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Published Sunday October 10, 1999 in The Calgary Sunday Sun

Start search with Wordscapes

By JODY SPARK
Calgary Sun

It is a familiar story - - job-seekers invest in a resume writing book or course, go home and write the resume. The result is a silent phone and rejection letters in the mail.

According to Wordscapes owner David Turner, when people do their own resume and follow a common template, they often miss the mark.

"It's like going into a courtroom without the proper legal documentation," says Turner. Most resume agencies merely advise the job-seeker, then leave it up to them to write it. Other companies will type resumes for you, but the job seeker must write it.

Wordscapes, on the other hand, will consult with the job-seeker, build a profile, write the resume and lay it out.

Turner has been consulting and writing resumes for almost 15 years and has seen trends come and go. He knows what works and what doesn't.

Wordscapes crafts resumes for people in many types of professions. And because of its extensive experience, Wordscapes is familiar with industry terminologies and human resource needs. Turner -- who has a background in broadcasting, copy writing, and graphic arts -- says the consultation gives clarity to the job-seeker.

"People come in and they don't know what they want to do," he says, adding about 40% of his clients are in career transition.

Wordscapes can consult on how to conduct yourself in an interview and how to search for the job you want. Many companies are seeking employees, but advertise as a last result. He teaches how to target those employers, as well as the tricks of e-mailing and faxing resumes.

A employer may look at the resume for nine or 10 seconds and in that time, the job-seeker must convince the reader they are the best candidate.

Turner says too many people put the wrong information in the wrong place on a resume and make it a chore for the potential employer to read.

The cost is $45 per page -- which includes the consultation, writing and page layout.

A bad resume writing book costs $60, and a bad resume writing course can cost $200, said Turner. "I've never seen a good resume writing book. You can't afford not to use Wordscapes."

Some Wordscapes clients are stay-at-home mothers and are forced to work because of divorce. Others have been with a company for many years, but were let go two years before retirement. Others are changing their careers.

At any rate, Turner says most people come in with a poor self-image and are frustrated in their job search. The majority leave focused and with a good feeling about their next step in life.

Wordscapes also does resumes for bank loans and employer-requested self evaluations.

Clients from Europe, U.S. and all over Canada have used Wordscapes. Turner is told his business provides a service no other agency offers.

Published Sunday November 1, 1998 in The Calgary Sunday Sun

Getting that extra edge
Wordscapes prepares great resumes
by Jennifer Isaac
Calgary Sun Writer

He's like the lawyer before you head to court.

David Turner, owner of Wordscapes, a Calgary-based resume service, initially provides an intensive consultation for clients.

"In a graduated, logical progression, I help my clients figure out the different stages of their job search," Turner said.

In a nonjudgmental, objective atmosphere, he demonstrates to clients how their current talents and abilities can transfer to other applications.

Take the case of Michelle Brandon* - a nurse who was bored with the unit she was working on.

"She walked in saying, my case is anemic, but I'd kill for this job," said Turner.

Turner helped Brandon to see her skills could easily transfer over to a variety of areas, widening the scope of jobs she could apply for.

"With her redesigned resume, she applied to three different competitions and was successful in all three," he said.

Turner describes a resume as a "10-second marketing campaign."

"With my 13 years of resume-writing experience in all market sectors, we're able to prepare a resume package ensuring you're in the top five percentile of the best resumes," he said.

A one-hour Wordscapes package gives you a consultation, where Turner builds a profile on you. "Then, I design and lay out your resume, and we proof it together," he said.

All printing is done in-house, with next day service. Prices range from $45 for a one-page resume, up to $165 for a multi-page document, with or without a cover letter.

"The ultimate goal is to build a client profile where they can use the resume in different markets," said Turner.

"We'll also cover what to expect during an interview," Turner added. "I'll provide you with some helpful tips that will give you an edge."

Wordscapes' services encompass a variety of packages, including building resumes for post-secondary admission requirements, corporate client profiles and business loans.

He'll also help you design your curriculum vitae.

But Wordscapes is more than resume writing - it covers all facets of your job search.

"It's the psychological component of our service that sets us apart," he said.

Complete confidentiality is assured.

For more information, visit Wordscapes' Web site at www.wordscapes.net - or for an appointment, phone 288-8911.

* name has been changed

Published Sunday February 22, 1998 in The Calgary Sunday Sun   

Resume is your best-seller
Write way to show off job skills
by Sherry Butt
Calgary Sun

You better have the write stuff.

When hunting for a job, getting an interview will likely depend on the quality of your resume.

"Your odds of getting an interview are increased substantially with a good resume," says David Turner, owner of Wordscapes, a resume service.

Turner says that when he produces clients' resumes, they have about a 90% chance of getting the interview.

The biggest mistakes people make when putting together their own resumes are lack of knowledge about what to include, a tendency to diminish their skill level, not identifying their skill sets and not understanding what a potential employer is looking for in a resume.

There is a 7 to 10 second countdown to determine if someone is going to read your resume, says Turner, so a quality resume is essential.

An experienced professional in the field of human resources, Turner writes resumes for every industry and level of expertise from high school graduates to seasoned CEOs.

He doesn't just list credentials, but instead builds a profile on an individual so the same resume can be used for a variety of employment opportunities. 

The entire resume package, which should include a cover letter and resume, is tailor made to suit the type of business the client is in.  Turner then makes the resume an appropriate length based on his clients' particular skills. 

Employers want to immediately find the stuff they're interested in when scanning a resume. 

"It's not good enough to target anymore", says Turner. 

Employees have to have more than one area of expertise. 

Some of the skills employers deem important are critical thinking, problem-solving and interpersonal skills. 

A cover letter is crucial and should not include the same information as one's resume.  Some of the areas that should be included are the job targeted, why the applicant is qualified and what makes you different from the rest of the applicants. 

"The layout is also critical," says Turner, noting it should reflect the type of business targeted, be easy to read and be printed on quality stock paper. 

Turner's services are packaged to include a consultation, composition, layout and copies of the finished resume.  Prices range from $45 to $165. 

[ About Wordscapes ]