Job Hunters: How to Hire Professional Help

By Candice Choi, AP Personal Finance Writer

NEW YORK (AP) — Fred Alm wants a full-time job. So much so that he paid a professional $200 to make his resume sparkle.

"I figured it would be worth it, even just to see what happens," said Alm, a 52-year-old resident of Troy, N.Y. who teaches business classes part time at a community college.

It's only been a week since Alm got his new resume, but he thinks the investment will pay off. It now starts with a "personal profile" that brings together his mixed background as a teacher and marketing professional. Then it dives into his key skills so hiring managers can see why he's right for the job.

Whether the changes will make a difference is still to be seen. Unable to turn teaching into full-time work for the past several years, Alm decided to explore other opportunities. The timing isn't in his favor.

Despite some glimmers of improvement, the job market remains crowded with an unemployment rate of 9.4 percent. That figure rises to 16.3 percent if you include those who've given up looking or settled for part-time work.

Given the competition, Alm isn't the only one looking for an edge. You may also wonder if a resume writer, job coach or other career services professional can improve your chances.

Here's the rundown on what you need to know.

PICKING A PROFESSIONAL

The career services industry is not regulated; anyone can sport the title of "job coach" or "resume writer." Professional organizations and schools offer numerous certificates, but you can go cross-eyed trying to figure out what the various acronyms mean.

For instance, the International Coach Federation, the National Resume Writers Association and the Career Management Alliance each offers its own credentials. It's also possible you'll find a perfectly capable professional with no certifications but plenty of experience.

"People should hire coaches or resume writers whose work they've seen and with whom they feel trust or a rapport," said Liz Sumner, executive director of Career Management Alliance, a trade group of about 400 career service professionals based in Peterborough, N.H.