Tips from the Pros

Dan Cahn

Founder, WorkLife Solutions, Inc.

When the economy is tight and there are more applicants than positions, job seekers may be tempted to purchase services, such as resume writing, interview training, or resume blasting, to help them land the job. These services can be an invaluable addition to your job search, but you should do some homework before investing in them. Otherwise, you could wind up with an offer that really is too good to be true. Before spending money on a service, answer the following questions.

·          Is the service offered by a reputable Web site? Are credible testimonials provided?

·          Will the service increase your chances of finding a job? Job seekers are often better served by networking and targeting specific companies.

·          What guarantee, if any, does the site offer? Will they refund your money or provide additional services if you don’t find a job in a specific time period?

People pay lawyers, accountants, and financial advisors, but seldom invest in personal career professionals. The return on that investment, if it is made wisely, can be lifelong.

Dan Cahn is a 20+ year career expert, former employment and training federal executive, a founder of Projects to Assist Employment, a partner in Mainstream Access, Inc., and a founder of WorkLife Solutions, Inc., a 10-year-old online career development organization.

© 2002. Used with permission of the author.