Customer Reviews

Resume Magic, 4th Ed: Trade Secrets of a Professional Resume Writer (Resume Magic Trade Secrets of a Professional Resume Writer)

5 star:		(36)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I started a job hunt recently, and hadn't written a resume in the last 6 years or so. I had a good idea of how I wanted to present and market myself, but I didn't have all of the fine details filled in.

This book is extensive, but well labeled. Start reading at the beginning, and every subject points you to the chapter with more information on that subject. Kind of like hyperlinks. That way you can look through at the major headings and pick and choose what you don't already know.

I took a prioritized approach, because I was in a little bit of a hurry. I took the resume section, picked a format based on my experience, then wrote a draft. From there, I went back and picked through the writing sections to make sure that I was on the right track. If you've read the examples, and the "before and after" sections, you'll probably have a good idea already what the big picture is. From then I went on to the section on cover letters and online job searching.

There are sections on virtually every subject of resume and cover letter writing, gathering references, job searching and interview preparation. Everything that you really need to get started, or just touch up on what you already know is well organized and labeled so that you can use it immediately. It's just what I was looking for, so that I wouldn't have to waste time reading the "full story" on each subject.

After following the advice in this book and sending out about 20 copies of my resume online, I had about 10 replies in the first week, and about 6 requests for interviews already.

If you are looking for a resume writing book or a new job, your search is over with this book. This book is a total solution to your job hunting. The book is not just about the "mechanics" or "how" to write your resume, but also about the "contents" or "what" to write in your resume. Many resume writing books cover "how" to write a resume, but they don't usually spend enough pages on helping you with the contents. With this book, you will collect or recall more accomplishments than you could possibly put on your resume... I bought the book to help me write my resume for application to an Ivy League graduate school and to transition from IS/IT to a business development position. The direction in the book helped me to develop strong content AND an attractive format. Witness the "magic" of transformation of the "before" resumes into "after" yourself! Your resume will be transformed, too with "Resume Magic"!

I said, "How can resume-writing be this complicated?" before carrying this 600-page 8.5" x 11" book home. Susan Whitcomb did a good job of compiling tips and advice and presenting them at the right time. There are tips on left vs. right justification, including personal information, and picking fonts, and long discussions on CVs vs. resumes, on functional vs. chronological, on printed vs. scannable vs. ASCII, and on grammar and mechanics. She's obviously a great copyriter and page designer.

Because, indeed, a resume now must look good enough so it will be read.

One chapter did nothing but help you choose which sections and section titles fit your situation. I found that weird, until I began the next chapter, which read, "Even experienced writers can feel some fear and trepidation when facing the start of a new project. You already have a good outline in which to work (chapter 4), which puts you beyond the 'blank sheet of paper' stage."

Inside the "tweaking" section, she even gives the keystrokes you'll use for both Microsoft Word and Corel WordPerfect.

You'll also find 250 "impact-mining questions" to ask yourself to come up with powerful accomplishment statements. Is that a lot? Well, no, but it gives you a good start! When you expect a resume-writing book to have a list of action verbs, Susan diligently wrote a impressive example for each verb.

I do not agree with her treatment of ASCII resumes, though. Of course, her discussion on online promotion and online resume submittal has grown stale; her ideas on "keyword resumes" is as outdated as advice on META TAGS on web pages.

Bulky... comprehensive... a great workbook.

Susan Britton Whitcomb's book, RESUME MAGIC, provides detailed instructions on the art and craft of resume writing. As a professional resume writer myself (who has read and reviewed dozens of resume books), I was impressed with the depth of Susan's material. Most resume books do not provide any real "meat" but RESUME MAGIC breaks the mold. It's not just a resume book -- it's a complete instruction manual by a writer who knows her subject inside and out.

Pat Kendall, Nationally Certified Resume Writer

This 596-page book is an excellent buy for the jobseeker and serious-minded resume writer. I own several resume-writing "how-to" books. RESUME MAGIC, by far, is my favorite...the one I reach for most often...my bible.

Susan Britton Whitcomb teaches the reader how to catalog their background, write great copy, choose a flattering format, and design a visually artistic resume. She leaves no how-to stone unturned: JIST cards, reference lists, action verbs, sample phrases, electronic resumes, cover letters, you name it!

[It's] a small price to pay considering the hundreds of samples, suggestions, and strategies Susan offers. Money well-spent indeed!

Kerry

I was overwhelmed,

This book is more of a resource book than a clear guide on how to quickly write a great resume. I found the volume of information overwhelming and it only served to frustrate me in that I did not know where to begin.

Trying to read the book from start to finish was a daunting task as it doesn't follow a logical series of steps to produce a great resume; it makes a great reference book but not a hand-holding guide.

I returned the book and purchased Robin Ryan's "Winning Resumes" (0471263656). This is an excellent, short book/instruction manual. Actually, I purchased both of her books; her cover letter book is "Winning Cover Letters" (047126348)

I purchased Ryan's books after I had sent 20 resume and cover letters and received nothing back except one rejection letter. After reading the books and following her step by step instructions I produced a much better set of material.

I have sent ten Cover letters and resumes since adopting her ideas and I've had three responses in just two weeks!!! I've had an interview with two of the companies and the third is still taking apps and will "get back with me".

Good luck in your search...

As a Certified Professional Resume Writer myself, I feel well qualified to offer my recommendation of "Resume Magic" to anyone who is looking for a source to use as a guideline in writing their own powerful resume. Susan Britton Whitcomb gives readers an insiders perspective on the tools that the best of the "pros" use in composing work for their clients.

In as easy to follow format, she covers all the basics as well as some of the intracacies that will allow the reader to compose personal marketing tools and launch their job search with confidence. Unlike many books on this topic, she provides expert guidance on subjects ranging from integrating advertising principles and graphic art pointers to rules covering proper grammar and punctuation. Her before and after examples demonstrate the points she makes.

Additionally, she provides valuable information from a hiring managers perspective on what they do and don't like to see on resumes. This information was compiled by a very well conceived survey she conducted among some of America's top companies.

I got a hold of this book by pure accident. I was in the process of writing my resume when I happen to see this book at a local library. I checked out the book and after reading it for a couple of days I immediately ordered a copy from amazon.

My philosophy of learning to write resumes or writing in general is that imitation can be the best tool. Reading other great writers help you become a better writer and this book contains excellent source of great resumes. Marketing ideas in this book are also outstanding.

I was skeptical of this book since I've read several other books of this type that turned out to not be of much help. I must say, I was very pleasantly surprised - this book covers just about everything and does it in a way that's easy to digest. It's a thick book - 600 pages - but it reads much faster than that due to the large number of resume before/after examples.

To follow the strategies in this book will take some work on your part, but if you work at it, you'll end up with a great looking resume that gets noticed.

Read the entire book before you start writing your resume - it makes a big difference.

I have never had a book impact my life as quickly as this one.
thank you Susan Whitcomb for your words of wisdom
I spent one weekend re writing my resume with the help of this book, I sent out 2 resumes the following day, had 2 phone calls before the week was over, 2 interviews within 2 weeks. And a job offer with a substantial pay increase was offered to me withing 24 hours of one of my interivews. I love my new management position. Why did I wait so long.
Highly recommend this book