If you have spent hours Googling “free resume help” and still haven’t made any progress, it may be time to look for resources outside of your computer. The city you live in wants to help you find a job just as much as you do, even if their only reason is to help the economy of the city, so why not take advantage of it? There may be some unique organizations or locations you could get free resume help from depending on your city, but there are a few “no-brainers” most cities offer.
Where to start
A good starting point is your public library. Most public libraries will have free computers for use. You may just need to sign up for a library card, which is also free. The computers will already have Microsoft Word installed to help you build your resume or, depending on the city, may have a resume building program installed.
Before heading to the library, check their website for events. Most public libraries offer job seeker advice or assistance and after learning some tips, you can use the computers to begin your job search. The library is also full of resume and job search “how to” books. When choosing a book, make sure it is industry specific and up to date. Avoid 1,000 page resume books and job search tips for every industry because you will spend more time reading the books than actually working on your own resume or job hunt.
Additional free resume help
Visit sites like CareerBuilder® and Monster® and search for “job fairs” and narrow your search to your city or neighboring cities. There may be some industry specific job fairs or even company specific job fairs so read the description carefully to make sure it is relevant to you. Depending on the company hosting the job fair, they may offer resume and interview workshops an hour or two before the job fair, so prepare to get there early and dress as if you are going in for an interview.
How to handle free resume help
Free resume help is exactly what it sounds like… free. So be cautious of the source and how up to date the information is. There is plenty of free and reliable resume help out there, but don’t just drive from career fair to career fair. Read reviews or ask someone who has attended a workshop in the past if it is helpful – or it may not be worth your time.
Resume help is right in front of you
Don’t forget about resume help that may be right in front of your face – friends, family and co-workers. These are all people who actually care about you obtaining a job. They will be honest with you and share their personal job search experience. When searching for free resume help, look outside Google® and attend a workshop or meet with a friend or family member. And remember, it may be free for a reason so read reviews and review the credentials of the workshop.
Related articles
- My friend gave me resume samples which one do I pick? (helpyourcareer.org)
- How To Get A Paid Internship (answers.com)
About Stacie Garlieb
