Welcome to a Curvy Mom Blog. We are uber excited to have you within our community to share your story.
Today, we spotlight Alexandria “Alex” Doyle of the Resume Passion.
1. You created Resume Passion because of your passion for writing…have you always wanted to be a writer?
Actually, I had a passion for writing resumes and cover letters! I do love writing because I am a Technical Writer by profession as well; however, it is writing career documentation that has always been so enthralling for me. My dream was to be a lawyer actually. I’m happy I didn’t pursue it because it definitely doesn’t seem up my alley at all right now.
2. At what age, did you realize that writing could become a business?
I didn’t realize it until I was in my 30s actually! In my 20s I had a friend who told me “Dria (that’s what they call me too!) I don’t understand why you work for people when you write as well as you do?” My reply was “Well the only thing I feel like I could write are cover letters and resumes but how lucrative is that?” I dismissed it after that! I did revisit it 5 years later in my 30s and gosh, I didn’t really pursue it seriously until 5 years after that. What made me believe in myself was after I read “Rich Dad, Poor Dad” by Robert Kiyosaki. I knew then that entrepreneurship was the route for me.
3. Being a mother, working full-time, running a company – how do you create balance to juggle all three plus have a personal life?
I barely manage this sometimes haha! I am running like the energizer bunny but I do things to make life easier for myself. For instance, I sing at 2 churches and I’ve scaled back to every other Sunday now. Also, I’ve modified my schedule for client calls to free up some space for myself. It’s touch and go sometimes and I just kind of go with the flow. What also helps is outsourcing. I have hired several people to aid me in balancing out my life in these areas. I believe in making sound investments that create balance as well. So far I have hired designers, a marketing expert, a business coach, and a mentor for my business. As for my personal life I make arrangements and cater food for the family or pay for cleaning services to sweep through the home. Best advice: Instacart!
4. Tell us one thing you would change if you could look back to starting Resume Passion…
I would ask for help sooner from those in my network and community within the same industry. I didn’t seek out advice because I felt like I wanted to figure it out on my own. I didn’t think it was fair to try to “Ride on someone else’s knowledge and hard work.” I have always been a firm believer in conducting my own research. I didn’t realize that people wouldn’t perceive it like that and everyone is eager to help the other to prevent your colleagues from falling into some of the same obstacles you may have faced. I also found out the best advice is paid advice to those who have done what you are trying to do already.
Related article: How to secure paying clients
5. Technical Writer by day, Resume writer by night, do you explore other writing areas?
I actually do! In my profession I lay the framework for document control programs consisting of Standard Operating Procedures, Templates, Forms, Work Instructions, etc. I actually wrote the document control program for Equifax a couple of years ago which was a neat project! People who know me are aware that I am a writer so they call upon me for other writing projects. Right now I am working on some Biographies for some high-level attorney’s in Las Vegas who worked on the Bebe King and Stormy Daniels case! I’m also working with a Pharmacy student on his letters of intent as well. So Jack of all Trades there! One day I will niche down my writing expertise though.
6. Who is welcome at Resume Passion; all job levels?
Pretty much so! I haven’t branched off into doing Curriculum Vitae’s (CVs) yet but I am going to revamp a CV for a Pharmacy Student and we will see how that first rodeo goes! My favorite is to transition people into new careers as I enjoy pulling out those hidden talents because it allows me to tap into my creativity.
7. The average resume turnaround at Resume Passion is ten days because of the level of service you produce – can you walk us through your process and what this entails {from onboarding to completion}.
Sure! Clients book an initial call with me to determine if we are a good fit. If they feel confident to move forward they are invited to complete a questionnaire and make payment. After the 1st payment, contract signature, and 2-3 job descriptions of choice we get started with the strategy session in which I interview them. They walk me through their work history. It is during this call that I pull out people’s passions and capture who they truly are so I can make them come to life on paper. After I complete the work I send it off to the clients for edits & final revisions. I send my clients off with a thank you letter, some Resume Passion paraphernalia, and a few perks that I offer.
8. Being a recent graduate – what advice would you give to him/her that is struggling to land a position within their degree field?
I would say to reach out to people in that field on LinkedIn and schedule coffee chats and informational interviews. Find an internship or become someone’s apprentice and don’t ever be ashamed of having to work for free to gain the experience you need. Sometimes we have to take 1 step backwards to get 2 steps ahead.
9. In your personal opinion, do you feel that employers judge a person by their resume, and if so, in what ways?
Of course! That is the first piece of “You” they are introduced to and first impressions are lasting impressions. I think it’s fair because the people who go above and beyond with their resumes are the ones who are going to give it their all on the job. These companies are looking for winners to invest in! If you won’t invest in yourself chances are they will not invest in you!
10. How do you handle the competition with other women in your field and what advice would you give others struggling with the same dilemma?
I would say that I don’t deal with any competition. It’s more so collaboration. There are over 90 billion people on this earth so there shouldn’t be any competition because there is enough bread for all of us to eat! Honestly, everyone in the community has done nothing but help me out. We help one another to grow. I know for a fact I wouldn’t know half of what I do if it had not been for the wonderful network that I’ve acquired. If I am booked I am able to send my clients to other trusted resume writers because I want them to win even if it’s not by my hands! I had a client with an urgent request. I was working on 6 resumes that weekend so I was full to capacity! One of my fellow resume writers who does bomb work was running a sale. The candidate needed a remote to care for his mother so I was able to save him time and money while still getting the best of the best! This is why collaboration is key. At the end of the day, it’s not about us but it’s about the clients and helping them embark upon the beginning of a new journey. Anyone struggling I would say steer clear from those who are trying to compete because that’s not a healthy circle of friends and energy.
11. Have you seen a spike in your business since the pandemics’ arrival?
I would say the spike in my business came once the “Great Resignation” hit which is a direct result of the pandemic so yes. The number of people leaving their jobs, being laid off, and simply searching for something new is astronomical. We really are in a different climate.
12. Do you tell your client’s work history from scratch or revise a current resume?
I use both! I mostly rely upon my clients to tell me the story from their own mouth so that I can work my magic and create everything from scratch. I request the current resume but I always craft the bullets very differently because my methods are strategic and I am constantly evolving.
Related article: How to Turn Your Passion Into a Career: Business Tips for Women
13. Myth Buster: Should resumes for administrative professionals really stay on one page?
NOPE, there are no rules but just recommendations! Always remember the people doing the hiring are biased, have their own opinions, and are regular everyday people like you and I. Sometimes as job seekers, we have the tendency to treat this journey as if we are Dorothy on the yellow brick road going to see the Wizard of Oz or meet the Big Bad Wolf. The one-page myth is really a joke. One page is standard for entry-level, two pages for mid-level, and I would say higher up positions it is acceptable to exceed that limitation. Honestly, recruiters will look at executives as crazy if they try to cram all of their experience onto two measly pages!
14. For clients who are attempting to land their dream job but may not have the experience, how do you assist them with their resume?
I pull out transferable skills from what they have in their work history. If I am unable to identify any then I suggest some other routes for them to take such as may be doing an internship, apprenticeship, something entry-level, taking some courses, networking, or even acquiring a certification to boost their resume. I’m pretty good at what I do but I do tell my clients that I’m not a magician and I’m for darn sure am not Harry Potter lol! I deal with very realistic expectations.
15. A Senior Executive’s resume compared to an entry-level customer service rep would read differently, however, would the formatting and basic foundation of resume building be the same?
Yep. The format would be more strategic for the Executive. There would be a rhyme and a reason for it. For entry-level and customer service at that, it really doesn’t take all of that mojo to get a seat at the king’s table because those positions come a dime a dozen. Executive-level positions are more of a rarity so you have to meet the standard and have a rare resume that equates.
16. Most employers do not like to see a large stretch between employment: What advice would you give a stay-at-home mom returning to work after a long work gap or a fifty-year-old woman that retired but decided she would like to go back to work?
I would say to just be honest and disclose what you did in that time period. This goes back to remembering that the people behind the desks are regular people like you and I. People tend to get too spooked about HR and overanalyze things in their brains when really many of them understand that people take different paths in life. The main question is do you qualify and can you get the job done. If you can answer yes to that on your resume then no one with a sound mind will care about you being a stay-at-home Mom or a caregiver during an employment gap.
17. Resume Passion has been so successful for you that you are planning to become a full-time entrepreneur very soon; how will your days change being in the CEO chair full-time?
I will definitely start my days earlier! I plan to be up by 5 am or 6 am and get a nice amount of work done by 10 am. Jobs provide us with structure so I will have to create my own with a new schedule which I am looking forward to. I am really busting out some serious projects while working on this full-time contract as a Technical Writer now. I know once they let me loose I will definitely be dangerous!
18. In being a new entrepreneur what challenges have you faced and how have you dealt with those challenges?
Figuring out who to trust to help me elevate my business. You cannot trust everyone. So many entrepreneurs have sought out help and people took their money and ran or it was a complete waste. That is the biggest challenge entrepreneurs face really. We cannot afford to lose money during this time in our lives. I had to really sit back and observe, join collaborative communities, and network to find out who was legit. It has definitely helped me tremendously.
19. What part of being a business owner would you delegate if you could?
Hmmm…I would delegate the strategy calls! Gathering the information takes a lot of time. I typically record my sessions so that would be easy if I could just have a recording for me right there. Also, the emails back and forth! I’d love to outsource a VA for that.
20. Where do you find your biggest online community support?
Instagram is my jam! That is where I found the other career gurus. As far as clients it is LinkedIn. The community there is diverse and unlike any other. The people I connect with are total gems.
21. Resume Passion is a business that solves a problem for many; where do you see your business in the next year or two?
I see my business model shifting to the digital product realm! Right now I am still perfecting this one but I can definitely still see the future.
Related article: 3 Ways Your Small Business Can Rack Up Big Clients
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5 Spotlight Questions!
What is your daily self-care routine?
Going for a walk with my daughter! My 2-year-old gets fresh air, I get exercise, and we spend quality time together.
Best advice you received…
To invest, invest, invest in your business and yourself!
Favorite thing to do when you have alone time…
Cook and watch Netflix!
What would you tell your eighteen-year-old self?
That everything is going to work out.
What would be your natural talent if you weren’t doing this?
Making experimental cooking videos! I used to try new recipes and post on my snapchat. People always told me I should get a YouTube. I love it!
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To connect with Alex:
Instagram: @ResumePassion | Facebook: @ResumePassion4U | LinkedIn: adoyle314
Email: contact-us@theresumepassion.com
Phone: (770) 502-6484