How Did You Do It?

I’ve been in Paris this weekend, folks, celebrating my birthday. So, yeah, it’s a little bit self-indulgent, but I guess I’m going to be upfront with you and tell you that sometimes even I need a little break from finding so many $100k+ jobs for everybody!

But what I’m thinking about this Monday morning is making you successful in your job hunt. Because, you know, a bunch of you write in to me and ask "Hey Marc, how do I get really great success on TheLadders.com?"

And I write back and tell the truth, even though a lot of folks are resistant to hearing it. The second best piece of job-hunting advice I can give you (after signing up for TheLadders.com) is this:

Get your resume professionally written.

Now, I know you’re going to say "isn’t that expensive?" and "I can write" and "I have MS Word, so it’s no problem for me to make a fancy resume myself."

What can I say folks, it’s just not true that the best person to write your resume is you. False! Falsch! Faux!

So I know, I know. You’re a skeptical consumer just like I am. Well, why don’t I have you read some of the thousands of, literally unsolicited, comments we received from five of your fellow subscribers…

After working for General Electric for 8.5 years and multiple roles, I took a reduction in force layoff due to downsizing of the company. In my search, TheLadders.com identified a resume writer who re-wrote my resume and after 4 months a recruiter from the site got me interviews with Amec.

After two months of interviews, a position was offered and accepted. This is the only site I would recommend for professionals looking for $100k+ jobs.

Christopher Hutson
Atlanta, GA

I signed up about a year ago and initially had very little success. I then decided to have my resume and bio professionally done through TheLadders.com and interest picked up immediately. I applied to my new job on a Friday, had an interview the next Friday and an offer the following Tuesday. At the time of my offer I was interviewing for 3 other positions all found through TheLadders.com - a great site that did its job!

Remember, be patient and search opportunities regularly (I did, twice a week). My best piece of advice would be to get your resume professionally reviewed and revised if necessary. I was skeptical at first, but I had 409 searches and 62 reviews since updating mine. Keep up the good work!

Kevin Wilson
Dacula, GA

When I first signed up for TheLadders.com, I was looking for key sales positions with top companies. At first I was inundated with jobs, however, most were not applicable to my skill sets and background. I sent in my resume to one of the resume analysts on TheLadders.com and she gave a very in-depth critique.

I applied a lot of her suggestions and began to focus and hone in on what I really wanted and what jobs would make a good match for me. I edited my job alerts and began to get responses from my updated resume. Today, 4 months after signing on with TheLadders.com, I received an offer from A.M. Best. I recommend this site highly not just for great jobs, but also for education and a little bit of humor from the CEO, Marc.

Chris Girandola
Allentown, NJ

I was very dissatisfied with my current employer, although I was making very good money, and had achieved 140% of my sales quota; I was less than thrilled with the direction that the company was going. First, and most importantly, I invested in TheLadders.com’s services of Alesia Benedict to write a professional resume. This was the best investment that I have ever made. Believe me it works!!!

As I was somewhat satisfied with my current position I was very picky about whom I would consider talking with about a new career. I began sending resumes out on TheLadders.com on a Wednesday and I was amazed that by that Monday afternoon I was contacted by 2 world class companies, and had phone interviews scheduled for later in the week. All in all, I received multiple offers within 3 weeks of working with TheLadders.com team and accepted a $250k job!

Troy Smith
Coppell, TX

Within 5 weeks of having my resume professionally critiqued and re-done I received two offers; ultimately accepting a $210k/yr position with a public Fortune 500 software company. The tools and services available from the TheLadders.com are no joke and SECOND TO NONE! The minimal cost associated with them cannot compare with the ROI. I spent roughly $700 over 6 weeks and have a new job, six figure base salary and 110% bonus/commission structure. If only you could invest in a stock that returned as such!!! Invest in yourself, you’ll be AMAZED.

James Siegel
Kenosha, WI

Well congratulations, Christopher, Kevin, Chris, Troy and James!

Fair or not, it seems that recruiters judge a book by its cover. It’s time to make your resume stand out!