Commonly Asked Questions

What is a résumé evaluation?

It is a comprehensive, highly personalized evaluation of one's résumé or résumé draft focusing on three areas: tactical development, strategic development, and implementation.

Our résumé evaluations are limited to senior executives, and the comments reflect the level of compensation, responsibilities, and title of someone earning over $100,000 annually.

Each résumé evaluation is customized to the executive's needs. There is no place for either "canned" or workbook approaches to executive job transitions.

It is assumed the résumé is being or will be used for a job transition.

A résumé evaluation is not a résumé writing service, although you can easily finish a draft résumé as the result of this evaluation.

How long will it take?

From the time your résumé draft or résumé, the forms which chronicle your responsibilities and achievements, and the forms which identify and describe your objectives are all received; we will complete the evaluation within five days.

If our current client load will impact such turnaround, a mutually agreed upon date for completion will be set by the client and Mr. Masterson, prior to any work being started. You will know this in advance.

You will receive it in its entirety by whichever method you have selected: e-mail, first class mail, or fax. Overnight mail is extra, and you'll be charged accordingly. Those who elect to have the evaluation sent to them via e-mail or fax will also receive a hard copy via first class mail.

What is included in a résumé evaluation?

A résumé evaluation consists of evaluating Tactical Issues, Strategic Issues, Objectives, and Utilization.

Tactical issues include the following:

1. misspellings or grammatical errors;
2. finding the résumé to be difficult to read;
3. determining whether your entire career has been accounted for;
4. evaluating if the résumé has an attractive, professional format;
5. determining whether the paper is appropriate in color, quality, and size;
6. determining whether the typeface is appropriate; and identifying any inconsistencies in text or format.

Strategic issues include:

1. whether the résumé properly addresses your objectives;
2. whether you present a senior executive profile;
3. evaluating if the résumé is accomplishment-focused;
4. determining the résumé's overall credibility;
5. identifying if you portray a series of uninterrupted successes;
6. determining if it is an appropriate springboard for ongoing dialogue.

Objectives include:

1. compensation, industry, size of organization, function, title, location, and a long range objective are a solid, working minimum set
2. think about your objectives independently, without regard to others
3. the resume follows the objectives, not the reverse

Utilization Issues include:

1. proper preparation before launching your job search;
2. contact with the following: references, executive search firms, management consultants, professional associations, venture capital firms, ads and job listings, personal contacts, and direct employer contacts.

We also give you our thoughts on utilizing your résumé with follow up letters.

Why can't I use a résumé writer?

For executives with broad responsibilities, high levels of compensation, and significant accomplishments, résumé writers will not be able to provide an appropriate service.

For the most part, résumé writers work with clients making in the $30,000 to $70,000 range. They simply don't appreciate the differences between the careers of mid-level managers and senior executives.

The résumé writer has a formatted approach to producing a final document. Essentially, every person's résumé will look similar in terms of presentation.

The résumé will not take into account your objectives and will only take into account your responsibilities in a nominal manner. A senior executive's résumé needs to be reflective of his/her objectives, not simply a recitation of past jobs and time periods.

Bottom line, your career is too important to put in the hands of someone who does not typically deal with individuals at your level of accomplishment and compensation; whose approach is formatted; and who does not approach this in a comprehensive manner.

Why do I need you to do a résumé evaluation?

The writing of a résumé for a senior executive is as much art as it is science. Knowing what to say is only part of the equation. One needs to know how to say it. And, one needs to know when not to say something.

A résumé evaluation will also serve as a sounding board for what will likely be a very, very big step in your career. It only makes sense that you would want to make this step as exacting as possible.

And, in having Mr. Masterson's input and counsel, you are receiving the benefit of his personal, intense experiences covering over 25 years and over 500 senior executives like yourself.