resume and cover letter?
The value of a well-written resume and cover letter can be priceless.
Did you know that the average job search lasts 5+ months? It may take even longer for higher-level roles or specialized positions.
Imagine the loss of income and resources during a lengthy search, which can be significantly reduced with a properly formatted and high-impact career application package.
Investing in professional resume writing could drastically reduce time and potential lost income. Many of my clients have gone on to secure even better, higher-paid positions.
Finally, keep in mind that employers are typically overwhelmed with job applications. You must make yours stand out to get noticed, especially in the age of AI, where too many people are leaning on these tools to create applications, often backfiring.
Why is there often a wait for assistance?
Focused on quality instead of quantity, I carry a limited client load, devoting time and attention to a select group of clients at any given time.
There are many other 'shops' that can produce generic and fast resumes; I do not.
My unique offerings and select level of service mean there is sometimes a wait of several weeks.
I work best with proactive and forward-thinking professionals planning for their next big move *before* they need it. If your needs are urgent, certainly let me know; accelerated service may be available at an additional cost.
If I'm unable to assist, I'm always happy to provide recommendations to other trusted resume writers in my network.
Do you write resumes for all occupations and career levels?
Trained to write eye-catching and interview-winning resumes for all occupations, industries, and career levels (except the legal industry), I have chosen to specialize in resume-writing for forward-thinking business leaders, executives, and senior-level professionals (VP, Directors, and Managers).
I partner best with top professionals with clearly defined job goals and role targets.
If you are not a senior-level professional and think the services at Career Impressions are still a good fit for you, please contact me to discuss.
What is the Job Search Support Pack?
Created in collaboration with Job Search Journey, this comprehensive resource kit includes a wealth of scripts, worksheets, videos, and articles to help you with various stages of your search.
Learn how to:
- Build a target company list
- Explore the hidden job market
- Conduct informational interviews
- Network with select scripts
- Prepare for an interview
- Get engaged on LinkedIn
- Negotiate your salary
- Ask for a raise, when the time is right
- Prepare your exit statement
If you order a package through Career Impressions that includes this pack, you will be granted access upon document completion.
Job search made easier.
What if I need to reschedule a confirmed appointment?
Appointments can be rescheduled 24 hours in advance and are subject to availability. If you choose to reschedule your appointment with less than 24 hours' notice, a surcharge will apply. All services are non-refundable.
If you have not yet finalized your worksheet and need to reschedule, the completed worksheet will be required before another appointment space can be secured.
Why is a LinkedIn profile needed?
LinkedIn is the top social networking website for job seekers. With 500 million registered users, LinkedIn allows you to leverage the power of your network - the people you know, and the people those people know - to help you connect to the person (or people) who are in a position to offer you a job.
You need a solid LinkedIn profile page because employers and recruiters regularly engage through LinkedIn to search, vet, or evaluate candidates passively. You want to ensure your profile is fully complete and on-brand.
I offer customized LinkedIn profile writing services, but clients are responsible for setting up, populating, and managing their own online accounts. I do not access other people's accounts as it is against LI's terms.
Hired by LinkedIn in the past to author ongoing articles on job search topics, I have also been named one of the Top 15 Job Search Experts to follow on LinkedIn two years in a row and a LinkedIn Top Voice.
I know what it takes to get noticed on the platform and how to leverage the platform to increase visibility and opportunities.
As part of my services that include LinkedIn profile creation, I share meaningful insights and resources to help you effectively navigate the site and increase your visibility!
What is ATS?
ATS stands for Automated Tracking System or Applicant Tracking System, which is an electronic application system that most major employers use to accept, store, and search for job applications.
If you apply for a job online, there is a good chance that your resume will go through an ATS.
Resumes submitted through applicant tracking systems may be stored for a period of time and/or searched for keywords that match available job openings.
I recommend researching how ATS works and ensuring you use a resume with targeted content and keywords when applying for online postings.
If we work together, I ensure you have an ATS-optimized resume file for online applications.
What are the benefits of resume distribution, and how does it work?
Resume distribution works for all types and levels of job seekers. My resume distribution service will help connect you with recruiters based on your location, salary requirements, industry, and desired position.
Most recruiters work nationally and may have well-aligned opportunities in other parts of the US or Canada. You can narrow your contacts to those who work in your industry or specialties of interest.
The number of recruiters reached for each distribution will vary based on your unique job search criteria, averaging 200-2000 contacts from a database with over 37,000 contacts.
All contact is made using your personal email address. This is a highly customized process. When the distribution is finalized, you will receive a spreadsheet with the names, addresses, and contact information for each recipient so you can follow up or track activities -- this in and of itself is worth the investment!