Disappointing Experience at The Resume Store
I recently worked with Arnold "Arnie" Sherr, the owner of The Resume Store, to create a resume and cover letter for my job search. I found them on FairyGodBoss.com. This experience truly happened and is real, occurring between May 1, 2024, and May 9, 2024. While I felt hopeful about our collaboration, I ultimately experienced several issues that led to the working relationship ending abruptly.
One of the main concerns was Arnie's lack of communication and customization. Despite my attempts to provide feedback and guidance, Arnie's approach was generic and failed to capture my unique experiences and qualifications. The phone consultation call was very short, and he didn't ask me about my experience. He also took all of my jobs listed on my LinkedIn page and put them on the resume without informing me or consulting me first.
One major red flag was that The Resume Store didn't require a questionnaire intake. The resume drafts Arnie did for two roles were 99% identical, and the cover letters were generic. I took the time to review the materials that Arnie sent to me, which were first-round drafts. I even had some people whose job roles involve tutoring the public on academic and resume writing review these materials. Many saw the resume Arnie sent to me as too wordy, repetitive, and having too much information, among other things. I also looked at what other certified professional resume writers and career coaches had to say, and I incorporated that with my own detailed feedback. I was not trying to be a know-it-all, but I have a right to give feedback and to have a collaborative process. Had I not provided feedback, Arnie could have given me something sub-par.
Furthermore, Arnie suggested submitting resumes as a Word document, which is not the industry standard and could potentially harm a job seeker's chances of having their application taken seriously,
In the consultation call, Arnie asked me twice if I had looked at The Resume Store sample resumes, touting the 5-star Google reviews of the service. It's important to note that he is likely the only person rewriting the resumes, which made it difficult to address tailoring the resume to specific job applications.
I was already working with another resume writer under the Professional Association of Resume Writers and Career Coaches (PARWCC) simultaneously. Arnie wrote the resume drafts within 24 hours amid the 3-5 business days window. If Arnie and The Resume Store had concerns about my feedback, they could have scheduled a phone call or even a Zoom meeting to discuss the feedback.
Additionally, when I raised concerns about the quality of his work, Arnie became defensive and ended the working relationship abruptly, in an email titled “I am refunding your money” stating, “I am refunding your money. It seems that you feel you know more about resume writing than a professional resume writer who has been perfecting resume writing skills for more than two decades. I feel that some of your edits are reasonable, and too many are not. Perhaps you can take over from here. Good luck moving forward.”
I did not expect this from a business founded and established in 1995 under “Sherr Enterprises” and then re-established as The Resume Store in 2009. I expected better.
While Arnie Sherr did provide a refund, I felt compelled to share my experience in the hopes of helping others make informed decisions about working with resume writing services. I believe that clear communication, customization, and collaboration are essential components of a successful working relationship, and I hope that other consumers can learn from my experience.
In hindsight, I realize that finding a resume writer who understands your unique background, career goals, and communication style is crucial. It's important to trust your instincts and prioritize open communication and collaboration when working with a resume writer. Remember that the ultimate goal is to create a resume and cover letter that accurately represents your qualifications and helps you achieve your career objectives.