The massive use of the Internet paved the way for the advent of online resume service. Resume services have made the lives of jobseekers so convenient for many years now. But when choosing a resume service, job-hunters must take into consideration these criteria that make a good online resume service:

Background. Not only do resume services have their respective expertise, they also have their share of pitfalls, as no online resume service is perfect. So don’t be deceived by the “looks” such as an office with a congenial atmosphere or an eye-catching web site that seems to offer not only a “powerful resume,” but even the sun, moon and the stars. Dwell on its track record-achievements, credentials, previous reputable clients as well as samples of work. Check also the qualifications of writers of a resume service -their educational attainment, trainings or seminars attended and conducted and so on-if they really have what it takes to craft resumes.

Rapport. When looking for an online resume service, look for someone that you will feel comfortable working with, as a resume is not just a business document-it’s a gist of who you are and what you can do. You have to be at ease with the writer of a resume service to fully trust him or her and be able to tell what points in your resume you want to be included, emphasized or deleted.

Work Techniques. Resume services work in different ways: Some prefer conducting face-to-face interviews with their clients first before working on a resume draft; while others just let their customers fill out forms which will serve as the framework of a new resume. Whatever their methods are, select the system of an online resume service that you are happy with. Just keep an open line of interaction or communication to get a favorable outcome.

Hard copy or electronic copy? Ask right away an online resume service if they could give your resume copies in different formats-a hard or printed copy which can be in Microsoft Word, txt and rtf formats, or in electronic form which can only be seen through e-mail or via a Web site. Be cautious as well of a deceitful resume service that uses obsolete or passé computer programs that “forces” you to return to their office and you have to pay for additional dues every now and then.

There are many ways to approach a recruiter; but before doing so, you need to know and understand how they work. To begin with, you should keep your expectations at a minimum initially, because executive recruiters are not there to help you to find a job; rather, they are looking for a suitable candidate for a client. In other words, they do not find jobs for people, they find people for jobs. They work to find the most-qualified and best-suited candidate for their client on the basis of a fee they charge the employer for each candidate they secure. The importance of a good CV cannot be ignored in getting a job, especially with executive recruiters. Your resume should be tailored to highlight your skills so they will fit a slot in a particular industry. Your resume should have strong support for the job you wish to apply for in the form of qualifications, relevant experience, skills, and accomplishments.

It would be better if you could find a recruiter who can find the job you desire in a particular location and area. This will save a lot of time, effort, and money. For this purpose, you can use databases available online, from library job resources, or from recruitment directories. Make a list of recruiters who fit your job and location. The potential of recruiters from smaller firms should not be ignored; it would be wise to include them in your list. Once you have compiled your list, make a thorough search of the recruiters’ backgrounds. You want to know their history, reputation, and experience. Be sure that the information about them is unbiased and is from independent and neutral sources.

Another vital point for getting the best job with the help of an executive recruiter is to return calls promptly. Discuss any positions of interest with them and let them know of any that you wish to avoid. You can also give them referrals for jobs they offer you if they recommend one that you don’t want. In this way, you help them by providing them with useful information and referrals, which might increase your chances of getting a better job position. Also, if the recruiter has a favorable experience with you, he or she might be able to help you out in the future.