Career professionals should pair polished resumes and LinkedIn profiles with education that empowers clients to use them.
When Career Professionals Do More Harm Than Good
Many talented career coaches, résumé writers, LinkedIn specialists, and career development professionals do excellent work.
But there is also something happening in this industry that we need to talk about.
Sometimes, in our effort to help people, we can actually leave them less prepared than when they came to us.
A job seeker pays hundreds—or sometimes thousands—of dollars for professional help. They receive a beautifully written résumé, a polished LinkedIn profile, or maybe even both. Everything looks great. But then what?
Do they understand why their résumé was written that way?
Do they know how to tailor it for a specific position?
Do they understand keywords and applicant tracking systems?
Can they explain the accomplishments listed on their résumé during an interview?
Do they know how to actually use LinkedIn to build relationships, increase visibility, and find opportunities?
If the answer is no, have we really completed the job?
A Résumé Is a Tool, Not a Solution
Imagine handing a loaded gun! No training, no explanation, and then asking them to hit a target? They may hit the target the first time but probably they will not hit a bullseye, or even the target. That's essentially what happens when we create career materials without providing education.
The client may walk away with a fantastic résumé, but three months later they are still unemployed; they are failing at hitting the target of getting a job. They don't know which positions to target, how to adjust their résumé, how to network, or why they aren't receiving interview invitations.
And something even more damaging can happen. They begin believing the problem is them; they can't hit the desired target, so something is wrong with them.
"Maybe I'm not qualified."
"Maybe nobody wants someone with my background."
"Maybe I'm doing everything wrong."
That frustration can quickly turn into job-search anxiety and loss of confidence.
Meanwhile, they may have spent a lot of money believing they were buying a solution.
LinkedIn Is More Than a Profile
The same problem happens with LinkedIn.
Someone can create an amazing LinkedIn profile for you. Great headline. Strong About section. Professional photo. Keywords throughout.
Wonderful. But LinkedIn isn't a digital résumé you create and then wait for recruiters to discover. It is a networking and communication platform.
If nobody teaches the client how to build connections, engage with others, communicate with recruiters, participate in professional conversations, and maintain their profile, we've only completed part of the work.
The Damage Goes Beyond One Client
This is where I believe career professionals have an even greater responsibility.
When someone spends a substantial amount of money on career services and walks away feeling confused and unsupported, they don't just lose confidence in that particular provider. They may lose confidence in all of us.
The next time someone offers career coaching, résumé assistance, LinkedIn support, or professional development, their response may be:
"I've already paid someone to help me before. It didn't work."
And yes—I see this.
I've talked with people who have invested significant amounts of money into career services and still don't understand how to use what they purchased. That should concern everyone working in this profession.
Education Should Be Part of the Service
I believe good career development should do more than create something for someone. It should teach them something they can continue using after our work together ends. That doesn't mean clients need to become professional résumé writers or career coaches themselves.
It means they should leave with an understanding of their own career story and greater confidence in navigating their job search.
A résumé should include guidance on how to use and tailor it.
LinkedIn development should include education on networking, engagement, and profile maintenance.
Career coaching should help someone develop strategies they can continue applying independently.
I have had plenty of would be client ask if "I could just write the resume for them, they did not need me to show them how to do it". No, is my answer!
Because the goal shouldn't be dependency.
The goal should be empowerment.
If someone works with me and leaves with a great résumé but still has no idea what to do tomorrow morning, I haven't given them everything they need.
Career professionals have an opportunity—and a responsibility—to do more than produce polished documents.
We can teach.
We can explain.
We can build confidence.
And ultimately, we can help people understand how to advocate for themselves long after they stop paying us.
Don't just give people career tools. Teach them how to use them.
Blessings,
W😀