Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions2023-03-29T14:44:55+00:00

Resume Writing (Services)

The signature Resume packages are our premium offering for building your new Resume and more. These packages are designed for motivated individuals across all industries and experience levels seeking to improve their marketability and competitiveness as a job seeker.

Our Resume Writing Process begins with an online introductory questionnaire – followed by an in-depth intake consultation. First drafts are ready in five business days and there’s a 30-day window for unlimited revisions to ensure your full satisfaction with the final documents.

Please view Bronze (starting at $550 for professionals), Silver, and Gold or visit the Resume Packages for a breakdown of all three.

Resume Refresh is our most affordably priced service for giving your Resume a makeover.

Starting at $250 for professionals, this service is 50% less expensive than our signature Bronze package.

This service is perfect if you’ve already done the work of documenting your experience and achievements and need help tying everything together in an ATS-friendly and professionally polished manner. However, if your Resume is outdated or missing a bunch of information, you’ll be better off with our signature Bronze package (starting at $550 for professionals) so we can properly build your new Resume.

LinkedIn™ Optimization is a top-to-bottom service for building the strongest possible profile using all the components of your LinkedIn profile. This includes developing an opening summary, individual job descriptions, long-form projects, and more.

LinkedIn is a widely used platform among hiring managers and recruiters. You’ll want a strong LinkedIn profile that works in tandem with your Resume and accurately communicates your level of seniority and industry specialization.

We create bespoke content for your LinkedIn™ profile (DIY) on a MS Word document. Unlimited revisions are included for 30-days to ensure your complete satisfaction with your LinkedIn profile content before it goes live.

For an additional charge, we offer a service for performing the work of optimizing your LinkedIn™ profile (PRO) on your behalf. Please read the following FAQ for a closer look at the differences between DIY & PRO for LinkedIn.

Resume Distribution is a service for emailing your Resume and an accompanying Recruiter Letter to 500 to 2,000+ recipients at staffing and search firms across the country. Sending your Resume to these search firms is a fast, convenient, and pain-free way to jump-start your job search.

Search firms like Korn Ferry, Heidrick & Struggles, and Christian & Timbers are an intermediary between employers looking for talent and job seekers. These firms help companies find qualified talent for a variety of roles across multiple industries, occupations, and experience levels.

We also possess the ability to send your Resume to venture capital and private equity firms. This option is best for C-Suite leaders and entrepreneurial-minded professionals specifically targeting opportunities in the startup ecosystem.

Resume Distribution is part of the Gold Package or may be purchased individually.

Typically, in the US, a Curriculum Vitae (CV) is reserved for professionals with extensive and/or specialized academic training. This includes college professors, PhD students, judges, scientists, medical doctors, and more.

A USAJobs-compliant Federal Resume is needed for applying to job announcements within the United States federal government.

This includes, but is not limited to: Dept of Agriculture, Dept of Commerce, Dept of Defense, Dept of Education, Dept of Energy, US Armed Forces (Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, Coast Guard), and related government agencies.

Resume Writing (Process)

Yes, for all of our Resume Writing Services, a telephone intake call is a standard part of the client intake process to better understand your needs prior to first draft development.

Sometimes building one ‘master version’ that satisfies multiple targets is best. For instance, imagine you’re targeting Project Manager jobs as well as Program Manager jobs. Since these titles are similar, we’ll create one ‘master version’ that works for both targets.

However, now imagine you’re targeting Project Manager jobs as well as Business Development Manager jobs. Since these aren’t so similar, you’re going to need two different versions (one for each focus).

In cases like this, we offer 2nd Focus Resume when multiple versions are needed.

All of our Resume Packages include ‘Unlimited Revisions’ allowing for unlimited edits, revisions, and questions for a 30-day period after receiving your first drafts.

We do our very best to develop flawless documents on the first try. Your input is helpful in building documents that are properly aligned with your goals. Constructive feedback and helpful comments and questions are welcomed and encouraged.

The process for making revisions typically involves downloading the document in MS Word and using track changes / comments to make markups, then uploading your revised draft into the client portal. Although written revisions tend to be most productive, phone call requests are happily accommodated too.

Unlimited Revisions is for refining and fine tuning the master version of your Resume. If you have multiple targets, it may make sense to consider adding 2nd Focus Resume to your order for the development of a secondary version.

First drafts are normally delivered within five business days. Adding rush service means first drafts are delivered within two business days. We also respond to all draft revisions within one business day (normally three business days).

Please bear in mind, these timelines require your participation in completing the client intake process (online introductory questionnaire and telephone consultation).

Resume Writing (Other)

Building a visually-appealing and ATS-friendly Resume is the key to success in today’s modern hiring environment. Your document must capture a human’s interest while also satisfying the requirements of applicant tracking systems.

To that end, we maintain a small collection of carefully crafted formats that meet these standards. We usually select the format on behalf of each customer. If preferred, we also allow customers to browse our collection and select their desired format.

Generally speaking, most private-sector Resumes are one or two-page documents (depending on your experience level) prepared in MS Word.

The full-service Resume Packages range from $500 to $1,600 depending on several factors. Our most affordably priced service is Resume Refresh which starts at $250 for professionals. All rates are posted here on the website. Please visit your desired service page to see exact pricing.

Here are three fictitious samples prepared to provide a visual representation of what we aim for.

We maintain a small library of carefully crafted Resume formats designed for satisfying human readers and applicant tracking systems alike. During the resume writing process we create bespoke content and use format variations to ensure no two projects come out exactly alike.

Our Resume Packages are designed to address your needs today. But, what about one, two, or even three years from now?

As the years pass – we make it easy to keep things updated. Our Resume Rework service is reserved exclusively for returning JobStars customers in this situation (starting at $195).

Whether adding your newest jobs, tweaking the focus, or changing the layout. Anytime you need help down the line, this service is reserved for our valued former customers.

Eligibility for Resume Rework is one of many great perks when choosing JobStars.

Career Coaching (Services)

A La Carte Sessions are nonthematic, flexible, and agile 1-on-1 Career Coaching for any career-related issues you’re facing. This includes interviewing, career transition (quitting, getting laid off, or being fired), dealing with a difficult boss, salary negotiation, and more.

Partnering with a Career Coach offers emotional support, practical guidance, and a greater sense of accountability in doing the work necessary to overcome any career obstacle.

Our ‘Making a Career Change ‘program involves working 1-on-1 with a dedicated Career Coach to take a step back, explore your career options, and develop a plan.

If your career is in flux – whether it’s the occupation or industry you’re in – partnering with an expert Career Coach offers fresh perspective and a knowledgeable approach to making a change.

Included in this program is the Keirsey™ Career Temperament, an assessment tool for mapping your skills and interests to potential career paths.

Our ‘Mock Interview Prep ‘program involves working 1-on-1 with a dedicated Career Coach to better understand how interviewing works, learn effective techniques, and get practice in a safe, non-judgmental environment.

If you’re uneasy about interviewing – whether addressing a sensitive topic or negotiating a higher salary – partnering with an expert Career Coach offers fresh perspective and a knowledgeable approach to improving as an interviewer.

Included in this program is the Keirsey™ Career Temperament for help better understanding your own personality type and communication style.

Career Coaching (Process)

Coaching sessions are conducted on a recorded, confidential phone line. You receive MP3 recordings of each coaching session allowing you to listen back and reflect on the conversation.

Sometimes we also use Zoom video conferencing.

Between sessions you have direct contact with your Career Coach to send messages via written correspondence within the dedicated client portal.

By participating in Career Coaching you have full access to our entire library of exercises, guides, and worksheets which are available for download in the client portal.

Between sessions, you may be assigned voluntary “homework” which involves doing exercises, worksheets, and external research to spur along your objectives.

Here is a rundown of the different worksheets, guides, and exercises in our library.

Career Discovery Worksheets & Exercises

  • Career Discovery Pondering Questions
  • Career Values Identification Workbook
  • Researching Occupations Exercise

Goal Setting Worksheets & Exercises

  • 3 Month Vision Worksheet
  • Annual Goal Setting Worksheet
  • Rocking Chair Life Visioning Exercise
  • SMART Goal Setting Exercise
  • Understanding The Why of Your Goals
  • Wacky Wild Goal Brainstorming

Job Search Worksheets & Exercises

  • Company Target List Worksheet
  • Job Search Fundamentals Checklist
  • Job Search Tracker (excel)
  • Monthly Goals Worksheet
  • Requesting an Informational Interview

Self Improvement Worksheets & Exercises

  • Boost Your Strengths Exercise
  • Weakness Zapper

Self Reflection Worksheets & Exercises

  • 360 Feedback Exercise
  • Find Your Hidden Treasure
  • Get Perspective Worksheet
  • Job Focus Grid
  • Personal SWOT Exercise
  • Sample Values List
  • Top 10 Cognitive Distortions

Interviewing Worksheets & Exercises

  • Elevator Pitch
  • Interview Cheat Sheet
  • Interview Recap Worksheet
  • Interview Script

Job Search Guides

  • Guide to Accessing the Hidden Job Market
  • Guide to Applicant Tracking Systems
  • Guide to Behavioral Interviewing
  • Guide to Cover Letters
  • Guide to Customizing Your Resume
  • Guide to Facing Unemployment
  • Guide to Job Search After Age 50
  • Guide to Job Search Letters (Letters of Acceptance, Refusal, and Resignation)
  • Guide to Networking
  • Guide to Professional References
  • Guide to Quitting Your Job
  • Guide to Salary Negotiation
  • Guide to Understanding Salary Transparency Laws
  • Guide to Working With Recruiters

Generally recommended is a one or two-week interval between each session. This timeline may be faster or slower, based on your personal preferences and availability.

Yes. Night and weekend sessions are available upon request and mutual availability.

You may purchase up to five additional A La Carte Sessions for extra time with your Career Coach after your program ends.

Career Coaching (Other)

Post Program Correspondence allows you to keep the conversation going with your Career Coach for 30 days after your final session concludes. This keeps you in touch with your Career Coach for help with questions or issues you run into.

Please allow 1 business day turnaround time for each round of replies.

The Keirsey™ Career Temperament ($95 value) is a popular career assessment tool which provides suggested career matches based on research surveys conducted across a wide spectrum of industry. This tool is well known for assisting career professionals, job seekers, and students in the career exploration process. The findings and takeaways are helpful for aligning career choices with your innate strengths and preferences.

It also offers tips on communication and interpersonal skills, based on individual personality type. This information is useful for refining and improving your performance during job interviews. By understanding your own personality type, you possess the knowledge to convince the interviewer why you’re best suited for the open role.

This is included in our Making a Career Change and Mock Interview Prep programs.

Here is a sample completed Keirsey Career Temperament Report.

General FAQs

What is JobStars USA?2022-08-12T17:05:29+00:00

JobStars USA is a career services practice in the business of helping job seekers achieve their career goals. This involves engaging in the delivery of Resume Writing and Career Coaching services for individual professionals.

Download: JobStars Menu of Services (PDF)

 

Where Can I Read Customer Reviews?2022-10-04T21:07:26+00:00

Please visit our Customer Reviews page to read BBB testimonials from former JobStars USA clients.

What Are the Client Terms?2022-09-30T21:37:11+00:00

Please see our participation terms and conditions for more information relevant to paying clients.

Is JobStars USA an Employment Agency?2022-08-10T18:23:49+00:00

No. We are exclusively a career services practice that provides Resume Writing and Career Coaching for individual job seekers. To find employment agencies by industry try using our popular List of Employment Agencies.

Who Do We Serve?2022-10-19T19:57:09+00:00

JobStars USA serves individual job seekers including entry-level through executive-level professionals across a broad range of industries and occupations. We help professionals in the local service area (Chicagoland), nationwide, and globally to those eligible for employment in the US, US territories, and Canada.

Here are some examples of recently served clients.

* Job Title | Seniority Level | Industry | Geographic Region

  • Sales and Business Development Executive | Management | SaaS and Technology | Austin, TX
  • Maintenance and Warehousing Associate | Professional | No Industry Specialization | Philadelphia, PA
  • Mechanical Engineer | Management | Defense and Space Manufacturing | San Francisco, CA
  • Chief Executive Officer | C-Suite | Energy and Utilities | Salt Lake City, UT
  • VP of Internal Audits | Management | Banking | Chicago, IL
  • Marketing Associate | Professional | Ad Agencies | New York, NY
  • Operations Manager | Management | Healthcare | Miami, FL
  • VP of Marketing | Management | Consumer Packaged Goods | New York, NY
  • Sales Manager | Management | SaaS and Technology | Chicago, IL
  • Director of Global Logistics | Management | Electrical, and Electronics Manufacturing | Seattle, WA
  • Project Manager | Management | Construction | Chicago, IL
  • Senior Business Analyst | Management | Fintech | San Francisco, CA
  • Logistics and Supply Chain Manager | Management | eCommerce | Miami, FL
  • Lead Pastor | Management | Theology | Chicago, IL
  • Senior Tax Analyst | Management | Banking | Chicago, IL
  • Business Analyst | Professional | Oil and Gas | Dubai, UAE
  • Agriculture Technician | Professional | Agriculture | Indianapolis, IN
  • Supervisory Intelligence Research Specialist | GS 13-15 (Federal) | Criminal Justice | Los Angeles, CA
  • Sales and Business Development Manager | Management | Healthcare | Minneapolis, MN
  • Chief Intelligence Officer | GS 13-15 (Federal) | Criminal Justice | San Francisco, CA
  • VP of Analytics | Management | Fintech | Boston, MA
  • Director of Environmental Policy | Management | Science | Washington, DC
  • VP of Marketing and Strategy | Management | Sports and Entertainment | Cleveland, OH
  • Human Resources Manager | GS 13-15 (Federal) | Healthcare | Baltimore, MD
  • Chief Operating Officer | C-Suite | Real Estate | Chicago, IL
  • In-House Counsel | Professional | Legal Services | Chicago, IL
  • Human Resources Business Partner | Professional | Retail | Denver, CO
  • VP of Product Development | Management | Consumer Packaged Goods | Chicago, IL
  • Associate Director for Regulatory Affairs | GS 13-15 (Federal) | Government Administration | Washington, DC
  • Senior Director of Labor Relations | Management | Aerospace and Aviation | Dallas, TX
  • Senior Director of Engineering | Management | Telecommunications | Philadelphia, PA
  • Technical Product Manager | Management | Computer Software | Minneapolis, MN
  • Park Ranger | GS 8-12 (Federal) | Wildlife and Parks | Flagstaff, AZ
  • Change Management Consultant | Management | Fintech | Columbus, OH
  • VP of Manufacturing Engineering | Management | Transportation | Seattle, WA
  • Director of HR | Management | Technology and SaaS | Charlotte, NC
What Are the Rates?2023-01-08T03:06:54+00:00

Resume Writing

For help with your Resume – our services are offered at a few different price points.

Our most affordably priced service (Resume Refresh) starts at $250 for professionals. Our full-service Resume Packages range from $500 to $1,600 (depending on several factors). For exact pricing, please visit the service page and scroll below the FAQs to make your selections and see pricing.

Career Coaching

We offer two different Career Coaching programs at the $495 price point as well as individual A La Carte Sessions for $150.

View Rates

All rates are posted here on the JobStars website. Please visit your desired service page to see exact pricing.

How Do We Protect Client Information?2022-08-10T18:51:18+00:00

JobStars USA is dedicated to safeguarding personally identifiable and sensitive client information. Please see our Customer Privacy Policy for a detailed breakdown on what information we collect, how we use it, and how it is stored.