Everywhere you look these days, the internet is filled with authors, marketing professionals, and  career experts. Why, even this article may having  you scratching your head asking, “how is this story different from other career professionals touting to have the answers?”

Noise, noise, everywhere! And, not just auditory noise. When it comes to being bombarded with tips, tricks, career experts, and the best advice,  the noise and confusion can be overwhelming on the internet.

One columnist reports, “don’t accept just anyone on linked.com as a contact” while my own advice is, “broaden your horizons and accept people you do not know.”

What is a person to do?  

Block out the noise while choosing wisely. Listen to your gut!

When shopping for a career coach, best executive resume writer, or social media expert, consider the following:

• Does the person have real world, practical experience in his/her professed industry?    Marketing people know marketing. HR folks know career coaching and recruiting. Certifications and credentials are an added bonus. And, for many of these folks, there is cross-over with success in all of the  named industries; marketing, hr, recruiting, and career coaching. While one may argue that you do not need corporate experience to become an expert as a career coach, it is helpful to know that your coach understands corporate politics, on-the-job issues related to inequities, and the matrix workings of a large corporation. The key is to choose a person who fits what you are looking for. If you want a person who has a corporate background, then choose an expert with this in his/her toolkit. And, not all corporate experiences are the same. Find someone that can relate to your situation and your needs.

• Does the expert have a clear understanding of what it takes to seek employment? Has the resume writer been in a position of recruiting, interviewing, and hiring? Or, does the resume writer have a strong background in writing, editing, and publishing. When it comes to choosing a resume writer, know what it is that you need before blindly calling around.  Some clients prefer to work with exceptionally strong technical writers while others prefer to work with a writer who has a comprehensive background in hr, recruiting, and technical writing.  Most importantly, do not shop based solely on cost. You get what you pay for! A $99 resume is usually a product that will be newly typed. A $500+ resume is a product that entails a phone interview, a worksheet, a skills identification, and more!  Also, certifications and credentials are factored in. If you want a typist, expect to pay $99. If you want an expert, expect to pay $500 – $1,500.

• Don’t get swayed by too much online marketing. Hiring a career expert is like shopping for a personal trainer. Your best executive resume writer, executive career coach, or expert social media career marketer and you need to have a connection. You will be establishing a relationship with this person so listen to your gut. If you are not feeling a connection, chances are the career expert isn’t feeling it either. Often, clients act emotionally and succumb to online marketing tactics, pay thousands of dollars, and then walk away feeling lousy.  Online marketing is great! It is even better when it clearly showcases the business owners face, credentials, and client list. If you cannot speak to the executive coach, resume writer, or social media career marketer directly, consider moving on.

• Is the web site old school? Cluttered with loads of verbiage and bold phrases telling you to “act now?”  While not all web sites are created equally, you can choose wisely and learn to navigate between the noise to determine a “right fit” for you.  More and more web sites are moving towards less verbiage and more imagery.  This is usually a good sign! It simply means the business is current on app’s, current on the needs of career clients, and current in social media career marketing. This is also a sign to encourage the potential client to pick up the phone and call OR email. If you are seeking one-to-one service with an engaging career expert, you will notice that listing less information is an invitation to pick up the phone.  So, do it!  Less is more!

Becoming an expert in any field takes years of practice, tenacity, and learning.   When shopping for your expert career coach, executive resume writer, or social media career marketing expert, be smart and don’t fall for the frenzied rush of faux marketing promises. Use common sense and block out the noise!

As the saying goes,

If it is too good to be true, it probably is!