What Is Your Success Rate?

If you are a career management professional and happen to offer professional résumé-writing services, perhaps you have heard this question before. And no, I am not talking about the standard FAQ “how much do you charge?" I am referring to this one:

“What is your success rate?”

As a job seeker looking for résumé-writing assistance, have you asked the above question of a résumé writer?

Here is a response I conjured up in my head that I have not (and would not) share with a prospect:

“My success rate is 99.9%.” 

In a private conversation with self, I then speculated that I would further be asked:

So what about the remaining .1% ?

To which I replied (imaginarily, of course):

“Oh, yes, that – that .1% represents an infinitesimal variable that exists in measuring success rate relevance, applicability and significance in a volatile, changeable, turbulent market.  It’s a new prototype for quality and excellence in the industry, you know – best practices and all.”

What a bunch of gobbledygook. The next time you think about asking a résumé writer about his or her success rate, perhaps you will receive more accurate (and verifiable) information if you ask a few of the questions shared below that may lead you to a résumé writer who is just right for you! Perhaps before you ask the standard questions about how much do you charge and what is your success rate, how about asking:

 ~ Tell me about your credentials.

 ~ What qualifies you to write a résumé?

 ~ What is it like to work with you on a résumé-writing project?

~ Please share with me some compelling reasons I should hire you to write my résumé versus Résumé X, Y or Z Writer.

~ Help me understand your approach to the résumé-writing process?

~ What will you need from me (client) to build a top-notch, knock ‘em dead résumé?

~ How long have you been writing résumés – days? months? years?

~ Are your résumés published and if so, where might I view your work?

~ What are your expectations of me with respect to the résumé-writing process?

~ Describe the types of clients who have used your résumé-writing services?

~ If I Google you, will your company name (or your name) show up on a Rip-off report?

~ What certifications, if any, do you hold?  

~ What type of product will you deliver?

~ Where can I find recommendations from people who have used your services who will attest to your work quality?  

~ How will we work together -- phone? face-to-face? private office? Skype? coffee house? – please clarify.

~ Will I complete forms and questionnaires or is that something you will do for me?

~ What is your turnaround time from start to finish?

~ What are your expectations of me with regard to fees and payment?

~ What might I expect from you?

~ What other questions should I be asking you?

Now, back to the “success rate” question. The success of your résumé – regardless of who writes it, or how talented they are, or how educated they are, or how credentialed they are, or what their fee is, or how published they are, or how famous they are online or off – ultimately rests with you and you alone – as the sole owner of it.

Your job search success lies in what you do with the résumé resource regardless of who crafts it for you. And it lies in what you choose to do to look for work. And it lies in what you do to start over. And what strategies you use to move forward with confidence and commitment. And what you do to build a strong and vibrant network that will sustain you through the highs and lows of today’s chaotic workplace. And what you are willing to sacrifice to get on down the road of life. And how much you are willing to learn and articulate about the product you and your value. The best résumé in the world will do nothing for you if you do nothing for it.  No action; no outcome, regardless of cost, regardless of success rate.

I remember when I first started in business and was advised that I needed to hire a firm to write a “little brochure” if I wanted to be “successful.” I was so naïve at the time that I paid close to $2,000.00 for a little brochure that did not bring me one piece of business. Imagine my surprise (and disappointment). So, I paid the bill and shelved the brochure when someone else advised me that I would need to spend more time on relationship-building than reviewing my four-figure brochure. Ouch! Turns out, that person was a wise one indeed, even though his words were not what I wanted to hear at the time. And to this day, I am grateful for his counsel in offering me one of the single best pieces of advice I have ever received.

The most successful clients I have ever met have not always been the most educated, or experienced, or gifted, or talented, or best-dressed or well-known, or best-looking or most beautiful, or most charismatic, or have the best résumé or the best business brochure. They have, though, consistently embodied many of the following traits and characteristics:  

inspired passionate energetic resilient resolute motivated determined persistent consistent driven tireless relationship-builder unflappable unstoppable tenacious focused committed disciplined ambitious flexible adaptable rejection-proof

Your professional résumé is a tool, and a resource that is waiting for you to take action to drive (and deliver) your very own remarkable career success rate. I wish you the very best of luck in doing so.

“The dictionary is the only place that success comes before work. Hard work is the price we must pay for success. I think you can accomplish anything if you're willing to pay the price.” ~ Vince Lombardi

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