I wanted to share this experience with everyone in hopes that nobody would make the mistake I made by being overzealous. 

I have been unemployed since March of this year when I was laid off from my job and I have tried various avenues to seek new employment opportunities. I have utilized several job boards, registered with almost every temp agency in town and even moved out of town for a while to seek work, to no avail! So I started reading about the trend towards professional resume writers and I decided to give it a try. I met one here on LinkedIn and we exchanged emails about the subject of hiring them to re-write my resume. I was excited that this might be the extra "umph" I needed to get the attention of potential employers. I was told that I needed a functional resume format, as opposed to the traditional chronological one. It was explained that for someone like me that has a great deal of employment history in one field (customer service), who is now trying to focus more on another area (Administrative/Personal Assistant), this would be the best format. 

I took the word of the professional as someone that specializes in this line of work and accepted the suggestion. I received an invoice prior to the work and was required to mail a check for payment for the services before a phone call or any services were rendered. I accepted that as being their policy and followed the process. Then, I started noticing a delay in email responses. I was advised that my check was received and we would have a phone discussion the next day. That day came and went without any word from the Resume Writer. Late that evening, I sent an email and stated that if this was a bad time I would rather get my check returned to me and we could try again when the schedule was better for them. The next AFTERNOON I got an email stating that it was an emergency and it couldn't be helped and they would call me to discuss the resume further. I finally got that call and 2 days later I got the new resume. 

Up front, it looked really nice and professional. I got over the initial excitement of something new and decided to fine-tooth it. That's when I found all sorts of editing errors, the left margin was almost non-existent in one section, there were spelling errors, typos, etc. I sent a bulleted list of points for the writer to review and revise. The thing that I found most concerning was that the spelling errors were "hidden" meaning Word didn't underline them in red as it normally should, but I knew they were misspelled. Several of the corrections I pointed out were made. But that was JUST the resume. The package included a cover letter, a follow-up letter, and a thank you letter and at various later times, I noticed the same hidden editing errors as well. 

In addition to all that I did some research based on information I had read that states that the majority of employers prefer the chronological resume to-date. According to one survey, only about 17% of employers like the functional resume. I spoke with the TOP recruiter in Houston - that has been so for at least 30 years and she said the same thing. I presented the facts and supporting documents to the writer and in a nutshell, the response was - aim for the 17%. ARE YOU KIDDING ME? At that point I inquired about customer service - what, if any, policies the company had for dissatisfied customers, etc. I was told initially that I could pay more money to have a new resume written in my preferred format, then I was told that they were taking that offer off the table and I was essentially being dismissed as a client. What about all the errors? What about all the problems? The missed call? The lack of response to the email? Does any of that mean anything? Apparently not. 

So, I learned several lessons - do your due diligence before money changes hands and ALWAYS take your complaints to the BBB if you can't resolve them with the company!

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Nikki - 

Unfortunately, your story is probably pretty common...in today's world of the internet, it's too easy to "hang out a shingle" and instantly "be in business" as a consultant, copywriter, coach, whatever. 

Not that there's anything wrong with that - if the individual is: 
1. Qualified and experienced 

2. In business "for real" 

A few pointers for the future... 

1. Only deal with vendors who accept Paypal or credit credit cards. It is very easy for for any business person to get set up, and should be "standard". Paypal has a dispute resolution process, that may have been able to get your money back for non-performance. 

2. If they don't accept paypal, then ask the vendor for their tax ID, so that you can deduct the expense on your taxes...whether or not you actually take the deduction is your business, but their reaction will give you an indication as to whether or not you should feel safe sending them a few hundred dollars up front. 

There are plenty of vendors out there...make sure you use a professional. 

Best of luck out there! 

Tom 

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Hi Tom, 

Thank you for your response. I knew better for much of this journey but I overlooked my first mind - which we should never do. The person did offer credit card payments as an option, but, they said it would be a 5% up-charge. I should have also accepted that option and probably could have easily disputed it with my credit card company. I am patiently awaiting a response from the BBB for my initial dispute. 

Thanks, 
Nikki

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That upcharge is another flag....any business person in that capacity should absorb the CC fee, and not pass it along...it is THEIR cost of doing business, which THEY should be deducting on their taxes.....my guess is that the reason they wouldn't do that, is that there is a lot of revenue that they are not claiming. 

Best of luck. 

Tom